Bass Lake Reunion
Bass Lake is a place where the brothers come to meet, reconnect, and build the bonds of brotherhood that span generations.
Each year over Memorial Day weekend, the Undergrad and Alumni brothers converge on Bass Lake for our annual reunion. This tradition has taken place for 60+ years and has evolved from an impromptu weekend getaway into the largest annual gathering of our brotherhood. 'BASS' is a weekend full of traditions that only get better year after year.
Future Bass Lake Weekends: (Wednesday - Sunday)
- May 22nd - 27th, 2024
- May 21nd - 26th, 2025
- May 20th - 25th, 2025
- May 20th - 25th, 2026
History of Bass Lake
- 1961: The first Memorial Day Campout was held at Pinecrest Lake off of Highway 108. Erv Rifenburg (7th) and Larry Allen had cabins near Pinecrest Lake, so a bunch of AU brothers went to those cabins over the weekend. A great time was had by all, and a larger group went the next year in Yosemite.
- 1962: The first 'Bass Lake' in Yosemite was held on the Merced River.
- 1966: This year we were told to 'leave' Yosemite and as the brothers headed down the mountain took a left at Bass Lake exit (Road 222) where they finished their weekend.
- 1978: The first weekend where the brothers were not at Bass Lake or Yosemite, but rather went to Lake Oroville. The brotherhood made a collective decision to utilize a house and ski boat Greg Shephard (47th) had on Lake Oroville.
- 1979-1985: Bass Lake was held between the Denver Church, Little Denver Church, and Recreation Point (79') Campsites.
- 1986: Bass Lake was held at 'The Forks' campsite.
- 1987-1999: Bass Lake was held at Crane Valley Campsite (starting at campsite D and eventually growing to include the entire campsite as more and more brothers and alumni joined the house and returned for the weekend).
- 2000-2001: The first Bass Lake weekend held at the Recreation Point Campground. Also, this is the first Bass Lake where over 100 brothers (active and alumni) attended. Brother Mike Owens, acting as Alumni Corporation President at the time, made the decision to change campgrounds.
- 2002: Bass Lake moved back to Crane Valley campsite due to 'scheduling issues'.
- 2003: Bass Lake returned to the Recreation Point campsite.
- 2004: Another 'scheduling issue' moved the campground back to Little Denver Church (how does someone reserve the campsites for the wrong Memorial Day weekend in May?)
- 2005: Bass Lake moved back to the Recreation Point Campground.
- 2006: The first annual Brotherhood Horseshoe Tournament was played. Won by Ryan Celaya (90) and Sean Graham (90) by the fire pits. Subsequent Horseshoe Tourney's have been played mostly at the beach, depending on the water level.
- 2009: A record 144 brothers joined together for Bass-2009, some traveling as far as 8,000 miles coming from 3 continents (Cesar Ayon from Copenhagen, Denmark)
- 2011: During the 'Sunday Sitdown' it hailed and we had a snow/ice ball fight. While at the horseshoe tourney on the beach, it became very evident how 'Sleeping Beauty' got his nickname. Technically this was the 50th Memorial Day weekend event in AU/DU history.
- 2012: 50th anniversary held of the first Memorial Day weekend event in Yosemite. The horseshoe team of Doug MacKenzie and Blake MacKenzie dominate the competition.
- 2016: For the first time ever 'Bass Lake' was not held at either Bass Lake or Yosemite. Due to the 5+ year drought in California, the trees around Bass Lake and at Recreation Point had become infested with bark beetles, weakening the roots and making it the campsite uninhabitable while the trees in the area had to be removed. AY/DU was able to successfully located a new site for the brotherhood at Steckel Park, near Ventura. The motto for this year was "You can't chop down tradition!". This was also referred to as 'So Cal Bass'. (125 brothers attended). #FUChaffee also originated.
- 2017: After a one-year hiatus, the brotherhood returned to Recreation Point, at Bass Lake. The water level at the lake was the highest it's been in 7+ years. 154 brothers registered for Bass Lake via the auducalpoly.com website, a new high.
- 2019: A record 167 brother registered for Bass Lake via the alumni website (59 actives, 108 alumni). This was one of the worst weather forecasts, so 3 large tents were rented for shelter, as well as extra firewood and propane heaters to stay warm. The 'heavy stuff' didn't come down till Sunday, which ended up canceling the Golf Tournament.
- 2020: Bass Lake was canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. A few led their own 'Backwoods Bass' in absence of an official event.
- 2023: A record 172 brothers registered to go to Bass Lake.
