The Country Club
Encyclopedia
The Country Club, located in Brookline, Massachusetts
, is one of the oldest country club
in the United States. It holds an important place in golf
history, as it is one of the five charter clubs that founded the United States Golf Association
, and has hosted numerous USGA tournaments including the famous 1913 U.S. Open won by then-unknown Francis Ouimet
. Today, the club has nearly 1300 members.
The golf course itself grew in several stages, and so is not the result of any one architect. The first six holes were laid out by three club members in March 1893, and the following year the Scot Willie Campbell was brought in as club professional. He oversaw the expansion to nine holes that summer, and to a full 18 holes by 1899 following some land acquisition. Around 1902 the Haskell golf ball became widely used, necessitating a further lengthening of the course. After an additional land purchase, two club members designed three new holes which opened in 1908. Rees Jones
renovated the course further in preparation for the 1988 U.S. Open.
In 1894, The Country Club was one of the five charter clubs which founded the United States Golf Association
. The original purpose was to sponsor an undisputed national amateur championship, which was first held in 1895. The first U.S. Open, almost an afterthought, was held the following day. The first USGA championship held at the club was the 1902 U.S. Women's Amateur.
The 1913 U.S. Open was held at The Country Club. The heavy favorites were English legends Harry Vardon
(1900 U.S. Open winner; four-time British Open
winner) and Ted Ray
(reigning British Open champion). After 72 holes, the pair found themselves tied with 20-year-old amateur Francis Ouimet
—who had grown up across the street from the course and was a former caddie at the club—forcing an 18-hole playoff the next day. In a shocking upset
, Ouimet soundly defeated the two professional golfers in front of a large gallery, and the resulting newspaper stories captured the imagination of the American public. The number of golfers in the country at least tripled in the subsequent ten years, with a corresponding increase in golf courses (including many public courses, opening up the game to a larger segment of the population). The 1963 and 1988 U.S. Opens were also held at The Country Club, the 50th and 75th anniversaries of the Ouimet victory. However, the 2013 U.S. Open, marking the 100th anniversary of Ouimet's improbable win, will be contested at Merion Golf Club near Philadelphia. To mark the 100th anniversary of Ouimets win The Country Club will be hosting the 2013 U.S. Amateur.
In 1999, the club hosted the Ryder Cup
. This intense match exploded into controversy following a competition-turning 45-foot putt on the 17th green by Justin Leonard
(the same green where Ouimet effectively clinched his victory), as the other American players stormed the green in celebration before José María Olazábal
had a chance to attempt his own difficult putt. Olazábal was forced to regain his focus after order was restored, and missed the shot.
The Country Club has long been considered the best course in Massachusetts
and has hosted a record 10 Massachusetts State Amateur Championship
s.
Governor Deval Patrick revealed that he and his wife's application to join The Country Club was rejected.
The Main Course course is composed of the Clyde and Squirrel nines, essentially the original 18 holes. This was the course used for the 1913 U.S. Open, and is the course played by members today.
The other nine holes are the Primrose Course, an executive course built in 1927. This was designed by William S. Flynn
, who also (re)designed Shinnecock Hills
, Cherry Hills Country Club near Denver, Colorado
, and the Cascades Course at The Homestead
, and the Kittansett Club also in Massachusetts.
The Championship, Composite, Anniversary, or Open Course is used for major competitions today, when a longer layout is required. In this configuration, three and a half holes from the Primrose Course are used to replace three holes of the Clyde, resulting in a length of slightly more than 7,000 yards. This layout has been used for most major competitions since the Primrose Course was built.
42°18′48"N 71°9′3"W
Brookline, Massachusetts
Brookline is a town in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States, which borders on the cities of Boston and Newton. As of the 2010 census, the population of the town was 58,732.-Etymology:...
, is one of the oldest country club
Country club
A country club is a private club, often with a closed membership, that typically offers a variety of recreational sports facilities and is located in city outskirts or rural areas. Activities may include, for example, any of golf, tennis, swimming or polo...
in the United States. It holds an important place in golf
Golf
Golf is a precision club and ball sport, in which competing players use many types of clubs to hit balls into a series of holes on a golf course using the fewest number of strokes....
history, as it is one of the five charter clubs that founded the United States Golf Association
United States Golf Association
The United States Golf Association is the United States' national association of golf courses, clubs and facilities and the governing body of golf for the U.S. and Mexico. Together with The R&A, the USGA produces and interprets the Rules of Golf. The USGA also provides a national handicap system...
, and has hosted numerous USGA tournaments including the famous 1913 U.S. Open won by then-unknown Francis Ouimet
Francis Ouimet
Francis DeSales Ouimet was an American golfer, who is frequently referred to as the "father of amateur golf" in the United States. He won the 1913 U.S. Open, and was the first American elected Captain of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews...
