Indianwood Golf and Country Club
Encyclopedia
Indianwood Golf and Country Club or simply "Indianwood" is a private member-only country club
located in Orion Township, Oakland County
, near Lake Orion, Michigan
. The club is approximately 35 miles (56.3 km) north of Detroit.
The "Old Course" was designed by Wilfrid Reid in 1925, the original club features a tower entrance, 18th century tapestries, leaded glass
windows, and Knights in shining armor. The ballroom
features a magnificent fireplace
complete with an intricate shield
carved from wood hanging over the mantel
. According to historians, the club quickly became a haven for the wealthy of Detroit seeking to avoid the daily grind of the city. The club became very popular, hosting the Michigan Open
in 1928, and even saw the construction of an airstrip. In 1930 the club hosted the Western Open
, one of the most prestigious golf
events of the time. In 1948 and 1949 it was site of the Michigan PGA Championship
.
The 1960s and 1970s saw Indianwood fall into decline. The bustling club fell into disrepair, with holes in the floors and beams hanging from the ceiling. In 1981, businessman Stan Aldridge purchased the building and surrounding land, seeking to restore the club to its former glory. The 30000 square feet (2,787.1 m²) clubhouse and locker room addition was completed in 1989, and eventually a "New Course" for golf would be added to the original. In 1989, the re-established club hosted its largest event, the 1989 U.S. Women's Open won by Betsy King. It would host the event again 5 years later in 1994, which was won by Patty Sheehan
. It will host the U.S. Senior Open in 2012.
The Aldridge family is still connected to the club through day-to-day operations, new construction, and design. Stan Aldridge would also purchase and develop Canterbury Village, also located in Lake Orion.
Country club
A country club is a private club, often with a closed membership, that typically offers a variety of recreational sports facilities and is located in city outskirts or rural areas. Activities may include, for example, any of golf, tennis, swimming or polo...
located in Orion Township, Oakland County
Oakland County, Michigan
-Demographics:As of the 2010 Census, there were 1,202,362 people, 471,115 households, and 315,175 families residing in the county. The population density as of the 2000 census was 1,369 people per square mile . There were 492,006 housing units at an average density of 564 per square mile...
, near Lake Orion, Michigan
Lake Orion, Michigan
Lake Orion is a village in Oakland County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 2,973 at the 2010 census. "Lake Orion" is often used to describe both the village and the much larger Orion Township, of which the village is a part....
. The club is approximately 35 miles (56.3 km) north of Detroit.
The "Old Course" was designed by Wilfrid Reid in 1925, the original club features a tower entrance, 18th century tapestries, leaded glass
Leaded glass
Leaded glass may refer to:*Lead glass, potassium silicate glass which has been impregnated with a small amount of lead oxide in its fabrication...
windows, and Knights in shining armor. The ballroom
Ballroom
A ballroom is a large room inside a building, the designated purpose of which is holding formal dances called balls. Traditionally, most balls were held in private residences; many mansions contain one or more ballrooms...
features a magnificent fireplace
Fireplace
A fireplace is an architectural structure to contain a fire for heating and, especially historically, for cooking. A fire is contained in a firebox or firepit; a chimney or other flue allows gas and particulate exhaust to escape...
complete with an intricate shield
Shield
A shield is a type of personal armor, meant to intercept attacks, either by stopping projectiles such as arrows or redirecting a hit from a sword, mace or battle axe to the side of the shield-bearer....
carved from wood hanging over the mantel
Fireplace mantel
Fireplace mantel or mantelpiece, also known as a chimneypiece, originated in medieval times as a hood that projected over a grate to catch the smoke. The term has evolved to include the decorative framework around the fireplace, and can include elaborate designs extending to the ceiling...
. According to historians, the club quickly became a haven for the wealthy of Detroit seeking to avoid the daily grind of the city. The club became very popular, hosting the Michigan Open
Michigan Open
The Michigan Open is the Michigan state open golf tournament, open to both amateur and professional golfers. It is organized by the Michigan section of the PGA of America...
in 1928, and even saw the construction of an airstrip. In 1930 the club hosted the Western Open
Western Open
The Western Open, a professional golf tournament, was first played in 1899. At the time of its 2006 playing, the Western Open was the 3rd oldest active PGA Tour tournament, after the British Open and U.S. Open...
, one of the most prestigious golf
Golf
Golf is a precision club and ball sport, in which competing players use many types of clubs to hit balls into a series of holes on a golf course using the fewest number of strokes....
events of the time. In 1948 and 1949 it was site of the Michigan PGA Championship
Michigan PGA Championship
The Michigan PGA Championship is a golf tournament that is the section championship of the Michigan section of the PGA of America. It has been played annually since 1922 at a variety of courses around the state.-Winners:*2011 Scott Hebert*2010 Ron Beurman...
.
The 1960s and 1970s saw Indianwood fall into decline. The bustling club fell into disrepair, with holes in the floors and beams hanging from the ceiling. In 1981, businessman Stan Aldridge purchased the building and surrounding land, seeking to restore the club to its former glory. The 30000 square feet (2,787.1 m²) clubhouse and locker room addition was completed in 1989, and eventually a "New Course" for golf would be added to the original. In 1989, the re-established club hosted its largest event, the 1989 U.S. Women's Open won by Betsy King. It would host the event again 5 years later in 1994, which was won by Patty Sheehan
Patty Sheehan
Patty Sheehan is an American professional golfer. She became a member of the LPGA Tour in 1980 and won six major championships and 35 LPGA Tour events in all. She is a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame....
. It will host the U.S. Senior Open in 2012.
The Aldridge family is still connected to the club through day-to-day operations, new construction, and design. Stan Aldridge would also purchase and develop Canterbury Village, also located in Lake Orion.
External links
- Indianwood Golf and Country Club
- Aerial image from USGS via Microsoft Research Maps
- Indianwood Golf and Country Club >> Michigan Golfer