| The DGC Clubhouse | |
| Club information | |
|---|---|
| Location | Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan |
| Established | 1899[1] |
| Type | Private |
| Total holes | 36 |
| Website | [1] |
| South Course | |
| Designed by | Donald Ross[2] |
| Par | 68 |
| Length | 5,967 yards[3] |
| Course rating | 68.7[4] |
| North Course | |
| Designed by | Donald Ross[5] |
| Par | 72 |
| Length | 6,837 yards[6] |
| Course rating | 73.3[7] |
The Detroit Golf Club or DGC is a private golf club located in Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan in the midst of a neighborhood area on north side of the city near the University of Detroit Mercy and Palmer Woods Historic District. It began as a 6 hole course, the gradually improved to 9, then Donald Ross built the current 36 hole course. The club grounds crew maintains two courses. The North and the South Course. On October 10, 2010 the club and sponsors have expressed interest in a PGA Tour event to be held possibly in 2013.
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The Detroit Golf Club was founded in 1899 by William R. Farrand and several of his friends. Originally the Club was limited to 100 members. A 45-acre (180,000 m2) plot of farmland was rented at 6 Mile and Woodward, and a 6-hole course layout was created. In 1900 the course added 3 holes making it a 9-hole course. The membership number was raised to 200 in 1902. At that time 135 acres (0.55 km2) of land were purchased at 6 Mile and Hamilton, and an 18-hole course was developed. In 1906 the Club was formally opened, and membership fees were raised to $250. In 1913 additional property was bought, and Donald Ross was asked to survey the property. Ross determined that two courses of 18 holes could be built on the land. Horace Rackham paid $100,000 for the 36 hole course to be built to the DGC at a cost. In 1916 Albert Kahn started construction on a new clubhouse, which was completed in 1918. The brother of Donald Ross, Alec Ross, became Club Professional, which he held until 1945, a total of 31 years. In 1922 club membership was increased to 650 and the decision was made to keep the club open year round. In 1929 the Fred Wardell Caddy House was built, and the cost was around $40,000. During World War II Club activities were limited due to gas rationing, and in 1945, Alex Ross retired as Club Professional. From there golf star Horton Smith was hired as the Club Pro, and in 1959 was elected into the Professional Golfers Association Hall of Fame. In 1962 Horton Smith died, and Walter Burkemo was hired. New changes came to the club. Tennis courts, a cart garage, and a crystal dining room were added, and Walter Burkemo was replaced by George Bayer. The club also contains a pool for the members, and for the swim team.[8]
The Club is located on the North side of Detroit, near many landmarks such as Palmer Park and the University of Detroit Mercy. It is separated from the adjacent Palmer Park Golf Course by Pontchartrain Blvd. on the East, and Fairway Drive on the West. It shares a small border with 7 Mile on the North, and a large border with McNichols (6 Mile) on the South.
Men's
Women's
Couple's
Family Golf Events
Possible PGA Event On October 11, 2010, the Detroit Golf Club announced that it will be bidding for a potential PGA Tour event as early as September of next year.[9] The Dow Chemical Company , General Motors , and Cadillac are rumored to have interest in sponsoring the event, but will not confirm or deny the rumors.[10] If the Club is chosen, the event will probably be held on the North Course. Some of the holes will be lengthened by moving the tee boxes back, and certain holes will have their par increased by a stroke. Hotels in the area will provide lodging for players and staff. Parking will most likely be held by adjacent Palmer Park and the surrounding area, with the University of Detroit Mercy and the Michigan State Fairgrounds serving as other possible parking locations.
Both courses have a snack shack next to a combined tee. The 13th for the South and the 14th for the North. Water hazards can be found on the North and South. Both courses are also bordered by beautiful houses that belong to many notable residents such as Jerome Bettis, Aretha Franklin, John Conyers. and many more.
The North Course is longer than the South by 870 yards. Distinctive features include the bent tree between the 7th and 8th hole. As a sapling, Native Americans bent the tree to serve as a marker for the original Indian Trail between Detroit and Pontiac. The original clubhouse was situated where the 12th green is today, pipes can still be seen a distance behind the green.[12] Along the 18th hole there is a ditch that runs up the left fairway, this ditch is a water hazard on one side, and a bridge separates it from the lateral hazard.
The South Course has two combined tees. The 3rd and 9th, and the 5th and the 8th. The 10th tee is the most elevated at the DGC. In the early 1980s, the 13th tee was combined with the 14th tee on the North in front of the shack.[13]
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