In the year of 1903, the State Fair Board gave certain Sedalians the right to build a golf course on the State Fair Grounds. Nearly two years later, June 3, 1905, the Sedalia Country Club was formed. The idea of a golf club in Sedalia was popular and there were sixty-seven regular members admitted into the Club. The first club house was a very simple shack costing perhaps $100.00. The next year th
e Club purchased a block of ground adjoining the State Fair Grounds on the east and facing Limit Avenue. On March 22, 1906, the Sedalia Country Club became a corporation. A club house was built costing $4,200.00, which was completed and opened in June 1906. In 1907, a sixty acre tract was purchased for $6,000.00 and a nine hole golf course was laid out. In 1909 the old club house was sold to the State Fair Board and an opening party was held on May 16, 1909 for the new club house. After the new club house was opened, during the next few summers, a few of the bachelors would have tents put up on the grounds and spend the nights there where it was cool. Often some of the young ladies, and their chaperons, would have cots put on the porch where they would have slumber parties. While the Club has upheld its high standards as a golf club, it has been the scene of many social functions, outstanding parties for the members and entertaining honored guests, such as the formal reception and dinner given in honor of President Taft in 1911. In the early days, the Club was the scene of many outstanding parties, such as masquerades and circus parties with the members coming dressed as animals with each animal putting on an act. Entertainment programs included the Opening Spring Formal, Ladies Card Party, 4th of July picnics and Christmas Night dance. Since 1909, the old club was remodeled and redecorated several times, adding locker and shower rooms, golf shop, enclosing the north and south porches and the building of a swimming pool in 1951. A tornado on May 4, 1977 destroyed the clubhouse, swimming pool, tennis courts and other club facilities that were located on South Limit Avenue. In the months following the tornado, many proposals were given as to the outcome of what would happen to Sedalia Country Club. In June, the Board voted to negotiate the purchase of the Westmoreland Country Club facilities which failed. In July, the proposal of the purchase of Walnut Hills Country Club was passed. The Walnut Hills Country Club was "rented" by the Sedalia Country Club during the months of June and July, at the cost of $4,000.00 per month so members could have use of their facilities. On August 22, 1977, the Sedalia Country Club purchased Walnut Hills Country Club, which included the Surf Club, tennis courts and golf course. Many renovations have been made during the years such as the restructuring of the pool, an addition of new kitchen facilities, enlarging the dining area, complete remodel of the clubhouse and golf shop, redesigning of the course, concrete cart paths on the course, and the building of a waterfall. One of the more interesting aspects of the Club is the presence of a small graveyard which has burial markers with dates before the Civil War. Considered in the rough between the 10th, 11th, and 18th fairways, the Shobe-Jamison-Quisenberry Cemetery is the final resting place for members of some of Pettis County's oldest families that were buried there between 1859 and 1921.
