History of the OHO

The Outhouse Open was founded circa 1967 at the Roseland Golf Club in Windsor, Canada. Several of us were privileged to play with the late Norm Kennedy on Saturdays at Roseland. This was always followed by a 19th hole debrief along with members O'Keefe, Molson and Labatt.

The Outhouse name is derived from a outhouse that stood behind the 9th green. It was in a very weakened state, much like our golf games. It was decided to start a tournament called the Outhouse Open to be held at Roseland. Wayne Kennedy, Norm's son, has taken credit/responsibility as the Founding Father. I am grateful to him and his dad, uncle Bert, et.al for their pioneer efforts. Tom Dolan and I organized the Outing for many years. Early members were primarily graduates of Detroit Redford St. Mary High School and their friends. Many original members remain with us.

Now you may not know Wayne by "Wayne" but rather one of these nicknames: Manatee; WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYNE; Frog Face; Top; Bubba; Chocolate Bar Face; Poster Child (for AA); Hightower; Club Crusher; Fallen Arches; Kat Killer; Ling Ling; Mr. Know-It-All; Humpty-Dumpty; Bigger than Most; 5-Way and others I have missed or will be added.

The original tournament and several years afterward were scored using the Callaway System. This was tossed in the round hole after Joe Gillis fired a 121 and somehow came out the winner. That same day, he stood on his head under a tree...nude.

After Roseland we played for a few years at Fenton, MI's Tyrone Hills in a two man Scramble format. A frozen chicken dinner hastened our exit and we wound up at Rolling Meadows in Superior Township, Michigan. We were allowed to bring in our own food at Rolling Meadows. It was at this time we hired the services of Michael D. Mullane, now of Laneson's Catering, as our master chef. Upon reflection, this was what I believe to be our single most important, time enduring and successful decision. Our members rave each year about his day long service, quality and quantity.

After Rolling Meadows we found our current and long term home at Hartland, MI's Hartland Glen Golf Club. Although management has changed over the years, we have been treated well and are considered one of their more respected guests. We continued to play a two man swat, then switched to four man, back to two man and currently have settled on a four man Scramble divided into three flights. A "Skin Game" is open to Flight I and a separate one to Flight II and III.