Ava Romero
The Detroit Golf Club (abbreviated to DGC) is a private golf club located in Detroit, Michigan. The club was founded in 1899 and has since become a prominent fixture in the city, hosting the Rocket Mortgage Classic, an annual PGA Tour event, since 2019. The club has a rich history, with notable members including Henry Ford and his son Edsel, as well as a legacy of prominent club pros, including two-time Masters winner Horton Smith. The DGC has also played a role in advancing racial diversity, with Detroit Mayor Coleman Young becoming its first African-American member in 1986. The club has been an important aspect of Detroit's infrastructural growth and has helped to shine a spotlight on the city's resurgence.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan |
| Founding Date | 1899 |
| Founders | William R. Farrand and several friends |
| Original No. of Members | 100 |
| Course Designer | Bert Way (original 6-hole course); Donald Ross (current 36-hole course) |
| Notable Members | Henry Ford, Edsel Ford, Horton Smith, Walter Burkemo, Jerome Bettis, Aretha Franklin, Justin Verlander, Gerald Laird, Jim Leyland, Jim Schwartz, John Conyers |
| Amenities | Tennis courts, pool, snack shacks, cart garage, crystal dining room |
| PGA Tour Event | Rocket Mortgage Classic (since 2019) |
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What You'll Learn
Detroit Golf Club's history
The Detroit Golf Club (DGC) has a rich history that dates back to the city's economic downturn in the early 2010s. During this challenging period, the club faced a decline in membership and revenue, prompting its stewards to adopt a long-term perspective. This mindset paid off when, in 2019, the DGC landed the city's first-ever PGA Tour event, an achievement that shone a spotlight on Detroit's growth and resurgence.
A key figure in the DGC's journey is Jason Langwell, who played a pivotal role in bringing a PGA Tour tournament to the city. Langwell, handling sports marketing consulting for Quicken Loans, a Detroit-based company, seized the opportunity to sponsor The National in Washington, D.C. With determination, he conveyed to the PGA Tour their interest in continuing but insisted on a pathway to bringing the event to Detroit. This vision came to fruition in 2017 when Quicken Loans signed a five-year deal, keeping the tournament in D.C. for one more year while the DGC prepared to host.
The driving force behind these efforts was the belief that great American cities should host great events. Jay Farner, CEO of Quicken Loans, affirmed this sentiment in a statement to The Detroit News. This pursuit of a prestigious golf tournament was not merely about the sport; it symbolized the revival and growth of Detroit as a whole. It represented a connection between different parts of the city and attracted attention to its ascent.
The DGC's journey to becoming "tournament-worthy" began even earlier with the efforts of Glassberg, a DGC board member. Amid Detroit's economic struggles, Glassberg set his sights on understanding how the club could rise to the standards required to host a major tournament. This ambitious goal, set during a time of financial strain for the club, demonstrates the resilience and foresight that characterized the DGC's path to hosting the PGA Tour event.
The Detroit Golf Club's history is a testament to the power of perseverance and long-term vision. By embracing challenges and seizing opportunities, the club not only elevated its own reputation but also played a role in the broader narrative of Detroit's resurgence, showcasing the city's potential to the world.
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Prominent golfers at the club
The Detroit Golf Club, founded in 1899, has a rich history and has played a significant role in the city's golfing landscape. Over the years, the club has been associated with several prominent golfers and notable figures who have graced its fairways and contributed to its legacy.
One of the most significant moments in the club's history was when it became the venue for Detroit's first-ever PGA Tour event, the Rocket Mortgage Classic, in 2019. This event attracted some of the top golfers in the sport, including Cameron Young and Will Zalatoris, who took on the challenges presented by the historic course design.
The Detroit Golf Club has also been a platform for breaking barriers and promoting diversity. In 1986, Detroit Mayor Coleman Young became the club's first African-American member, even though he was not a golfer himself. His non-golfing membership served as a symbolic gesture, paving the way for increased representation and inclusivity within the club and the broader community.
In addition to Mayor Young, the club has attracted other notable members and players. Detroit stars such as Justin Verlander, Gerald Laird, Jim Leyland, Jerome Bettis, Jim Schwartz, and many others have been associated with the club. The club's proximity to prestigious neighbourhoods and its offer of free membership to the Mayor of Detroit further underscore its prominence.
The club's courses, the North and South Course, have also undergone changes over the years to prepare for prestigious tournaments. Several holes were lengthened, and trees around the greens and tee boxes were removed to accommodate the Rocket Mortgage Classic. These adjustments showcase the club's commitment to maintaining a challenging and competitive golf course that attracts players and spectators alike.
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The club's celebrity base
The Detroit Golf Club has a rich history of prominent members and guests, including some of the city's most notable figures. The club has long been a gathering place for Detroit's business and political elite, with a membership base that includes athletes, politicians, and philanthropists.
