Wheeling Country Club Closure

[Ryan Book]

Wheeling Country Club will close at the end of this calendar year. Plans for the property, including a potential tie-in with the Oglebay resort, are under discussion.


Although relatively uncelebrated, it's noteworthy to me as this is one of a trilogy of courses designed in the Wheeling region, including the city's municipal Wheeling Park, as well as Belmont perhaps half-an-hour west into Ohio. No doubt he had a connection among the city's magnates during the industrial boom. Although none of these courses are much heralded as of late, worth noting their tremulous status as they are also, to my knowledge(?), the farthest west that Emmet planted a course.

[Chris_Blakely]

Wheeling Country Club will close at the end of this calendar year. Plans for the property, including a potential tie-in with the Oglebay resort, are under discussion.


Although relatively uncelebrated, it's noteworthy to me as this is one of a trilogy of courses designed in the Wheeling region, including the city's municipal Wheeling Park, as well as Belmont perhaps half-an-hour west into Ohio. No doubt he had a connection among the city's magnates during the industrial boom. Although none of these courses are much heralded as of late, worth noting their tremulous status as they are also, to my knowledge(?), the farthest west that Emmet planted a course.

It is not the farthest West Devereux Emmet laid out a course.  He had several in Ohio and I believe a mail in course in Ontario.


Chris

[Ryan Book]

I had kind of hope this topic might smoke Mark Chalfant out so he could offer insight on just that. I have heard rumors that Beachmont across the border from Detroit is an Emmet. I've also heard rumors of Chicagoland contributions. Do you have any details on the other Ohios? I had not heard this before.

Wheeling Country Club will close at the end of this calendar year. Plans for the property, including a potential tie-in with the Oglebay resort, are under discussion.


Although relatively uncelebrated, it's noteworthy to me as this is one of a trilogy of courses designed in the Wheeling region, including the city's municipal Wheeling Park, as well as Belmont perhaps half-an-hour west into Ohio. No doubt he had a connection among the city's magnates during the industrial boom. Although none of these courses are much heralded as of late, worth noting their tremulous status as they are also, to my knowledge(?), the farthest west that Emmet planted a course.

It is not the farthest West Devereux Emmet laid out a course.  He had several in Ohio and I believe a mail in course in Ontario.


Chris

[mark chalfant]

Ryan,


I am sorry to hear about this closing but thanks for posting. The westernmost Emmet golf course is a very sporty nine holes in Indiana. It is currently the back nine at the Country Club of Terre Haute. Very fun routing over lively terrain with some ravines in play. I am not familiar of any Devereux layouts around Chicago. I believe he did 18 holes near Dayton in the early 1920s. Further east in Ohio is Belmont Hills. Perhaps Chris Blakely, a great Emmet fan, could clarify what remains in Ohio.

[Sven Nilsen]

I'd be curious to see any source information on Wheeling and the Terre Haute course mentioned by Mark.  I've never seen anything concrete about his work at Wheeling, and the Terre Haute work is a new one.


Sven

[Ryan Book]

Sven, the story I had heard was that Emmet handled Wheeling CC and that the membership then charitably had him design the nine-hole Wheeling Park for the general public. That's hardly scientific evidence but it seemed too tied-together to doubt! I believe at least Belmont Hills in Ohio has a document of the course's initial design...now I'm inclined to reach out and see if they can confirm Emmet's name is on it. Would really ruin my day if it turned out any, and possibly all three, were spoofs!


In the meantime, Chris, if you have details about other Ohio Emmets, I'd be thrilled to learn more.

I'd be curious to see any source information on Wheeling and the Terre Haute course mentioned by Mark.  I've never seen anything concrete about his work at Wheeling, and the Terre Haute work is a new one.


Sven

[Steve Wilson]

Clarksburg Country Club in Clarksburg West Virginia has claimed to have been a Devereux design.  I've never seen any documentation to that effect.  I may have asked the question here before, but is there any possibility that it is.   


 

[Chris_Blakely]

Emmet course questions:


Belmont Hills is 100% by Dev Emmet, they have his original plan in the clubhouse (I have a picture but it was taken on film - I know, I'm that old), the 9th hole was drastically altered - new green in the 70s I believe.  Other than that most of greens Emmet's.


Wheeling CC is 100% Emmet, but the back 9 was brutalized when the switched the clubhouse to its current location.  Old clubhouse still there but sold I believe and is visible on the back 9.


Wheeling Park: I have no information that its Emmet and on my one play, the greens / bunkering does not resemble any Emmet courses I have played.


Clarksburg CC: I have never played and have no info on it being Emmet.


I have some info on a course in the Dayton area having ties to Emmet as well as another course in central Ohio, but have not verified.  He did two 9 hole courses in Western PA and had two mail in courses in Ontario one that is NLE and the other was drastically altered.


Chris

[Sven Nilsen]

Clarksburg Country Club in Clarksburg West Virginia has claimed to have been a Devereux design.  I've never seen any documentation to that effect.  I may have asked the question here before, but is there any possibility that it is.   

A March 22, 1913 Daily Telegram article notes the Clarksburg CC course was laid out by Thomas Bendelow.  If Emmet did any work here later, I have not seen any evidence of it.


Sven

[Sven Nilsen]

Wheeling CC is 100% Emmet, but the back 9 was brutalized when the switched the clubhouse to its current location.  Old clubhouse still there but sold I believe and is visible on the back 9.

Chris:


What are the dates for Emmet at Wheeling?


Thanks,


Sven