Edgewood Golf Course

In January 1962, a group of golfers met to explore the possibility of developing their own course - one that would put golfing closer to them than Oregon or Dixon. Things began to roll in a hurry. By March they had found a 60 acre plot 5 miles southeast of Polo on Mrs. Arthur Scholl's farm. It appeared to be planned by nature with golfers in mind. There were rolling hills, long flat areas and stately trees. Mrs. Scholl put a $7,500 price tag on the land, and offered to sell it if the golfers could put up $1,500 and promise to pay the rest at $750 a year.

Then the do-it-yourself work began. Among the volunteers who turned out to convert the fields into golf links were a surveyor, heavy equipment operators, brick-layers, an electrician, a plumber, a carpenter, a bookkeeper and an investment counselor. Four of the members surveyed the land and laid out tentative fairways and greens. Their plans were acceptable to the United States Golf Association. At that point they scrapped the plan to hire a professional golf course architect to put the finishing touches on their layout. Edgewood Golf Club was formed in the spring of 1962 when 216 charter members put up $100 each. Forty-five of the charter members turned out as soon as the ground was workable and staked out the fairways and greens. In June the bulldozing began. By fall a well had been drilled and water and draining systems were installed. Most of the labor was free and most of the purchases were made "at cost".

They then found a new manager, Clifford (Woody) Woodliff, a retired Army colonel who had experience in managing golf courses before he retired to Polo. Original plans didn't call for the construction of a clubhouse but the volunteers couldn't be stopped. They put up a 38 by 58 concrete block building and donated kitchen equipment, paint and a television set. In early 2008 the clubhouse changed ownership and is currently under the management of William and Beverly Burkardt. The clubhouse has undgone extensive remodeling, adding a new oak bar, new fixtures, and appliances. Work is also being done to restore the deck as well as cart paths around the golf course.