From clubhouse and cottage architecture to chef-driven menus and member events, each Dormie Network property pays homage to the character of its region. It’s this deep sense of place that makes Dormie Network membership unlike anything else in private golf.

GrayBull Club, the newest destination to join the Network, resides among the rolling dunes of Nebraska’s Sandhills. Just a 30-minute drive northeast of North Platte, in the village of Maxwell, the club is stitched into the prairie’s rich history. Designed by acclaimed architect David McLay Kidd, GrayBull is Dormie Network’s first ground-up build. It opened in the fall of 2024 to critical acclaim and was named one of the best new courses in 2025.

"Year one for GrayBull Club was a wild one, but couldn't have been more of a success. We've seen everything from wildfires, wild horses, tornadoes, and hole-in-ones. The team and culture here are something our members can take pride in, all at a facility that offers some of the best golf and amenities around. We can't thank our Dormie Network members enough for the support we have received since opening day. GrayBull is one of the best experiences in golf!"
- Tyler Hadden, GrayBull General Manager

The untamed nature of western Nebraska mirrors the region’s history. This is the land of “Buffalo Bill” Cody, who hunted bison for the railroad, scouted for the U.S. Army, and created the world’s first organized rodeo. Adventure and hospitality have always gone hand in hand here.

As GrayBull’s first full season nears its end, one final event took place: the inaugural GrayBull Canteen Member-Guest, held October 9–11, 2025. So, how is this new Dormie Network event inspired by the region? To answer that, we need to travel back to Nebraska in the 1940s.

The Story of the North Platte Canteen

Canteen [kan-teen] (noun)

A place where food and drinks are served, often in a school, workplace, military base, or other institution.
A small container for carrying water or other drinks, commonly used by soldiers, hikers, or campers.

Photograph of North Platte Canteen, Courtesy of the Lincoln County Historical Museum, North Platte, Nebraska — *Photograph Courtesy of the Lincoln County Historical Museum, North Platte, Nebraska*

The story begins in North Platte, Nebraska, on December 17, 1941—just 11 days after Pearl Harbor. North Platte was a vital stop along the Union Pacific Railroad. America’s military crossed the country by train to get to their battle stations. North Platte is located about a 30-minute drive southwest of GrayBull Club in Maxwell.

A train carrying Nebraska troops was expected. Hundreds gathered to greet their loved ones with hugs, baked goods, and gifts. When the train arrived, the Nebraska troops were not on it.

Instead, it carried Kansas soldiers. Most crowds would have gone home disappointed. However, 26-year-old drugstore clerk Rae Wilson rallied the townspeople to greet these strangers like family anyway, lifting spirits and boosting morale instantly.

From that small but courageous act, a historic volunteer movement was born. Inspired by the North Platte Red Cross ladies who ran a canteen during WWI, Rae knew this effort was needed again in WWII. By Christmas Day, Rae and a handful of volunteers were preparing baskets for every troop train that passed through. The troops would be shocked that these North Platte civilians stayed up late to greet them at any time of the day or night.

Over the next five years, the North Platte Canteen became one of the largest volunteer efforts of World War II. Fifty-five thousand volunteers served six million service members from across the United States and allied nations. Soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen, and coast guardsmen—all received the hospitality of the Canteen volunteers. Everything was offered free of charge: birthday cakes, coffee, milk, fruit, and letters—each gesture personal and heartfelt, reflecting a level of care that has become legendary. Though the troop stops were brief—only ten to fifteen minutes—they were always met with warm smiles, refreshments, and thoughtful touches, embodying what many would call quintessential “Nebraska nice.”

When the North Platte Canteen closed in 1946, it left a legacy of generosity that still echoes across the prairie. It is known as one of the most compassionate responses to the war on the home front.

Teeing Up Tradition

Fast-forward eight decades. When Dormie Network’s Chief Hospitality Officer, Chris Graham, received a book about the North Platte Canteen, the idea struck: what better way to honor the region’s most enduring story of hospitality? A theme that’s central to the very spirit of Dormie Network membership.

“At Dormie Network's core, we strive to provide the most genuine hospitality you can find in the game of golf,” shares Chris Graham. “The story of the North Platte Canteen speaks to that. We are proud to honor the name and continue to tell the story!”

So, the GrayBull Canteen Member-Guest was born—a Dormie Network member-guest tournament celebrating the extraordinary spirit of hospitality and kindness that the North Platte Canteen has represented for generations.

The event logo tips its cap to the Canteen, while club staff infuses details with local flavor and that trademark Dormie hospitality. Paying tribute to the North Platte Canteen adds an extra layer of meaning to the event, connecting members to a larger story.

GrayBull Canteen Member-Guest Recap

The inaugural event took place from October 9-11, 2025, under perfect fall conditions, with temperatures ranging from the mid-70s to low 80s.

Guests enjoyed a thoughtful lineup of gifts throughout the event, prepared by merchandise managers:
- Day 1: Set of sterling GrayBull wine glasses and a bottle of silver oak as a guilt gift, along with $500 of Greyson merchandise
- Day 2: Canteen golf balls on the cart with G-Tech hand warmer and GrayBull beanie. Onsite Greyson sweater bar was in the clubhouse where they picked out their cashmere sweater prior to teeing off for the day.
- Day 3: Golf balls and a Canteen logoed Winston driver headcover

Next time you’re en route to GrayBull, and want to explore more about the North Platte Canteen, check out these sites:

Lincoln County Historical Museum - An eight-acre museum and historic village showcasing the culture and history of central Nebraska and the Great Plains.

Canteen Memorial - Located on the site of the former Union Pacific Depot that once housed the Canteen, stands a tribute honoring WWII volunteers who welcomed millions of troops.

Canteen District - Revitalized downtown North Platte with restaurants, shops, and entertainment.

20th Century Veterans Memorial - Bronze statues at the crossroads of the Eisenhower Memorial Interstate and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Memorial Highway, honoring WWII service members and the locals who greeted their trains.

It’s a thoughtful reminder that genuine hospitality leaves a lasting impression—something every Dormie Network club strives to embody.

Sources:

https://lincolncountymuseum.org/the-north-platte-canteen1/

https://nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/series-media/non-series-video/the-canteen-spirit-story-41085224/