Visalia Country Club
Encyclopedia
The Visalia Country Club is a golf only club in Visalia, California
.
It is a relatively flat course with medium-sized greens. The greens are traditionally known for being real smooth and fast. The oak and pine trees form tree-lines along the fairways. There are grass and sand bunkers around the greens and on the fairways. There are about four to five bunkers per hole. Water hazards (three ponds) come into play on six holes. The signature hole is #16, a 150-yard, par 3, requiring a tee shot over water to a green that is surrounded by trees and bunkers.
The Visalia Golf Club began with three holes, still existing today as numbers 11, 12 and 13. "Greens" were oiled sand, which needed smoothing before every putt. The tee areas were asphalt slabs. In 1926, six more holes were added and the sand greens were replaced with grass greens. Two years later the original clubhouse was erected. Later in the year, a clubhouse building committee was formed; plans were drawn up & accepted. W.R. Spalding (whose house still stands today in downtown
and serves as one of Visalia’s two B&B’s) donated lumber for the new clubhouse. Members were asked to provide additional donations, and were enthusiastically willing – even non-members donated. The original clubhouse and greens had been constructed for a cost of $6400. The original clubhouse measured 16 feet by 24 feet, and burned to the ground in 1927. It was re-built the same year.
In April 1942, during World War II
, Bob Hope
, Bing Crosby
, Johnny Weissmuller
and an outstanding amateur from Los Angeles
, Johnny Dawson, played an exhibition golf match at the club. While no records survive to document the victor of the match, the real winner was the Visalia Chapter of the American Red Cross
, to whom the proceeds were donated.
The design of the fairways was determined in part by the famous Jennings Ditch which wanders throughout the entire length of the course. In 1950, Mill Creek
, which supplied water for the Jennings Ditch, was diverted, leaving a dry ditch which is still visible throughout the course and particularly along the right side of the #9 fairway and the lake between #17 and #18. In that same year, the official name of the club was changed to Visalia Country Club. By 1952, the club added nine more holes to reach the present eighteen. In 1953, a new clubhouse was built at the site of today’s snack bar – the cost of the new clubhouse increased from that of the original to a reported $120,000, and was entirely financed voluntarily by donations from the members.
From 1962 until 1965, the club hosted the Visalia Open
on the LPGA Tour. Many famous women golfers played in the events, including Mickey Wright
, Betsy Rawls
, Kathy Whitworth
, Patty Berg
and Judy Rankin
. When the LPGA raised the required prize money to $15,000 the membership concluded the investment was too great and ended their relationship with the tour.
The oldest Valley Oak Tree
in Visalia sits right next to the #18 tee box. The estimated age of the oak tree
is 276 years old.
36.3346727°N 119.3170597°W
Visalia, California
Visalia is a Central California city situated in the heart of California’s agricultural San Joaquin Valley, approximately southeast of San Francisco and north of Los Angeles...
.
It is a relatively flat course with medium-sized greens. The greens are traditionally known for being real smooth and fast. The oak and pine trees form tree-lines along the fairways. There are grass and sand bunkers around the greens and on the fairways. There are about four to five bunkers per hole. Water hazards (three ponds) come into play on six holes. The signature hole is #16, a 150-yard, par 3, requiring a tee shot over water to a green that is surrounded by trees and bunkers.
History
On January 27, 1922 a meeting was held in the Visalia Municipal Auditorium for the purposes of organizing a golf club. Mr. Harvey V.E. Gilmer spearheaded the effort. The lack of awareness of the sport at that time made it somewhat of a challenge to arrange the initial subscriptions, but upon collecting twenty-five hundred dollars, property was leased from Dick Hyde. The first membership sold for fifty dollars, and the dues were five dollars per month.The Visalia Golf Club began with three holes, still existing today as numbers 11, 12 and 13. "Greens" were oiled sand, which needed smoothing before every putt. The tee areas were asphalt slabs. In 1926, six more holes were added and the sand greens were replaced with grass greens. Two years later the original clubhouse was erected. Later in the year, a clubhouse building committee was formed; plans were drawn up & accepted. W.R. Spalding (whose house still stands today in downtown
Downtown Visalia
Downtown Visalia is the central business district of Visalia, California, United States, located close to the geographic center of the metropolitan area. The area features an array of public art and unique shopping opportunities...
and serves as one of Visalia’s two B&B’s) donated lumber for the new clubhouse. Members were asked to provide additional donations, and were enthusiastically willing – even non-members donated. The original clubhouse and greens had been constructed for a cost of $6400. The original clubhouse measured 16 feet by 24 feet, and burned to the ground in 1927. It was re-built the same year.
