The membership and staff at Belmont Hills Country Club are chomping at the bit to get onto the golf course.

Unfortunately, Mother Nature has been the only one able to play on the St. Clairsville Par 72 layout.

However, when the weather does officially break, BHCC Club Professional Ron Baker and his quality staff are ready for another big season with numerous club and outside events planned.

“We’ve got more than 20 outside, corporate outings and probably 20 more club tournaments, so we’ve got a lot planned,” Baker, who is beginning his fifth year of his second tour of duty at BHCC, said.

Like most golf and country clubs across the area, state and even country, the BHCC is working hard to gain membership. They’re using a membership drive where if a current member brings in a new member, the dues go to half price.

“We’ve produced probably about 25 new members, and we’re hoping to bring in a lot more,” Baker said. “It’s a very aggressive program to help get our numbers back up to where we like them to be. April is usually a big month for new members, so we’d like to pick up another 10 or 15 members.”

While many clubs across the country have been forced to close their doors, BHCC is “thinking outside the box a little bit,” according to Baker.

“We’re trying to get through it the best we can,” Baker said. “Our board of directors has been great, and we’re trying some different things. Hopefully, we’ll weather the storm a little bit, the economy will improve and we’ll start growing again.”

As has been the case for many, many years, the highlight of the BHCC calendar is its 43rd annual Member-Guest Invitational, which will be held July 7-9. The Club Championship, which former St. C. and University of Michigan golfer James Carson has had a stranglehold, is slated for August.

“We’ve got some really good players here,” Baker said. “I think they’re going to push (James) and you never know, they might break through and get a victory.”

Those two tournaments are exciting to watch if you’re even a casual golf fan. The players are deeply entrenched and every stroke is intently watched by many.

“Obviously, it’s about the golf tournaments, but other events surround those tournaments, which make them a lot of fun,” Baker confessed.

Two of the premier outside scrambles slated for Belmont Hills are once again the Niekro Scramble, which benefits Bridgeport Reading Program and the Jeffrey Showalter Memorial Celebrity Classic, which will be held in August.

“We’re anxious and ready to go,” Baker said.

Belmont Hills once again features lessons and club fitting. It was actually named a Ping Club Fitter of the Year for 2010.

For more information visit the Belmont Hills Country Club website at belmonthillscc.net

COLLEGE GOLF

Former St. John Central standout Haygen Mowder led the Lady Hilltoppers to a second-place finish at the Ohio Valley University Invitational, which wrapped up last week at Oxbow Golf and Country Club in Belpre.

Mowder finished as runner-up medalist despite a second-day charge in which she fired a 7-over par round of 78.

All told, she finished the tournament with a 157.

West Liberty returns to the links today to take part in the Vulcan Invitational, which is being held at the Cedarbrook Golf Club in Belle Vernon, Pa.

Mowder recorded her first hole-in-one late in 2010 at the Moundsville Country Club.

BIRDIES FOR BABIES

The second annual Birdies for Babies Golf Outing, which benefits the March of Dimes, will be held on Saturday, June 4 at Belmont Hills Country Club.

The event will begin with a shotgun start at 1 p.m. with registration slated to begin at noon. The cost is $75 per player or $300 per team. Lunch will be provided and dinner will be catered by Outback Steakhouse. The deadline to enter is May 28. There will be door prizes and a 50-50 raffle.

All proceeds of the event benefit the March of Dimes.

There are also several levels of sponsorships available, ranging from $800 for gold sponsor down to $100 for a hole sponsor.

For more information on entering a team or becoming a sponsor, please contact Bryan Woodford at 740-526-6598 or via email at birdies4babies_2010@yahoo.com.

ACE

DAVID CORAM recorded the first ace of the golfing season at Oglebay Park’s Crispin Course on March 19. He aced the 89-yard fifth hole using a 58 degree lob wedge. His shot was witnessed by Terry Cifer and Rich Walton.

SCRAMBLES

• ST. CLAIRSVILLE Saints Club Scramble will be held on Saturday, April 30 at Belmont Hills Country Club. The event will begin at 9 a.m. with a shotgun start. The entry fee is $75 per man and skins game will be available. There will coffee and snacks prior to the round with beverages during the golf, and a steak dinner at the Saints Club following the tournament.

• THE FLUSHING Masonic Lodge is holding its annual golf scramble to benefit two $500 scholarships to Union Local and Harrison Central High School students. The event will be held on May 21 at the Cadiz Country Club. The event will begin at noon with a shotgun start. Registration will begin at 11 a.m. and hot dogs will be available. The cost is $50 per man and the tournament is open to the first 22 teams. For more information please contact William McGowan (740) 942-4073 or Chuck Bizzari (740) 942-8196.

GOT GOLF INFORMATION?

• This column will once again become a weekly staple to The Times Leader’s Sports Section throughout the summer. We’re always seeking tournament results, upcoming scramble information and anything newsworthy about golf. Feel free to email me at sstaskey@timesleaderonline.com or call me at 740-633-1131 ext. 180 with all of your golf stories throughout the spring and summer.

MASTERS WEEK

Finally, major golf returns this week with the ultimate sign of spring, The Masters. Augusta National, Amen Corner, ‘A Tradition Unlike That of Any Other’ and the Green Jacket, WOW! I can’t wait.

The best part of the Masters is the fact that the course is challenging, but fair. The players don’t post ridiculously low numbers, but they’re not struggling on every hole, like the U.S. Open.

I think this Masters is wide open. I know one thing, I am not going to pick Tiger Woods. He just can’t seem to find the touch, but I promise he will at some point. I just don’t see it happening this week.

Personally, I like how the game of golf is evolving to the younger generation. By that, I mean you’re starting to see some new faces pop up. I think that trend will continue this week in Georgia.

My prediction for the winner is….drum roll please…..Bubba Watson. I also think Rickie Fowler will be in the thick of things, too. I’m, also, not ruling out the foreign influx.