Washtenaw Golf CLub The Early Years Part 3

Washtenaw Golf Club The Early Years Part 3

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. This is the third segment of the history from the 100th anniversary book:

Club Hires First Professional

During the years of course expansion, the club hired its first professional “Andy” Robertson. At the time of its silver anniversary in 1924, Washtenaw’s membership had reached 240.

In 1926, 500 trees were set out. By 1927, Washtenaw’s 18 hole layout had matured to the point that it was chosen to host the Michigan Amateur Golf Championship. The event attracted a record number of contestants, some of whom chose to sleep overnight on the club grounds.

Among the outstanding amateurs competing were John Malloy of Ann Arbor and Dave Ward of Big Rapids. Malloy was a three time state champion and later would become the professional at Ann Arbor Golf and Outing Club.

Washtenaw member Dan T. Quirk was the club’s top golfer at that time. He played well in qualifying before losing in match play.

A New Clubhouse … Then A Depression

In 1928, with its memebrship exceeding 300, the need for larger quarters was pressing. Washtenaw’s present clubhouse was built in 1929 by architect Ralph Gerganoff at a cost of $90,000. It has undergone change and expansion to provide improved lockers room, dining room, pro shop and kitchen facilities.

The entire central portion of the clubhouse would later be rebuilt after the fire of 1987.

Mortgage bonds were sold to finance the 1929 clubhosue project. Some of these bonds wer epurchased by club memebrs; some were acquired by investors not connected to the club.

Timing of the project proved to be unfortunate. The stock market crash of 1929 was followed by the depression of the 1930s.

Washtenaw Country Club was unable to meet its obligation to pay off the bonds. By 1933, it was deeply in debt and flat broke.