our history
Tri-City Country Club
Est. 1947
History of the club
August 1927
Shafer's Woods
The following is taken from the Villa Grove News: “The past week has seen the organization of a new golf club in Villa Grove and preparations are now going on for the making of a course on the farm of George Shafer three miles north of the city. The membership now consists of twenty of the business and professional men of the city and when the course is completed, it will be one of the best in this section. The club this week purchased a new mowing machine which is claimed to be the best on the market and it was given a tryout the first of the week. In time, the new members hope to be able to purchase this or another site for a golf course and erect thereon a club house and make other additions to a regular home for the club.”
Note: The course spoken of in Shafer’s Woods had only three-holes.
January 1928
First Officers of Club Selected
A meeting was held at the C.I.P.S. office to formerly organize the club. The following officers were elected: President, W.C. Jennings; Vice-president, Dr. G.L. Kennedy; Secretary-Treasurer, P.G. Fettinger; Executive committee, A.W. Creek, George Combs, George Ewin, E.R. Shuey, J.B. Johnson; rules and by-laws, Dr. G.L. Kennedy, H.A Slusser, I.C. McLean.
July 1928
Shafer Farm Sold
George Shafer farm sold at a foreclosure sale.
March 1929
First Annual Meeting of Villa Grove Golf Club
A first annual meeting of the Villa Grove Golf Club held at the C.I.P.S. office in Villa Grove. The following officers were elected: President, W.C. Jennings; Vice-President, A.W. Creek; Secretary-Treasurer, P.G. Fettinger; Board of Directors, W.C. Jennings, A.W. Creek, J.B. Johnson, G.E. Combs, Dr. G.L. Kennedy, P.G. Fettinger. In addition the following committees were appointed: Grounds Committee, A.W. Creek, John Henson, J.B. Johnson, John Morrison, Archie Ross; Membership Committee, G.E. Combs, H.B. Landes, H.A. Slusser, B.W. Harvey, W.C. Adair.
James Starr, Roselawn Golf Club Professional from Danville, was hired to layout the new course which had recently been rented from Shelton C. Henson. This new location was one half mile southeast of the city. At this time the club numbered 64 men and women.
March 1930
Second Annual Meeting of Villa Grove Golf Club
A second annual meeting of the Villa Grove Golf Club held at the C.I.P.S. office in Villa Grove. The following officers were elected: President, A.W. Creek; Vice-president, P.G. Fettinger; Secretary-Treasurer, Lon E. Luna; Board of Directors, A.W. Creek, P.G. Fettinger, Lon E. Luna, W.C. Jennings, G.L. Kennedy, Archie Ross and John Henson. The following committees were appointed: Grounds Committee, Archie Ross, E.G. Barrett, J.R. Henson; Publicity Committee, G.L. Kennedy, W.C. Adair and W.R. Morrison; Membership Committee, H.B. Landes, Clara Barricks, P.G. Fettinger, O.B. Smith and Naoma Fisher; Entertainment Committee, C.H. Lutz, H.A. Slusser, Lula Beach, Ida Landes, Emma Johnson and Margaret Creek; Tournament Committee, Dr. G.L. Kennedy, M.W. Arnold and H.A. Slusser. The following is taken from the Villa Grove News: “Villa Grove has one of the most beautiful golf courses in Central Illinois. It lies just one-half mile south of old Villa Grove on the S.C. Henson property. The ground is rolling with the Embarrass River forming one boundary and the course bisected by a dredge ditch and dotted with beautiful large trees. These natural hazards, combined with the raised greens and sand traps, will provide a most interesting playing ground for the experienced golfer as well as the beginner. The club has grown rapidly in the last two years and the course promises to be a busy place this summer.”
January 1931
Meeting of Villa Grove Golf Club
At a meeting held by the Villa Grove Golf Club at the C.I.P.S. office in Villa Grove, the following officers were selected: President, A.W. Creek; Vice-president, John R. Henson; Secretary-Treasurer, Lon E. Luna; Executive Board, A.W. Creek, Archie Ross, J.B. Johnson, Lon E. Luna, John R. Henson, Dr. Phillip Herrin and P.G. Fettinger.
December 1931
Election for Villa Grove Golf Club
The Villa Grove Golf Club held an election at the C.I.P.S. office in Villa Grove. The following were elected: President, A.W. Creek; Vice-president, John Henson; Secretary-Treasurer, Lon E. Luna. These three men plus the following made up the Executive Board; G.B. Henderson, Guy Barrett, J.B. Johnson and Dr. G.L. Kennedy. Committees would be appointed at their next meeting. The Villa Grove News had the following to say: “Considering the depression, the Club had a very successful year and were successful in eliminating some of its indebtedness. The grounds are very beautiful with their natural layouts and are well kept. The Club hopes to improve them next year. Villa Grove is the only town to have a golf course within the radius of thirty miles and our citizens are justly proud of it.”
January 1932
Rules and Committees
The Villa Grove Golf Club Executive Committee met at J.B. Johnson’s store. All members were present. They met to amend the rules and appoint the various committees. The following committees were appointed:
Grounds Committee, A. Ross and E.G. Barrett; Men’s Tournament Committee, H.A. Slusser, Dr. G.L. Kennedy, J.B. Johnson; Women’s Tournament Committee, Mrs. Clara Barrick, Mrs. J.R. Beach and Mrs. Jessie Thompson; House Committee, P.G. Fettinger, Wm. Adair, Mrs. H.A. Slusser, Mrs. J.B. Johnson, Mrs, H.B. Landes, Mrs. Lon Luna, Mrs. George Thompson and Mrs. M.W. Arnold; Membership Committee, J.W. Wakefield, P.G. Fettinger, J.R. Beach, Mrs. Emma Tucker, Mrs. H.A. Slusser. Mrs. Carl Fisher and Mrs. Lon Luna; Ground Rules Committee, M.W. Arnold, J.R. Beach and P.G. Fettinger; Caddy Master, M.W. Arnold.
March 1932
Course Construction
The Villa Grove News had this to say concerning the new golf course: “Shoulders are being built on all greens. No. 9 is almost completed and will be in good shape when finished. Cinders have been placed in the driveway to the new parking place and we will have a regular course this year. An effort is being made to get some of the dues in.”
May 1932
Most Attractive Course in the State
Another brief article from the Villa Grove News: “Spring weather is bringing out the golf players in large numbers and with the added improvements to the course, this year promises to be the most successful experienced by the club. All the greens have been improved and No. 4 has been entirely rebuilt making one of the most attractive courses in the state. The club has secured dates for the following Inter-City Tournaments; Villa Grove vs. Sullivan, there, May 15; Villa Grove vs. Monticello, there, May 29; Villa Grove vs. Sullivan, here, June 12 and Villa Grove vs. Monticello, here, July 10.”
May 1932
1947
Formed what is currently Tri-City Country Club
Michael Holmes
A large thanks to Michael Holmes for his help on the website as well as some of the great photos seen throughout.