Smith, a native Scotsman from Carnoustie, was familiar with the links courses of his boyhood home.

[2] Wawashkamo was laid out on a farmer's field that had been the site of the 1814 Battle of Mackinac Island.

Separate historical markers commemorate both the golf links and the battlefield.

The name of the club and course comes from the Chippewa word waawaashkaamon for the act of 'walking a crooked trail'.

[2] Longtime club pro Frank Dufina is believed to have had the longest tie between a course and a professional in U.S. golfing history.