Country Club of Detroit
```mediawiki The Country Club of Detroit, established in 1897, is a private social and athletic club located in Grosse Pointe Shores, Michigan, offering a range of amenities and activities for its members and their families. Situated on 212 acres along Lake Shore Drive, the club has operated continuously for more than 125 years and ranks among the oldest private clubs in the Detroit metropolitan area.
History
Founded on October 18, 1897, the Country Club of Detroit was initially conceived as a gathering place for fellowship and social interaction among its members.[1] Over the decades, the club expanded well beyond its original social mission to include extensive sporting facilities and dining options, reflecting the broader evolution of American country club culture through the twentieth century.
The club has occupied four different clubhouses throughout its history. The current building, located at 12 Lake Shore Road in Grosse Pointe Farms, was designed by the architectural firm of Smith, Hinchman & Grylls.[2] Smith, Hinchman & Grylls, founded in Detroit in 1853, was one of the most prolific architectural firms in Michigan history, responsible for numerous civic, industrial, and institutional buildings across the region.
In 2013, the club's membership approved a Long Range Plan calling for significant additions to the property. Construction proceeded over the following three years and produced the Summer Village, a new Fitness Center, and a Bowling Center — all completed within a three-year period.[3] The Detroit Golf Club, a separate institution, was founded in 1899, two years after the Country Club of Detroit.[4]
The club has also served as a venue for community charitable work. The Lomas Brown Golf Classic, an annual charity golf outing named after the former Detroit Lions offensive lineman, is scheduled to return to the Country Club of Detroit on July 13, 2026. The event raised $268,700 in its prior outing and directs proceeds toward youth programs in the Detroit area.[5]
Geography
The Country Club of Detroit occupies a 212-acre property in Grosse Pointe Shores, Michigan, stretching along the Lake Shore Drive corridor that runs through the five Grosse Pointe communities northeast of Detroit.[6] The grounds accommodate an 18-hole championship golf course alongside tennis courts, aquatic facilities, and the clubhouse complex. Grosse Pointe Shores itself borders Lake St. Clair to the east, giving the broader area its characteristic lakefront character.
The golf course is a defining feature of the property. Designed originally by the British golf architects Harry Colt and Charles Hugh Alison, the course has been updated over time by additional golf course designers while preserving its foundational layout across the rolling terrain of the site.[7] The course hosted the U.S. Amateur Championship in 1954, which Arnold Palmer won to claim one of the most celebrated titles of his early career.[8] That championship remains the most prominent national tournament in the club's history and helped establish the course's reputation among serious golfers in the Midwest.
The club is accessible from Detroit via Lakeshore Drive and Interstate 94, placing it roughly 15 miles northeast of downtown Detroit. Parking is available on-site.
Culture
The Country Club of Detroit places a strong emphasis on community among its members. The clubhouse functions as a gathering place for social events, private celebrations, holiday parties, and milestone occasions throughout the year.[9] Members use the facilities for everything from casual weekend dinners to large-scale formal events, and the club deliberately cultivates a sense of continuity and tradition across generations of families.
Dining is central to club life. The kitchen operates under the direction of Certified Master Chef Brian Beland, who oversees both formal upscale cuisine and more casual everyday fare.[10] The designation of Certified Master Chef is awarded by the American Culinary Federation and is held by fewer than 70 chefs in the United States, making Beland's presence at the club notable within the private club industry. A sommelier is on staff to assist members with wine selections, reflecting the club's attention to the full dining experience.
Youth programming is another consistent thread in the club's culture. A children's day camp operates during the summer months, and the club's swim team competes in regional competition. The PGA Junior League also fields teams through the club, with youth golf events organized for junior members.[11]
Facilities
The club's 18-hole Championship Course, originally designed by Harry Colt and Charles Hugh Alison, remains the centerpiece of the property and its primary draw for golf members.[12] The course has hosted significant national amateur championships and continues to host member tournaments and charity events throughout the golf season.
The Summer Village, completed as part of the 2013 Long Range Plan, consolidated the club's warm-weather athletic offerings into a dedicated complex. It includes eight Har-Tru clay tennis courts and heated paddle tennis courts, a sport court, and a lap pool that serves the club's competitive swim team.[13] The swim team has earned recognition at the regional level in competition against other club and community programs.
The Bowling Center, also completed under the Long Range Plan, features six lanes and accommodates both league play and open bowling for members and their families. The Fitness Center spans approximately 4,000 square feet and is equipped for cardiovascular and strength training. Guest rooms are available for visiting members and overnight guests. The property also includes locker rooms and a dog park available to member families. Together these facilities reflect a deliberate effort, approved by the membership in 2013, to broaden the club's year-round appeal beyond golf and dining.
Grosse Pointe Shores
Golf courses in Michigan
Country clubs in Michigan
Private clubs (organizations)
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