Hutch Post, in partnership with Steve Harmon and the Conard-Harmon Collection, is proud to present Throwback Thursday. Enjoy a weekly release from Steve Harmon as he presents the "Hutch - Then & Now Collection."
STEVE HARMON
Hutch Post Contributor
Today's article from the "Throwback Thursday Collection" is the second of a three-part series on the "History of Golf in Hutchinson."
Part 2: "The Move."
CLICK HERE TO READ PART 1!
When it became necessary to abandon the first country club at 11th and Halstead, a split in opinion happened for the site. The powers-that-be wanted to build at 4508 W. 56th and Emerson Carey wanted it on a 160-acre tract he owned just south of there.
The powers won, so Carey said, "the heck with you," and built his own 18-hole course with a community and called it Willowbrook/Island Park in 1922. The first photo shows the new country club at 4508 W. 56th at opening.
The second photo features the scorecard back, showing the layout of the course meandering over and around Cow Creek.
The clubhouse was way overbuilt and the course crossed Cow Creek 13 times. Flooding would be a continuous problem as well as declining Depression membership.
In 1936, it was sold for $13,000 in a court action. Meanwhile, Willowbrook flourished. The third photo shows a golfing event in front of Emerson's house in Willowbrook in the 1920s.
The country club later became the home to the Kansas Bible Camp. The fourth photo shows the Bible Campers having a great time in their swimming pool in 1974.
The fifth photo shows the location today, still the Kansas Bible Camp, Inc., at 4508 W. 56th.
To purchase a print, contact: [email protected].
Throwback Thursday is brought to you by:
Gambino's Pizza
Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce
STRATACA Kansas Underground Salt Museum
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