1929 Lake Forest’s iconic clubhouse was designed by H.O. Fullerton, the designer of the Van Sweringen mansion in Shaker Heights. The original golf course was designed by Tom Bendelow. Three days prior to opening the golf course in 1929, four of the best golfers of the era, Walter Hagen, Tommy Armour, Horton Smith, and Densmore “Denny” Shute agreed to play on Ohio’s then longest golf course, 6,890 yards. These four were flown in by the Goodyear Blimp which landed on the first hole, which is currently the driving range, with approximately 3,000 spectators lining the fairway. The match concluded with Shute and Hagen beating Armour and Smith with a five over par 77.
Lake Forest’s iconic clubhouse was designed by H.O. Fullerton, the designer of the Van Sweringen mansion in Shaker Heights. The original golf course was designed by Tom Bendelow. Three days prior to opening the golf course in 1929, four of the best golfers of the era, Walter Hagen, Tommy Armour, Horton Smith, and Densmore “Denny” Shute agreed to play on Ohio’s then longest golf course, 6,890 yards. These four were flown in by the Goodyear Blimp which landed on the first hole, which is currently the driving range, with approximately 3,000 spectators lining the fairway. The match concluded with Shute and Hagen beating Armour and Smith with a five over par 77.
1934 The Great Depression hit and the owner of the club and residential area around the club, S.H. Kleinman, was forced to close these developments due to financial ruin. After Kleinman suffered financial ruin, he committed suicide on June 10th, 1934.
The Great Depression hit and the owner of the club and residential area around the club, S.H. Kleinman, was forced to close these developments due to financial ruin. After Kleinman suffered financial ruin, he committed suicide on June 10th, 1934.
1950 On January 24th, 1950, the Club, golf course, and the property surrounding the 2 lakes around Lake Forest were purchased by a group representing the Cleveland attorney Leo Ascherman for $302,000. Lake Forest planned to open its golf season April 15th, 1950. Private membership was expanded to around 250 members. Member’s dues were $125 plus 20% federal tax for a full golfing membership and $25 plus 20% federal tax for a family social membership.
On January 24th, 1950, the Club, golf course, and the property surrounding the 2 lakes around Lake Forest were purchased by a group representing the Cleveland attorney Leo Ascherman for $302,000. Lake Forest planned to open its golf season April 15th, 1950. Private membership was expanded to around 250 members. Member’s dues were $125 plus 20% federal tax for a full golfing membership and $25 plus 20% federal tax for a family social membership.
1953 In 1953, the property was again put up for sale. A group of Lake Forest Members, headed by Robert Weli, purchased the golf course, the Clubhouse, and approximately 100 home sites for $250,000 in October of that year. For the first two years of operation, every member was assessed $100 annually to meet mortgage installments and operating expenses. The Board of Trustees at the time in 1955 adopted an ambitious 15-year long range program with the main objectives being paying the mortgage and providing capital for improvements. The club and course were unattended for 20 years at this point and members desperately wanted the club and course to improve. Each member was asked to voluntarily pledge $1000 payable over five years to fund this long-range plan and initiation fees were increased from $1,500 to $2,500. The long-range plan was submitted to a club voted and received 95% approval. The hard work by the early board members and many early club members to implement this improvement program resulted in the beautiful Lake Forest Country Club of today.
In 1953, the property was again put up for sale. A group of Lake Forest Members, headed by Robert Weli, purchased the golf course, the Clubhouse, and approximately 100 home sites for $250,000 in October of that year. For the first two years of operation, every member was assessed $100 annually to meet mortgage installments and operating expenses. The Board of Trustees at the time in 1955 adopted an ambitious 15-year long range program with the main objectives being paying the mortgage and providing capital for improvements. The club and course were unattended for 20 years at this point and members desperately wanted the club and course to improve. Each member was asked to voluntarily pledge $1000 payable over five years to fund this long-range plan and initiation fees were increased from $1,500 to $2,500. The long-range plan was submitted to a club voted and received 95% approval. The hard work by the early board members and many early club members to implement this improvement program resulted in the beautiful Lake Forest Country Club of today.