Wheaton’s Link to Golf:
Champions, Patents & Courses

Right here in the Midwest, Wheaton, Illinois played an integral role in the development of golf. The most well know fact is Chicago Golf Club was the first 18-hole course in the nation followed by some knowledge of C. B Macdonald. Macdonald and Chicago Golf Club certainly are the foundation of Wheaton’s rich golf heritage.

Fairways, Greens & Clubs Golf Museum’s new exhibit, Wheaton’s Link to Golf: Champions, Patents & Courses reveals an unprecedented history of golf in this suburban town which had 8 courses over the years. It is fair to say C.B. Macdonald laid the course for Wheaton’s astonishing contribution to the sport of golf when he designed Chicago Golf’s 18-hole course in town in 1895. Macdonald’s connections and motivation inspired many to test the game.

Macdonald himself was a remarkable golfer and liked to surround himself with others who could advance the game. He was responsible for bringing James Foulis as the first pro at Chicago Golf when it opened. James Foulis learned from the master of golf, Old Tom Morris as he was growing up in St. Andrews, Scotland. His family moved to Wheaton a few years later with brother David coming in 1896 to serve as James’ assistant. The men in the family were proficient in club and ball making. At one time Chicago Golf had the privilege of having four Foulis men working there making clubs and molding balls: James Sr. who was Old Tom’s shop supervisor, James Jr., David, and brother John. Brothers Robert and Simpson have their own unique stories and ties to golf as an Olympic sport.

H. J. Tweedie is often forgotten in golf history but he was at Belmont when Chicago Golf Club laid out its 9-hole course. He stayed in Belmont after Chicago Golf moved to Wheaton and the club was renamed Illinois Golf, later named Belmont. Tweedie was a great golfer with his share of course records and designed at least ten courses in the Chicago area.

The Horton brothers, Chester, Elijah, and Waverly, lived in Wheaton prior to Chicago Golf and became golf instructors and served as pros at Chicago area clubs. Chester and Waverly designed golf clubs and Chester designed a few courses. While serving as the pro at Edgewater, Chester taught Chick Evans, Besse Anthony and Johnnie Carpenter. Chick Evans lived in Wheaton and practiced at Chicago Golf prior to taking the train to work in 1916, the year he won the U S Amateur and the U S Open. He and Chester remained life-long friends.

The Dawson brothers grew up in Wheaton decades later but all excelled in golf. Records show them as club champions at Green Valley CC (Wheaton) and Glen Oak CC (Glen Ellyn). Johnny was on the 1949 Walker Cup Team and later moved to California to develop golf communities in Palm Springs.

Visitors will be captivated by the legends and lore shared by the museum’s interpreters of those mentioned above and others who have a Wheaton connection such as, Robert Todd Lincoln, Margaret Abbott, Ed Allen, Kevin Streelman, Jarvis Hunt, D.C. Sawyer, and Patty Berg. Additionally well known golfers traversed the fairways at Chicago Golf during tournaments held there in 1897, 1900, 1905, 1909, 1911, 1912, 1928, 1992, and 2005. Wheaton, Illinois has a champion record unsurpassed by any city in America.