What is now LuLu Country Club was orginally a farm, owned by George S. Cox, a man who enjoyed inviting his fellow Shriners from LuLu Temple to join him there for weekend picnics. A fellow Shriner named, William H. Ward, brought golf with him from England to the farm in the Summer of 1907 and the Shriners quickly took interest.
In 1909, the golfing Shriners rented the farm from Cox with the intent to build a nine-hole golf course. The desire to make it great led them to seek the best course designer in America, Donald Ross. Ross, born in Dornoch, Scotland, had learned the craft of course design both there and at St. Andrews on the coast of Fife, Scotland. He had established his reputation in the U.S. on the strength of his outstanding layouts at Pinehurst, North Carolina. Now that Ross was broadening his horizons, he happily obliged to design LuLu Temple. This would be his first course in Pennsylvania and over the next 16 years he would design 16 additional courses in the Keystone State.
In 1912, a charter was granted by the state in the name of LuLu Temple Country Club. The land was leased in 1918. Inevitably, Mr. Ross was called upon again to design and build an 18-hole course. The original design took into consideration the irrigation because automatic systems were not in design until 1920. Trees, bunkers, and challenges were added. A clubhouse was built in 1927.
The Oasis Room, a staple in the clubhouse, was added in 1950 to appeal to the members and particularly to give them the ability to enjoy the gorgeous vista of the Donald Ross course. In 1956, the swimming pool was completed to add relaxation. The golf shop, along with cart storage were added in 1964. The men’s locker room and the kitchen were renovated complete with walk-in freezer. From 1967 to 1987, the women’s locker room, a new office, a dining room, and an entrance were constructed. The golf shop was upgraded to include a movable storage rack that could accommodate 400 golf bags.
While it may have seemed natural to say LuLu was defeated when fire destroyed the clubhouse in 2015, it was anything but. In 2016, the pool was filled in, temporary facilities were set for golf shop, administration, and the pub. Tents, fire pits, dining car, and a portable bar were brought in to accommodate members before and after rounds. Construction began for a new clubhouse.
2020 has arrived along with the opening of our new clubhouse. This is a state-of-the-art facility with many amenities for our members. It comes complete with a fully stocked Golf Shop, bar and restaurant, 2 golf simulators, classic cigar lounge, spacious locker rooms, movable bag storage, a fitness studio, and a wraparound deck to continue enjoying the view of the classic Donald Ross Course.