Directions
Other Points of Interest
Emergency Contacts
Recreation Point Campground at Bass Lake:
(Click Here for Directions using Google Maps)
Location: Recreation Point Camp Site, Bass Lake, CA
- From So. Cal and Central Coast: from Fresno, take Hwy 41 north towards Oakhurst
- From No. Cal: from Madera, take Hwy 145 east to Hwy 41 north towards Oakhurst
- Two miles past Oakhurst, turn right onto Road 222
- At the Rd 222/Rd 274 fork, stay right on Rd 222
- At the Rd 222/N Shore Rd fork, stay right on Rd 222
- Approx ¾ mile further, turn left into the Recreation Point Campground
GPS Coordinates for Recreation Point:
- 37 19'37.92"N, 119 34'54.46"W
Golf Course:
River Creek Golf Course
https://www.rivercreekgolfcourse.com/
41709 Rd 600, Ahwahnee, CA 93601
(559) 683-5600
Hotels:
- The Pines Resort (559.642.3121) - Closest bar and restaurant
- The Forks (559.642.3737) - Closest breakfast and place to get ice
- Millers Landing (559.642.3633) - Closest shower
- Best Western Plus (1.800.545.5462)
- Comfort Inn (559.683.8282)
- Days Inn (559.642.2525)
- Chukchanisi Gold Resort and Casino (866.794.6946) - Bill Cockshott (5th) stays here.
Oakhurst:
Action Urgent Care
www.actionurgentcare.com/clinics/oakhurst
40044 CA-49, Oakhurst, CA 93644
(559) 296-8707
Open Every Day: 9am - 5pm
Oakhurst:
Community Medical Center Intermediate
48677 Victoria Lane , Oakhurst, CA 93644
(559) 683-2711
Mariposa:
John C. Fremont Healthcare District
5189 Hospital Rd, Mariposa, CA 95338
(209) 966-3631
Open 24 hours
Horseshoes Tournament Winners
- 2006: Ryan Celaya, 90th; Sean Graham 90th
- 2007: Nick Wiegand, 86th; Scott Potter, 90th
- 2008: Matt Arellano 94th; Eric Hernandez, 96th
- 2009: Matt Arellano 94th; Eric Hernandez, 96th
- 2010: Matt Arellano 94th; Eric Hernandez, 96th
- 2011: Matt Arellano 94th; Eric Hernandez, 96th
- 2012: Doug Mackenzie, 54th; Blake Mackenzie, 115th
- 2013: Scott Porter, 76th/John Hatfield, 100th
- 2014: Ryan Celaya, 90th; Sean Graham 90th
- 2015: Jim Hansell, 58th; Michael Schmahl, 58th
- 2016: Ryan Celaya, 90th; Scott Potter, 90th
- 2017: Brandon Winneker, 98th; Carson Meehan, 124th
- 2018: Eric Hernandez, 96th; Joe Bauer, 122nd
- 2019: Matt Arellano 94th; Brandon Winneker, 98th
- 2020: COVID 19
- 2021: Scott Porter, 76th; Pete Sutsos, 76th
- 2022: TBD (it was an active); Brandon Winneker, 98th
- 2023: Alex LeBel, 134th; Jeff Kidd, 74th
Golf Tournament Winners
- 2001: Mike Swisher, Dave Renuart; Ed Divita; Terry Reeves
- 2006: Adam Books; Keith Spencer; Terry Reeves; Cox Thornton
- 2007: Scott Porter; Scott Potter; Coady Pruett; Nick Weigand
- 2008: Matt Arellano 94th; Andy Chaffee; Lucas Flagler; Matt Hensch
- 2009: Robert Nigra 14th; David Stickler 17th; Norbert Lippert 44th; Scott Fratzke 103rd
- 2010: Robe Anderson; Andy Gilkison; Kent Ekelund
- 2011: Robert Nigra; Rob Jennett; Doug Mackenzie; Casey McCaffery; Dana Walti
- 2012: Seth Catalli; Gary Gilkison; Tony Laliotis; Martin Thompsen
- 2013: Andy Chaffee Matt Hensch; Eric Hernandez; Nick LaValley; Erick Smith
- 2014: Robert Nigra 14th; David Stickler 17th; Lee Doble 20th; Tim Demma 20th; Dave Nelson 14th
- 2015: Doug Mackenzie 54th; Cox Thornton 81st; Terry Reeves 81st; Danny Fitzpatrick 120th; Dava Walti Honorary
- 2016: Andy Chaffee 96th; Art Heeg 100th; Erick Smith 98th; Scott Potter 90th
- 2017: Cox Thornton; Danny Fitzpatrick; Luke Lotti; Frank Crotti
- 2018: Lee Doble 20th; Scott Porter 76th; Jack Morgan 124th; Frank Crotti Honorary
- 2021: Rob Anderson 63rd; Andy Chaffee 96th; Jim Hansell 58th; Eric Hernandez 96th
- 2022: Andy Chaffee 96th; Bill Cockshott 5th; Tim Demma 20th; Matt Hensch 97th; Bill Powell 32nd
- 2023: Jim Hansell 58th; Michael Schmahl 58th; Andy Perucci 47th