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Beaver Island Golf Course

Also Beaver Island Golf Course · Beaver Lodge Golf and Country Club · Beaver Lodge Country Club; formerly Beaver Lodge Golf Club

Draft — sources verified, prose evolving

Locator map: Beaver Island highlighted within the Beaver Island archipelago
Within Beaver IslandLocator plate © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0); depths NOAA; names USGS GNIS. How the plates are drawn.
TypeOrganization
Foundedby 1963
Coordinates45.7142° N, 85.5121° WGoogle MapsDownload KML
WithinBeaver Island
ErasModern era
On this page
Locator map: Beaver Island highlighted within the Beaver Island archipelago
Within Beaver IslandLocator plate © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0); depths NOAA; names USGS GNIS. How the plates are drawn.
Organization
Founded
by 1963
Coordinates
45.7142° N, 85.5121° WGoogle MapsDownload KML
Eras
Modern era
Concepts
communitytourismeconomy
Within
Beaver Island

Summary

Beaver Island’s golf course began as Beaver Lodge Golf Club (also called Beaver Lodge Golf and Country Club), first documented hosting a tournament in June 1963 on land that had been the McDonough family farm before Leo McDonough sold it to golf professional Matt Melville. Melville ran the course as its pro and greenskeeper through the early 1970s, alongside the adjoining Beaver Lodge resort, with an all-volunteer committee structure running tournaments, membership and grounds work. Melville died in May 1975; the Beaver Beacon’s obituary announced that the course “will be a memorial to Matt’s efforts and skills,” and by June 1977 it was operating under the name Beaver Island Golf Course, which it still carried in a July 1978 tournament report.

History

The course occupies what had been a settler farm. A reminiscence letter printed in the Beacon in March 1972 states that Thomas McDonough homesteaded the property, that his son Thomas inherited it, and that his son Leo “sold it to Matt Melville, I believe” — the writer’s own hedge. An obituary that October removes the hedge: Leo McDonough, who died September 30, 1972, was “born … on the farm which his parents had owned and which is now the Golf Course on the Island.” Beaver Island’s first annual golf tournament was held on the resulting course, named “Beaver Lodge Golf and Country Club,” on June 23, 1963, drawing entrants from across Michigan for eighteen holes and a buffet supper at the adjoining Beaver Lodge. A junior championship followed in 1964, decided by a sudden-death playoff for the Dr. Sorensen Trophy, which became an annual fixture; Timmy McDonough held the 1971 junior title.

Through the early 1970s Matt Melville ran the course as its resident professional, his name attached to it in the Beacon’s recurring “Golf Notes” column alongside the Beaver Lodge’s dining room and cocktail lounge, which he and his staff also operated. A driving range, managed by Robert Gillespie, was added in 1972, the same year the club ran four named tournaments — the Beaver Gems Open (Robert Gillespie), the Beachcomber Open (Jim Janda), the Castaway Open (Dick Gallo), and the Beaver Island Classic (Dick and Jean LaFreniere) — with prizes from island merchants. A September 1972 visiting party hosted by Dr. and Mrs. N. P. Sorenson praised “the wonderful job Matt Melville has done on the course with his limited funds.” By the 1973 season the club had a full committee: Jim Janda chaired the Tournament Committee, Buz Anderson chaired Membership, Robert Gillespie chaired Grounds, Mrs. Martha Miller served as secretary-treasurer and chaired women’s activities, and Dr. Ludwig and Melville together formed a “Board of Governors.” That October, Melville himself asked snowmobilers to stay off the greens, warning that winter damage was expensive to repair and delayed the spring opening.

Matt Melville died on 5 May 1975 at the Grandvue Medical Care Facility in East Jordan, aged 85, after four months as a patient. His Beacon obituary recounted a career that began as greenskeeper and golf pro at Charlevoix’s former Chicago Club Golf Course in 1910, followed by decades building and running courses elsewhere before he settled on Beaver Island; it closed by stating that “the Beaver Island Golf Course will be a memorial to Matt’s efforts and skills.” The name took hold quickly: by June 1977 a course notice signed by Steve Wheeler, advertising green fees of $3.00 for nine holes, $5.00 for eighteen, and a $100.00 family membership, ran under the heading “Beaver Island Golf Course,” and the Fourth Annual Shamrock Open, reported the following June at “the Beaver Island Golf Course,” continued the club’s tradition of named tournaments with men’s and women’s divisions.

