Avid golfers that have been cooped up inside all winter long — OK maybe not so much this past winter — often pencil in Memorial Day weekend as their time to head back out to the links. This year members of Oakwood Country Club can count on a big celebration of Kansas City’s golf history to go along with lots of great golf.
Oakwood Country Club, originally known as The Progress Club, officially opened its one and only golf course on Memorial Day weekend in 1912 at its location at 9800 Grandview Road in Kansas City, Mo. The club plans to celebrate the 100th anniversary of its golf course with several special events on Memorial Day weekend. (See below for more details.)
The Progress Club was first established in 1881. The original club moved several times before taking up permanent residence at the golf location.
When the Progress Club golf links opened on Memorial Day 1912, there were just three other private courses plus the public Swope Park and Excelsior Springs courses available to golfers. Today, at 100 years, Oakwood is the city’s oldest private golf courses. Originally designed by well-known golf architect Tom Bendelow, the course has seen several improvements over the years with designs by Scott Miller, Tom Watson and Craig Schreiner. Watson has been an honorary member of the Oakwood for many years.
“It’s a gem of a golf course,” said Todd Stice, head golf professional for Oakwood. “I have played extensively and it is as beautiful as any course around.”
Ward Katz has been a member of Oakwood most of his life and, as a former president, can be considered one of the club’s historians. He’s a third generation member, following in the footsteps of his grandfather, a charter member, and his father. The course was located quite a distance from where most of the Jewish community lived when it opened.
“My grandfather and father would take a street car out to Waldo, stop and have lunch, then take a train to a town called Dodson, then finally a horse and buggy out to Oakwood to spend the weekend,” Katz said. “This is when a country club was really out in the country. But even today, Oakwood is rare among local golf courses in that there are no houses around the course preserving a serene feel. Common sights on the course are deer, wild turkey, fox, blue heron and even an occasional peacock. The club’s iconic lake is teeming with fish.”
Katz said Oakwood began its existence as a strictly Jewish club. It was created after members of The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah decided to form an organization for their families to enjoy social activities. Founded just 11 years after B’nai Jehudah, Oakwood remains one of the oldest Jewish institutions in the city. As an interesting side note, many of the founders of these two landmark institutions would later go on to start Menorah Hospital, the predecessor of Menorah Medical Center.
By 1910, members were looking for a more rural setting so that the Jewish community might enjoy the new, popular game called “the golf.” A town club was also retained for the use of the members for card-playing and social affairs during the winter months.
“It was a very important hub for business and social activity,” Katz said. “The club provided a venue outside of religious settings where Jewish men could get together and talk in an informal environment.”
Oakwood stopped having an exclusive Jewish membership in the mid-‘80s. However its Jewish heritage still factors large in the makeup of Oakwood.
“I’m sure the club was a source of pride for the Jewish community then,” Katz said. “Kansas City was a rough and tumble place, but here was a place our group could come together and grow those community bonds.”
The Memorial Day celebration will provide an opportunity to look back at the entire history of Oakwood.
“It’s great when you look back and find new pieces to the history,” said Polly Kramer, Oakwood’s vice president. “This is where Harry Truman would play cards and catch the train. You can always find things about the club that you didn’t know about.”
Katz and Stice agree that that the weekend events would not be possible if not for the commitment many men and women have to Oakwood. Their dedication has been reflected in the work they have done to make sure these events go smoothly.
“It has taken the work of very knowledgeable volunteers to complete a whole range of events,” Katz said. “It’s needed as we are anticipating a lot of participation.”
“Everyone is very excited for all of the events,” Stice said. “It’s a great celebration to celebrate the past, and to kick off the next 100 years.”
Katz also invites those interested to visit Oakwood’s website, www.oakwoodcountryclub.org, to learn more about the events and history of Oakwood.
“The Memorial Day celebration will be an important event,” Katz said. “It’s historical for us (Oakwood), and it’s historical for our city.”
Oakwood’s anniversary weekend
Members of Oakwood Country Club and the community have the opportunity to take part in several events Memorial Day Weekend to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Oakwood’s golf course at 9800 Grandview Road in Kansas City, Mo.
The first event, a couples’ open twilight golf with dinner, drinks and prizes, is Friday, May 25. A Centennial Smoke-out Barbecue will be held Saturday, May 26. A gold tournament followed by The Bee’s Knees Bootleggers Balls takes place Sunday, May 27. The celebration ends with the Centennial Gold Tournament Tuesday, May 29. Teams from several other country clubs have been invited to compete in this tournament, with the proceeds going to First Tee (www.thefirstteekc.org), a charity that benefits young golfers of all backgrounds.
“That is something everyone will play to win,” said Todd Stice, head golf professional for Oakwood, who will play on the Oakwood team. “But more importantly, it’s for a good cause. For a variety of reasons, it’s one of the things I am most looking forward to.”
Both competitive and more laid back golf will be held over the weekend. Whatever skill range, Stice believes everyone will find a game that suits them.
Events are open to members and their guests. For more information on prices or activities, or to make a reservation, call 816-761-5501.
“When we were planning events, the goal was to have activities for all age ranges,” said Polly Kramer, vice president of Oakwood Country Club. “We have a great nexus of people that belong to Oakwood. I’m most excited to see everyone come together for this big celebration.