Tom Waitrovich

Jim Cornelison sings the National Anthem in Chicago 👏

Topping the list of my 2025 Best of Golf Experiences, this one was far and away my number one. It was the reopening of my beloved Lakewood CC. A 1921 A.W. Tillinghast original design. The master plan project began in Jan of 2020 when the then Board gave my Supe and I the ok to call architects and begin the process. About a half hour after calling Keith Foster and leaving him a vm, my phone rang with him saying “Joe, I can’t believe I got this call.” He said years ago our irrigation specialist that we work with had told him “if you ever get a call from this little Tilly course on the west side of Cleveland, you need to take it.” I had no idea about that story when making my call to Keith. Fast forward after five years of Board presentations, a membership vote, town halls, 6 months of construction, and a lot of blood sweat and tears by many many people, we officially opened for play on May 31st of 2025. It was an incredible day. It began with a bagpiper, a ceremonial tee shot by a former Club President, and the groups were off. I played with my three closest pals at the club and it was fabulous. Seeing the smiles on everyone’s faces, hearing the stories in the grille room after of favorite holes, or shots played, or the new native fescue areas, etc. it was just awesome. Tee times were jammed all summer with member and guest play. The reviews have been glowing from guests and course raters that have come through to play. The best part is it’s only going to keep getting better with time and maturity. I’m so proud of the club and course we now have to showcase. A special thanks to all my fellow members at Lakewood, my fellow Board members, my fellow Restoration and Green Comm members, my Supe and his team for the countless hours of work put in, my Golf Pro and his staff, and my GM and his staff. Everyone played a massive part getting this project to the finish line. I look forward to 2026 and hosting many of you to see the new Lakewood CC.

Liberal women are now claiming that playing golf with friends is “fasclst”.. What!?