Ownership after Melville

By August 1972 the club had also built a new starter house near the first tee, credited to volunteer labor by Robert Gillespie, Buzz Anderson, Chub Wilmont, Bob Adams and Arthur Gallagher. Ownership after Melville’s 1975 death is only thinly documented: the June 1977 Steve Wheeler notice is followed, by August 1980, by a paid advertisement naming Trudy Works as proprietor of the “Beaver Island Golf Course,” publishing a fee schedule of $3.50 for nine holes and $6.00 for eighteen. By 2006 the course was owned by John Works, Jr. – a member of the winning team, “course owner John ‘Lay of the Land’ Works, Jr.,” in that year’s Fourth of July tournament, alongside former teaching pro Larry Roy – and a Fourth of July tournament at the course had by then become, in the Beacon’s words, “a large part of the traditional Fourth of July activities.” No source read here states how or when the course passed from Wheeler to Works, nor whether Trudy Works and John Works, Jr. are the same family that also fielded two cast members named John Works and Trudy Works in a 1973 Beaver Island Players production; that identity is not established and is not assumed here.

Evidence and limits

This record rests entirely on Beaver Beacon tournament reports, club notices and obituaries, not incorporation papers, a deed history, or club membership records. The claim that Leo McDonough sold the farm to Matt Melville is stated with a hedge (“I believe”) by the reminiscence’s author and is not independently dated or documented by a transaction record found here; the Leo McDonough obituary confirms only that the land became the golf course, not the sale itself. No source read here gives an exact date for the switch from “Beaver Lodge” to “Beaver Island Golf Course” — the evidence brackets it between the May 1975 obituary’s forward-looking statement and the June 1977 notice already using the new name.

Open questions

  • Was the sale of the McDonough farm to Matt Melville ever formally recorded, and when did it occur?
  • Exactly when between 1975 and 1977 did the course’s name change take effect, and was it a formal decision or a gradual usage shift?
  • Who was Steve Wheeler, and what was his role in operating the course after Melville’s death?
  • The course was under Trudy Works’s proprietorship by August 1980 and John Works, Jr.’s ownership by 2006 (see Sport and recreation), but no source read here documents the transition from Steve Wheeler’s 1977 operation, states a purchase date, or confirms whether Trudy and John Works, Jr. are related to the like-named performers in the 1973 Beaver Island Players cast.

