Winston Lake Golf History
1952
Winston Lake Park is proposed and the Allen organization develops a master plan which includes a lake, picnic facilities, playground, swimming pool, Nature Trail and a 18 hole golf course.
1956
The first 9 holes of the course opened on June 16.
1962
On May 31, the City signed a contract with Ellis Maples to design and supervise the construction as nine additional holes for the golf course. The funds to develop the additional nine holes were given by R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation, Hanes Hosiery Mills Company, P. H. Hanes Knitting Company, Hanes Dye and Finishing Company, and Wachovia Bank and Trust.
1964
Nine additional holes are opened for play on April 15.
1966
Joe Johnson becomes the first African American to win the Forsyth Invitational Golf Tournament.
1968
Fire destroys golf clubhouse, but the city rebuilds the building.
1982
Ladies Auxiliary Golf Group is formed at Winston Lake.
1984
Senior Golf Association is formed and held their first tournament a year later.
1985
The clubhouse expansion is completed, as well as the cart storage facility construction. Hole #3 is reworked and a pond is built in front of the green.
1987
Winston Lake is drained and dredged. This dredged material is placed at the Winston Lake Golf Course to build a new driving range.
1987
Winston Lake begins a junior golf program.
1988
Ladies Auxiliary hosts their first tournament.
1989
New maintenance building is constructed.
1999
Vantage Championship, a Senior PGA tour event, hosts Coca-Cola Kids Clinic at The Lake.
2001
New irrigation system, practice greens and tee boxes are constructed and installed. The clubhouse and cart storage facility is removed to begin construction.
2002
Winston Lake Golf Clubhouse is completed and named after E. Jerry Jones, former course golf professional.
2004
Earnest Morris Junior Golf Academy established as an annual summer program for young golfers.
2010
Winston Lake inducted into the National Black Golf Hall of Fame.
2014
Winston Lake Golf Course get a refresh. All new, reshaped greens with Diamond Zoysia grass are installed; select trees are removed around tee boxes, fairways and greens to improve sight lines and give players more options for their tee shots.
2014
Voters approve bonds to make improvements to the driving range and cart paths and bridges, reconstruct sand traps and add an on-course restroom.
2017
First Tee of the Triad cuts the ribbon on a new teaching facility that includes a computer center where children can do their homework.
2018
Cart paths and bridges are upgraded as a Bond improvement.