By Chad Koenen

Publisher

Oakwood Supper Club and Golf Course have been a part of the greater Henning community for well-over 50 years and the founding families of the institution were recently recognized for their efforts to bring a golf course and supper club to the area.  ¶  On Sunday, June 28, Neil Johnson and his late brother Frank were honored with a special plaque to commemorate their efforts in developing what has now become known as Oakwood Supper Club and Golf Course.  ¶  “Oakwood is here because of a dream of my brother Frank Johnson,” said Neil during the recognition program. “He told me lets build a golf course in Henning. I, at first, said no, but Frank finally convinced me and I said yes.”

Neil told the unbelievable story about how they built the golf course for under $100,000 after Frank identified a cow pasture off of County Road 5 and they purchased 80 acres of land for $20,000. Frank sold his Porsche and Neil sold some items, along with a loan from the SBA and First National Bank in Henning, the brothers were able to get enough money to get the golf course started.

They enlisted the help of contacts they made over the years to help put in irrigation, used dump trucks and friends to help and move the dirt and form the land for the new golf course. Not only did they utilize friends’ help, but Frank also knew someone originally from Henning who had designed a golf course in the Philippines and owned a Caterpillar. This person helped the brothers knock down trees and bury the stumps to help shape the fairways.  

All of the help and hard work led to the golf course opening in just one year, which Neil said was unheard of at the time. The brothers operated the golf course out of a shack until they could get the club house ready.

Once the golf course was designed the first people to ever buy a membership were Duwayne and Barb Amundson, as well as Duke and Stella Amundson. 

Of course once the golf course became open Frank felt the golfers needed a place where they could sit, eat and drink after a round of golf. Oakwood Supper Club was built with all local help and contractors, while the oak paneling came from the oakwood trees from the golf course and the bar came from the bowling alley in Frazee.

The brothers were honored with a commemorative plaque that now hangs in Oakwood Super Club to honor their work in bringing a golf course and supper club to the greater Henning area. 

In addition to a collection of local residents, a number of the Johnson family members were in attendance last Sunday.