Local News

Written by Jack McCarthy   

From clubhouse to fairway and everything in between, Wheaton museum has sport's local history well-covered

The diverse evolution of golf and its relationship to society comes alive through the unique exhibit, Fairways, Greens & Clubs at Wheaton's Center for History.Staged in a replica of the interior of a traditional golf clubhouse, the mystique of vintage golf comes alive through displays showing the progression of golf equipment, infiltration of golf clubs, course design and maintenance, along with intriguing stories of men and women closely related to the sport. Located at 315 W. Front St., second floor, the Fairways, Greens & Clubs golf museum is a facility of the Wheaton-based Center for History.
The design of Fairways, Greens & Clubs is reminiscent of the interior of a traditional clubhouse with columns, thirty custom display cases, and traditional furnishings.
The sometimes controversial story of the development of golf is told through the historic artifacts and engaging interpretation.
Bringing the history of American golf to the Chicago area is fitting for the Center for History because of its purpose to preserve and promote Wheaton history.
Gary Holaway, Communications Director for the Western Golf Association said, “The Western Golf Association applauds the Center for History’s commitment to capture the history of American golf and appreciates its effort in bringing a golf exhibition, Fairways, Greens & Clubs to the area.”
Although golf had taken root in Chicago yet, beginning with the Columbian Exposition in 1893, individuals began seeking places to play.
But as the sport caught on, Wheaton residents played an important role in the development of the sport from designing golf courses, developing golf clubs and balls in addition to several individuals excelling in tournaments across the country.
Men like James, David, Robert and Simpson Foulis; H. J. Tweedie; Charles Blair Macdonald; H. J. Wigham; and George, Harold, John and Warren Dawson helped shape the sport of golf in America.
Wheaton is the home of the first 18-hole golf course in the nation, Chicago Golf Club and six other golf clubs have made Wheaton their home over the course of time: Antlers Golf, DuPage County Golf Club, Green Valley Golf Club, Wheaton Golf Club, Arrowhead Golf Club and Cantigny Golf.
Section titles of the “clubhouse” exhibition and a few of the exhibit items +6change periodically to feature specific individuals or memorabilia.
Trophies won by champions, portraits of golf legends, golf clubs designed by James, Robert, and David Foulis, 1899 Chicago Golf trophy, and an autograph of Bobby Jones will thrill all golf enthusiasts.
An array of hickory shaft clubs, feather, gutta percha, and rubber core balls, along with historic memorabilia from major events will fascinate even the non-golfer. Horse lawn boots and a silver pocket ball washer are among the unusual items. Rare historical publications, including 1st trade edition of C.B. Macdonald’s Scotland’s Gift: GOLF, the Account Book of Sir John Foulis of Ravelston 1671-1767 published in 1894, and 1st edition of How to Play Golf How by H.J. Whigham will offer the public an exclusive opportunity to view these exceptional records of history.
Yet that is just a sampling of the rare golf treasurers from across the country that are on display.
New exhibit sections include:

A Stroke of Femininity - The First 50 Years of Women and Golf in America
As early as the 1890s women in America began their affair with golf. Discouraged by men and burdened with long skirts and wide brim hats, women endured the challenges of golf. Equipped with hickory sticks and gutties, Mrs. Charles S. Brown won the first Women’s National Amateur Championship in 1895.
Since then women have been prominent figures on the golf course from playing a round with friends to competing in tournaments. A Stroke of Femininity exhibit highlights the early years of playing golf in a skirt through the establishment of the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA). Young players like Beatrix Hoyt and Anna “Johnny” Carpenter won tournaments at the age of 16 and 14 respectively. Babe Didrickson Zaharis and Patty Berg promoted golf for women better than any one before them. They were among the founding members of the LPGA.

The Legacy of Chick Evans
The story of Charles “Chick” Evans will unfold in a new exhibit The Legacy of Chick Evans. The story begins with Chick’s days of hitting golf balls in his back yard, encompasses his early years as a caddie at Edgewater Golf Club, and his path to an amateur champion. This lad was driven to play golf and the tale of how he reached the top as the champion of the US Amateur and US Open in the same year is incredible. Today Chick’s name is well known for the Evans Scholarships awarded each year to college students. Chick was inspired by many and is still an inspiration to golfers of all ages.

Chester Horton – From Caddie to Vaudeville
Chester Horton’s interest in golf began when he caddied for C. B. Macdonald at Chicago Golf Club in the late 1890s. As “Old” Tom Morris and St. Andrews are to Scotland, Charles Blair Macdonald and Chicago Golf Club are to America. Horton experienced the best of both because Chicago Golf was surrounded by individuals who learned the sport of golf in St. Andrews, Scotland. According to him, his “best” golf instructor was Scottish born David Foulis, a pro at Chicago Golf along with his brother James and father James Sr. Horton excelled in all areas as a player, club maker and instructor. Some of his students include Chick Evans, Besse Anthony and “Johnny” Carpenter. He played left and right handed with scores most would relish. His golf skills put him on stage with such greats as George Burns and Gracie Allen. Chester Horton – From Caddie to Vaudeville highlights a man and his contribution to golf that have simply gone unnoticed.

Western Open Champions & Courses – The Early Decades
The Western Open was first played in 1899 with the “greats” of the time competing and was considered a major tournament. Willie Smith won the first tournament in a playoff with Laurie Auchterlonie at Glen View Golf Club in Golf, Illinois. This tournament was played at courses throughout the Midwest with a record of distinguished golfers. Some names will be familiar, but some have been lost to the history books. Over the years, competition for the championship was contested by match and medal play. Western Open Champions & Courses – The Early Decades explores the courses and champions during the Western Opens’ first 50 years.
 The museum is also a research center and repository and has a comprehensive collection of golf memorabilia including equipment and trophies, over 2,000 publications, and 1,000 photographs.