Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
Son Steven and wife Wilma stand next to the plaque they accepted on behalf of their father and husband Bruce Gilliland at this past Monday night's induction into the Nebraska Golf Hall of Fame held at the Country Club of Lincoln. In the back ground on a screen was the picture of Bruce as he relaxed by sitting on a memorial stone at the Four Winds Golf Course that also recognized the many contributions to the game of golf in Kimball. Bruce did not make the trip as he was not feeling up to it at age 97 and after battling cancer the past few years.
Kimball's Bruce Gilliland was inducted into the Nebraska Golf Hall of Fame this past Monday evening in ceremonies held at the Country Club of Lincoln in Lincoln, Nebraska. Bruce, who turned age 97 just three days earlier, was not up to making the trip but was represented by his wife Wilma and son Steven who accepted the honor in his behalf. Wilma is familiar with the procedure as she was inducted back in 1993. Others on hand with Kimball ties included Mike and Denise Nelson, with Mike speaking in behalf of Bruce, and Jodi, Lindsey, and Grant Keeler, Lynn Smith and Con Good.
A total of five new members were inducted into the Hall of Fame this year along with Gilliland including Mike Klein of Scottsbluff who was and is a standout golfer along with coaching the Scottsbluff High School golf teams with much success. Stu Pospisil who writes for the Omaha World Herald, Jerry Fisher a head professional at the Country Club of Lincoln and the head coach at the University of Nebraska, and Mark Calcavecchia noted as the most successful Nebraska born golfer on the PGA Tour.
Mike Nelson, who now resides in Lincoln after living many years in Kimball, presented Bruce with a bit of his background and what brought him and Wilma to Kimball, gave a run down of the many clubs and activities that Bruce belonged to and in many cases originated. He was the founder of the Kimball Rotary Club, was and is a member of the City Parks and Recreation board since 1965 serving as Director of Golf for 48 years which still includes multiple visits to the golf course daily.
Perhaps his biggest contribution to Kimball golf was designing and supervising the building of both the front nine and later the back nine of the Four Winds Golf Course. He also supervised the construction of the adjacent Kimball Recreation Complex which incudes four ball fields, an archery range, trap club, and tennis courts. Later he designed and built a junior golf practice area complete with two greens, a sand bunker and also a gazebo for parties etc. This entire area is one of Nebraska's finest!
As a golfer, Bruce was a state runner-up in the state Sand Greens Championship and he has recorded nine holes-in-one during his illustrious golfing career. Bruce was a founding member of the State Sand Greens Golf Association. Founded the Panhandle Golf Association. Is a lifetime member of the Nebraska Golf Association. Was a scoreboard printer for the Women's Trans Am from 1972-1993, and kept scoreboards at the USGA Women's Amateur Public Links for five years.
Without a doubt, Bruce has done more for the sport of golf in Kimball than any other person with his wife Wilma right there with him. This elite honor is well deserved and a long time coming. Thanks to Greg Robinson for nominating him for this special honor. We salute you Bruce for your many years of service and for the recognition you so deserve. Thank you from all the golfers who enjoy the fruits of your labors.
