From the Club President

A century ago, the leadership of Country Club of Detroit faced a moment of reflection. In the minutes from a Board of Governors meeting in 1925, they wrote:

“The committee desires to point out that it is now about fifteen years since the course was designed and built, and during that time the game has developed to such an extent that the course no longer enjoys the front rank position which it once held. We believe the course should be modernized, not with the idea that it is to be made a championship course, so-called, but to be developed to the utmost of its possibilities as a club course, for the enjoyment and benefit of all types of players.”

Those words are striking not only because of when they were written, but because of the mindset they represent. The Members and leaders of that era had the courage to look honestly at what they had built, acknowledge how the game had evolved, and make thoughtful changes to ensure the Club continued to serve its Members well. It has now been more than 100 years since that Board made the decision to adapt and improve our 18-hole course. Their willingness to embrace change helped shape the Club we enjoy today.

Change, of course, is never easy, especially at a place as storied and cherished as Country Club of Detroit. Tradition runs deep here, and that is one of the reasons we value it so highly. Yet when we pause to look around the Club today, it becomes clear that many of the things we most appreciate are the result of thoughtful change.

Without change, we would not have the Tavern that so many of us enjoy gathering in. We would not have the Summer Village, the Bowling Center, pickleball, the Fitness Center, or any of the vibrant amenities that make our Club feel so alive throughout the year. Even our Championship Course would not be what it is today without difficult decisions such as removing trees that once seemed untouchable.

Each of those improvements faced questions and concerns at the time. That is natural. Change often brings uncertainty. Yet when we look back, the overwhelming majority of those decisions have made the Club better for all of us.

“Advancements in technology, new ideas and techniques, and the passage of time itself eventually dictate change in almost everything.”

In a recent In Good Company article, I wrote about legacy in the context of our leadership team and the remarkable reputation CCD has developed as an incubator of talent for clubs across the country. But legacy also belongs to us as Members. We are the stewards of this great institution for the next generation and stewardship sometimes requires us to look honestly at where we are today.

Our Short Course has served the Club well, but it is showing its age and lacks many of the features that modern Practice Facilities now provide. Our range, too, is tired and largely unchanged for nearly a century. Meanwhile, the game itself and the way people practice, learn, and enjoy golf has evolved dramatically.

We also possess something many clubs, particularly city clubs, simply do not: space. For generations our land has served us well, but advances in equipment and changes in how the game is played have altered what golfers need from a practice and learning environment.

The question before us is not whether we should chase trends or build something extravagant. Rather, it is whether we are willing, like the Board and membership of 1925, to thoughtfully consider how we can develop our facilities to the fullest of their possibilities as a club course and practice environment, for the enjoyment and benefit of all types of players.

We should not settle for “good enough.” Country Club of Detroit has never been defined by that mindset. This is not simply about improving facilities for today’s Members. It is about creating an environment that inspires our juniors, welcomes new golfers, and gives future generations the same pride and enjoyment we feel when we walk these grounds. Our children and grandchildren will one day inherit this Club. The decisions we make today will shape the experience they have tomorrow.

So, as fellow stewards of CCD, I simply ask that we approach this moment with the same clarity and courage shown by those who came before us. Let us look honestly at what we have, recognize where it can be better, and be open to the thoughtful changes that will ensure the Club continues to thrive.

After all, the goal remains exactly what it was a century ago: to develop our course and facilities to the utmost of their possibilities for the enjoyment and benefit of all types of players.

Joseph J. Curtis
President, Board of Governors