See also

The dated record

9 dated events · 1972–1986These years on the timeline →

Sources

  1. A forum notice solicited sponsors and teams for a 2025 Memorial Day Golf Tournament. It does not preserve the event date, format, results, or proof of completion.
    forum · www.beaverislandforum.com · 18 · t018433
  2. OSM way 165355716 names Beaver Island Golf Course; its representative point is -85.51213012692308, 45.714159457692304. This current course geometry is used as the location of the historically documented Beaver Lodge Golf Club, whose article identifies the same continuing course by later name.
    osm · amenities
  3. A reminiscence letter states that Thomas McDonough homesteaded the farm "where the Golf Club now is," that his son Thomas inherited it, and "his son Leo, sold it to Matt Melville, I believe" -- the writer's own hedge, not independently confirmed by her.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · beaver_beacon · 1972-03_Beaver-Beacon
  4. The held eleven-page issue scan is paired with the OCR source and confirms the reminiscence letter.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · scans · beaver_beacon · issues · 1972-03_Beaver-Beacon
  5. Reports Leo McDonough's death on September 30, 1972, in North Las Vegas, Nevada, and states he was "born August 16, 1903 on the farm which his parents had owned and which is now the Golf Course on the Island" -- independent confirmation, without the "I believe" hedge, that the course occupies the former McDonough farm.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · beaver_beacon · 1972-10_Beaver-Beacon
  6. The held eleven-page issue scan is paired with the OCR source and confirms the obituary; the same issue also carries "Please, Says Matt," Matt Melville''s request that snowmobilers stay off the greens because winter damage delays spring opening.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · scans · beaver_beacon · issues · 1972-10_Beaver-Beacon
  7. Reports Beaver Island's first annual golf tournament, held Sunday, June 23, 1963, at "Beaver Lodge Golf and Country Club," with entrants from across Michigan and a buffet supper at the Beaver Lodge following prize presentation; lists ten scored finishers.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · beaver_beacon · 1963-07_Beaver-Beacon
  8. The held six-page issue scan is paired with the OCR source and confirms the tournament report and results.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · scans · beaver_beacon · issues · 1963-07_Beaver-Beacon
  9. Reports Dave Banghart and Neil Goodman tying at 88 for the Junior Championship of the "Beaver Lodge Country Club," decided by a sudden-death playoff won by Banghart for the Dr. Sorensen Trophy, and states the trophy would become an annual event.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · beaver_beacon · 1964-08_Beaver-Beacon
  10. The held six-page issue scan is paired with the OCR source and confirms the junior-championship report.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · scans · beaver_beacon · issues · 1964-08_Beaver-Beacon
  11. Reports Timmy McDonough winning the season's Beaver Island Junior Championship (Dr. Sorensen trophy) and Robert Gillespie winning a trophy donated by Dr. John Ludwig "of the Beaver Lodge"; describes fall course renovations, including a rebuilt 6th green and new tees on 4 and 8.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · beaver_beacon · 1971-10_Beaver-Beacon
  12. The held eight-page issue scan is paired with the OCR source and confirms the season report and course work.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · scans · beaver_beacon · issues · 1971-10_Beaver-Beacon
  13. Announces a driving range to be built beside the parking area across from the first tee, managed and operated by Robert Gillespie.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · beaver_beacon · 1972-03_Beaver-Beacon
  14. The held eleven-page issue scan is paired with the OCR source and confirms the driving-range notice.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · scans · beaver_beacon · issues · 1972-03_Beaver-Beacon
  15. A notice signed "Matt Melville and the Beaver Lodge Staff" announces the Beaver Lodge dining room and cocktail lounge reopened for the season and that the "Tournament Committee of the Beaver Lodge Golf Club" scheduled the Beaver Gems Open (August 5) and Beachcomber Open (August 12), $3.00 entry including greens fees.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · beaver_beacon · 1972-06_Beaver-Beacon
  16. The held eight-page issue scan is paired with the OCR source and confirms the tournament announcement.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · scans · beaver_beacon · issues · 1972-06_Beaver-Beacon
  17. Thanks, on behalf of "Beaver Lodge Golf and Country Club," tournament sponsors Robert Gillespie ("The Beaver Gems Open"), Jim Janda ("The Beachcomber Open"), Dick Gallo ("The Castaway Open"), and Dick and Jean LaFreniere ("The Beaver Island Classic"), and prize-donating merchants.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · beaver_beacon · 1972-08_Beaver-Beacon
  18. The held eight-page issue scan is paired with the OCR source and confirms the sponsor list.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · scans · beaver_beacon · issues · 1972-08_Beaver-Beacon
  19. Reports a September 7-10, 1972 visiting group at the "Beaver Lodge Country Club" hosted by Dr. and Mrs. N. P. Sorenson, golf lessons and tournament play under "a very capable Pro, Matt Melville," and the visitors' praise for "the wonderful job Matt Melville has done on the course with his limited funds."
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · beaver_beacon · 1972-09_Beaver-Beacon