. Today, the club has nearly 1300 members.
History
The club was originally founded in 1882, and is listed on the USGA's list of the first 100 clubs in America. The original club was focused on horseback-riding and other outdoor activities; the golf course was not built until 1893. For several years there were conflicts between golfers and other club members over land use; in fact the original golf course overlapped with the race track.The golf course itself grew in several stages, and so is not the result of any one architect. The first six holes were laid out by three club members in March 1893, and the following year the Scot Willie Campbell was brought in as club professional. He oversaw the expansion to nine holes that summer, and to a full 18 holes by 1899 following some land acquisition. Around 1902 the Haskell golf ball became widely used, necessitating a further lengthening of the course. After an additional land purchase, two club members designed three new holes which opened in 1908. Rees Jones
Rees Jones
Rees Jones is an American golf course architect.He was born in Montclair, New Jersey the son of legendary golf course designer Robert Trent Jones and the younger brother of golf course designer Robert Trent Jones, Jr...
renovated the course further in preparation for the 1988 U.S. Open.
In 1894, The Country Club was one of the five charter clubs which founded the United States Golf Association
United States Golf Association
The United States Golf Association is the United States' national association of golf courses, clubs and facilities and the governing body of golf for the U.S. and Mexico. Together with The R&A, the USGA produces and interprets the Rules of Golf. The USGA also provides a national handicap system...
. The original purpose was to sponsor an undisputed national amateur championship, which was first held in 1895. The first U.S. Open, almost an afterthought, was held the following day. The first USGA championship held at the club was the 1902 U.S. Women's Amateur.
The 1913 U.S. Open was held at The Country Club. The heavy favorites were English legends Harry Vardon
Harry Vardon
Harry Vardon was a Jersey professional golfer and member of the fabled Great Triumvirate of the sport in his day, along with John Henry Taylor and James Braid. He won The Open Championship a record six times and also won the U.S. Open.-Biography:Vardon was born in Grouville, Jersey, Channel Islands...
(1900 U.S. Open winner; four-time British Open
The Open Championship
The Open Championship, or simply The Open , is the oldest of the four major championships in professional golf. It is the only "major" held outside the USA and is administered by The R&A, which is the governing body of golf outside the USA and Mexico...
winner) and Ted Ray
Ted Ray (golfer)
Edward R. G. "Ted" Ray was a British professional golfer born on the Isle of Jersey. He won two major championships and contended in many others during the early years of the 20th century.-Biography:...
(reigning British Open champion). After 72 holes, the pair found themselves tied with 20-year-old amateur Francis Ouimet
Francis Ouimet
Francis DeSales Ouimet was an American golfer, who is frequently referred to as the "father of amateur golf" in the United States. He won the 1913 U.S. Open, and was the first American elected Captain of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews...
—who had grown up across the street from the course and was a former caddie at the club—forcing an 18-hole playoff the next day. In a shocking upset
Upset
An upset occurs in a competition, frequently in electoral politics or sports, when the party popularly expected to win , is defeated by an underdog whom the majority expects to lose, defying the conventional wisdom...
, Ouimet soundly defeated the two professional golfers in front of a large gallery, and the resulting newspaper stories captured the imagination of the American public. The number of golfers in the country at least tripled in the subsequent ten years, with a corresponding increase in golf courses (including many public courses, opening up the game to a larger segment of the population). The 1963 and 1988 U.S. Opens were also held at The Country Club, the 50th and 75th anniversaries of the Ouimet victory. However, the 2013 U.S. Open, marking the 100th anniversary of Ouimet's improbable win, will be contested at Merion Golf Club near Philadelphia. To mark the 100th anniversary of Ouimets win The Country Club will be hosting the 2013 U.S. Amateur.
In 1999, the club hosted the Ryder Cup
Ryder Cup
The Ryder Cup is a biennial golf competition between teams from Europe and the United States. The competition is jointly administered by the PGA of America and the PGA European Tour, and is contested every two years, the venue alternating between courses in the United States and Europe...
. This intense match exploded into controversy following a competition-turning 45-foot putt on the 17th green by Justin Leonard
Justin Leonard
Justin Charles Garrett Leonard is an American professional golfer.Leonard was born and raised in Dallas, Texas. He attended Lake Highlands High School and graduated in 1990. He attended the University of Texas at Austin and was the individual NCAA champion in 1994. He was a two-time All-American...
(the same green where Ouimet effectively clinched his victory), as the other American players stormed the green in celebration before José María Olazábal
José María Olazábal
José María Olazábal Manterola is a Spanish professional golfer who has enjoyed success on both the European Tour and the PGA Tour, and has won two major championships.-Career outline:...
had a chance to attempt his own difficult putt. Olazábal was forced to regain his focus after order was restored, and missed the shot.
