Our Mission Statement
The Lakewood Country Club shall be a premier full service country club in the Denver Metro area with impeccably maintained grounds, golf course and Clubhouse. The Lakewood Country Club will provide casual and fine dining experiences, athletic and recreational opportunities, entertainment and social activities, all with a focus on friendly, personalized service. The Lakewood Country Club will offer these programs and services to our Members, their families and guests and operate in a fiscally responsible manner.
Our History and Tradition
Lakewood Country Club was founded in 1908 as "The Colorado Golf Club". Founding Members were M.A. McLaughlin, banker and insurance agent, Theodore Smith, Vice-President of the International Trust Company and L.F. Twitchell and J. Frank Adams. Most of Lakewood's original one hundred avid golf Members were garnered from Denver's first golf course, Overland.
The Club's name was changed to Lakewood Country Club in 1912. Unfortunately, the original Clubhouse was destroyed by fire in 1913. In 1948, a second fire destroyed most of the magnificent second Clubhouse during Christmas week. The third Clubhouse underwent extensive remodeling in 1969, 1986, 1993, 1994, and 1996. In 2004, Members approved construction for a new Clubhouse, expanded practice facility, pool, pool house and fitness facility. It was also at this time that Lakewood Country Club began to offer equity. In February of 2007, Lakewood's elegant new Clubhouse was opened and has received enthusiastic reviews from our Members and their guests. In March of 2008, the Members celebrated the 100 Year Anniversary of Lakewood Country Club with a fireworks display, dinner and a live band. The opening of the new pool for Memorial Day in 2008 saw another fireworks display!
Our rolling, wooded golf course was originally a farm. McIntyre Gulch flows the length of the course and four lakes provide water challenges for the golfer. The original layout, designed by famous architect Tom Bendelow, had dirt fairways and sand greens. Mr. Bendelow designed many courses at the turn of the century, including the famous Medinah No. 3 in Chicago. By 1910, the course had expanded from nine to eighteen holes and a Spanish Mission-style Clubhouse was erected. Additionally, the course was "turfed" with grass and fairways, replacing the sand and dirt. The highly regarded Donald Ross had a hand in some changes to the course 1916.
The positioning of the holes and the use of many uphill, downhill and side hill lies provide a challenging course that requires a player to be able to execute a wide variety of shots. At the 2007 Annual Meeting, Members approved a Long Range Plan for the golf course, which will be executed as funds become available. In 2007, several of the holes were renumbered in order to accommodate the location of the new Clubhouse.
Renown for its premier course conditions, Lakewood is known as the "jewel" of Jefferson County. We have been host to many state and regional tournaments throughout the years. Three USGA Championships and one Trans-Mississippi Championship have been held at Lakewood. Many excellent players have called Lakewood Country Club their home. N.C. "Tub" Morris, Mildred "Babe" Zaharias, Bob Clark, Sr., John Kraft, Ralph Vranesic, Gene Root, Dale Douglass, Phyllis Buchanan, "Babe" Lind, Les Fowler, Paul McMullen and Gary Longfellow all have been inducted into the Colorado Golf Hall of Fame. Present Members in the Hall of Fame include Larry McAtee and John Gardner. Tony Veto has also won state championships. Steve Irwin won the Mid-Amateur in 2005. In 2007, Ryan Stephens (son of Rick Stephens) took first place in the "Tub Morris" State Stroke Play and Darren Hall (son of Chris Hall) took second place. Lakewood is one of the oldest country clubs in Colorado and is rich in tradition. The Members take great pride in their annual tournaments. The Sliceroo, Scotch Championships, Derby Day and Club Championships highlight the golfing calendar. Guest days are important as they afford the Member an opportunity to showcase their Club.