Picture this. You are standing before Wilshire Country Club. A legendary golf course nestled in the heart of Los Angeles. Its history whispers from the manicured greens. It’s more than just a place to play golf. It’s a living testament to Hollywood glamour. A legacy built on fairways and fortunes.
Wilshire Country Club opened in 1920. This prestigious club in Hancock Park boasts an 18-hole course. Designed by the renowned Norman Macbeth. It’s a stunning example of classic course architecture. Beverly Boulevard even bisects the course. A clever tunnel connects the two halves. The outgoing nine sits on the south side. The incoming nine and clubhouse are on the north.
But did you know Wilshire Country Club wasn’t always a golfing paradise? Before the greens and fairways existed. The land was once part of an oil field. Owned by the influential G Allan Hancock. His family made a fortune from the nearby tar pits. Imagine a stark contrast to the lush landscape we see today. The oil proved unprofitable. So Hancock leased the land to a group of businessmen. Their vision? A world-class golf course.
The club quickly became a magnet for Hollywood’s elite. Howard Hughes. A frequent player. He even harbored dreams of a professional golfing career. He and Katherine Hepburn secretly played there. Their home adjoined the eighth green. Bob Hope was a regular visitor. He even brought Bing Crosby once. A heated argument led to Crosby’s vow never to return.
Wilshire Country Club hosted the Los Angeles Open four times. The 1944 Open offered a unique prize due to war rationing. The winner received war bonds and food stamps instead of cash. Later. the club also hosted the SBC Senior Classic and the Office Depot Championship. Until 2022. it was home to the Hugel-JTBC LA Open. Now the JM Eagle LA Championship calls it home.
The club has seen many changes. The original clubhouse was replaced in 1971. A new design by Ragnar Qvale. A third clubhouse. designed by Scott Johnson. stands today. A testament to the club’s ongoing evolution and commitment to excellence.
So as you stand here. Remember the story of Wilshire Country Club. A story of oil fields and Hollywood dreams. Of golfing legends and lavish tournaments. It’s more than just a golf course. It is a piece of Los Angeles history. A story still unfolding.