Tagalong was originally built as a private golf course for Frank D. Stout. Construction on the course began about 1916 and it was first played on around 1919. Frank Stout was said to have been the fifth wealthiest man in Chicago at the time. The course was built for himself and his guest only.
Scottish Imports
Rumor has it that Mr. Stout had the bent grass for the greens cut in Scotland and shipped across the ocean, along with a world-famous architect and a member of the Scottish nobility. The course itself was intended to be a duplicate of St. Andrews. Fourteen miles of pipe were used to irrigate the greens and fairways. The course features huge, elevated greens surrounded by deep, grass bunkers. As a gala to commemorate the opening of the course in 1925, Stout arranged to have an exhibition round featuring the US Open Champion and the British Open Champion.
The Buildings
Six buildings were originally built at Tagalong.
- The main clubhouse is a gem of the old Stonemason's art. The Gothic Arches with their pastel colors of cut stone are topped by curving thatched roofs.
- The Pumphouse, which is situated on the shore of Red Cedar Lake, was built to house the large pumps used to water the entire grounds. This building was also used for a waiting station as the only way to enter the estate was by water.
- What is now Stonehaven was originally built to store the equipment used to maintain the golf course and grounds.
- On the east side of the property lies the remainder of the buildings, all built to maintain the estate in its unprecedented beauty. The caretaker's home sported a grand stone chimney, the Bunkhouse was used to house and feed the grounds crew. The stable was built for the blacksmith and the team of horses used in building and maintaining the golf course.
In an excerpt taken from an article about Tagalong sometime following World War II the author states, "The value of this property as shown on the Barron County Atlas of twenty years ago (about 1930) is $500,000. It is the writer's considered opinion that, if the truth were known, it cost Mr. Stout more than twice the amount shown on the Atlas".
How Tagalong Got Its Name
Tagalong got its name in this manner: It was the custom in the family that, whenever anything new was acquired or built and needed to be named, Mr. Stout would put up a gold piece as a prize. Mrs. Stout put the name "Tagalong" into the hat and won the gold piece. She suggested "Tagalong" because Mr. Stout always complained that the children wanted to "tag along" every time he went to the golf course.
If you have not played this course you better put it on the list. Bring the whole family and plan the summer vacation around this great course. Once again they have offered the Birdie Book a very generous offer for you to try them out. Don't delay. Get your 2011 Birdie Book at www.mybirdiebook.com
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