History of Atlas Valley Country Club

• Golf was first played in the Flint area right here. The Flint Country Club, as it was called when it opened July 29th, 1911, boasted such members as R. Spencer Bishop, J. Dallas Dort, William C. "Billy" Durant, Albert Champion, founder of the A.C. Spark Plug Co., Harry H. Bassett, later president of Buick, Basil W. deGuichard, later head of A.C., and Harlow H. Curtice golden milestone president of General Motors. Walter O. Smith, then owner-manger of Smith-Bridgman's, was the first president and Charles Stewart Mott was vice-president. The Flint Journal reported on Memorial Day of 1912, "The afternoon was devoted to golf, baseball, tennis, archery, croquet, quoits and other pastimes. On July 4th there was whist and a ribbon cutting ceremony.

• To establish the club, 37 residents contributed $500 each. They bought the Medbury farm and remodeled the beautiful colonial farmhouse, with a veranda, for a clubhouse. The Flint Journal reporter who did the earlier description, took note of the larger house and barn on the rear of the property. The house is long gone. the barn still survives, however, even though it has been hit by numerous hooked drivers from the second tee and innumerable sliced shots from the third tee.

• In 1918, the Flint Country Club moved and the course became the Flint Auto Club, Subsequently, in 1925, it became known as the Masonic Country Club. At the time, the original clubhouse burned and was replaces by converting on of the barns. Four years later this also burned. The name was change to Acacia Country Club in 1931.

• Atlas Valley Country Club came into being in 1938 when a clubhouse was built on the present site. The Henrickson brothers took legal possession in January 1953. Since acquiring the property, a pool has been built, the clubhouse has been remodeled and the course has been upgraded many times to attain out present challenging golf course.

• On Wednesday, June 24, 1987, the clubhouse was totally lost by a devastating fire. With the help of devoted members, friends and employees, the 20th annual Invitational commenced the same week under the stars and a covered tent. The new clubhouse, as we know it now, was finished in time for the Opening Ladies Luncheon on April 28, 1988.