The original 18 eighteen holes of the golf course were built in 1968-69 and the golf course was completed before the earliest residents moved into the development in late ‘69. When construction on the Club House was started in 1969, the pro shop was located in a trailer adjacent to the practice tee. The Club House opened in the summer of 1970. In 1973-74 additional land was acquired and homes constructed and the Cherokee nine was completed, making Indian Hills a 27 hole layout. The club property comprises 242 acres, including the golf course, club house, pools and tennis courts.

“As Indian Hills goes, so goes the Club. And to talk about one, without mentioning the other is nearly impossible”, states Jim Rhoden, President of Futren Corporation. In the earliest days, The Ladies Professional Golf Association played an annual tournament on the golf course, first known as the “Lady Tara” and then the “Lady Michelob”. The tournament was sponsored by the Atlanta Jaycees and many members of the club worked as course marshals and volunteers. Many of the players were hosted in resident’s homes while competing in the tournament. Remember, in those days IH was considered rural, there were no nearby hotels, so the subdivision “opened its doors.” In the early days of the club, this was a big deal and fun event. The tournament showcased Indian Hills and drew attention to the neighborhood and club. In 1970, Indian Hills was the largest single family subdivision between Washington D.C. and Houston.

Bob Tway, a member of the PGA Tour, lived on Indian Hills Parkway and played junior and amateur golf on the IH course and around the state. Many of the early members remember the long hours he would put in on the practice tee almost daily. He attended Oklahoma State on a golf scholarship. Bill Bergin and Denise Baldwin also both played at Indian Hills while they were growing up. They were both strong amateur players, who also had pro aspirations. 

The Club was certainly the social hub of the neighborhood. Families met one another at the pool with their children, Friday night “Happy Hours” were always jammed, (Cobb County was mostly “dry” in those days), theme parties at the pool provided additional social events that allowed members to meet and socialize and people entertained in their homes—anxious to meet new friends and neighbors.

Between January-April 1978 members of the club represented by a 3-person committee (Pres William-son, Tom Walsh and Norm Mitchell) negotiated with Santa Fe Development Company (now Futren) to purchase the Club. This Committee ultimately recommended to the membership, that we not acquire the club: the financials including a $1M balloon note and the due-diligence just didn’t make sense. Reason pre- vailed—why should we put the Club at risk? Following that event, Jim Rhoden and Futren Corporation sold shares in a Limited Partnership that enabled him to raise the capital to buy and manage the Club. The L.P. was a successful investment, but Futren began buying out the Limited Partners in the mid 1980’s and that organization still owns the Club operating today, as Indian Hills Country Club, Inc.

Over the years, the golf course had been substantially improved, trees were removed, the sand traps were improved to provide better drainage, and fairways widened. Standing on the deck of the Club House is now one of the most beautiful views in the entire area.

The Club House was completely renovated in 2004 and sits proudly as the centerpiece of the Indian Hills Community.

Over the years, we have had the Cobb Symphony Orchestra provide concerts on the 4th of July, the fireworks display has grown and draws huge traffic jams annually. But these are events that residents and members treasure and have become an anticipated tradition in our community. One of the true “fixtures” of Indian Hills is Tim Washington, a Waiter and Server at IHCC. He has been employed since July 21, 1980. Tim has become the most frequently requested server for meals and other events and is very well-liked by staff and members alike. We had an opportunity to interview Tim for this history and this author and he laughed about the memories he resurrected.

Tim came to the Club from the Red Barn Restaurant in Chastain Park. He lives in Lawrenceville, so he has quite a commute, “but the members are great and that’s why I’ve stayed all these years”. He can re-count every Manager the Club has had and has clearly enjoyed his time at IHCC. His favorite memories are the Member Appreciation Parties each summer, the Member-Guest Golf Tournaments and the pool dinner when the waiters paraded from the club house to the pool with flaming desserts (“A very impressive site”) and the Employee Appreciation Golf tournament held annually where members play with staff to show their thanks to employees for their loyalty and commitment to the Club.

During one poignant moment during our meeting, Tim stated, “What really gets me is the members I re- member as kids, who are now grown and married and bring their own children back to the Club.”

Tim also remembers the club renovation and the trailer that served as the mini grill and pro shop. “But wasn’t that all worth that inconvenience?” He remembers the explosion in the cart barn several years ago, the small fire in the Club House caused by the air conditioner and, he remembers, other stuff....Thanks Tim for your caring of our neighborhood and club. You’ve been an important part of all that!

We could list all the members in this history who are or have been Leaders of the various associations in our Club: Golf, Tennis, Swim Team, ALTA, Seniors, Ladies and Men’s Golf/Tennis, Bridge, but that makes for boring reading. We know who you are, and we salute you! You know who you are, so thanks!

Like the development, the Club has been a major part of the social and community life in Indian Hills.

25-30% of club members are also residents. Many of the club members have also become residents, so we share a common bond: As Indian Hills goes, so goes the Club!

Darwin White who joined the Club in 1974 as Head Golf Professional was inducted in the Georgia Golf Hall of Fame in a ceremony that was conducted on January 10, 2009. He won the Senior Division of the Georgia PGA six times during an eight year period from 1973-1980.

Today, the club is well-run. Golf and Tennis are popular pastimes. The swim team is strong. The Club hosts the Marietta Rotary Club’s weekly meetings and has also played host to the East Cobb Optimist’s breakfast meetings. The Club reflects its membership and the residents of Indian Hills. As noted in another chapter of this History the club provided matching dollars when the East Cobb Park was built. Its matched member funds who contributed to that endeavor and

its management and leadership are involved in the community. As are the members and residents! “Indian Hills—A Great Place to Live.