  20. The held seven-page issue scan is paired with the OCR source and confirms the visitor-weekend report.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · scans · beaver_beacon · issues · 1972-09_Beaver-Beacon
  21. Announces the May 30, 1973 season opening and a Flag Tournament organized by Tournament Committee chairman Jim Janda, and names the 1973 committee structure: Buz Anderson (Membership), Robert Gillespie (Grounds), Mrs. Martha Miller (Secretary-Treasurer and Women's activities chair), with Dr. Ludwig and Matt Melville as "Board of Governors."
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · beaver_beacon · 1973-05_Beaver-Beacon
  22. The held nine-page issue scan is paired with the OCR source and confirms the 1973 committee roster.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · scans · beaver_beacon · issues · 1973-05_Beaver-Beacon
  23. Reports the 1973 season's end, with Matt Melville thanking islanders for their support of the golf course.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · beaver_beacon · 1973-09_Beaver-Beacon
  24. The held eleven-page issue scan is paired with the OCR source and confirms the season-closing notice.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · scans · beaver_beacon · issues · 1973-09_Beaver-Beacon
  25. Reports the Beaver Lodge dining room reopened for the season, alongside other island food businesses; does not mention the golf course by name.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · beaver_beacon · 1974-05_Beaver-Beacon
  26. The held eleven-page issue scan is paired with the OCR source and confirms the seasonal business notice.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · scans · beaver_beacon · issues · 1974-05_Beaver-Beacon
  27. Reports Matt Melville's death on Monday, May 5, 1975, at the Grandvue Medical Care Facility, East Jordan, at 85, after four months as a patient; states he came to Charlevoix in 1910 as greenskeeper and golf pro at the former Chicago Club Golf Course, left in 1911 to build courses elsewhere and work as a traveling pro, and states "The Beaver Island Golf Course will be a memorial to Matt's efforts and skills." Gives his birth date (April 19, 1890, Chicago) and 1954 marriage to the former Mrs. Irene LaFreniere. The holding institution's portal restricts automated access; the archive holds a copy of this issue and can provide it on request.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · beaver_beacon · 1975-05_Beaver-Beacon
  28. The held twelve-page issue scan is paired with the OCR source and confirms the obituary and memorial statement.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · scans · beaver_beacon · issues · 1975-05_Beaver-Beacon
  29. Reports the course "cleaned and mowed," greens fertilized and watered, and a full-time crew working; publishes green fees of $3.00 for nine holes, $5.00 for eighteen, and a $100.00 family summer membership, with fee collectors on duty 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.; signed by Steve Wheeler. The holding institution's portal restricts automated access; the archive holds a copy of this issue and can provide it on request.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · beaver_beacon · 1977-06_Beaver-Beacon
  30. The held ten-page issue scan is paired with the OCR source and confirms the fee schedule and signatory.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · scans · beaver_beacon · issues · 1977-06_Beaver-Beacon
  31. Reports the July 16, 1978 tournament at "the Beaver Island Golf Course," naming men's and women's low scorers (Glen Wagner; Cate Howell), longest-drive and closest-to-the-pin winners, and thanking Barb Beckers of the Shamrock Bar for prizes. The holding institution's portal restricts automated access; the archive holds a copy of this issue and can provide it on request.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · beaver_beacon · 1978-06_Beaver-Beacon
  32. The held nine-page issue scan is paired with the OCR source and confirms the tournament results.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · scans · beaver_beacon · issues · 1978-06_Beaver-Beacon
  33. A paid advertisement names Trudy Works as proprietor of the "Beaver Island Golf Course" and publishes a fee schedule: $3.50 for nine holes, $6.00 for eighteen, and membership tiers up to a $115.00 family season rate. It does not state when Works took over the course or its relationship to the 1977 Steve Wheeler notice. The holding institution's portal restricts automated access; the archive holds a copy of this issue and can provide it on request.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · beaver_beacon · 1980-08_Beaver-Beacon
  34. Frank Solle, "Fourth of July golf tournament report," Beaver Beacon, August 2006.
    Reports the 2006 Fourth of July tournament, part of "the annual golf tournament at the Beaver Island Golf Course that has become a large part of the traditional Fourth of July activities," about 90 golfers, and a winning team that included "course owner John 'Lay of the Land' Works, Jr." with a four-under-par 31. Also names former teaching pro Larry Roy on the winning team. It does not establish when Works acquired the course or his relationship, if any, to Trudy Works. No public copy of this file is known; the archive holds one and can provide it on request.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · beaver_beacon · 2006-08_Beaver-Beacon

Added 1 August 2026 · revised 5 August 2026. Recent changes

Cite this article

Beaver Island Archive, “Beaver Island Golf Course”, https://beaverislandarchive.org/organizations/beaver-lodge-golf-club-1972/, accessed [date], citing Lois Sowa Stipp, “Memorial Day Golf Tournament,” Beaver Island Forum, May 10, 2025. (and 32 further sources listed on the page).

Last revised 2026-08-05. Fill in [date] with the date you read it — this page is static and cannot know that.

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