Riverside GC makes emphatic statement in state girls golf’s return to Grand Island

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (KSNB) - After a 14 year hiatus, the NSAA state girls golf championships made its way back to Grand Island.

“Grand Island was one of the communities that actually bid on the girls state golf tournament this past fall and they were awarded the bid by the NSAA Board of Directors,” NSAA Assistant Director Jon Dolliver said. “Very excited to be back in Grand Island. It’s been a while since we’ve been here for the girls state championships, but we’re back.”

Diane Rouzee and the Grand Island Visitors Bureau had one place in mind to host this years tournament -- down by the Riverside.

“I think Riverside just does a great job accommodating,” Grand Island girls golf coach Jeremiah Slough said. “It’s kind of our pristine course here in town, so I think it’s a nice opportunity to get the state tournament back. We’re really proud of Riverside and it is the best place for us to host that.

“We get to showcase what we got here,” added Dennis Fruchtl, head golf pro at Riverside. “It’s a great golf course in a great community, great staff. We feel it’s nice to have people from across the state of Nebraska from Omaha, Lincoln to come in and enjoy our facility.”

With the influx of patrons making their way to Grand Island, it turns into an economic driver for the city.

I think you get a good economic boost every time you bringing hundreds of people into the community,” Slough said. “It’s a great opportunity to show off our city and restaurants and other things that we provide. A lot of people from the eastern part of the state don’t make it out here very often, so it’s great to showcase a wonderful golf course, but also for a community that is full of great people and great establishments too.”