Founded in 1919 by John Kelsey, the Grosse Ile Golf and Country Club has been an integral part of the island ever since. Knowing that a top-class golf course would bring significant success, he invested $350,000, together with the support of his associates, in Donald Ross to design and construct the project. Spanning 290 acres of prime land in the middle of Grosse Ile, the stylish 18-hole course dazzles to this day.
John Kelsey, founder of the Kelsey Wheel Co. and a summer resident of Grosse Ile who was passionate about golf, and a group of his associates had the vision to build an outstanding 18-hole golf course on the island in 1918. The group acquired 290 acres in the center of the island and incorporated the Grosse Ile Golf and Country Club in 1919 with charter directors C. S. (Cap) Vaughn, Yellot Hardcastle, Thomas Stevens, Charles Hastings, T. Y. Leonard, Earl Roberts, and Thomas Winter. Renowned golf course architect Donald Ross was hired to design and construct the course with the $350,000 investment made by Mr. Kelsey and William Connellan as general superintendent.
After two years of hard work, 12,000 yards of cinders had been mixed with 4,000 yards of sand and 4,000 yards of loam and expertly spread across the land to create a lush landscape for golfers. Grosse Ile was the third course in the United States to have watered fairways, making it a truly unique destination in the district and possibly even the state during the 1920s. The first nine holes of the new course were opened in 1920, and the Grosse Ile Golf and Country Club has continued to flourish ever since.
In 1921, the members of the club celebrated the opening of the second nine holes with a horse-drawn ride for The Casino from its original location to the site of the present clubhouse. With the move, porches, a dining room, a locker room, a grill, and a large stone fireplace were added, making it an ideal destination for social events and family gatherings.
Two years later, the club adopted its coat of arms, which was based on the original deed that transferred the title of Grosse Ile from 18 Indian chiefs to the Macomb brothers on July 6, 1776. The design is a tribute to the vision, personal effort, and financial support of John Kelsey, whose contribution was instrumental in establishing the present golf and country club. It features an elm tree symbolizing the original tree under which the treaty was signed, a variety of totem marks representing the Indian tribes that inhabited the island, the initials J.K. in the lower left corner, and a golf ball at the top flanked by winterberries, a native plant of the island.
The Grosse Ile Golf and Country Club is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and commitment of John Kelsey and his associates. Despite much of the original infrastructure having been replaced, the beautiful 18-hole golf course has stood the test of time and continues to attract golfers from around the area and beyond. The country club blossomed, thanks in large part to their careful stewardship. Today the Grosse Ile Golf and Country Club is fondly remembered by hole Timnaissance wonderers embrace for today’s travelers convenient full facility lounge providing from year, generating an unforgettable memories atmosphere while amidst stunning of landmark designed intricacies.
