Today in Wheeling History: July 4--The Oglebay Golf Course (later renamed Crispin Golf Course) was formally dedicated with a notable match featuring Miss Fritzi Stifel, one of the most outstanding women golfers in the country, and J.R. McConaghle, the engineer who laid out the course, against Mrs. E. W. Stifel, Fritzi's mother, and Bob Biery, the professional at both the Municipal Links and the Oglebay Park course, where Biery scored a brilliant 42 and Miss Stifel an impressive 43, setting early course records on the newly opened sand-green course (1930).
The original Oglebay Golf Course, later renamed Crispin Golf Course, in Wheeling, West Virginia, boasts a rich and storied history. The course was formally dedicated on July 4, 1930, as part of Oglebay Park, which was established in 1928 when Earl W. Oglebay willed his estate to the city for public recreation. On the dedication day, a notable match was played featuring two teams: Miss Fritzi Stifel, one of the most outstanding women golfers in the country, paired with J.R. McConaghle, the engineer who laid out the course, against Mrs. E. W. Stifel (Fritzi's mother) and Bob Biery, pro at the Municipal Links and the Oglebay Park course. Mrs. Stifel and Biery won 1 up in nine holes. Miss Fritzi Stifel carded an impressive 43, while Bob Biery scored a brilliant 42. Mrs. Stifel and McConaghle each turned in cards of 48. These scores were expected to stand as records for some time, especially given that the course was still in a premature state with sand greens. The course was designed and built by Bob Biery, who was born in 1901 and had a long history with golf in the area. Biery, inducted into the Wheeling Hall of Fame in 1984, was responsible for laying out and constructing the course. Over the years, the course has hosted various events and seen improvements. It now plays from 4,990 to 5,627 yards and continues to be a favorite for golfers of all skill levels. The course has witnessed significant moments in golf history, including in 1952 when professional golfer Betsy Rawls drew the largest crowd to date, presenting a clinic and exhibition at Crispin. Later, in 1963, an exhibition match by Arnold Palmer saw him equal the course record of 9-under-par, further cementing the course's reputation as a venue for notable golfing events.
To learn more: (https://shorturl.at/qhGQ8) (https://shorturl.at/LZRrD) (https://shorturl.at/xtKiJ) (https://shorturl.at/j4Noj) (https://shorturl.at/F1ZTJ) (https://shorturl.at/7FtRZ) (https://shorturl.at/xS92p) (https://shorturl.at/jvDuA) (https://shorturl.at/FsmvD)
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV; Find a Grave, Weelunk, Wheeling Intelligencer, Wheeling Hall of Fame
The original Oglebay Golf Course, later renamed Crispin Golf Course, in Wheeling, West Virginia, boasts a rich and storied history. The course was formally dedicated on July 4, 1930, as part of Oglebay Park, which was established in 1928 when Earl W. Oglebay willed his estate to the city for public recreation. On the dedication day, a notable match was played featuring two teams: Miss Fritzi Stifel, one of the most outstanding women golfers in the country, paired with J.R. McConaghle, the engineer who laid out the course, against Mrs. E. W. Stifel (Fritzi's mother) and Bob Biery, pro at the Municipal Links and the Oglebay Park course. Mrs. Stifel and Biery won 1 up in nine holes. Miss Fritzi Stifel carded an impressive 43, while Bob Biery scored a brilliant 42. Mrs. Stifel and McConaghle each turned in cards of 48. These scores were expected to stand as records for some time, especially given that the course was still in a premature state with sand greens. The course was designed and built by Bob Biery, who was born in 1901 and had a long history with golf in the area. Biery, inducted into the Wheeling Hall of Fame in 1984, was responsible for laying out and constructing the course. Over the years, the course has hosted various events and seen improvements. It now plays from 4,990 to 5,627 yards and continues to be a favorite for golfers of all skill levels. The course has witnessed significant moments in golf history, including in 1952 when professional golfer Betsy Rawls drew the largest crowd to date, presenting a clinic and exhibition at Crispin. Later, in 1963, an exhibition match by Arnold Palmer saw him equal the course record of 9-under-par, further cementing the course's reputation as a venue for notable golfing events.
To learn more: (https://shorturl.at/qhGQ8) (https://shorturl.at/LZRrD) (https://shorturl.at/xtKiJ) (https://shorturl.at/j4Noj) (https://shorturl.at/F1ZTJ) (https://shorturl.at/7FtRZ) (https://shorturl.at/xS92p) (https://shorturl.at/jvDuA) (https://shorturl.at/FsmvD)
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV; Find a Grave, Weelunk, Wheeling Intelligencer, Wheeling Hall of Fame
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