Washtenaw Golf Club Scorecard From 1921

Washtenaw Golf Club Scorecard From 1921

Washtenaw Golf Celebrates its 125th anniversary in 2024.

Above is an image of a scorecard from the Washtenaw Country Club dated 1921. It is a very different course from the one in existence today.

Interestingly, the scorecard it shows that Washtenaw had eighteen holes, while the club’s official history in its 100th anniversary book implies that they did not have an eighteen-hole course until 1922:

In 1919, plans were started to provide for the expiration of the 30-year land lease. it was not certain that the old land could be purchased or released and members were beginning to demand an 18-hole course of regulation length. Ultimately, a 100 acre tract next to the existing nine-hole course was purchased.

In 1922, the membership approved the expansion of the course to 18 holes. John S. Sweeny, president of the District Association, assisted club members in laying out an 18-hole course which extended over rolling terrain and through a grove at the south end of the property. Several of the fairways crossed a little brook.

Later, the official history says:

Many members sought a new lease on the old property and wished to maintain 27 holes. Ultimately, all but 25 acres of that tract went into a subdivision … The 25-acre tract was acquired for nothing by the Washtenaw directors and three holes of the original nine were kept and added to 15 of the new. This gave the club an 18-hole course in excess of 6, 500 yards.

The existence of a 27-hole complex at Washtenaw Country Club is confirmed in this article from the Detroit Free Press from 1923.

What is there to make of these bits of evidence?

One sequence that makes sense to me is as follows:

1. The course had eighteen holes by at least 1921. At 5, 627 yards, it was considered short and “not regulation.”
2. Three of the original eighteen holes were incorporated into the new eighteen-hole design.
3. Six of the original eighteen holes were plowed under for use as part of the new eighteen hole course.
4. The surviving nine holes of the original course remained in play, with Washtenaw operating as a 27-hole club for some indeterminate number of years.

Another possible sequence:

1. The course had nine holes, which were played in two configurations (multiple tees?), giving eighteen on the scorecard. That certainly would make it “not regulation.”
2. Three of those nine were incorporated into the new eighteen-hole design.
3. Three new holes were built for the “old nine” giving Washtenaw twenty-seven holes for some number of years.

Perhaps I will run into some other bits that clear this up in the future.

Another interesting thing with the scorecard was the local ground rules:

Humorously, a ball may be lifted from hoof marks or wagon tracks and dropped without penalty. That shows just how rural the area was in 1921.

Similarly, balls in muck or creek banks could be dropped without penalty. I wish that was still in effect today.

Best of all is that found balls must be turned in to the clubhouse. Balls were relatively expensive in those days. The Washtenaw Country Club pro made ten cents a ball for repainting them.