GRANGER, IN (WSBT) — The Juday Creek Golf Course fire has drawn a lot of interest on Monday.
Neighbors and local golfers have spoken out about the fire that destroyed the Juday Creek Golf Course Clubhouse.
Many sharing stories of their time spent not only at the clubhouse but the golf course as well. Reflecting on the good times and wondering what the future now holds.
“I think anyone that is a part of that community feels that this is a loss. It’s just really sad,” said Abbi Pollyea, neighbor.
A Granger neighborhood is mourning the loss of a community staple after an early morning fire destroyed the Juday Creek Golf Course Clubhouse.
The clubhouse is known for hosting community events such as weddings, baby showers, and school reunions.
“I honestly I couldn’t believe it. I didn’t process it. I just didn’t believe it,” said Maryella Wittig, owner’s daughter.
Wittig, the daughter of the golf course owner, said her family is managing the situation as best as they can.
They remain hopeful that something positive will come from this tragedy.
“It’s definitely going to affect people I’d say because people are here every day just wake up and come and play” and “we have things handled and covered,” said Maryella.
Those in the neighborhood, now only left with memories of the clubhouse.
“It’s a sad Monday. I’ve lived here for 23 years. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been in that clubhouse, how many community events I’ve participated in that clubhouse, how many weddings, how many reunions, it’s a very popular staple of our local community,” said Christopher Riley, neighbor.
Riley said he had plans on attending a Penn High School reunion scheduled at the clubhouse, which is now cancelled.
While the building can be replaced, many people said the memories cannot.
“Even if they rebuild it, you know when something original is gone you can’t really ever get it back. The way that it was so it makes me really sad,” said Abbi Pollyea, neighbor.
Pollyea said she has been visiting the golf course for over 25 years with her stepfather, who recently passed away. She and her sons played there every week as a way to feel connected to him.
“Since his passing my one of my sons has learned how to play and I was feeling that so when I saw this, it felt like a really big loss that was kind of in addition to that,” said Pollyea.
Additionally, the Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation experienced delays in picking up students from the fire-blocked subdivision this morning, but school officials don’t expect there to be any lingering issues.
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