History

A Tradition

of Excellence

Founded on June 10, 1898, the Kalispel Golf and Country Club, formerly the Spokane Golf Club, is the fourth-oldest golf club in Washington State. Its initial location was at 14th and Perry Street in Spokane’s lower South Hill area. The nine-hole course featured greens and fairways made of dirt and sand, with tomato cans serving as cups. The Spokane elite’s growing enthusiasm for golf prompted the club’s official establishment.

The association searched for more suitable land during the club’s early years. Eventually, it relocated from Liberty Park to Hart Field. Four years later, the Club House burned down. This event prompted another move to a 140-acre lot near the Little Spokane River. On July 8, 1911, the new course opened for play and is open to this day. The original north border of Spokane ended at Garland Street. The club struggled to thrive due to the distance from Spokane’s residential areas and the scarcity of cars. To help improve membership, it began operating a jitney (a small bus). The jitney transported members from town on weekends. The first Club House included guest rooms and quarters. Members and staff could spend the night in the Club House on weekends. Since its early days, the club’s doors have opened to countless guests. Each one has come to stay and enjoy the beautiful course and surrounding landscape.

Throughout its 100-plus-year history, the course has seen many notable moments. In 1946, the Club hosted the first-ever U.S. Women’s Open Championship, won by World Golf Hall of Fame inductee Patty Berg. Many professional golf greats have played at the Club, including Lee Trevino, Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, Curtis Strange, Nancy Lopez, Fred Couples, Chip Beck, and Nick Price. Tom Watson currently holds the course record of eleven under par. In 1988, famous golf architect Robert Muir Graves made course architecture improvements. His enhancements added more character and challenge to an already superior golf course.

The Kalispel Tribe of Indians took ownership of the course in December 2015, ensuring its continued excellence. In the same year, the Tribe rebranded the old restaurant into the renowned 1898 Public House. The restaurant is open to the public to experience its culinary delights. The Tribe renamed the property to the Kalispel Golf and Country Club. They pledged their dedication to ensuring the Club’s enduring success.

The Kalispel Tribe

The Kalispel Tribe of Indians has a long history of humility and hospitality. The Tribe was once one of the poorest Native American tribes in the United States. Today, the Kalispel Tribe is one of the top ten private employers in the Spokane region. The Tribe employs more than 2,000 people in the area. They have donated more than $19 million to regional non-profit organizations. Today, the Tribe operates a diverse business portfolio. Northern Quest Resort & Casino is the Tribe’s flagship venture and the premier destination resort in the region. Health and social service programs have increased the quality and life expectancy for tribal members and surrounding communities. The Resort and other businesses support these programs.

The Tribe’s Land stretches approximately two hundred miles from Lake Pend Oreille in Northern Idaho to where Paradise, Montana, currently stands. The culture has been heavily influenced by the environment created by the Pend Oreille River that they call “ntx^we,” a Kalispel word that symbolically means “reduces all other streams to an inferior status.” The people of the Oreille have withstood unimaginable hardships to maintain their lives in harmony with “ntx^we.”

The success in their economic development with Northern Quest Casino, their work at Kalispel Natural Resources, Camas Center & Clinic, and more provide The Tribe the opportunity to care for their land, air, water, culture, and the local community. KGCC also funds economic development for the Kalispel Tribe and their communities through your memberships, dining, and events.

Significance of the Frog

Because the Kalispel Tribe is such an integral part of the business, it made sense to follow up with symbolism from the Tribe when creating the logo for the Kalispel Golf and Country Club. Kalispel Tribal elders often tell stories about “Frog Island,” a sacred place on the banks of the Pend Oreille River. Families once gathered there to share meals, dances, and conversation. The Kalispel frog not only represents health, balance, and community; it is a powerful symbol of a promising future. The Kalispel Tribe of Indians is committed to this hopeful future, providing members and guests at the Kalispel Golf and Country Club for years to come. 

Find out more about the Kalispel Tribe’s rich cultural history and progression at KalispelTribe.com.