What began as a golf outing for a handful of work acquaintances from Erie, Pennsylvania in 1958 has grown into a 60-year legacy for 24 golfers.
For 60 years, the Oglebay Knights have gathered at Oglebay to enjoy golf and camaraderie. On Thursday, May 20, 2021 this group of 24 golfers will celebrate their 60th consecutive visit to Oglebay with a celebratory banquet at Wilson Lodge.
When the group first began its yearly golf outing, Oglebay only had one golf course. For years, they played the Crispin Course during a weeklong visit in April. But schedules and members changed, and they now meet the third week of May.
The group watched and waited as Oglebay developed its two championship courses at Speidel — the Robert Trent Jones Sr.-designed course and the Palmer Course, designed by Arnold Palmer.
The group continues to rent three Speidel cabins with eight men in each. There is a cabin leader in each who keeps things running smoothly. And there are rules — rules for the cabin, rules on the course and rules for competing for those best scores. Awards are given at the conclusion of their week-long adventure.
The winning cabin proudly hangs a “Cabin Flag” outside to celebrate their victory the year prior.
The group made a fast friend in G. Randolph “Randy” Worls, who directed the operations of the park for decades. He still joins in their group fun every year.
“They were just a foursome when they first came here about the same time I started working for the park,” Worls recalled. “They are a good group.”
Worls said the Oglebay Knights have proven to be great ambassadors of the park, taking literature home and telling others about their experiences.
“They are a very loyal group. We would love to have 100 more groups just like them,” Worls said.
