Country Club History

Westfield Group Country Club is a privately owned recreational and business facility of Westfield Group. Since the club’s beginning in 1937, its fine recreational facilities have provided a unique, relaxed atmosphere for employees, agents and members to enjoy one another’s company, strengthen friendship and establish lasting business relationships.

1920: The Company acquired and began operating a dairy farm known as “Ohio Farm” which was stocked with prize Jersey cattle that supplied all of the milk, butter and beef consumed at the Westfield Inn.

1930: Golf had become a popular form of recreation and our employees were enjoying golf outings at courses throughout Northeast Ohio. In 1936, Don McVay, the company president, requested that the Board of Directors approve the development of a nine-hole golf course on the “Ohio Farm” land, not to exceed $2,000. The hay barn was detached from the farm’s dairy barn and moved to the south end of the course to serve as the maintenance building. By 1937, the course under the supervision of E.M. Scott, was completed. Today, as you play the front nine holes of the South Course, you are walking on land that was once the “Ohio Farm”.

Change was inevitable as the sport of golf became increasingly popular, and the Company grew. Here is a chronology describing the changes made over the years:

1960-68: The Company hired John Spodnick in 1960 as golf course and grounds superintendent and was charged with completing a long-range reconstruction and expansion program. The old #4 green, the “Titled Terror” (now hole #7), was completely rebuilt in 1965. With the acquisition of 90 adjoining acres, architect Geoffrey Cornish was selected to design 11 new holes with John as construction superintendent. Completed in 1968, a new clubhouse, parking lot and seven new lakes finalized the 18-hole championship golf course.

1970-75: An Olympic-size swimming pool and three lighted tennis courts, along with a golf cart building, were added. Following the acquisition of the Scisinger farm (north and east of Greenwich Road), the team of Cornish and Spodnik were again charged with constructing an additional 18-hole golf course. The North Course opened for play in the summer of 1975. The Westfield-on-the-Green condominiums were also constructed at this time.

1989-90: A thirty-two million gallon reservoir was constructed for course irrigation. Greens renovation and construction occurred on the South Course with the addition of #8 green, removal of the old #3 and #4 greens, change and renovation of #2, #3, #5 and #9. A new reflecting pond was built adjoining the current #3 green. Expansion and remodeling of the “Old Clubhouse” into a new “Entertainment Center” with doubled floor space, added full service kitchen, patio overlooking #3 green and cook out facilities.

1996: A major renovation to the clubhouse was undertaken with expansion and upgrade of grill room, locker rooms and Pro Shop. Exterior of buildings changed to reflect appearance of other Company buildings. A new practice facility with a 30,000 square foot tee, target greens, short game area and practice bunker. In order to accommodate space for the practice facility, #17 on the South Course was completely rebuilt from tee to green.

1999: Under the direction of golf course architect, Craig Schreiner, the South Course renovated all 36 bunkers on the back nine. Comfort stations were added with restroom facilities and snack service areas.

2001: South course front nine was renovated including changes to many fairways and green side bunkers. The project included changes to the fairway on hole #3, new tee complexes on hole #7 and new tee and green complexes on holes #6 and #8.

Westfield Group Country Club hosted its first Junior PGA Championship. Junior golfers throughout the United States compete in qualifying events to reach the Junior PGA Championship through support of 41 PGA Sections. Westfield Group Country Club proudly hosted the Junior PGA Championship through 2007.

2002: Westfield Agents’ Pavilion was constructed to provide an outdoor dining venue for golf events.

2003: Agents dining room converted to Club Room. The renovation enhanced the look of the clubhouse and expanded dining opportunities.

2004: The Club kitchen and main dining room were renovated to accommodate increased demands in club dining. Adjustments were made to improve traffic flow and improve the use of the space.

Westfield Group Country Club hosted the Junior Ryder Cup Matches on September 11th and 12th. The matches are a biennial team match play event between Europe and the United States. The teams consist of 12 players: six boys and six girls under the age of 16. The first day of competition was a four ball match featuring two person boys teams and two person girls teams. The second round was a mixed boy and girl team contested again as a four ball match. Europe won the match 8 ½ to 3 ½.

2005: Enhancements to the South Course were made to address safety concerns pertaining to blind tee shots on holes #4, #5 and #13 and potentially dangerous ball flight on holes #6 and #15. Hole #15 was changed to a par 5, while hole #18 was adjusted to a more challenging par 4.

2007: The Grill Room and Club Room interior decorating was changed to bring a warmer feel to the dining facilities.

Westfield Group Country Club hosts its final Junior PGA Championship.