The Aviation Club: Strong or Robertson?

[Anthony Gholz]

The Aviation Club in the NW Detroit suburbs is of longtime historical interest to gca fans in the area.  The clubhouse still exists for this planned 72 Hole facility from the 20s, but unfortunately the 18 hole that were constructed does not.  The course, by all accounts in the Detroit area papers, C&W, and on gca, give credit to Herbert Strong as the architect of the 18 that were built.  This article regarding William Robertson pro, golf course constructor, and sometime architect throws a different light on the Aviation pedigree.  My interest is not to disprove Strong's authorship but to learn if there is any other backup for this particular Robertson's claim regarding both The Aviation Club and the other courses mentioned.


The club has many citations including in Dan Wexler's Lost Links 2003 cover this great (still is) property.  Perhaps one of our Strong experts can put Robertson in the picture, perhaps as an assistant to Strong or as the contractor of this project.


Thanks. Anthony


Detroit Free Press June 15, 1941

[Sven Nilsen]

Anthony:


Any chance you could display the article at a size that makes it readable?


Sven

[Anthony Gholz]

good point


Ill redo

[Anthony Gholz]

Hope this is better original paper is faded

[Sven Nilsen]

Here's a list of all of the courses noted in the article.

Everglades CC - Seth Raynor course later renovated by Langford and Moreau.  Robertson noted as professional in the 1923 Annual Guide (the first guide the course appears in) and noted in the press playing in the inaugural match at the course in 1920.  He may have helped construct the course

Aviation CC lka Lochhaven CC lka Green Lake CC - April 1921 Golf Illustrated notes the first 18 hole course was laid out by Herbert Strong.  A 9 hole course was added later.  It is possible that Robertson was splitting time between Aviation and Everglades in the early 1920's.  It is also possible that his involvement here was with the 9 holes that were added later.

Glen Oaks - June 25, 1929 Detroit Free Press notes Willie Robertson retained to lay out a 9 hole course which was completed in 1926 with full 18 opening in 1927 and now measuring 6,240 yards.

Lancaster Hills - The only record I have of this course is the 1940 Detroit Free Press article with a map you recently forwarded.

Beverly Hills - The only record I have of this course is the 1940 Detroit Free Press article with a map you recently forwarded.

Holly Valley - I have no record of a course by this name in Michigan.

Twin Beach - Located in West Bloomfield, course dates to 1930.

Twin Lakes - Located in Pontiac.  1941 Oakland County Guide notes a 9 hole 3,270 yard course.

Houghton Lake - There was a Pine View Highlands GC in Houghton Lake that dates to 1934.  (As an aside, the pro/greenkeeper here had one of my favorite names in the business, Harry Flora.)

Lost Lake Woods - I have no record of a course by this name in Michigan.

It is clear that Robertson did design and construction work on at least one of these courses.  It is entirely possible that at many of these he did both.

[Sven Nilsen]

There's a March 25, 1923 Detroit Free Press article on Robertson and the Aviation Club you probably want to get your hands on.  I don't have access to it.

[Anthony Gholz]

Thanks Sven:


I will look again for the "added 9" course to see if there is a reference to Robertson.  Lost Lake Woods is a 2700(?) acre resort/retirement community a few miles inland from the NE coast of Michigan's Lower Peninsula.  That golf course still exists and is well used, though not of great design.


Its always tough to get the "truth" from interview articles done years or decades after the fact.  The depression muddled the Aviation Club's ownership and Robertson could be inflating his role, but he sounds like an interesting and well traveled man and all the things he says could be "possible."


Just to feed your Flora fix here's a recent find that I did not have in my Port Huron GC book appendix.  Thought you might like.  There's no record in the club files or the local paper regarding him.  I'll be looking for more.


Anthony


DFP March 29, 1942

[Chris_Blakely]

Here's a list of all of the courses noted in the article.

Everglades CC - Seth Raynor course later renovated by Langford and Moreau.  Robertson noted as professional in the 1923 Annual Guide (the first guide the course appears in) and noted in the press playing in the inaugural match at the course in 1920.  He may have helped construct the course

Aviation CC lka Lochhaven CC lka Green Lake CC - April 1921 Golf Illustrated notes the first 18 hole course was laid out by Herbert Strong.  A 9 hole course was added later.  It is possible that Robertson was splitting time between Aviation and Everglades in the early 1920's.  It is also possible that his involvement here was with the 9 holes that were added later.

Glen Oaks - June 25, 1929 Detroit Free Press notes Willie Robertson retained to lay out a 9 hole course which was completed in 1926 with full 18 opening in 1927 and now measuring 6,240 yards.

Lancaster Hills - The only record I have of this course is the 1940 Detroit Free Press article with a map you recently forwarded.

Beverly Hills - The only record I have of this course is the 1940 Detroit Free Press article with a map you recently forwarded.

Holly Valley - I have no record of a course by this name in Michigan.

Twin Beach - Located in West Bloomfield, course dates to 1930.

Twin Lakes - Located in Pontiac.  1941 Oakland County Guide notes a 9 hole 3,270 yard course.

Houghton Lake - There was a Pine View Highlands GC in Houghton Lake that dates to 1934.  (As an aside, the pro/greenkeeper here had one of my favorite names in the business, Harry Flora.)

Lost Lake Woods - I have no record of a course by this name in Michigan.

It is clear that Robertson did design and construction work on at least one of these courses.  It is entirely possible that at many of these he did both.

Sven,


Lost Lake Woods Club is still in existence and can be found in Lincoln, MI


http://www.lostlakewoodsclub.com/


http://www.lostlakewoodsclub.com/golf_course


The original 9 holes are the 30's holes and the back 9 was added by Dick Nugent.


Chris