History

History of Latrobe Country Club

Latrobe Country Club was founded in 1920 by a group of leading industrialists, bankers and professionals from Latrobe, PA. The group had acquired 63 acres of the Kennan Farm bordering on what was then the National Lincoln Highway (U.S. Route 30) just west of Youngstown. By the summer of 1921 work was well underway on the golf course and clubhouse. Among those on the job was a teenager named Milford (Deacon/Deke) Palmer, Arnold's father.

From that hilly plot of ground emerged a short but imaginative nine-hole course. Despite tough economic times, the Club made steady progress over the next two decades. Additional tracts of land were purchased, allowing for revisions that greatly improved the course. In 1944, the Unity Land Company was created and became owner of the property and financed further expansion of the clubhouse and other facilities.

By the early 1960s sufficient land had been acquired to enable plans for an 18-hole course. Both Deacon and Arnold Palmer contributed heavily to the design of the new nine holes and the revamping of the existing holes to fit the layout. Construction began in 1963 and the new course opened for play the following season. The then 6,377 yard, par-72 course has matured into a beautiful and demanding test of golf.

Course improvement and the modernization and expansion of the clubhouse was accelerated when Arnold Palmer purchased the Club in 1971. The interior of the clubhouse was redesigned. Tennis courts, maintenance buildings and cart storage areas were all constructed. Over the years, many of the holes have been revised and lengthened, a modern irrigation system was installed, permanent cart paths were added and a practice range was created.

Deacon Palmer, who had become the grounds superintendent in 1926 and the golf professional in 1931, remained active until his death at the age of 71 in February 1976. Jerry Palmer began working with his father in 1975 and took over as superintendent after his father's passing. Jerry became general manager of all of Arnold's Latrobe properties in 1989. Marty Repko was promoted from the grounds crew, where he had worked since 1976, and named to replace Jerry as course superintendent.

"My dad was always a part of Latrobe Country Club, as a young man helping to build the course, and working there until he passed away," says Jerry Palmer. "It was always a dream for Arnie to buy the course some day. My parents, Arnie and my sisters were all such a part of this course. It was our lifeblood and has always been our home."