About Flint Golf Club

Over a Century of History and Tradition

Established in 1910, Flint Golf Club has been a cornerstone of the Flint community, offering a rich history intertwined with the city's development and the automotive industry's pioneers.

With a commitment to fostering camaraderie and connection, Flint Golf Club provides a wide range of activities and amenities. From golf leagues, swim teams, and junior programs to year-round social events like our Easter Brunch and the amazing year-end Raw Bar, the club offers something for everyone. Whether you're enjoying the pool, dining at the Harry Barrett Grill, or celebrating in our elegant great room, Flint Golf Club blends timeless tradition with modern amenities to create an exceptional experience for its members.

Founding and Early Years

Flint Golf Club was established in 1910, originally chartered as the Flint Country Club. Led by J. Dallas Dort, a visionary industrialist and co-founder of the Durant-Dort Carriage Company, the club’s first location was on the Medbury Farm near Atlas, Michigan. Featuring a modest nine-hole course, the club provided a recreational escape for Flint’s burgeoning community, with access via rugged roads or the Flint and Detroit Interurban trolley system.

As Flint grew into an automotive hub, so did the need for a more expansive and accessible facility. In 1918, Flint Golf Club was incorporated, and a prime site near Thread Lake was selected for a new 18-hole course and clubhouse. The grand opening on July 1, 1919—known as the "Opening Night Bash" or "Decoration Day"—was a milestone event, attended by many of Flint’s most prominent figures, including William C. Durant, Walter Chrysler, Charles Stewart Mott, and Albert Champion. Their presence reflected the club’s importance as a gathering place for the city’s industrial pioneers and leaders.

The original clubhouse, designed by Chicago architect Robert Seyfarth, became a central hub for community and social activities. Paired with an 18-hole championship course crafted by Willie Park Jr., a two-time British Open champion, the club quickly earned a reputation as one of the region’s premier recreational destinations. These early years not only solidified Flint Golf Club’s role in the city’s cultural fabric but also established it as a symbol of innovation, progress, and community.

J. Dallas Dort

Co-founder of Durant-Dort Carriage Company

The original clubhouse 1919; image courtesy of
"The Flint Golf Club: Celebrating 80 Years of Golfing Excellence" booklet

Relocation and Expansion

By 1918, the need for a more accessible location and an 18-hole course led to the incorporation of Flint Golf Club on August 24, 1918. A suitable site was found near Thread Lake in Flint.

The new clubhouse, designed by Chicago architect Robert Seyfarth, was completed, and the grand opening gala was held on July 1, 1919, known at the time as Decoration Day.

Notable Founding Members

The club's founding members included influential figures in the automotive industry:

• J. Dallas Dort: Co-founder of Durant-Dort Carriage Company and instrumental in bringing Buick to Flint

• William C. "Billy" Durant: Co-founder of General Motors, Chevrolet, and Frigidaire

• Charles Stewart Mott: Founder of Weston-Mott and longtime General Motors Director

• Walter P. Chrysler: President of Buick and Founder of Chrysler Corporation

• Albert Champion: Founder of AC Spark Plug and renowned cyclist

• Charles Nash: President of General Motors and founder of Nash Motors

• John K. Raskob: Executive at DuPont and General Motors, builder of the Empire State Building
• K.T. Keller: Executive at Buick, President at Chrysler, and contributor to the Manhattan Project

• Edward Atwood: Flint Businessman

• Arthur G. Bishop: Vice President, General Motors; President First National Bank, & Genesee Savings Bank

• Fred Aldrich: Executive Durant Dort, Chevrolet, Fort Motors

• Charles Bonbright: Executive Durant Dort, General Motors

• Harry H. Bassett: President of Buick

• Charles Begole: Executive at Flint Wagon Works and President of Buick

• John Carton: Attorney for Buick, Chevrolet, and General Motors

• Harlow Curtis: Future CEO of General Motors

These visionaries not only shaped the automotive industry but also laid the foundation for a club that would become a social and recreational hub in Flint.

Willie Park, Jr.
Course Architect

Course Architecture

The 18-hole championship course was designed by Willie Park Jr., a two-time British Open champion (1887, 1889) and a pioneering golf course architect.

Park was known for designing over 100 courses in the U.S., including notable ones like Maidstone and Olympia Fields. His design philosophy emphasized strategic play and natural landscape integration, elements that are evident in Flint Golf Club's course.

Park was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2013.

Milestones and Challenges

On January 8, 1958, a fire destroyed the original clubhouse during a stag awards event attended by 106 members. Due to frozen water lines, the fire department was unable to save the structure, resulting in the loss of early club records.

A new clubhouse was subsequently built, continuing the club's legacy.

Legacy and Continuation

Throughout its history, Flint Golf Club has been a gathering place for community leaders and residents, fostering camaraderie and contributing to Flint's social fabric. The club's resilience mirrors that of the city it calls home, adapting through the decades while honoring its storied past.

References:

Genesee County Historical Society. “The Flint Golf Club.” Accessed November 15, 2024. https://www.geneseehistory.org/the-flint-golf-club.html
Written by: Gary L. Fisher, President and Tracy L. Fisher

3100 Lakewood Drive, Flint, MI 48507

(810) 743-6100