The Macatawa Bay Water Ski Club was started by Charles "Chuck" Sligh, Jr. in 1939. Macatawa, Michigan was the site of the 1941, 1946 and 1947 Water Ski National Tournaments.

In the period before 1958, Macatawa Water Skiers won more than 20 National titles; ran several ski schools and put on water ski shows to promote the sport. The 1946 Aquatennial Water Ski Show featuring Macatawa skiers had a live audience exceeding 100,000. Many shows were performed on the rough, cold water of Lake Michigan and Jones Beach, New York.

Macatawa skiers donated to the American Water Ski Educational Foundation (AWSEF) for the "Sligh Library" and continue their support for the Hall of Fame and Museum and Lake Grew and all AWSEF programs.

The Sligh family and the Macatawa skiers are the essence of water skiing in the past, present and future.