History of Shady Hollow Country Club
Mr. Enos A. Stewart, founder of Stark Ceramics, Inc., bought a farm from Anna Gross in 1925 and later a second farm from Horace Fausnaught. Mr. Stewart named the property “Shady Hollow.” The plan was to enlarge the existing lake and sell lots around it. Discovery of a cable which would need to be moved made the development cost prohibitive. Mr. Richard Christian invited his friend, Mr. Stewart, to play golf at what is now Arrowhead CC. Stewart took to the game, and hired a golf course architect, Proctor Noyes, to plan a golf course for Shady Hollow.
The first nine holes were opened in 1926. The first club house was a barn which was replaced by a new brick structure in 1927 and the second nine holes were completed the same year. The first officers of the club were Mr. Stewart, Mr. Christian, Charles King, A.H. Anthony, William Elliott, Kenneth Goodin, Peter Vose, W. M. Kinginger, Mr. Hovis, Mr. Gougler, and John Stewart, son of the founder.
Improvements to the facilities were ongoing. A balcony was designed for private parties, sleeping accommodations for 20 guests on the second floor, and employee’s quarters in the kitchen wing. There were heartbreaking years of drought, so pipelines were laid to water the fairways with hoses that were dragged from outlet to outlet. Mr. Adrian Stitz was the Greens Keeper and his daughter, Rose Adler, the Manager. A swimming pool was built in 1956.
In 1964 the members bought the club from the Stewart family for $1,000,000. The Timken family offered to buy some of the acreage to make up the rest of the purchase price if the members could raise $600,000 to purchase the golf course, pool, and clubhouse. This was accomplished by way of a $400,000 mortgage loan and selling stock to the membership. In 1970 the lake and land for parking were repurchased. There were several lean years when volunteer club members ran the club office, hand-preparing the bills, creating the club newsletter, answering the phones, etc. Mr. Ralph Updegraff served as the first club President. Tennis courts were added in 1974 and significant improvements were mad to the golf course.
Shady Hollow was devastated in 1982 when an arsonist set fire to the clubhouse and an old farmhouse south of #16 green. Damage amounted to $1,400,000. The rebuilding resulted in the nucleus of the present facility; new kitchen, dining room, locker rooms, grill rooms, office space, etc. 1992 saw dramatic improvements to the golf course including moving #1, #2, and #9 greens, new sideline irrigation system, and practice facilities. In 1995 the pool area was completely revamped with new bathhouse, lounge area and a brand new pool. New Har-tru tennis courts were built. Further remodeling of the clubhouse provided the new grill rooms, a new cafe, improved locker rooms, as well as extensive redecorating.
In 2008, a two level outside deck was added for dining and outdoor parties. It has been a great addition for Shady Hollow Members. Also, due to member increases and usage, more deck space was added to the pool and tennis area as well as a tennis office and pro shop. All of these improvements make Shady Hollow the beautiful facility it is today. On March 8th, 2014, a complete renovation of the main floor in the clubhouse was completed. This renovation created the Founders Room, Presidential Dining Room and beautiful new bar located by the outdoor patio.
(We are indebted to Mrs. Virginia (Edgar) Bates, longtime Shady Hollow Historian. This extract was taken from her comprehensive writings. Full text of “The History of Shady Hollow” can be obtained from the Club office.)