At a recent luncheon meeting, the West Chester Golf and Country Club (WCGCC) was recognized with a Partner Award by our club. President Catherine presented the award to Joe Dugan, WCGCC Board president, who accepted the award on behalf of the country club. In presenting the award, Friedman said “The Rotary Club honors the WCGCC for its outstanding dedication to community service, unwavering commitment to excellence, and longstanding partnership.This is the second area business that has been recognized with a Partner Award. The Daily Local News received the inaugural Partner Award in the spring. The Partner Award is a new recognition of businesses in the greater West Chester area that provide longtime support of the club in Rotary’s Service Above Self mission. The award was initiated by the Communications Committee to recognize and acknowledge support of our club, and is presented each quarter of the year to a business that has been supportive of Rotary’s mission.
Sue Casso-Rogers, club secretary and a longtime member of the WCGCC, gave a historical slide show of the club, and spoke about its supportive relationship with our Rotary. In 1899, the WCGCC was founded by a group of West Chester residents, including Sue’s great grandfather. After a fire destroyed it in 1911, it was rebuilt in 1912. “The WCGCC has undergone a number of renovations, but its bones are pretty much the same,” she said. Nearby on the property, the club has recently added a new “Dive Bar” in the pool area.In 2007, as our club needed more space with a noon buffet and convenient parking, we began meeting at the WCGCC. In addition to providing an appetizing weekly lunch and parking, the WCGCC has been generous in allowing us storage space for our large banners and supplies. The WCGCC also allows use of the club’s board room for our committee meetings before and after luncheon meetings. In 2021, when our club celebrated its 100th anniversary, aided by the grounds staff, we put in a small garden adjacent to the club house to display our 100th anniversary plaque.
The WCGCC has provided a special dinner for our annual meetings/presidential induction, which includes use of the adjacent deck for the display of auction items. “Prior to the recent presidential induction and auction, a weather event occurred, blowing auction items all over the deck shortly before the event started. Club manager Brian McGowen and his staff quickly responded and helped us relocate the auction items to tables inside the dining room, “reports Glen Sweet, auction coordinator.
“With this sampling of a few of the many ways that the WCGCC and staff have been supportive, the Rotary Club of West Chester proudly honors the West Chester Golf and Country Club. WCGCC’s support of our mission has helped us make a lasting impact, strengthening lives and fostering positive change, locally and worldwide,” said Catherine, as she presented the plaque to Dugan. “It’s been our pleasure,” Dugan responded. “We’ll find a place to put this plaque so everyone can see it!”
After lunch, several Rotarians, who are current WCGCC members, gathered with Brian and Joe in the dining room, and Brian and Joe posed with Catherine and Sue near the sign outside the clubhouse.