west chester ohio historic photos farm silo

The banquet and catering facilities were booked for countless social gatherings, corporate meetings and events, weddings, holiday parties, and more. In its heyday, the private Beckett Ridge Country Club offered a wide variety of sports facilities and amenities to its 300-400 members including the 18-hole golf course, driving range, pro shop, fitness center, tennis courts, two Olympic-sized pools plus a baby pool, a restaurant, barber shop/beauty shop, and a plethora of social activities, including Christmas and New Year’s Eve parties. “If you build it, they will come” proved to be true for the burgeoning Beckett Ridge golf course and community. The first such member was Lowell Francois, who along with his family had moved to Beckett Ridge in 1978. These members paid no dues or green fees and received one-half off guest fees. CCA sold “lifetime” memberships to twenty individuals who provided a 30-year, interest free loan. In 1980, when interest rates soared to 15%, an influx of cash was required to keep the course up and running. Not long after construction of the course was complete, it was sold to Dallas-based Club Corporation of America (CCA). Silos from the original Beckett family farm remain on the property, adding to its historic charm. Over time, the Beckett Ridge community has grown to include several neighborhoods with a wide variety and styles of homes ranging in price from the 100,000’s to over one million dollars. Schottenstein, who invested 20 million dollars to get the project started.

In 1976, 1,800 acres of farmland was purchased from the Beckett family with plans for construction of a community that would be built around the course. Its position high atop a hill offers sweeping views of the surrounding area, including downtown Cincinnati, and is especially scenic at night. This 158-acre course was designed by renowned golf course architect, Jack Kidwell, and is located in West Chester Township in southeast Butler County. The Beckett Ridge Golf Course was founded in 1975.

West chester ohio historic photos farm silo