Page 55 - 2018 Western Amateur Commemerative Program—Skokie Ridge Country Club

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The original clubhouse from 1924, taken from in front of the 18th green.
GOLF COURSE ARCHITECT the 1955 Women’s Open as did his FROM FARMHOUSE TO CLUBHOUSE
BILL DIDDEL Indianapolis Country Club in 1978. Beman & Huszagh was a legendary
Sunset Ridge was one of the first local architectural firm that built
Diddle’s other notable courses include
courses designed by prolific architect The Brickyard Crossing (the course several notable mansions, churches
Bill Diddel, who designed over 160
commonly known for being in the and buildings throughout Chicago, the
courses between 1923 and 1970. Diddel, North Shore and Hyde Park during the
middle of the Indy 500 race track)
along with his mentor Donald Ross along with Meridian Hills Country roaring 1920s through the late 1940s.
and Robert Jones, Sr. were the founding
Club in Indianapolis and also Florida’s Architect Spencer Beman (1887–1952)
and charter members of the American
exclusive Jupiter Island Country Club was known internationally for his
Society of Golf Course Architects.
and The Country Club of Naples. The work designing and building over 20
Diddel’s most famous protégé was
1972 Western Open at Sunset Ridge churches, including Winnetka’s First
Pete Dye, who was also his neighbor
offered an excellent display of Diddel’s Church of Christ. Spencer also built
in Carmel, Indiana.
challenging design, as only 10 percent over 75 homes throughout the North
Diddel’s courses favored mature tree- of the field was under par after Shore. All of Beman’s projects favored
lined fairways that called for “an 72 holes. a New England and Colonial style and,
accurate shot from the tee for being as lead architect, that is the direction
Diddel was an excellent golfer and
able to score successfully.” Diddel’s his firm took with the original design
overall athlete. He was a five-time
other famous trademark: fast, well- and building of the Sunset Ridge
Indiana State Golf Amateur champion
manicured greens with subtle contours clubhouse. Beman’s partner, Ralph
and won the Midwest Golf State
that created both challenging and Huszagh, was also a highly regarded
Championship in 1916 and 1917 and
beautiful putting surfaces. A Chicago architect, whose portfolio included
was rated one of the nation’s top
Tribune article noted that Diddel noteworthy Chicago area projects
golfers. At Wabash College, Diddel was
created courses that were difficult including the Aragon Ballroom and
the first to win letters in four sports.
not as a result of sand traps or water a number of Gold Coast buildings.
During his senior year he was named
hazards, but because of distances
best college basketball player in the In the Fall of 1923, the Board approved
and angles.
country. In his 70s and 80s Diddel shot Beman & Huszagh’s design of a Breton
Diddel’s courses include Northwood his age over 1,000 times, more than English-style clubhouse featuring a
Country Club in Dallas, which hosted any player in history. Diddel was half-timbered, low-roofed building
the 1952 U.S. Open won by Julius the recipient of numerous awards with hardwood floors throughout
Boros. His design of Cincinnati’s and was inducted into the Indiana the main clubhouse. The original
Kenwood Country Club was the site of Golf Hall of Fame and the Indiana clubhouse had a split east/west locker
the 1931 U.S. Amateur, 1954 Western Basketball Hall of Fame. He died in room for men and a small locker room
Open and 1963 Women’s U.S. Open. 1985 just shy of his 101st birthday in for ladies (who justly complained
Diddle’s Wichita Country Club hosted his native Carmel, Indiana. about its inadequacy), a golf pro shop,

2018 WESTERN AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP History of Sunset Ridge Country Club 53