Winnetka-Northfield Public Library District

Winnetka Weekly Talk, 9 Jul 1927, p. 21

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tr aman a Rn Se July 9, 1927 WINNETKA TALK TTT HTT TTT nn ULLAL EET EE EE ER EE HT North Shore Golf Clubs EE TT TET ui LH HE TT TT TTT LULL (ULL Hunan HRN Indian Hill Club Digs Name Out of Redskin Trail Golf Conrad Is Real Test for Players Club Formed in 1912 First Called Winnetka Country Club-Tennis, Riding Featured This is the sixth article of a series describing the fine golf clubs in the North Shore district. There is much of interest to all golfers in the stories of these clubs, which rank with the greatest in the country. Indian Hill is a fine example of the club which makes life more enjoy- able for those who are fortunate enough to be members. The article herewith presented tells the story of Indian Hill. By RAY C. PEARSON HEN one "digs around" at the Indian Hill club to glean information for a story about that fine north shore club, the net result is a fund rich in in- terest. It is "a story"--a story in which unusual twists inter- twine with the ordinary events in the life of any club organiza- tion; a story of a club which got away to a flying start and follow- ed a pace which grew swifter and swifter as the years sped on. . Lets go back to a day in 1912. [hat was the day when a small group of Winnetka men took the steps that "made" the Indian Hill of today. In this group were Douglas Smith, Judge Thomas Taylor, Willoughby Walling, W. B. McIlvane and others. They agreed that the best way to start operations would be to form a syndicate to purchase the land for a golf course. The syndicate was quickly formed. The start was made. Called Winnetka C. C. But these men were conservative. They "saw" the future, but they didn't go on a wild buying spree. They se- lected the ground they wanted to the west and south of Winnetka. Gradual- ly the holdings were increased and when January 29, 1914, arrived, the club was ready to become a "going institu- tion." Incorporation papers were taken out, but not in the name of Indian Hill. The club was incorporated as the Winnetka Country club. The clubhouse had been built, the golf course was finished, the club be- came an established fact and then be- gan the important business of liquidat- ing the debt. The syndicate which had financed the project--friendly because of its interest--sold the land to the club at a small price, a price which vielded no profit. This arrangement gave the Winnetka Country club a fine start. And how it has grown in thir- teen years! Name is Changed The club was a success right from the start. But the next year there was another important step taken, a step which caused a change of name and the selection was the indirect result of some "digging around"; real digging, not the inferential sort of the opening paragraph of this story. The new name of Indian Hill was dug out of the ground. Someone, we do not know who it was, discovered that the old Indian trail ran through the golf club grounds. This was veri- fied when excavators, while working on the ninth green found some old ar- row heads and hatchet heads. So it Photo by Lehle THE PICTURES: Indian Hill club- house (top)--Mrs. Austin Pardue. ranking woman star (lower right) -- Joe McMorran. professional (inset). happened that in 1915 the members de- cided to change the name of the club. They voted on whether to retain the name under which the club had been incorporated: or to change to Indian Hill. Tt was decided that Indian Hill was the more distinctive name, and that was the choice of the members, so it has been that ever since and prob- ably always will be. Club of Many Sports When the new name was taken, however, it was not called a country club. Neither is it called a golf club. Correctly it is the "Indian Hill club." Just why it is that is not hard to un- derstand. While golf is greatest in im- portance at Indian Hill, the club goes in for 'other sports extensively. For instance tennis is given a big play, the members and their families enjoy the benefits of a riding academy and in the winter skating and tobogganing pro-. vide healthful pleasure. Tt is an all year around club. : If anvone thinks that Indian Hill golf course is easy. that person may play it and be convinced of his error. The course measures 6,420 yards and 'most of the play is through trees which: makes it difficult. And of course there are traps, ponds and other difficulties which serve to hold a player's mind on the business at hand. Manv Good nlavers Par for the course is 72, and although it has been broken or equalled a few times, it is seldom that either members or guests have been able to do so. The club roster includes many good players. Francis Blossom is the club champion. He also is the low handi- cap plaver. Other good players are Leslie Gordon, Robert O. Lord, G. M. (Continued on page 23)

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