The Country Club has long been considered the best course in Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
and has hosted a record 10 Massachusetts State Amateur Championship
Massachusetts State Amateur Championship
The Massachusetts State Amateur Championship or Massachusetts Amateur is a golf championship held in Massachusetts for the state's top amateur golfers. The tournament is run by the Massachusetts Golf Association in mid-July each year. The amateur championship is the biggest and most subscribed...
s.
Governor Deval Patrick revealed that he and his wife's application to join The Country Club was rejected.
Golf courses
The golf facilities have a total of 27 holes, divided between two courses.The Main Course course is composed of the Clyde and Squirrel nines, essentially the original 18 holes. This was the course used for the 1913 U.S. Open, and is the course played by members today.
The other nine holes are the Primrose Course, an executive course built in 1927. This was designed by William S. Flynn
William Flynn (golfer)
William Stephen Flynn was a prominent golf course architect during the early part of the 20th century. Among Flynn's most notable work are the Shinnecock Hills Golf Club on Long Island, Cherry Hills Country Club, Lancaster Country Club and his work at the Merion Golf Club.- Life and career...
, who also (re)designed Shinnecock Hills
Shinnecock Hills Golf Club
Shinnecock Hills Golf Club is a links-style golf club located in the hamlet of Shinnecock Hills in the town of Southampton on Long Island in the U.S. state of New York. It has hosted the U.S. Open four times in three different centuries and will host the 2018 U.S. Open...
, Cherry Hills Country Club near Denver, Colorado
Denver, Colorado
The City and County of Denver is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Colorado. Denver is a consolidated city-county, located in the South Platte River Valley on the western edge of the High Plains just east of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains...
, and the Cascades Course at The Homestead
The Homestead, Virginia
The Homestead is a luxury resort in Hot Springs, Virginia, in the middle of the Allegheny Mountains. The area has the largest hot springs in the state, and the resort is also known for its championship golf courses, which have hosted several national tournaments. The resort also includes an...
, and the Kittansett Club also in Massachusetts.
The Championship, Composite, Anniversary, or Open Course is used for major competitions today, when a longer layout is required. In this configuration, three and a half holes from the Primrose Course are used to replace three holes of the Clyde, resulting in a length of slightly more than 7,000 yards. This layout has been used for most major competitions since the Primrose Course was built.
Major championships
| Year | Major | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | U.S. Amateur | |
| 1995 | U.S. Women's Amateur | Kelli Kuehne Kelli Kuehne -Amateur career:Kuehne was born in Dallas, Texas. In 1994 she won the U.S. Girls' Junior. The following year she won the U.S. Women's Amateur and in 1996 repeated as the U.S. Women's Amateur champion while also winning the British Ladies Amateur. She played college golf at the University of Texas... |
| 1988 1988 U.S. Open Golf Championship The 1988 United States Open Championship was the 88th U.S. Open. The event was held from June 16-20 at The Country Club in Brookline, Massachusetts. Curtis Strange won his first major championship in an 18-hole playoff over Nick Faldo.-Final leaderboard:... |
U.S. Open U.S. Open (golf) The United States Open Championship, commonly known as the U.S. Open, is the annual open golf tournament of the United States. It is the second of the four major championships in golf, and is on the official schedule of both the PGA Tour and the European Tour... |
Curtis Strange Curtis Strange Curtis Northrup Strange is an American professional golfer. He is a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame and Virginia Sports Hall of Fame. He spent over 200 weeks in the top-10 of the Official World Golf Rankings between their debut in 1986 and 1990.-Early years through college:Strange and his... |
| 1982 | U.S. Amateur | Jay Sigel Jay Sigel Robert Jay Sigel is an American professional golfer. He enjoyed one of the more illustrious careers in the history of U.S... |
| 1963 1963 U.S. Open Golf Championship The 1963 U.S. Open Championship was the 63rd U.S. Open played June 20-23 at The Country Club in Brookline, Massachusetts. Julius Boros won the championship in an 18-hole playoff over Jacky Cupit and Arnold Palmer . The winning total of 293 is the highest winning score of the U.S. Open since World... |
U.S. Open U.S. Open (golf) The United States Open Championship, commonly known as the U.S. Open, is the annual open golf tournament of the United States. It is the second of the four major championships in golf, and is on the official schedule of both the PGA Tour and the European Tour... |
Julius Boros Julius Boros Julius Nicholas Boros was a Hungarian-American professional golfer.-Early years:Boros was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut... |
| 1957 | U.S. Amateur | Hillman Robbins |
| 1941 | U.S. Women's Amateur | Betty Hicks Newell Betty Hicks Newell Elizabeth M. "Betty" Hicks was an American professional golfer, golf coach and teacher, aviator, and author. She also competed under her married name, Betty Hicks Newell.... |
| 1934 | U.S. Amateur | Lawson Little Lawson Little William Lawson Little, Jr. was an American professional golfer who also had a distinguished amateur career.... |
| 1922 | U.S. Amateur | Jess Sweetser Jess Sweetser Jesse W. Sweetser was an amateur golfer, best known as the first American-born player to win the British Amateur .... |
| 1913 | U.S. Open U.S. Open (golf) The United States Open Championship, commonly known as the U.S. Open, is the annual open golf tournament of the United States. It is the second of the four major championships in golf, and is on the official schedule of both the PGA Tour and the European Tour... |
Francis Ouimet Francis Ouimet Francis DeSales Ouimet was an American golfer, who is frequently referred to as the "father of amateur golf" in the United States. He won the 1913 U.S. Open, and was the first American elected Captain of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews... |
| 1910 | U.S. Amateur | William C. Fownes Jr. |
| 1902 | U.S. Women's Amateur | Genevieve Hecker Genevieve Hecker Genevieve Hecker was an American amateur golfer. A member of the Essex County Country Club in West Orange, New Jersey, she won New York City's Metropolitan Golf Championship in 1900, 1901, 1905, and 1906.-Biography:... |
Other tournaments
- 1905 Massachusetts Amateur, won by Arthur G. Lockwood
- 1920 Massachusetts Amateur, won by Frederick J. Wright, Jr.
