Washtenaw Golf Club History: Part 6

Washtenaw Golf Club celebrates its 125th anniversary this year. Founded in 1899, it is among the three or four oldest clubs in Michigan.

For my money, it’s among the best. If you are a fan of classic golf courses (as I am), you should play Washtenaw. Long a private club, it has been open to the general public for several years.

For the 100th anniversary, the then-private club published a commemorative book detailing its history.

You can read the earliest history of the club in this post here. The second entry in this series is here. The third segment of the history series is here. Segment four of the Washtenaw Golf Club History is here. Segment five is here.

From the official club history:

A Popular Pro Expands Programs

Hired as golf professional in 1953, Tom Talkington and Washtenaw Country Club became familiar names on tournament lists across the na ti on th roughout the ’50s and ’60s . In addition to his own career high­lights , Talkington further developed at Washte­naw one of the most successful junior programs anywhere that would produce a half-dozen pro­fessional golfers (the program was initiated by his predecessor pro Larry Pentiuk). Talkington also initiated the Wash­tenaw Invitational, considered one of the best club-run tourneys.

The ’60s saw several changes to the clubhouse and grounds includ­ing an expansion of the parking lot and a $40,000 glass porch exten­sion in 1968, which provided din­ing on both levels with a cocktail lounge on the second level and a dance floor on the lower.

The Talkington era came to an end in 1970. The popular pro end­ed his 17-year association with Washtenaw Country Club on November 22, 1970, when he Barton Hills Country Club in Ann Arbor. A new underground sprinkler system was installed in the 70s. Tennis courts also were added.

CENTURY NOTES

While the course record at Washtenaw of 63 was shot by Professional Tom Talkington, four amateurs while club members recorded 64s. They include the late Joe Savarino and ex-members Jeff Reaume ancl Bob Reynolds. Doug
Wilson completes the foursome. Club champion in 1967 and now 74, he remains a Washtenaw member.

Life member Bob Archer boasts a record single-hole score at the 18th. Playing in a 1985 two ­man event in which total score for both players was required, Archer claims a 28. Lying two at the bottom of the hill, the Dearborn attorney hit 12 con­secutive approach shots into the water. At this point he says he
went into the pro shop 10 pur­chase more balls. His next effort landed on the green, and wouldn’t you know, he one putted for a 28! Playing partner Bob Peterson didn’t comment on what may have caused Archer’s dilemma.

A Freak Storm

In the spring of 1980, the day before the ladies Invitational, a freak storm blew through Washtenaw. Then-pro Jim Applegate recalled that the staff huddled in the basement as the tor­remial winds and rain blew over the course and clubhouse. When staff members surfaced, they found 125 trees had been blown down. “A super effort by the grounds’ crew cleared the course for play the next day,” Applegate noted.

Ironically, a similar storm hit WCC in 1998, also the day before the Ladies’ Invitational, causing a one-day delay.

In 1984, 25 percent of Wash­tenaw’s membership was under the age of 35, when golf mem­bership fees were $3,000. In the summer of 1983, when the statewide recession gripped the area, the fee was dropped to $1,000 but returned to the $3,000 figure after 90 days.

In the fall of 1986, the swmming pool was removed to make way for a new driving range and practice putting green near the clubhouse. In 1990, construction of the present pool began; the facility opened in 1991

In the mid-1980s the golf course under­went some major changes with a new green built for the 14th hole and reconfiguration of the greens on holes two, five and eight. This was followed by the rebuilding of the club­house after the 1987 fire.

Century Notes

Ii was a quiet day at Washtenaw Country Club ancl Pro Jim Applegate was sitting at his desk while the ladies’ club invitational was being played on the course. Suddenly his office door burst open. “Quick,” ashed Mary Lee McAndrew, a toumey contestant with a question, “Whats the penalty for whiffing the wrong ball?” Applegate admitted he was stumped. But a search through the rules books determined the answer. The USGA may not
have imagined such a circumstance. ln all fairness it was a teammate, not Mary Lee, who “whiffed the wrong ball.”

A contestant in a ladies’ event parked her golf cart over the top of a sprinkler head just as it blasted forth. She promptly headed for the pro shop, tossed her sopping wet sweater at Pro Jim Applegate and demanded a new one. The wise professional reports “she got one.”

The Fire of 1987

In the early evening hours of March 15, 1987 a fire believed to have started in the first-floor kitchen of the clubhouse, turned into a raging inferno, completely gutting the main section of Washtenaw’s clubhouse. The devastating blaze, which could be seen for miles, required nearly 70 firefighters and a dozen pieces of equipment including two aer­ial tower trucks to get under control. The building damage was estimated at more than $625,000. The building was closed for the win­ter and no one was in the structure at the time the fire broke out.

Though the blaze gutted the oldest, central portion of the building, the wings on either side received only smoke and water damage. The east and west wings of the building had brick walls separating both from the main structure. The brick walls acted as firewalls, salvaging the office area, men’s and women’s locker rooms and a lounge. Scrapbooks, club histories, mementos and trophies were saved from the wreckage.

Clark and Doris Greenstreet were to cele­brate their 50th wedding anniversary at the club on June 12. The fire damage forced the couple to celebrate their golden anniversary at Eastern Michigan University. Despite the damage to the clubhouse, the fire proved only a temporary setback for the club. Washtenaw forged ahead with its golfing season hosting the Nutra-Sweet Classic golf tournament in June. Detroit-area sports personalities includ­ing former Detroit Pistons Head Coach Chuck Daly, former Detroit Tigers standouts Al Kaline, Mickey Lolich, Jim Northrup and Hank Aguirre and others such as announcer Ernie Harwell helped raise more than $100,000 for diabetes research.

Up From The Ashes

Plans for a new clubhouse got underway shortly after the fire. During the rebuilding, a controversy arose over the proposed plans. Drawings subrniued by the architectur­al firm of Hobbs & Black had storage for golf carts under the clubhouse. In fact, excavation for the lower-level facility had already begun.
Cost estimates alarmed the membership and a meeting was called so the board could defend its position.

The turnout was so large the meet­ing was held at the Ypsi Ian ti High School Auditoriurn to accommodate members. Failing to win membership support, the board abandoned the underground cart storage idea and filled the hole. Frank Reaume, a club member at the time, was construction manag­er of the project which cost $1.45 million.

On May 12, 1989, the Board of Directors hosted the grand opening of the newly rebuilt clubhouse.

A New Century begins

In the 1990s, the board began examining further improvements to the golf course and hired a firm to make recommendations. The same action was taken regarding the clubhouse.

In March 1998, the board of directors hired Sandrra Sith to the new position of Membership Director. Initiating “A Century of Progress” campaign, she helped increase the club membership by 25% in 1998. On October 12, 1998, a $1.4 million renovation project was adopted for the clubhouse.

The renovation will put a new face on the century old club by the time of the Centennial Celebration.

With an increasing membership roster and a clubhouse facelift, Washtenaw Country Club closes its first 100 years secure in its place as Michigan’s third oldest golf club. Though the sheep left long ago for other pastures and teh decapitated tomato cans and lean-to kitchen of the original clubhouse have long been replaced, the mission of Washtenaw’s fifteen founding memebrs prevails. On the cusp of its next century and the new millennium, Washtenaw Country club remains a testament to the wonderful game of golf.