The original golf course was built by Wayne F. Cox. Mr. Cox had built a motel on the southeast corner of his farm on route 22 & 3. His wife Mildred managed the motel and Mr. Cox built an 18 hole course mainly with his own labor. He had some professional architectural help in laying out the course. Two lakes were constructed and a two hundred foot steel machinery building erected with the east side open to serve as a covered driving range area.
The first nine holes were opened to the public in 1960 and work continued on the other nine holes. The eighteen holes utilized most of the farm and covered about 145 acres. By 1980, business and housing development posed a threat to the golf course. Wayne Cox was ready to sell his properties and Robert Webster, a native of Lexington, Kentucky, was making plans to purchase. Webster was doing business as D'or International and had moved to have the major acreage rezoned for housing and business. His plans had been submitted in December 1980.
To save a public golf course for the community, the trustees of the Elks 797 Lodge, located adjacent to the golf course, decided to try to save the original nine hole course.
The original goal of the early proponents was to operate a golf course where anyone could play for a small fee. It would be an asset for the community. Management would develop a youth program that would appeal to boys and girls. Everyone could play golf. The 797 Elks Golf Club is one of the finest 18 hole courses in southwest Ohio.
