Ledges Golf Course History
Plans Revealed for New 18-Hole Golf Course, Club
(Reprinted from the March 4, 1962 Rockford Morning Star)
Plans for a new country club in Rockford, the principal attraction of which will be a professional-caliber 18-hole golf course, were made public Saturday by Alfred J. Bowen, developer of the site.
Name of the new club will be The Ledges Country Club, incorporated last week. It will be located two miles east of Roscoe.
Construction will begin as soon as weather permits, and golf course architect Larry Packard of LaGrange, Ill has been contracted for the estimated $200,000 job. At least nine holes may be open for play by autumn of 1962.
In addition to the club and golf course, land for 100 residentail lots will be developed. In theory, club assets and profit on the lots should pay for the course and clubhouse.
Bowen, who owns approximately 600 acres of the restricted land, has donated 250 acres for the golf course to the club — in addition to the land for the residential lots.
"This is an investment opportunity for golfers with money," Bowen said. "It's ideal for people who want to build a new home with a golf course in their back yard."
He added that membership in the club will not be restricted to the property owners at The Ledges.
Charter members of the club, however, will be offered a half-price reduction on purchasing one residential lot. Lots will sell for $2000 and more. Initial membership fee is $500. Target membership has been limited to 300.
Bowen said that Rockford will eventually provide 70 per cent of the course membership with the other 30 per cent coming from Beloit and surrounding areas.
The residential area, where 26 homes in the $25,000 to $70,000 price range are already built, is located between Elevator and McCurry Roads in Roscoe Township just east of the Illinois Toll Road.
Topographical survey of The Ledges' course was made last spring.
Mauh-Nah-Tee-See, charted in 1929, was Rockford's latest country club to be built. Forest Hills started in 1923, and Rockford Country Club opened just after the turn of the century.
Memberships for the new club are being solicited now from leading golfers and businessmen.
Early '70's score card used shortly after the clubhouse was built on McCurry Road.
1965 brochure showing original hole numbering scheme as well as owners' names of lots adjoining the course.
Ledges Country Club board members discuss plans for clubhouse architecture in the January 1965 photo. Explaining the proposed building plans is Ray Nihan, then president of the board. Members are (from left, kneeling) Dean Lind, club pro; Howard Landstrom, Harold Pavela and Benjamin Behr. Standing are Richard Batterman, Clark Ackley, F. Alan Ueck and Tom Schuler.
Ivan Baucom, AIA, and Ledges resident developed this proposal for a new clubhouse, which was being considered by all members in 1964-65.
See our photo galleries for other views of the course and club.
© 2010, Ledges Property Owners Association