One of the club's earliest prominent members was Henry Ford, who joined in 1915, followed by his son Edsel, who served as Ford's president from 1919 to 1943. Original Ford Motor Company stockholder and philanthropist Horace Rackham also played a significant role in the club's history, funding the initial $100,000 for Donald Ross's 36-hole course design. U.S. Senator James Couzens, who sold his Ford Motor Company stock to Henry Ford, was also a frequent presence on the course.
The club has continued to attract notable members and guests in more recent years, with a celebrity base that includes athletes from various sports. Justin Verlander, a Detroit star, is one of the club's well-known members. Other athletes who have called Detroit Golf Club their golf home include Jerome Bettis, Jim Leyland, Jim Schwartz, and Vinnie "The Microwave" Johnson.
The club has also hosted notable golfers, including Horton Smith, a two-time Masters winner who served as the club pro from 1946 until his death in 1963, and Walter Burkemo, who won the 1953 PGA Championship. In 1986, Detroit Mayor Coleman Young became the club's first African-American member, and Dennis Archer, an associate justice of the Michigan Supreme Court and Young's mayoral successor, also joined the club.
The Detroit Golf Club's location near landmarks such as Palmer Park and the University of Detroit Mercy has also attracted notable residents as neighbours, including Aretha Franklin and John Conyers. With its history spanning over a century, the club has become an integral part of Detroit's social and sporting landscape, hosting tournaments and bringing together a diverse range of influential individuals.
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The PGA Tour event
Detroit Golf Club (DGC) hosted the city's first-ever PGA Tour event, known as the Rocket Mortgage Classic, in 2019. The tournament was the result of years of effort by DGC board members and Detroit-based company Quicken Loans, which took over the title sponsorship of The National in Washington, D.C., in 2017.
Jason Langwell, who handled Quicken Loans' sports marketing consulting, recalls making the company's intentions clear to the PGA Tour: "Our client is interested in continuing this. But if they do so, there's gotta be a pathway to Detroit." Quicken Loans, owned by Dan Gilbert, signed a five-year deal in 2017, keeping the tournament in D.C. for one more year to give DGC time to prepare.
The efforts to bring a PGA Tour event to Detroit began amid the city's economic downturn. Then-DGC board member Glassberg set a goal of understanding how his club could become "tournament-worthy." Despite the club's financial struggles, DGC's stewards played the long game, and their efforts eventually paid off with the successful hosting of the Rocket Mortgage Classic.
The tournament has been hailed as a spotlight on the city of Detroit, showcasing its infrastructural growth and revival. Glassberg reflected on the impact of the event, stating, "I would say the golf tournament is yet another element of the growth of the city, connecting parts of the city to other parts of the city. Shining a light on the city to people who might not realize it is back."
The Rocket Mortgage Classic has continued to be a fixture on the PGA Tour, with the 2025 edition taking place at the Detroit Golf Club from June 26-29. Cam Davis made history by becoming the first two-time champion of the tournament in 2024, following his victory in a playoff in 2021.
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Changes to the course
The Detroit Golf Club (DGC) was founded in 1899 and has a rich history. Over the years, the club has undergone several changes and renovations to its course and facilities.
The original course was designed by Bert Way and consisted of only 6 holes. It was expanded to 9 holes, and eventually, in 1899, Donald Ross built the current 36-hole course. Ross's renovations attracted notable members such as Henry Ford and his son Edsel, who joined in 1915 and 1943, respectively.
The club has continued to evolve and improve its offerings. In 1946, golf star and two-time Masters winner Horton Smith became the club pro until his death in 1963. During his tenure, the club added new amenities, including tennis courts, a cart garage, and a crystal dining room.
In 1986, Detroit Mayor Coleman Young became the club's first African-American member, hoping to encourage more African-Americans in the city to join. The club has had three African-American presidents since 2003.
The DGC has also faced challenges, such as during World War II when club activities were limited due to gas rationing. In more recent times, the club has hosted the Rocket Mortgage Classic, a PGA Tour event, since 2019. To prepare for this prestigious tournament, several holes were lengthened, and trees around the greens and tee boxes were removed.
The Detroit Golf Club has a long and fascinating history, and its course has undergone significant changes over the years to become the renowned 36-hole course it is today.
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Frequently asked questions
The Detroit Golf Club (abbreviated to DGC) is a private golf club located in Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan.
Some prominent golfers who have been members of the club include Horton Smith, Walter Burkemo, and George Bayer.
The club offers various amenities, including tennis courts, a swimming pool, a cart garage, and a crystal dining room.
Yes, the Detroit Golf Club has hosted the Rocket Mortgage Classic, an annual PGA Tour event, since 2019.
The Detroit Golf Club was founded in 1899 by William R. Farrand and several of his friends. It started as a 6-hole course and was eventually expanded to the current 36-hole course designed by Donald Ross.
