On October 3, 1913, a group of prominent Oakland citizens held their first meeting and organized a new golf club. The minutes of that first meeting show many prominent citizens elected to the first board of directors, including P. J. Clay and Fred R. Sherman, co-owners of Sherman/Clay company, and Col. W. S. Rheem, president of Standard Oil. Dennis Searles whose business empire was built on his father's discovery of Borax in the Upper Mojave Desert, was elected as the first president. These men guided the destiny of the early days at Sequoyah and it was largely through their efforts that, today, members can boast of one of the most beautiful and testing private golf clubs in Northern California.

The original clubhouse was completed in 1915. Small changes were made to the clubhouse between 1915-1927. A 1928 remodel was the cornerstone of our present facility. The original men's bar was know as the S. P. Depot, as most members would take the Southern Pacific train to Dutton Avenue and were then met by a bus to take them to Sequoyah. At the time, women were not allowed inside the gates to the club. Several years later the men consented to allow women to drive through the gate to pick someone up or  drop them off, but they were not permitted to leave their cars.

June 26, 1915

Slowly but surely the Sequoyah Club is becoming the exclusive rendezvous of the elite...At the time of its establishment the calamity howlers predicted a fiasco for the enterprise. they vowed it was too far from the heart of things to ever be the howling success the promoters hoped for... CLICK FOR FULL ARTICLE.

In the 20's and 30's, additional rooms were added to the clubhouse and women were finally allowed in. The 30's have been described as the heyday of society at Sequoyah. Elegance was the theme of the day. The last Sunday of each month was particularly special. A peek into the ladies locker room on Sunday afternoon would reveal a beautiful gown hanging on each locker, for that evening there was always a formal dinner dance. Tuxedos were the required dress for men. After dinner there was dancing to a full orchestra, and festivities often went on until the wee hours of the morning.

A legend was begun at Sequoyah in 1933. This was the year Frances Cary Whyte won her first Women's Club Championship. She would go on to win it again in '34, '37, '38, '44, '46, '47, '48, '49,'50, '58, '61, '65, '66, '67, '69, '72, '73, '77, '85 -- a total of 20 times over six decades. CLICK FOR FULL STORY

In the late 1930's, nearby Oak Knoll golf course folded and many members transferred to Sequoyah. The membership before the war was around 400. Women's golf had already become major part of the club's activity. There was no initiation fee and monthly dues ran between $10 and $18. The Oakland Open, one of the premier tournaments on the Pacific coast, was held at Sequoyah from 1938 to 1944, and featured prominently in the early professional careers of golfers Ben Hogan, Sam Snead, Byron Nelson, Jimmy Demaret and others.

Jack Heafey Built Road to Club

World War II changed the lives of most people in one way or another, and Sequoyah was no exception. The membership dropped to 90. With a mortgage of $129,000 it appeared there was little hope for financial survival. During these lean times the help was reduced to one married couple who took over the duties of the club. They served as cook, bartender, dishwasher, housekeeper and night watchman in return for their living quarters and $175 per month. For an unknown period of time one member paid the monthly bills out of his own pocket. Several slot machines were installed which brought in additional revenue. The war ended, families were reunited, the world was at peace and Sequoyah survived.

November 19, 1944

Police yesterday raided Sequoyah Country club, seizing five slot machines and took into custody the club president, Dr. Chauncey P. Pond, prominent physician and golfer. Dr. Pond was booked at Eastern Station and then released on his own recognizance and the word of Police Judge Joseph A. Kennedy, himself a former president of the club.

In the 50's life returned to normal at Sequoyah. The mens' upstairs grill (the Skyroom) was added and the interior of the clubhouse was completely redecorated. The original Oakland Raiders football franchise was created by a group of Sequoyah's members. Throughout the 60's and 70's members rode chartered buses to see the team play and returned to the club for a nightcap and recap of the day's game. But it wasn't until the 1980's that the membership of the club truly began to reflect the ethnic and cultural diversity of its East Bay community. Today, all groups are represented at Sequoyah, and the club is much richer for this.

Sequoyah Clubhouse and Pro Shop

Change has always been part of Sequoyah's history. More than 80 years ago The Oakland Observer commented that "changes have been made at various holes from time to time, new bunkers introduced, tees moved," etc. As Sequoyah moves forward, the best is yet to come.