HISTORY OF SHANNOPIN COUNTRY CLUB

In April of 1919, when the stresses and strains of WorId War I were beginning to dissipate and the need to develop wholesome recreation as part of the resumption of normal living was obvious, three friends decided they should take up golf again. D. H. Roelofs, R. H. Houston and J. L. McBride thereupon embarked on the search for a site for a new country club which brought them to the Jackman Farm adjacent to Ben Avon Heights, a spot they found ideal for the purpose.

A meeting was held July 1, 1919, attended by a growing body of recruits with kindred spirits and the necessary enthusiasm to commence such an ambitious undertaking. As a result of that meeting options were obtained to purchase the Jackman Farm and parts of the South Penn Oil Company's property adjacent to it. After more meetings, the Kilbuck Land Company was organized on December 13, 1919 for the purpose of purchasing the land. A country club organization was substituted for the Kilbuck Land Company on January 10, 1920, with John I. Thompson as its first president. Land acquisition for the venture began in March.

History buffs within the membership studied early Indian records for Western Pennsylvania in their search for a suitable name for the Club. The great Chief Shannopin of the Delaware tribe had his village, which bore his name, on the southern bank of the Allegheny River near Washington's Crossing. Since he was said to have been gifted with eloquent speech, good sense and sincerity, the group determined that his name would be preserved for posterity in the name of their new Club.

The golf course opened for play in September of 1920. The century old Jackman homestead was renovated and became the Club's social center until the Clubhouse was completed in September of 1922. Two tennis courts were also built in 1922 on the site of our present swimming pool, which was constructed in 1946. The original golf course was only nine holes, covering approximately the same territory as our front nine today, but an additional nine were added after the acquisition of more land.

Since those early days, Shannopin has been a growing, progressive social institution. The original Clubhouse was expanded in 1964 with a major addition to the rear of the original structure, which included the main dining room, cocktail lounge and the mixed grill area adjacent to the main ballroom. In early 1979, the new entrance to the Club from the members' parking lot was added. In December of 1980, a two-story addition was completed, which expanded the kitchen and provided a new bag room. The golf course has undergone many changes over the years, including the construction in 1976 of a computerized underground watering system. Shannopin went through its most dynamic change in the early 1990's when approximately four million dollars was spent changing both the interior and exterior of the house facilities. In 1998, we added a bathhouse, course turnaround and snack bar adjacent to the swimming area.

Shannopin's Clubhouse remains a stately but charming and comfortable replica of an English country home. Visitors to our golf course continue to be amazed by its natural beauty and isolation, its superb condition and the sheer enjoyment to be derived from playing it. However, bricks, mortar, sod and sand are not Shannopin's primary resources. The Club is sustained by the friendliness and affability of its members and their obvious enjoyment of each other. It will always be easy to walk in and get a game at Shannopin.