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www.shelbyinfo.com Our 42ND Year • Issue No. 34 • August 21, 2025
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Cleveland Country Club proud of its past, looking to the future By Alan Hodge The centennial of one of our region’s recreational and social icons, Cleveland Country Club, is just around the corner and that institution is celebrating with exciting updates and ideas. The Club started out in 1927 on land that was the site of the historic Cleveland Springs Hotel. The property was along current E. Marion St. and Country Club Rd. The land was designated for the “building of a clubhouse for
The clubhouse and landscaping have received a nice freshening up.
the fostering of healthful mental recreation and wholesome social cordiality”- a credo the Club still embraces. Golf is the backbone of Cleveland Country Club. The par 72, 18hole links were designed by John Lafoy. Land for the course was originally cleared with mules, drag pans, axes, and dynamite. The current course measures 6,443 yards from the blue tees, has a slope of 136, and a Cleveland Country Club general manager Lisa 71.8 USGSA course rating. Golf cart paths Culbreath and executive chef Jack Acheson. were added in 1986. In 2010, the greens were reseeded with a miniverde hybrid Bermuda grass. Some interesting personalities have played the course including Earl Scruggs, Golf Hall of Famer Julius Boros, and female golf pro Peggy Kirk Bell. Another female golfer to hit the club links was Millie Keeter Holbrook who The back of this archival Cleveland Country Club started at age eight and went on to win many photo says “July 4 putting contest winners” state and regional titles. but no year was listed..pictured are Wayne Holbrook, who is a Rutherford, Bookie Allen, and Tripp Howard. Lifetime Senior of the Anyone know these folks? LPGA, played profes-
sionally for 10 years. She has also been a member of the club for over 50 years. Tennis is another popular Cleveland Country Club activity. The first courts were made in the late 1920s of local red clay and lime which were later converted to composition and hard surfaces. Currently, the club offers four clay courts and two hard courts. Also, the hard courts are marked to accommodate the highly popular pickle ball. Like golf, the Club has seen some outstanding tennis players hit its courts over the years,
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A sweeping view of the course behind the clubhouse. (Photos contributed) including national-level star Tim Wilkinson who moved upward from local fame to play as a pro for 25 years at many top spots including Wimbledon. Many memories have been made at Cleveland Country Club over the years. Barbara McLarty, 83, and her family have been members since her youth. She shared some recollections of how the club was a welcome haven then, and now. “When I was in college I could
not wait to come home and come to the club,” she said. “My friends and I played the slot machines and ate at the snack bar. It had the best cheeseburgers on the planet.” McLarty mused fondly on the social activities the club offered. “The dances and parties were great,” she said. “My husband Gordon and I had our wedding reception here.” See CLUB, Page 9
Another vintage Cleveland Country Club photo showing members relaxing after a day on the course.
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