Harmon Golf Club

Harmon Golf Club1 (Lebanon, Ohio) was founded in 1928 by Lebanon local legend Charles Demitt. Only 9 holes were constructed, and those 9 holes are the same that remain today, virtually the same. Upon opening, the course remained private until 1962 when a surge in the demand to play from locals became overwhelming. Due to a large fire that consumed the original clubhouse in 1954, little is known AbOUT the course’s history before then. In 1965, Edward Waters was called in for course renovations, but he only suggested lengthening the holes and adding a few bunkers, so as not to detract from the course’s character and charm. The course currently remains the way Waters left it. Known for its deceiving greens, pot bunkers, and unforgiving undulations, Harmon Golf Club regularly is booked for outings from large companies. Today, the course is semi-private, so both the public and members may play. It is owned and operated by Kevin O’Sullivan in conjunction with the Southwest Golf Ranch2.

Famous Holes

There are a number of markers and plaques on the course which signify its more famous holes. The first famous hole that golfers will come across is the par 3 third hole. The hole has large grouping of trees and underbrush to the right side of the hole which has been aptly nicknamed “Bruce’s Woods”. William “the Bruce” Haynes once shanked his tee shot into these woods with the 2001 Harmon Classic on the line and proceeded to take 5 shots to get out, eventually costing him the title. The par 4 fourth hole has the most demanding tee shot on the course and one of the most demanding in the greater Cincinnati area. The left side of the hole is known by many as “Paul’s Prison” or “Coates’ Corner”. Paul Coates once hooked his tee shot left of the tree line and struck an inmate in the Warren County Correctional Institute, which runs adjacent to the hole. The most infamous hole is the par 3 ninth. This hole was made famous by Charles Demitt, who, when facing sudden death in a playoff for the 1993 Harmon Classic, dumped his tee shot in a bunker and proceeded to take 7 shots to get out, consequently losing the playoff. There is now a plaque on the tee that reads “Use enough club.”

“The Game”

Harmon is just as famous for its regular daily betting games as its memorable holes. “The Game” is comprised of 2 man teams that play a handicapped game daily for sometimes upwards of $200 per man. “The Game” gets preferred tee times everyday. They play at 12:00 on Monday through Friday and at 8:00 on weekends. The members play a partner style Vego Amigo, a combination of Vegas scoring and the amigo betting game. The style of play tends to be cutthroat, with smiles hard to come by throughout the round. “The Game” is headed up by Russell “The Commish” Stephenson. Stephenson has been at the forefront of the daily game for 13 years and vows not to resign his position until he can no longer golf. The members that compete in the daily game have a regular contingent, all of which have nicknames assigned to them by Stephenson.

Regulars in “The Game”: 1. Charles “Chuck” Demitt 2. Jack “Chester” Emsuer 3. Jim “Mississippi” Timberlake 4. Jimmy “Coke Can” Henderson 5. Gale “Babe” Henson

Henderson became something of a Cincinnati celebrity when he beat the odds and qualified for the 2008 U.S. Open. Although he did not make the cut, he made the town of Lebanon proud.