Inverness Hopes 2019 U.S. Junior Am is a Sign of Things to Come

For a state formerly known for its manufacturing-based economy providing its blue-collar workers with honest livings, Ohio is a seemingly unlikely place to be home to a number of highly regarded golf courses.  Despite the nearly religious following of local high school football, the success of the aforementioned industries – primarily in steel and rubber production – allowed many to join well maintained country clubs boasting courses designed by some of the most highly regarded architects; including Alister MacKenzie and A.W. Tillinghast, among others.

In a state that arguably felt the effects of America’s most recent recession more than any other, many of these same clubs are in a state of emergency.  While the most well established memberships like Scioto Country Club – where Nicklaus learned the game – and Muirfield Village Golf Club, were unscathed, others weren’t so fortunate.

Set in the quintessential manufacturing town that has seen its population decay at an alarming rate in recent years; the Inverness Club in Toledo is poised to make a comeback.  Having been selected by the USGA as the site of the 2019 U.S. Junior Amateur Championship, it isn’t the first time the golf club has been honored to hold an event.

Photo by InvernessGolfClub.org

Although it’s been since 1979, the Inverness Club has hosted four U.S. Open’s in its historic past.

One of the game’s all-time most charismatic players, Walter Hagen was a proponent of the Inverness Club, and even played his part in organizing a gesture to be paid to the club in the form of a seven foot grandfather clock that still stands to this day, 83 years later.  Considered by many to be the first club to treat their visiting professionals with ample hospitality and being the first to open the doors of the club house to those competing, Inverness played a substantial role in creating the “professional golfer” that we think of today.

While the club’s historical significance to the game of golf is duly noted, the golf course itself is what has made it a staple in the state of Ohio, and throughout the country.  Consistently ranked the #1 golf course in the state across most lists, Inverness’ reputation has never suffered, despite their major championship drought.

Donald Ross’ 1918 design has been refurbished three times – by Tillinghast, George and Tom Fazio, and most recently by Arthur Hills in 1999.

Residents of Toledo and members of Inverness alike are hoping that events like the U.S. Junior Am, the U.S. Senior Open, and the NCAA National Championships will help bring the U.S. Open back to northwest Ohio.

Cover Photo by InvernessGolfClub.org