October 15th is the date for the 21st annual Buckeye Blowout. Marietta Country Club loft is the event site which will feature a big screen match-up that should pit two top 10 teams as the Buckeyes travel to Madison Wisconsin to take on the Badgers. This is an event that dates back to the Notre Dame game in South Bend in 1996. An idea, of then WMOA owner 'Big John' Wharff, and Town House manager Mark Brock. The idea revolved around an opportunity to tailgate Buckeye style and view the game outdoors with Buckeye fans here in Marietta. For that very first Buckeye Blowout, 'Big John' had the best seat because he was in South Bend calling us back reports. We had rain, wind, and a lot of empty kegs. Despite rainy weather, we fired up some 'live' music, had brats and burgers on the grill and kept the brew flowing. Looking back it really was a blast. (A dozen of us rolled out to the Gauley River postgame and did some whitewater rafting the next day.) Also some of those first year t-shirts are still around, including one I'll wear this year.
That 1st event could have been enough to say. enough of that, but it created what is today one of the best area events anywhere. Over the past 21 years the Buckeye Blowout has raised more than $75,000 to help area students attending The Ohio State University offering yearly scholarships funded from this event. The Pioneer Club which is the Mid-Ohio Valley Ohio State Alumni Association brings Buckeye Alums, fans and supporters together to put on this event. This association is always looking for volunteers and members, so if you want to be connected to the event and help a good cause, just raise your hand.
The Marietta Country Club will host the event for the 2nd year in a row after many years at Tiber Way, a few years between the old Keg Room and Pastime Pizza Parlor and our 1st event down on the river behind the Riverview Building where the Chamber of Commerce is now. The Marietta Country Club makes a great location to take the weather issues out of the picture, and allow folks to enjoy this beautiful place. The Club has a rich history dating back to 1901, making it one of the oldest west of the Allegheny Mountains and the first in Southeastern Ohio. Having been located in its current location since 1920, it has hosted a variety of events, including the 1956 Ohio Open won by Jack Nicklaus.
The golf industry like many discretionary industries has taken a hit in the wake of the economic downturn, and many clubs are offering opportunities that should draw new members and escalate exposure to these private courses. Marietta Country Club is no exception, and will offer special 18 hole rates open to the public and special membership opportunities on this Saturday October 15th catering to Buckeye Blowout attendees. Don't forget “a bad day of golf, is better than a good day of work”, anytime, especially if you can round it out with a good night of football!
For more information on the Buckeye Blowout event contact the radio station and for more information onthe Marietta Country Club events open to the public and for prospective members you can contact Club manager Elizabeth Black at 740- 373-7722.
Go Bucks!
