Picture this a grand clubhouse nestled within Griffith Park. This is the Field House a testament to the early days of golf in Los Angeles. It wasn’t always the elegant structure we might imagine. The first golf course in Griffith Park was humble dirt and sand. Griffith J Griffith himself a pivotal figure in the park’s creation played a key role. He met with park officials and a sporting goods owner to discuss plans for a proper grass course. This was in 1913 a time when golf was gaining popularity in Southern California.
The initial plan for a grass course was modest just $5000. Despite funding setbacks the course designed by Tom Bendelow opened in 1914. It was an immediate hit. The Los Angeles Times reported a near riot of enthusiasm with people buying clubs and lessons. The demand was so great that clubs and balls were even sold at a nearby ice cream stand.
But even with its success the course lacked a proper clubhouse. A letter to the Los Angeles Times from a reader called \”A Bug\” highlighted this deficiency. This led to a petition for funding to build a clubhouse. This desire for a suitable clubhouse reflects the growing sophistication of the sport and its increasing popularity among Angelenos.
After years of delays and debates the City Council finally approved funds for a modest locker room shower and rest area in 1916. This structure which cost $4500 was meant to be self-supporting through locker rentals. The building was a simpler structure than initially envisioned but it was a step forward. The Field House was finally completed by 1918. A grand opening ceremony followed with music a mayoral welcome and even a pageant. The Field House was ready to fully serve the golfers of Griffith Park.
The Field House served Griffith Park golfers for nearly two decades. It witnessed the evolution of the course and the rising popularity of the sport. It eventually gave way to a Spanish Colonial Revival style building in 1937. This new clubhouse built with Works Progress Administration funds reflected the changing architectural tastes and the economic realities of the era. The Field House’s legacy however remains a reminder of the humble beginnings of golf within Griffith Park and the enduring enthusiasm of Angeleno golfers.