A Little History...The Neiman Family
The Neiman family is an example of who makes America great. In the Black Hills of Wyoming, their privately-owned sawmill is headquartered in Hulett, WY. When the company was founded four generations ago, approximately 60 percent of the log was viable in the manufacturing process. Today's use of sophisticated lasers and scanners-that measure up to 1,000th of an inch-allows the mill to purpose 99.9 percent of the log for various products.
The Neiman story is a lesson in the fruits of hard work with a little luck along the way. "My great-granddad manufactured grain doors for railroads during the Great Depression," recalled Jim Neiman Jr. "The natural progression of business required us to establish a sawmill. Business flourished and in the 1950s my dad had operations up and down the West Coast. One of our more profitable products was manufacturing 'mine squares' as support structures for the Hearst family silver mines.
"Our family has had some luck along the way," continued Neiman. "During the brutal recession earlier this decade, instead of laying off staff, we built inventory. We didn't expect the recession to be as deep or long-lasting and our warehouse was packed with $22 million of unsold product. Then, suddenly, when a massive earthquake hit Chile hundreds of sawmills in South America were offline. We sold out our $22 million in inventory, without offering much of a discount within 48 hours."
As the company continued growing, Jim was scouting the nation for mill equipment, he noticed commonalities in successful sawmill operations. Towns that had diversified job prospects and a laundry list of everyday services were better able to manage the spotted owl crisis. "Our town of Hulett only has a couple of hundred full-time residences," said Neiman. "I felt if we could create a reason to live here, both my company's employee recruitment and retention would be stronger."
On a bluff overlooking Devils Tower, Jim carved out three holes from the rugged wilderness. "It was slow going at first. When we saw the potential, several of the best shapers in the golf design business were hired to create a course we would be proud of," said Neiman.
"Our goal was threefold. First, provide employees of the mill a recreational outlet. Second, create an environment that would attract professionals and new entrepreneurs to Hulett. And finally, establish a golf experience so special that you would pick The Golf Club at Devils Tower as your summer destination. I think we succeeded on all accounts and, to boot we carry no debt on the club," said Neiman. "To ease the travel burden to the North-Western Black Hills of Wyoming, we built a 5,500-foot-long runway just up the street from the clubhouse. We greet you in a concierge cart for your short ride to the first tee."
The golf course has all of today's popular design trends. Bunkers are rough around the edges and fairways are framed by native grasses. The front nine plays through an open prairie and the back nine has more trees and elevation changes. "The trio of holes 11, 12, and 13, play to the canyon rim with clear views of Devils Tower in the distance." "If you have a bet against your partner, we suggest having a two-shot lead heading into No. 17. You hit out of a tree-lined shoot to a narrow fairway. The green is elevated with little bailout room. You really need to stripe it twice. The hole has been dubbed 'where good rounds go to die'.
Jim Neiman Sr. purchased a historic 1895 red birch wood back-bar from the Cowboy Bar in Belle Fourche, SD. Restoration has been completed and it's a beauty, it is the centerpiece of the new clubhouse 77 Steakhouse & Saloon. The new clubhouse and restaurant opened July 20, 2019.
In 2022 we opened Shotgun Coffee. A coffee bar named for our famous "Shotgun Starter", Jim Neiman Sr himself.
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