Indianwood Golf and Country Club or simply "Indianwood" is a privatemember-onlycountry club located inOrion Township,Oakland County, nearLake Orion, Michigan. The club is approximately 35 miles (56 km) north ofDetroit.
The "Old Course" was designed byWilfrid Reid in 1925, the original club features a tower entrance, 18th centurytapestries,leaded glass windows, andKnights in shiningarmor. Theballroom features a magnificentfireplace complete with an intricateshield carved from wood hanging over themantel. According to historians, the club quickly became ahaven for the wealthy ofDetroit seeking to avoid the daily grind of the city. The club became very popular, hosting theMichigan Open in 1928, and even saw the construction of anairstrip. In 1930 the club hosted theWestern Open, one of the most prestigiousgolf events of the time. In 1948 and 1949 it was site of theMichigan PGA Championship, won byHorton Smith andChick Harbert, respectively.
The 1960s and 1970s saw Indianwood fall into decline. The bustling club fell into disrepair, with holes in the floors and beams hanging from the ceiling. In 1981, Detroit-area businessmanStan Aldridge purchased the building and surrounding land after being outbid for theDetroit Red Wings byMike Ilitch.[1] Aldridge, a non-golfer, saw the club as an investment and sought to restore the club to its former glory. Two of Aldridge's uncles were members of the club in the 1950s, and he we could accompany them to Sunday brunches.[2] The original buildings and barns were restored, and the 30,000-square-foot (2,800 m2) clubhouse and locker room addition was completed in 1989. Eventually a "New Course" for golf would be added to the original in 1988.
In 1989, the re-established club hosted its largest event, the 1989U.S. Women's Open won byBetsy King. It would host the event again 5 years later in 1994, which was won byPatty Sheehan. It hosted theU.S. Senior Open in 2012,[3] won by Roger Chapman.
Stan Aldridge and his children are still connected to the club through day-to-day operations, new construction, and design.[4] SonKeith Aldridge, a former professional hockey player, serves as the club's Vice President and General Manager.[5] Dave Zink has been the head golf professional since 1981.
For his work with Indianwood and other courses in the state, Stan Aldridge was elected to the Michigan Golf Hall of Fame in 2005.[6]
42°47′15″N83°16′04″W / 42.78750°N 83.26778°W /42.78750; -83.26778