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June 4, 1927 WINNETKA TALK 29 MULTE ET SONNE EC CE EE EE EE EE EE EE EE EE EC TT North Shore Golf Clubs TEE EE EE EE EE LE PR LEE LE EE EE EE nn gi SULPHATE TN Westmoreland "Goes West" for Home and Name Fine Course for Game on Glenview Rd. Club, Without Bonded In- debtedness, Boasts Demo- cratic Spirit; Women Are Socially Active This is the first of a series of stories about the famous golf clubs of the north shore district. Visiting the va- rious clubs the writer learned much of interest, which will make good reading for the players of the clubs and others interested in the sport. There is romance in golf. Read this series. By RAY C. PEARSON OME few months more than sixteen years ago, fifteen men accepted the advice of Horace Greeley and "went West." They trekked the Glenview road until they reached a point three- quarters of a mile west of Ridge road. There they stopped, looked and con- sidered. Then they acted and West- moreland became one of the greatest golf clubs of the north shore district. There is an interesting little story of how the Westmoreland Country club acquired its name. When the old Evanston Golf club, the first club of that name, was forced to move from its original home in North Evanston be- cause of the inevitable building de- mand, the members met and decided to at once seek a new site for the club. A committee of fifteen was appointed to find a new location. Very shortly this committee reported and the tenor of its report was: "We'll have to go West to get more land." A Club Springs Up That's how it happened that the fif- teen men "went West" and how out of the prairie land of Glenview road there grew a country club as beautiful, as staunch and permanent as any in the country. And when they sought a new name--they couldn't use Evans- ton, because other members had band- ed together and decided to form a new organization in Evanston perpetuating the name--that first report of the com- mittee of fifteen couldn't be forgotten. They had to go west to get more land, and they got it and so they used the words "west, more and land" and "pushed" them together and Westmore- land was created. In sixteen years Westmoreland has accomplished remarkable progress. The initial cost of memberships was $175 Westmoreland's beautiful clubhouse-- Miss Mercedes Bush, club champion. the new club solicited twenty-five special members who were to pay $1,000 each. These memberships were non- assessable and non-dues bearing and were redeemable after ten years at $800, the member retaining a regular membership in the club. Hark back to those organization days, the days of $175 memberships. Today a member- ship cannot be purchased in Westmore- land and unless a fellow is lucky enough to be invited and that invita- tion costs him $1,600. This is accounted for by the fact that membership is re- stricted to 350 members. Good Fellowship Keynote Exclusive, one might say, but I am informed by one of the club's execu- tives that a search the length and breadth of the country wouldn't reveal a golf organization in which the spirit of democracy is more outstanding. Good fellowship is the keynote. The members are really partners in the club. As evidence that Dame Fortune has smiled on Westmoreland and that honest and aggressive efforts have been rewarded it is pointed out that today the club is one of a few without a bonded indebtedness. The vears have been so prosperous that always the treasury is prepared for any expendi- an 0 ; ) ture of money that may be necessary. is spent annually in back in July of 1911. And at that time A. C. Collett, the assistant secretary Just at present a new asphalt road Caddie house and golf shop. Al Lesperance, professional. d treasurer, informs me that $3,000 improvements. PHOTO BY LEHLE costing $1,500 is being constructed on the grounds. Westmoreland was officially opened for play in 1912, the year following its organization. At that time the mem- bership was more than three hundred and there was a gradual increase until it finally was decided to restrict the list to 350 members. The writer has touched lightly on the spirit of Westmoreland, but there is much more that can be said. For instance listen to this little story. One of the old members who moved to an- other city came back after several years and decided to visit his old club. During the years he had been away the natural change in personnel had taken place and he was a bit afraid that he might not be as well acquaint- ed; that he might not receive the old time "glad hand." When he appeared in the doorway he was grabbed and "pump handled" to weariness and slapped hard and often. He'll testify to the wonderful spirit of the club. Solo Play Not Necessary There is a slogan that "every mem- ber gets a game." That means that (Continued on page 34) ; | |