Walloon Lake Country Club (WLCC) is one of the oldest golf courses in the state of Michigan, a storied destination played by legendary professional golfers such as Walter Hagen and Tom Watson. As special as that is, what truly sets Walloon Lake Country Club apart from others is its location on the shores of one of the most beautiful lakes in America. The club has a strong sense of lake tradition, and its rich history is inextricably tied with the history of Walloon itself.
It was the year 1904 — although some accounts list it as 1906 — that saw the birth of the club, formed by a group of prominent Wallooners led by Llewellyn (Howell) Gedge. Meeting on the porch of the elegant Indian Garden Hotel, the group arranged to buy the Homer Bennett farm on the west shoreline of the North Arm for the purpose of creating a golf course and a center of summer activities on the lake. An idyllic pastoral setting of 75 acres, the farm included a house, barn and other buildings.
The barn was renovated for the clubhouse and a beautiful golf course was soon laid out along the lake shore. The golf course was originally nine holes, initially maintained by Harlow Wheaton, who swam his horses across the lake from Birch Point to do the work. John Jones, and later his son Oakley, of nearby Jones Landing north of the club, eventually took over the groundskeeping. In 1907 the club even purchased a 60-foot boat for the convenience of its members, transporting them to the club for golf and social activities.
In 1925 additional land was purchased and the golf course was expanded to 18 holes. From its earliest days, however, club members were adamant that friends, family and a gracious lifestyle, not elaborate facilities, were what set WLCC apart from other country clubs. The club was not simply a place to play golf; in its earliest days, visitors could actually rent rooms and stay there. Corn roasts, games and square dances were held there, not just for members, but for everyone on the lake. The club was also the birthplace of the Walloon Yacht Club and the Walloon Lake Association.
Howell Gedge went on to serve as club president for 33 years. His son Si also served in that capacity in the 1970s, and was club champion for many years. Gedge family members still live in the family cottage nearby and are members of the club, apt testimony to the club's extraordinary legacy. Other dedicated Wallooners served as board members and officers in the early years of the club, and today, over 100 years later, many of their descendants remain club members.
Over the years the club remained the center of lake life on Walloon. Members of various distinguished Midwestern families were part of the club, including the families of literary giant Ernest Hemingway; Secretary of Defense Charles Wilson and Director of the U.S. Mint Governor Nellie Tayloe Ross. Many "captains of industry" and CEO's in the automotive, pharmaceutical, mercantile and other businesses were members as well. The family of Tom Watson, one of the greatest golfers in history, came to Walloon in 1922, and Tom and his father Ray frequently played the WLCC course.
Unfortunately, financial difficulties during the Depression and WWII forced the club to sell the nine holes that ran along the desirable shoreline property. The course remained closed from 1941-45, but reopened after the war. Eventually the club's finances stabilized, and the last remaining mortgage on club property was paid and officially burned in 1951.
As time went on, the club's activities increased in number and scope to include tennis, bridge, bingo and children's activities. Eventually, expansion of the children's activities led to a permanent home for them with the establishment of Grandmother's Place in 1993. In 1989, after a previous attempt, the motion to expand the golf course to 18 holes was approved, and the current beautiful course opened for play the following year.
Another major change the club experienced was the building of a new clubhouse, after the 100-year-old clubhouse was condemned. Members approved the construction of a splendid new clubhouse as well as four new tennis courts, with a grand opening in June of 2001. In the years that followed, the clubhouse, as well as the golf course, were enhanced in many ways. In more recent years the club built a new maintenance facility and purchased properties across Bear Creek Road to serve as staff housing and new pickleball courts.
One of the oldest country clubs in the state, today's WLCC members cherish the club’s commitment to the lake and its traditions of gracious dining and family-centered activities. With its open, elegant setting on a lake of incomparable beauty, and an unparalleled tradition of goodwill, today WLCC remains a vibrant, beloved organization with a long waiting list for membership.
Written by WLCC Member, Lauren Macintyre 2025