In his opening prayer, Mineola Country Club member Kent Mullins called Friday’s grand opening for the new clubhouse a bittersweet occasion.

What was lost that day in August 2023 when a fire destroyed the historic facility was a building, memories and stories.

It was constructed in 1932 by citizens with forethought, said Mayor Jayne Lankford, serving many generations.

The club had a “little bit” of bad luck, first losing the iconic tree that has served as the club’s logo, and then the devastating fire.

New memories will be made here, she said, and the old memories will not die.

City Manager Mercy Rushing talked about the effort of many volunteers to bring back the clubhouse. Dayna Sadler praised the three groups that played a role, the men’s and ladies’ and senior golf associations.

That day 14 months ago is now a distant memory, said club president Dan Carroll.

He listed all those who worked to bring things to today, working tirelessly, including the past two boards of directors, building committee, former manager Allen Brock and construction manager Michael Cain.

There’s more to come, as manager Tara Alexander and Susan Carroll plan to launch a new website and point of sale program this week.

People were walking around in a daze the morning of Aug. 21, 2023, Dan Carroll said. It was hard to comprehend.

“That’s when the questions started,” he said.

The board met that day, began formulating a plan and carried it forward from a sketch on a napkin.

The mantra all along was “bigger and better.”

From 147 members that day, it has more than doubled, approaching 330 as of that morning with more expected during the weekend festivities.

“We built it, they came,” he concluded.

He was then joined by Willie Boyles, at 95 the oldest member, to cut the ribbon.

Next will be creating one of the finest nine-hole golf courses in the state, he said.

It will be good for the club, good for Mineola, good for Wood County and good for the region, Carroll said.