Early records of the Country Club’s formation are sketchy at best, but subsequent documents confirm the year of formation as 1904. The first organizational meeting of the Club was held at the Indian Garden Hotel in the summer of 1904. The original officers were Llewellen Gedge, C.R. Talbot and Julius Dick. The clubhouse was built the following spring on Homer Bennett’s farmland. Mr. Gedge was the first President and Harold Wheaton was the first grounds keeper.  To maintain the golf course he would swim his horses across the North Arm narrows and back each day.

There was a second building to the north that provided the kitchen, dining room and some sleeping rooms. At one time, the Club owned a 60-foot launch and maintained two docks for the use of its members. During 1923-24, 72 additional acres were purchased and in 1925 the golf course was expanded to 18 holes.  The course played as a par 68 (35-33) at 5,960 yards.

Social events during that time included Thursday night dinners, and women from various areas of the lake helped with decorations and cooking.  There were square dances, an annual treasure hunt, and a very popular corn roast with games, singing and bingo.  Vaudeville shows were staged by talented members.  On nights when there was a dance or other late evening event, kerosene lamps were put on both sides of the narrows to guide the boats safely home.  Women attending the dinner parties and dances were always elegantly dressed in long gowns and fancy hats.

During World War II finances became difficult.  In the early 1940s the Club sold nine holes mostly along the lake, and also sold the property which included the dining hall building which was subsequently razed.  The contents were auctioned to raise still more money.  In 1947 the course was re-opened for play with nine holes and temporary greens.  Permanent greens were ready the following year.  It was this
9 hole course that members played until 1990.

In April 1989, after voting down expansion the previous August, WLCC members approved expansion of the golf course to 18 holes.  The new 18 hole golf course was opened for play on August 22, 1990.  The new holes are the ones we know today as: 3, 4, 5 and 12 through 17.
               
Today the Club has expanded to 275 members, 18 spectacular golf holes, a new clubhouse, a beautiful  new golf shop built in 2009, 4 tennis courts overlooking Walloon Lake, 4 pickleball courts, plus golf, tennis & pickleball professionals who offer lessons and clinics for adults and children.  There is also a very active youth program for young children which includes tennis for ages 4-6, along with other fun activities, and for those age 7-12, golf, tennis & sailing.

Lunch is served daily except some Sundays, dinners are served on Monday, Wednesday and Friday evenings and boxed lunches are available upon request.  A number of special events and parties are scheduled all summer long.  Private parties may be arranged through the club office.

Our Walloon Lake Country Club is a place for nurturing summer activities as well as good times and good friendships. How lucky we are to have all of this on our beloved Walloon Lake.