First, a little history: Oakwood Country Club is the outgrowth of a small group of men who would gather on weekends at a little cottage near Navarre called the Wade Inn. Early in 1922, Henry Firestone gave these men a grant of land on what was known as the Firestone Farm. The site is where Oakwood is now located. Charter members included Adam Shirk, Bill Leed, George Wade, Paul Walton, Bill Clark, Paul Hartung, Frank Cavender, Cal Zimmer, Earl Young, Warren Weimer and Nate Wright. Their first on-site club house was built with their own hands and cost $1,200.

Plans were made and dreams began to take form. Horses and plows dug the foundation and material was frugally acquired. When an old Canton bank building was razed, the large beam in the building was acquired. The oak paneling in the current ballroom came from the bank boardroom. The members were diligent workers and the building was quickly under roof, provided with power and gained its own life. It is rumored that a great deal of the project planning and hard work was supplemented by the barrels of fortification found in the Firestone basement bar.

In 1924, Bill Clark brought several golf clubs and a few 10-cent golf balls to the club. So much interest was shown in this new game that swampy pastureland was rolled out and three holes of golf were created. It was not until July 4, 1929, that the present nine hole course was opened with founding father, George Wade, driving the first ball. Many changes and improvements have followed. We call it our home away from home and refer to other members as our family. If you are interested in taking a closer look, call a person on the membership committee for a personalized visit and/or round of golf.