In April 1942, during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Bob Hope
Bob Hope
Bob Hope, KBE, KCSG, KSS was a British-born American comedian and actor who appeared in vaudeville, on Broadway, and in radio, television and movies. He was also noted for his work with the US Armed Forces and his numerous USO shows entertaining American military personnel...
, Bing Crosby
Bing Crosby
Harry Lillis "Bing" Crosby was an American singer and actor. Crosby's trademark bass-baritone voice made him one of the best-selling recording artists of the 20th century, with over half a billion records in circulation....
, Johnny Weissmuller
Johnny Weissmuller
Johnny Weissmuller was an Austro-Hungarian-born American swimmer and actor best known for playing Tarzan in movies. Weissmuller was one of the world's best swimmers in the 1920s, winning five Olympic gold medals and one bronze medal. He won fifty-two US National Championships and set sixty-seven...
and an outstanding amateur from Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, Johnny Dawson, played an exhibition golf match at the club. While no records survive to document the victor of the match, the real winner was the Visalia Chapter of the American Red Cross
American Red Cross
The American Red Cross , also known as the American National Red Cross, is a volunteer-led, humanitarian organization that provides emergency assistance, disaster relief and education inside the United States. It is the designated U.S...
, to whom the proceeds were donated.
The design of the fairways was determined in part by the famous Jennings Ditch which wanders throughout the entire length of the course. In 1950, Mill Creek
Mill Creek (Tulare County)
Mill Creek is a creek in Tulare County, California. It is a tributary of the Kaweah River. It is one of the four main creeks that flow through the city of Visalia.-History:Mill Creek was named after Dr. Mathew's grist mill....
, which supplied water for the Jennings Ditch, was diverted, leaving a dry ditch which is still visible throughout the course and particularly along the right side of the #9 fairway and the lake between #17 and #18. In that same year, the official name of the club was changed to Visalia Country Club. By 1952, the club added nine more holes to reach the present eighteen. In 1953, a new clubhouse was built at the site of today’s snack bar – the cost of the new clubhouse increased from that of the original to a reported $120,000, and was entirely financed voluntarily by donations from the members.
From 1962 until 1965, the club hosted the Visalia Open
Visalia Open
The Visalia Open was a golf tournament on the LPGA Tour from 1962 to 1965. It was played at the Visalia Country Club in Visalia, California.-Winners:Visalia Open*1965 Clifford Ann CreedVisalia Ladies' Open*1964 Mickey Wright*1963 Mickey Wright...
on the LPGA Tour. Many famous women golfers played in the events, including Mickey Wright
Mickey Wright
Mary Kathryn "Mickey" Wright is an American professional golfer. She is a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame.-Early life:...
, Betsy Rawls
Betsy Rawls
Elizabeth Earle "Betsy" Rawls is an American professional golfer.Rawls was born in Spartanburg, South Carolina. After attending the University of Texas, Rawls joined the LPGA Tour in its second season in 1951. She won 55 tournaments on the tour, including eight major championships...
, Kathy Whitworth
Kathy Whitworth
Kathy Whitworth is an American professional golfer. Throughout her playing career she won 88 LPGA Tour tournaments, more than anyone else has won on either the LPGA Tour or the PGA Tour. In 1981 she became the first woman to reach career earnings of $1 million on the LPGA Tour...
, Patty Berg
Patty Berg
Patricia Jane Berg was an American professional golfer and a founding member and then leading player on the Ladies Professional Golf Association Tour during the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s. Her 15 major title wins remains the all-time record for most major wins by a female golfer...
and Judy Rankin
Judy Rankin
Judy Torluemke Rankin is an American professional golfer and golf broadcaster. She became a member of the LPGA Tour in 1962 and won 26 LPGA Tour events in all. She is a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame.-Amateur career:...
. When the LPGA raised the required prize money to $15,000 the membership concluded the investment was too great and ended their relationship with the tour.
The oldest Valley Oak Tree
Valley Oak
Quercus lobata, commonly called the Valley oak, grows into the largest of North American oaks. It is endemic to California, growing in the interior valleys and foothills. Mature specimens may attain an age of up to 600 years. This deciduous oak requires year-round access to groundwater.Its thick,...
in Visalia sits right next to the #18 tee box. The estimated age of the oak tree
Valley Oak
Quercus lobata, commonly called the Valley oak, grows into the largest of North American oaks. It is endemic to California, growing in the interior valleys and foothills. Mature specimens may attain an age of up to 600 years. This deciduous oak requires year-round access to groundwater.Its thick,...
is 276 years old.
External links
36.3346727°N 119.3170597°W