Lakewood Golf Course: The Story of a Community, From Rancho Lands to Fairways

Lakewood Golf Course: The Story of a Community, From Rancho Lands to Fairways

Lakewood Golf Course, now formally known as Lakewood Country Club, embodies the deep history of Southern California. Its land reflects the enduring legacy of the Tongva people and the transitions through Spanish ranching, early sporting traditions, and innovative suburban development. Established in 1933, the course has hosted notable tournaments and remains a vital community focal point, celebrated for its architectural heritage and inclusive public access while preserving regional identity.

The Heart of Lakewood: A Living History

Lakewood Golf Course is more than a collection of well-maintained greens in Lakewood, California. Its history mirrors the broader narrative of Southern California, shaped by the heritage of the Tongva people, the era of Spanish and Mexican ranchos, and the emergence of a vibrant suburb.

The course’s origins on Tongva ancestral land, its period as part of Rancho Los Cerritos, its use by duck hunters at the Cerritos Gun Club, its survival as the "airport bog," and its transformation under golf architect William P. “Billy” Bell all contribute to its unique legacy. Today, while the fairways are open to the public, the stories embedded in the landscape remain significant. This article examines those stories, highlighting how the golf course has influenced both the community and the region.

Each period in the course’s history marks a significant change in the landscape and the community’s relationship with it, establishing Lakewood’s course as a living record of Southern California’s cultural development.

From Tevaaxa’nga to Rancho Los Cerritos

Tongva Ancestral Land (Before 1784)

Before the sound of golf balls filled the air, the land that is now Lakewood Golf Course supported the Tongva people (also known as the Gabrielino). The village of Tevaaxa’nga, located near present-day Rancho Los Cerritos, was sustained by perennial water sources, marshes, and abundant natural resources. For thousands of years, the Tongva managed these lands with care.

The arrival of Spanish colonists in 1784 brought significant changes. The area became part of Rancho Los Nietos, which disrupted indigenous stewardship and introduced new systems of land ownership. Despite these challenges, the Tongva community endured. The land beneath Lakewood’s fairways still bears traces of Tevaaxa’nga, connecting each round of golf to a history that spans thousands of years.

The Rancho Era (1834–1866)

The establishment of Rancho Los Cerritos in 1834 marked a key shift in land use. This 27,000-acre section became a center for cattle ranching, playing a vital role in Southern California’s "hide and tallow" economy.

John Temple, an American merchant, acquired the property in 1843 and built the iconic two-story Monterey Colonial adobe house in 1844 (now the Rancho Los Cerritos Historic Site). At its peak in the 1850s, as many as 15,000 cattle grazed the land. The region experienced cycles of prosperity and hardship, and in 1866, Temple sold the property to Flint, Bixby & Co., who shifted the focus to sheep ranching. The history of Rancho Los Cerritos is central to Lakewood’s development, illustrating the intersection of cultures and economies in California.

Wetlands, Duck Hunters, and the "Airport Bog"

By the late nineteenth century, parts of what would become the golf course served as seasonal wetlands.

The Cerritos Gun Club, established in 1890, attracted a diverse group of Los Angeles sportsmen and hunting enthusiasts. On hundreds of acres of seasonal wetlands and ponds, club members hunted duck and quail in a landscape rich with wildlife. The club served as a center of social and civic activity until it closed in 1941.

The wetlands, often referred to as the "airport bog" due to poor drainage and frequent flooding, were unsuitable for housing but supported abundant wildlife. As hunting declined and urban development pressures increased, this area transitioned from a functional marshland to a site ready for large-scale development.

A Chronicle of Design and Legacy

The Vision of Billy Bell (1932)

In the early 1930s, plans emerged to establish Lakewood Country Club on the site of the former Gun Club. The challenge was turning the waterlogged, flat "airport bog" into a functional golf course.

Golf architect William P. “Billy” Bell played a pivotal role. His innovative approach involved excavating a large central lake and using the resulting soil to create rolling fairways and elevated greens. This lake served not only as an effective drainage solution but also became the defining, scenic feature of the course. Known for his expertise in strategic design, Bell ensured Lakewood would stand as one of his distinguished achievements.

The Grand Opening with Bobby Jones

Construction, which overcame obstacles like swampy terrain and the 1933 Long Beach Earthquake, was complete by 1933. The ceremonial opening on March 24, 1933, was highlighted by the presence of Bobby Jones, golf’s greatest amateur. Jones struck the inaugural ball, which was later signed and displayed, instantly bringing national attention and prestige to Lakewood.

Jimmy Thomson, renowned for his exceptional driving ability, was appointed Lakewood’s first professional in 1933, adding further stature to the new club.

Refinement by Tillinghast

In 1937, A.W. “Tillie” Tillinghast, a prominent American golf course architect, collaborated with Bell to further refine the course. Tillinghast introduced distinctive bunkering, nuanced greens, and strategic design elements that complemented Bell’s original vision. This partnership placed Lakewood among a select group of courses shaped by two giants of golf architecture.

Tournaments, Public Ownership, and Community Role

A Premier Tournament Venue

From its early years, Lakewood Country Club established itself as a premier tournament venue. It hosted the Long Beach Open (1949–1951), bringing renowned players such as Ben Hogan, Fred Haas, and Cary Middlemiddlecoff to Lakewood, enhancing the course’s reputation beyond the local area. These events were accessible to a wide audience, reinforcing Lakewood’s inclusive spirit.

Public Stewardship and the "Lakewood Plan"

Following World War II, the area underwent rapid suburban expansion. In 1952, Los Angeles County acquired Lakewood Country Club, preserving it as public green space and preventing its conversion into housing tracts.

This decision was instrumental in shaping the community's identity, anticipating the city's incorporation in 1954. The course became a central open space, and its public ownership ensured continued accessibility.

Legacy and Present Day

Today, Lakewood Golf Course maintains its architectural heritage while adapting for modern use. The course's fairways, shaped from former wetlands, and its mature design elements earned it recognition as Los Angeles County Course of the Year in 2005 and 2020.

Public management keeps the course accessible and affordable, supporting its role as a valuable community asset. Playing at Lakewood is not only a sporting activity but also an engagement with a living history, reflecting Southern California's ongoing pursuit of balance between land, sport, and public life.

Lakewood Golf Course Through the Ages: Notable Facts

• The central lake was constructed by architect Billy Bell to drain a swamp, giving the course its defining feature.

• Bobby Jones’s opening drive in 1933 was preserved and signed, becoming a treasured local artifact.

• Jimmy Thomson, the first club professional, was renowned for his long drives, often drawing spectators from other holes.

• The course's public ownership and inclusive philosophy have served as a model for civic-minded golf course management nationwide.

• Lakewood’s story has inspired books, documentaries, and even suburban developments abroad that have adopted its name and spirit.

Lakewood Golf Course stands as more than a local amenity; it’s a living record of Southern California’s ongoing pursuit of balance between land, sport, and community.