In its usual short sighted manner, the Detroit City Council has approved the sale of the historical Rackham Golf Course to developers. A judge has ruled that it must remain a public golf course, but the developers clearly are not buying it for that purpose. They must think that they have an angle that will allow them to have their evil way.

Meanwhile, the Detroit City Council—who are as big a bunch of scoundrels as has ever lived—have ignored an offer by the adjacent City of Huntington Woods to
purchase the property to keep it a golf course.

I’m the cynical type, so I’m going to advance a theory on this one: I think that the refusal of Detroit to sell the course to Huntington Woods is based purely on racism. The City Council of the overwhelmingly African American Detroit would rather see the course destroyed than sell it to the overwhelmingly Caucasian Huntington Woods.

It’s not that much of a stretch. Previously, Detroit’s City Council very nearly shut down the Detroit Zoo (which, coincidentally sits next to Rackham) rather than allow it to be taken over and managed by the Zoological Society. During that heated debate, City Councilwoman Barbara Rose-Collins let her racist motives slip, saying (and I quote) “"We will do what we want, this is not a plantation anymore, white people won`t tell us what to do”

She made it quite clear that she would rather shut the zoo down than allow the white, suburban Zoological Society save it. I suspect similar movites are at work with Rackham. And shame on them.

Rackham is a part of Detroit’s history—and once it’s developed, it will never come back.

Rackham was deeded to the City of Detroit in 1924 by Horace and Mary Rackham on the understanding that it remain as a golf course in perpetuity. It was designed by the legendary Donald Ross.

The course apparently was one of the few places in the area where black golfers were welcome, and Joe Louis is said to have spent considerable time there. Rackham Pro Ben Davis was one of the first African American teaching pros in the country. Davis, who is now in his mid-90s, still plays there twice a week when weather permits.

You can read past posts on the issue here, here and here.

It’s getting to be that time of year in Michigan—where every round could be your last of the year. There was a snowstorm last week, and although that was a record for early snow, it’s a harbinger of things to come.

So today, I stopped off on the way home and got in a quick nine. I figured I had to steal from Mother Nature when she wasn’t looking.

It was cool—in the mid 50s—but I was comfortable in my flannel lined khakis, turtleneck and windshirt. I also wore a pair of winter golf gloves—a real concession for me, since I rarely play with gloves in the summer. But I have low blood pressure, and my fingers and toes tend to get cold.

Rain had been predicted for the afternoon, so I was practically the only person there. The rain didn’t show, however,and I was able to finish my nine. I played well, shooting a 45 that would have been better had not the greens been recently aerated.

I really like playing golf this time of year. There’s no chance of getting sweaty, the courses are uncrowded and the autumn trees in Michigan are spectacular. The cooler weather does mean that I don’t hit the ball quite as far, and that mishits can sting cold hands, but I solve that by playing with a softer ball, like a Nike Super Soft.

Still, there’s a bittersweet quality to it all. Summer is over and there are a couple of nasty months ahead. And with each shot, I wonder: was that my last good drive of the year, or was that my last good iron, chip or putt?

I hope they weren’t, though. I’d lke to steal another afternoon from Mother Nature later this week.

An Oakland County Circuit Court judge has ruled that Detroit’s historic Rackham course must remain a golf course—unless permission to do otherwise is granted by the heirs of the original donors.

The Rackham course, which was designed by Donald Ross, was given to the city of Detroit by Horance and Mary Rackham in 1920 on the condition that it always remain a golf course. The City of Detroit has decided to sell the land to developers who presumably would try to build housing.

But the City of Huntington Woods, a suburb of Detroit adjacent to the course also had offered to purchase the land—so that it would remain a course as the Rackhams intended. The developers offered more, however, and Detroit has apparently signed a purchase agreement.

Huntington Woods sued, and Judge Rae Lee Chabot ruled that the deed was valid and the course must remain intact. Unless the heirs of the Rackhams say otherwie.

And there is no doubt that Detroit’s politicians will try to get them to do so.

It’s amazing how short sighted Detroit’s so-called leaders can be. They are intent on selling a historic property, designed by an historic architect, that has great significance to the African American community. Rackham was one of the few golf courses where African Americans were welcome; Joe Louis is said to have played there often.

It’s also the home course of Ben Davis, one of the first African American golf pros. The last I heard, Mr. Davis was still alive—although in his mid nineties—and still played at Rackham twice a week.

Once the course is gone, Detroit will have irrevocably lost yet another piece of what once made the city great.

An article in the Cincinnati Enquirer lists Michigan as the Fall Golf Mecca.

They’re right. If you haven’t played here, shame on you.

Gauss’ Green Valley Golf Course
Jackson, Michigan
(517) 764-0270

Overall Grade: A
Value: A ($15 - $36, depending on time and day)
Course Conditions: B
Course Design: B-
Walkability: A
Practice Facility: B
Food: B nothing fancy.
Teacher’s Comments: If you wander on down to Jackson, Michigan, it’s worth seeking out.

Gauss’ Green Valley offers a pleasant round of golf on a mature and well kept course. It’s got an “old school” resort feel and has been owned by the same family for nearly fifty years The holes have names like Hidden Valley, Scottish Trail, and Crater Hole.

I think it’s a must play for those who enjoy older, parkland layouts.

A caveat: although the track has the regulation 18, I still think it’s a hole shy of a complete course.