The Country Club of Detroit was founded on October 1, 1897. The club property was situated on leased land along the shores of Lake St. Clair. The clubhouse was an existing clubhouse refurbished to meet the needs of the CCD. The golf course was designed by James Foulis, an old school Scot who had been serving the Country Club of Chicago. The first golf professional/teacher was W. H. Way who also had credentials – that of British heritage. The golf course was a three mile course along the shoreline of Lake St. Clair, on leased land.