It was the early 70’s. Jack Nicklaus was in the process of winning each Major and the golf industry was on the verge of a boom.
The region of Northern Tuscarawas/Southern Stark county was in need of a high-end, top-quality public golf course.
The idea of building a golf course to fill this void started in 1973 when the Frank family answered the call. But only after many questions were answered and reservations quelled. Land had to be acquired, but where?
One of the Frank brothers was an experienced land surveyor with the government. Because of this, he had many connections with farmers in Tuscarawas county, and land was identified at the edge of Zoar Village.
Another brother in the finance industry contacted the Small Business Association. It was determined that $100,000 was needed to proceed. One hundred shares were sold, with 65 percent going to the family. This capital infusion allowed the next step in the long process: purchasing the land and hiring an architect. Their vision of what could be is evident today.
Well-known Golf Course architect, Geoffrey Cornish was contacted, and he and Bill Robinson agreed to take on this project. They had hit a home run, as Mr. Cornish’s list of accomplishments was long and storied.
A northern Ohio company, Ott Excavating, built the greens and tee boxes, along with many sand traps. The sand for the traps was screened on-site to help lower costs which are unheard of in today’s world. Then the irrigation and control lines were trenched. Next, all the fairways were graded. The seeding began and was finished in October of 1974. Approximately 300 trees were planted. Construction on the clubhouse was completed in March of 1975, and the course was opened on April 19, 1975.
All the family members, from 8 to 70 years old took some part in the building of Zoar Village Golf Course. There were family members experienced at welding, trenching, surveying, electrician skills, and operating heavy equipment. Women and children picked up what seemed like a million stones before the final blade of grass could be planted.
One of many obstacles they identified was enough water to irrigate. Two wells were drilled, but when that wasn’t enough, more land had to be purchased to drill another well.
The Frank family’s pride in sharing golf with players from near and far is evident by the pristine conditions that are found each day. Their continued commitment to excellence at reasonable fees is widely recognized.
We hope you have, or will have an enjoyable round at Zoar Village G.C. – “one of Ohio’s best public golf courses!”
