In early 1962, the President locked the doors of
Crawford County Country Club (now QCCC), declared
the club “closed” and handed the keys to Vice
President Richard J. Heath. The next day Heath re-
opened the Club, and as President and later
Chairman, began an unprecedented facility and
membership expansion program that lasted 11 years.
Heath started the Robinson Open Golf Tournament in
1962 offering $2,000 in prize money and continued
the tournament through 1967 with $10,000 in prize
money. In 1968, the Professional Golf Association
placed Heath’s tournament on the official PGA Tour
with prize money of $25,000. For the next five years
the tournament hosted most of the major
professional golfers in North America and thousands
of golf fans, culminating in 1973 with prize money of
$125,000.
In 1965, Heath persuaded Dr. Sam and Bernice Allen
to donate 96 acres including a 16 acre lake to the
Club. On that land he caused to be built and
outstanding nine holes and the installation of a
complete irrigation system on the new and existing
nine holes. The dedication committee included then
Governor Otto Kerner.
In 1966, Heath raised private funds to build Old Lake
Village Resort. Twelve units designed by a second
generation Frank Lloyd Wright architect were built and
six more were added later. In 1974, Heath caused
the resort to be sold to the Club at a significantly
lowered cost, thus insuring the Club’s financial future.
Crawford County Country Club (now QCCC), declared
the club “closed” and handed the keys to Vice
President Richard J. Heath. The next day Heath re-
opened the Club, and as President and later
Chairman, began an unprecedented facility and
membership expansion program that lasted 11 years.
Heath started the Robinson Open Golf Tournament in
1962 offering $2,000 in prize money and continued
the tournament through 1967 with $10,000 in prize
money. In 1968, the Professional Golf Association
placed Heath’s tournament on the official PGA Tour
with prize money of $25,000. For the next five years
the tournament hosted most of the major
professional golfers in North America and thousands
of golf fans, culminating in 1973 with prize money of
$125,000.
In 1965, Heath persuaded Dr. Sam and Bernice Allen
to donate 96 acres including a 16 acre lake to the
Club. On that land he caused to be built and
outstanding nine holes and the installation of a
complete irrigation system on the new and existing
nine holes. The dedication committee included then
Governor Otto Kerner.
In 1966, Heath raised private funds to build Old Lake
Village Resort. Twelve units designed by a second
generation Frank Lloyd Wright architect were built and
six more were added later. In 1974, Heath caused
the resort to be sold to the Club at a significantly
lowered cost, thus insuring the Club’s financial future.
Quail's History
| The Resort |
| ©2008 All Copyrights Reserved Quail Creek Country Club & Resort |
Site of the Robinson Open PGA Tour Event from
1968-1973.
1968-1973.
| “One of the most enjoyable courses I’ve played” –Lee Trevino |
In 1967 Heath renovated the Clubhouse
adding the wood exterior.
A new Pro Shop and locker room was
completed under his guidance in 1968.
The Club membership unanimously voted
that Heath be made a Lifetime Member in
1974.
Without Heath’s vision, entrepreneurship,
and generosity, there would be no Quail
Creek Country Club as we know it today.
adding the wood exterior.
A new Pro Shop and locker room was
completed under his guidance in 1968.
The Club membership unanimously voted
that Heath be made a Lifetime Member in
1974.
Without Heath’s vision, entrepreneurship,
and generosity, there would be no Quail
Creek Country Club as we know it today.