Archivist hits hole in one

Oberlin Archivist and Adjunct professor of History Ronald Baumann scored a double eagle with his documentation of the century-long history of the Oberlin Golf Club. Examining the issues of race, sex and how the course's history ties in with the College, Baumann discovered facts that even many members of the golf club did not know.

As a member of the golf club himself and an archivist, the golf club sought out Baumann as the candidate to write a history of the golf course. But the product is not restrained to information about the 18 holes and the members of the golf club.

"For me it was an opportunity to show how the College and the golf club have interacted over the century," said Baumann. Indeed the College and the golf club go way back, the club's first President having been Henry W. Matlock, a professor of organ and harmony at the College. The golf course also rents College land inherited from Oberlin graduate Charles Martin Hall.

The Oberlin Golf Course, located between the bike path and the cemetery on the southwest side of Oberlin, got its start when faculty, students and townspeople got together to lay out and shape the first nine-hole course. The Oberlin Golf Association was founded Oct. 2, 1899.

In 1922 golf club members formed a nonprofit stockholding company to "maintain a golf course to cultivate and advance the game of golf for recreation." Using the proceeds from the sale of stock, OGC reconstructed and lengthened the original nine holes. The course began expansion to 18 holes in 1952, a project that was completed in 1961.

Throughout the course's history, it has more than once faced dissolution and been given loans by the College. In return, Oberlin has used this dependence as a means for pulling strings and adapting the club's philosophy to that of the College. For example, at one point in its early history, the College put the club on notice that it would not sign a lease until the club admitted African Americans.

The College has also influenced the club in matters concerning discrimination based on sex and sexual orientation.

In 1965, the OGC, for the first time in about 60 years, openly sought to break from Oberlin College, but the two still currently have a working relationship.

Baumann's book has sold well, and is available at the Co-op Bookstore.

We play golf: Golfers enjoy the good weather to tee off a few balls. (photo by Pauline Shapiro)