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History Of The Wedge Golf Club
Columbus Ohio First Black Golf Club Est 1954

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About Us
HISTORY OF THE WEDGE GOLF CLUB

The Wedge Golf Club was the first black golf club in
Columbus, Ohio. And, this year
(2014) we will celebrate our 60th anniversary as an active club.
The first meeting of the Golf Club was June 14, 1954. It was chaired by it's
founder, Arthur Bland. The purpose of the club was to promote golf in
Columbus,
foster recreational activities, promote tournament play, and make golf as
inexpensive
as possible.
The suggested names for the club were: Turf replacers, Fairington, Mayfair
Club,
Wedge Club, Rolling Rock, and Blair House. The Wedge Club name was not
approved
until the following meeting.
The first officers of the Wedge Club were as follows:
President: Arthur Bland ;Vice President: Russell Jackson ; Secretary:
Shirley Poyntz;
Treasurer: Charles Pritchet.
At the first meeting there were thirty two members present. By the following
year in
September 1955 they had a roster of 79 members (YES 79). I don't think all
members
actually played golf but liked being in the club for social reasons. The
dues were set
at $5.00 initial and $1.00 per month; $7.50 married couples, and $2.00 per
month.
Sometime later (the date/year cannot be verified) the club split into two
fractions.
One group wanted to be more of a social club with parties , dances, etc. as
well
as being a golf club. The other group was the hard core golfers who wanted
only
to play golf and not have the social activities. The social group formed a
new club
known as the Capital City Mid-Irons (in later years became the TOT’S) The
loyal
hard core golfers enjoyed the game . They had a home and away outing with
the
Akron golf club once a year. And had tournaments to raise money for charity.
The Wedge Club is and has always been a nonprofit organization. At the end
of each
golfing year, remaining funds go to various charities in and out of our
community.
We have had youth golf programs to try to bring young people into the game.
We
help sponsor a young black OSU golfer who was trying to turn pro. And we
also have
a placard on one of the King Arts Center chairs indicating that the Wedge
Club was a
donor. These things are just a few of the activities that we have been
involved
in over the years to make us a solid community supporter.
The Wedge Club has always had good leadership that has kept us on good
footing and
pointed in the right direction. Here’s hoping we continue for another 60
years and more. .



Photo
from 1980 to 1981