Old Hickory History
For many years, it was farm fields and pasture land on which cattle and sheep grazed. In 1920 the land started to change. In the summer of that year it was not uncommon to see men and women walking through the fields and across the pastures. As their Scottish ancestors had done in their native land, these Dodge County settlers were hitting a little white ball with a stick-like club in their hands. The grazing livestock occasionally would look up with mild interest and then resume feeding. This was the beginning of Old Hickory golf!
It all began with a meager, yet interesting nine-hole layout designed by Scottish- born architect Tom Bendelow. Bendelow's design would be among the more than 400 venues he created. Among his efforts were Medinah CC #3 and Skokie CC, both in Illinois, and Tripoli CC in Milwaukee. Later Milwaukee Journal golf writer Billy Sixty, Jr. and golf course designer Robert Greaves finished the project.
Old Hickory now was one of Wisconsin's finest and more formidable 18-hole gems. The collaborative efforts of Bendelow, Sixty, and Greaves preserved the integrity of the land, the rolling hills, the magnificent oak and hickory trees, and the rock fences created by both farmer and nature.
Since that time, Old Hickory Golf Club has been guided by the energy and passion of its members and management and has developed into a member-owned, multi-faceted facility that has been the site for national and local events and passionate players. It is conveniently located in Beaver Dam (pop. 15,000) and is equally situated between Fond du Lac, West Bend, Madison and Milwaukee suburbs.
An established, well-maintained, 18-hole championship golf course, Old Hickory measures from 6,000-7,000 yards, depending on choice of tee. A mature, rolling, tree-lined landscape with more than 30 fairway and greenside bunkers, the course also boasts exceptionally-maintained and watered fairways, as well as smooth and true putting surfaces. Single and family memberships include the following amenities:- A full-time Golf Professional available for individual and group lessons
- A complete pro shop featuring top line equipment, custom fitting, and the finest in both men's and women's apparel
- A committed youth program offering lessons, events and “just fun” for boys and girls
- A full practice facility and range (range balls included with your membership) to sharpen both your long and short game
- Exclusive tee times for members including Members Only weekends, both a Men's and Women's Day, Men's Twilight League, Couples' League, weekend golf events and a year-end Championship Tournament for men, women and youth
- An Olympic size heated outdoor pool, full patio and lounge area
- Full service dining rooms, bars and banquet facilities are available for both private and family dining.
- Lockeroom, storage and showers for men and women
Old Hickory Golf Club is a member of the USGA, WSGA, WGA (Western Golf Association), and NEWGA (Northeastern Wisconsin Golf Association). In recent years the club has hosted many amateur events including the WSGA Junior, WSGA Match Play, WSGA Governor's Cup Championships, the USGA Senior Open and Junior Sectional Qualifying and the USGA Amateur Qualifying. The club has also hosted a number of NEWGA Tournaments, the Women's Publinx Tournament, and many WPGA/GFW Junior Tournaments. It is the home course for both Beaver Dam High School and Wayland Academy golf teams. The WIAA has held regional and sectional tournaments at Old Hickory over the years. Most recently, it has been chosen to be the site of the 2004 USGA Amateur Qualifying Championship and will host the 2008 WSGA Amateur Championship.
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