Shoregate Was A Golf Course! Part I

You post an old picture or story or anything relating to Shoregate Town Center and there's always someone in there telling you, "Shoregate was a golf course," or, "I remember when Shoregate was a golf course," or perhaps, "Shoregate used to be a golf course when I was a kid!".

My point is, I think Shoregate used to be a golf course. Really though, it was more than just a few holes in the ground where old men slowly followed rolling balls. Let's go there now.

August 28th, 1910: 

Willowick Country Club was born in name and in idea. Papers were filed for incorporation, and the company consisted of:

• Ralph Fuller
• E.V. Hale
• A.G. Clark
• Clifford W. Fuller
• Henry Dreher

This deal included up to potentially 200 acres of land, a few of those acres lakefront. Builders hoped to begin grading of the land during the fall of 1910, with actual construction to commence the following spring.

Along with "one of the finest golf links in the country", a breakwater for water sports and boating were planned. Lakeshore boulevard was already paved with brick all the way to the Wickliffe border, and more brick was being laid in the other direction, toward Vine street in Willoughby.¹ How did the name come to be?

April 23, 1911, Cleveland Plain Dealer

September 18, 1910:

Details were being worked out for the new Willowick Country Club, located at stop 146, Shore line, C., P. & E, East of Willoughbeach Park. Directors were named, a golf expert was put in charge of the 18-hole layout, and "prominent local" architect, Frank B. Meade, was champing at the bit to get the clubhouse built so guests could enjoy it come spring. Other outbuildings and a large garage for the "automobile features" of the club were also planned.

At this juncture, nearly eight acres on the lake would be devoted to grounds, tennis courts, yachting, boating, canoeing, and trap shooting. The golf course itself, across Lakeshore boulevard, came in at a neat 125 acres. The roadway was paved with brick in both directions, and it was thought that bungalow style homes would be built near Rush Road that would be owned and occupied by club members. Sleeping rooms were also planned, for members who wish to "enjoy a few days outing in the country."

Membership was expected to be limited to 300 in number, with Jack Way running the establishment.²

January 1, 1911, Cleveland Plain Dealer

May 28, 1912:

Weather delayed the opening of the club, and in fact there was no first season in 1911. The course did finally open in spring/summer 1912.³

June 9 1912:

Ralph Fuller and Henry Dreher are present for the first tee at Willowick Country Club, below.

June 9, 1912, Cleveland Plain Dealer

May 4, 1913:

18 holes may have been planned for the gala opening of the Willowick Country Club, but there were only 9 holes for the first few years of operation.³

October 2, 1915: 

Whilst on the links with Henry Dreher and Frank Hogan, a widely known contractor named George B. McMillan died of a heart attack on the seventh hole. In August 1919, a wool importer had a great day on the links and later that night died of a stroke. His name was John Widlar.

The club enjoyed regular attendance through the rest of the 1910's and 1920's. Paving, sewer construction, and aging roads however, began to make travel to Lakeshore boulevard difficult.

June 13, 1926, Cleveland Plain Dealer

July 24, 1927:

The writing is on the wall as evidenced by this July 1927 article. 

July 24, 1927, Cleveland Plain Dealer

Shortly after, the Willowick Country Club did purchase the Hanna farm, and announced in October of 1927 that they would be moving, and that the new property would be ready to go by 1929. Despite having a nearly 30 year run, one member was quoted as saying, "We will simply take our hats and coats and move from one course to another,". And so, they did.

June 5, 1929:

The new course at the previous H.M. Hanna farm is officially christened Manakiki. 

Continue: Shoregate Was A Golf Course! Part 2

¹ "Will Incorporate Club". Cleveland Plain Dealer, August 28, 1910
² "Complete Plans for Country Club". Cleveland Plain Dealer, September 18, 1910
³ "Englarges Its Golf Links". Cleveland Plain Dealer, May 4, 1913