After teething problems at an earlier site in Redford (Redford CC), it is thought the club insisted Ross invest more personal time on the Franklin Hills project. Among the Jewish community, Franklin Hills is well known because the club is a direct descendant of the Phoenix Club which was a Jewish social club established in 1872. By 1905 the club was on its third city premises and desired to have a country club to compliment its city club. Thus Redford CC (later a city of Detroit municipal called Rogell then privately owned as New Rogell and now closed) was born as a 9 holer designed by Tom Bendelow. Not ten years later, in 1924ish, Donald Ross was hired to build nine additional holes and convert the sand greens to grass greens. It was quickly realized that the land hard on the Rouge River was unsuitable for ideal golf (the drainage issues were never resolved). Additionally, long closed Edgewater (amusement) Park was slated to be opened directly across the street from Redford CC, thus spoiling the country appeal of the club. Consequently, a new site in Franklin, some 20 miles northwest of Detroit, was selected as optimal land to build Franklin Hills, which was to open in 1927. While vibrant, Frankiln Hills is tucked away in a secluded area and many Detroiters don't know of its existence.
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