- 1925 Massachusetts Amateur, won by Francis OuimetFrancis OuimetFrancis DeSales Ouimet was an American golfer, who is frequently referred to as the "father of amateur golf" in the United States. He won the 1913 U.S. Open, and was the first American elected Captain of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews...
- 1932 Walker CupWalker CupThe Walker Cup is a golf trophy contested biennially in odd numbered years between teams comprising the leading amateur golfers of the United States and Great Britain and Ireland...
, won by the United StatesUnited StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
over Great BritainGreat BritainGreat Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
& IrelandIrelandIreland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
9½-2½ - 1934 Massachusetts Amateur, won by William O. Blaney
- 1949 Massachusetts Amateur, won by Robert W. Knowles, Jr.
- 1953 U.S. Girls' Junior Amateur ChampionshipUnited States Girls' Junior Golf ChampionshipThe United States Girls' Junior Championship is one of the thirteen U.S. national golf championships organized by the United States Golf Association. It is open to amateur girls who are under 18 on the last day of the competition and have a USGA handicap index of 18.4 or less...
, won by Mildred Meyerson - 1967 Massachusetts Amateur, won by Barrie Bruce
- 1968 U.S. Junior Amateur Championship, won by Eddie PearceEddie PearceEddie Pearce is an American professional golfer.Pearce was born in Fort Myers, Florida and grew up in Temple Terrace, Florida, where, as an infant, his first golf club was placed in his hands by the legendary Babe Didrikson Zaharias. By the time he was 12, he was shooting in the 60s and was...
- 1973 Walker CupWalker CupThe Walker Cup is a golf trophy contested biennially in odd numbered years between teams comprising the leading amateur golfers of the United States and Great Britain and Ireland...
, won by the United StatesUnited StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
over Great BritainGreat BritainGreat Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
& IrelandIrelandIreland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
14-10 - 1976 Massachusetts Amateur, won by Bruce Douglass
- 1987 Massachusetts Amateur, won by Kevin JohnsonKevin JohnsonKevin Maurice Johnson is the current mayor of Sacramento, California. He is Sacramento's first African American mayor. Prior to entering politics, Johnson was a basketball player in the NBA, playing point guard for the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Phoenix Suns...
- 19991999 Ryder CupThe 33rd Ryder Cup Matches, also known as the "Battle of Brookline", were held between September 24–26 at The Country Club in Brookline, Massachusetts....
Ryder CupRyder CupThe Ryder Cup is a biennial golf competition between teams from Europe and the United States. The competition is jointly administered by the PGA of America and the PGA European Tour, and is contested every two years, the venue alternating between courses in the United States and Europe...
, won by the United StatesUnited StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
over EuropeEuropeEurope is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
14½-13½ - 2003 Massachusetts Amateur, won by Andy Drohen
- 2009 Massachusetts Amateur, won by Bill Drohen
External links
- Official site
- 1913 US Open at club from the Library of CongressLibrary of CongressThe Library of Congress is the research library of the United States Congress, de facto national library of the United States, and the oldest federal cultural institution in the United States. Located in three buildings in Washington, D.C., it is the largest library in the world by shelf space and...
at FlickrFlickrFlickr is an image hosting and video hosting website, web services suite, and online community that was created by Ludicorp in 2004 and acquired by Yahoo! in 2005. In addition to being a popular website for users to share and embed personal photographs, the service is widely used by bloggers to... - Detailed look at the Main Course
- Founding of The Country Club
- Francis Ouimet's U.S. Open win
42°18′48"N 71°9′3"W