where was the very first 18 hole golf course in america located and what year was it designed?

by Maximillian Lakin 9 min read

Downers Grove Golf Club (Original Chicago Golf Club)
In 1892, the in Downers Grove, Illinois was selected by Charles Blair MacDonald. MacDonald built a nine-hole course that expanded to 18 holes in 1893, making the Downers Grove Golf Club the site of the first 18-hole golf course in America.

What is the oldest 18-hole golf course in the United States?

Sep 14, 2016 · Chicago Golf Club is the longest continuously running 18-hole course in America, having been designed in 1892. However, CGC is an ultra-private club, and most players will never have the chance to...

What is the history of golf courses in America?

This is the oldest extant course in North America which has 18 holes. The initial course of 12 holes was designed by Willie Davis from the Royal Montreal Club and opened in summer 1891. In 1894, Willie Dunn himself added 6 more holes to make it an 18-hole course. In 1896 Shinnecock hosted the second US Open, when low scoring led to criticism of the course. Thus in 1901 the …

How many holes are in the US Open golf course?

Mar 07, 2012 · Currently voted the best answer. The first golf course in the USA was at Oakhurst WV: 1884: The Oakhurst Golf Club is founded at White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. It hosted the Oakhurst Challenge, the oldest known golf tournament in the U.S. The Oakhurst Challenge Medal is recognized as the oldest known prize for golf in the U.S.

What is the history of Chicago Golf Club?

Some visitors even wear period clothing, and all golfers are required to use reproductions of the clubs and balls used in 1884 when the course was first built. It seems appropriate when visiting the first golf course in the United States. If you are interested in more details of Oakhurst, you can read about the links in Paula DiPerna’s and Vikki Keller’s book Oakhurst: The Birth and Rebirth …

Where was the first 18-hole golf course in the US?

Chicago Golf Club is considered the oldest 18-hole course in North America (although the club's original site has public golf, nine-hole Downers Grove, which dates back to 1892). Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx considers itself to be the first public golf course in the U.S. (1895).Jul 11, 2018

What is the oldest 18-hole golf course?

The Chicago Golf ClubThe Chicago Golf Club is the oldest 18-hole course in the United States. The course was originally only nine holes, but it was increased to 18 in 1893.

Which city had the first 18-hole course?

Wednesday, July 19 — The first 18-hole golf course in the United States opened this week in 1893 in Downer's Grove, Illinois.Jul 19, 2017

Where was the first golf course in America built?

Foxburg Country Club, established in 1887, is the oldest golf course in continuous use in the United States. It is located in Foxburg, Clarion County, Pennsylvania, United States of America, approximately 55 miles (89 km) north of Pittsburgh on a hill rising about 300 feet above the Allegheny River.

What is the oldest golf tournament in the United States?

The Valero Texas Open is the oldest professional golf tournament to be held in the same city its entire existence. Every tournament (92) has been played in San Antonio, Texas.

What is the oldest golf club in the United States?

The first golf course in the United States was Oakhurst Links, built in 1884 in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. It was originally a six hole track which was later expanded to nine holes. Oakhurst was the first course and golf club in the United States.

What's the oldest golf course in Georgia?

The Savannah Golf ClubThe Savannah Golf Club, in Georgia, USA can trace its origins back to 1794 and claim to be the oldest golf club in North America and USA, on a non-continuous basis.Jan 31, 2014

Where is the oldest golf course in the world?

The Old Course at St Andrews Links in Fife, Scotland, UK, is the oldest golf course in the world. Archbishop Hamilton's Charter in 1552 is the earliest documentary evidence that allowed the people of St Andrews to play golf on the Links.

How did golf get 18 holes?

In 1764, the golfers at St Andrews decided to combine the first four short holes into two, to produce a round of 18 holes, though it was still 10 holes of which 8 were played twice. Thus was born the 18-hole round, though it would be hundred years before there were eighteen holes and other courses followed suit.

When was the first golf course built?

The first 18-hole golf course in the United States was on a sheep farm in Downers Grove, Illinois, in 1892. The course is still there today.

What is the oldest golf course west of the Mississippi?

COURSE HISTORY With this history, Gearhart Golf Links is The Oldest Golf Course West of the Mississippi River and shares the early spotlight with such courses as Victoria Golf Club (1893), Tacoma Country and Golf Club (1894) and Del Monte Golf Club (1897).

What is the oldest golf course in the US?

One of the oldest golf courses in the United States is the Quogue Field Club in Quogue, NY. The private course was built in 1887 and is still in use today. Originally, the Quogue was an 18-hole course. In 1938, however, three holes were lost to a natural disaster. Now, only nine holes remain of the original 18 from 1887.

How many bunkers are there in the Irish Open?

Host of the 2021 Irish Open, the Jack Nicklaus designed golf course is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful in all of the country. With five lakes and over 80 bunkers, the challenging course measures over 7,200 yards and features a unique ‘bunker walled green’ protecting the pin on the 16th hole.

Where is the Royal Montreal Golf Club?

The Royal Montreal Golf Club in Quebec has a history of different locations. When the Royal Montreal first opened in 1873, it was a highly recognized club. It even received a Royal title from Queen Victoria. Nonetheless, the Royal Montreal moved from its original location in 1896 to a new location while maintaining its original name. In 1959, it moved again, this time to its current location in Ile Bizard. It was, however, recognized as “in continuous use” throughout the transitions. Although the Royal Montreal is one of the oldest clubs in the United States, its location is not original. Therefore, it’s not among the truly old courses, but it deserves an honorable mention because of its prestige at the time.

Who designed the original golf course at Shinnecock Hills?

Here, one of the oldest, original golf courses exists, but only 12 of the 18 holes. Willie Davis designed the original 12 holes at Shinnecock Hills. In 1894, another six holes were added. Shinnecock Hills is noteworthy not only for its longevity, but also because of its progressive history.

Is Lahinch Golf Club a step back in time?

Lahinch Golf Club is a step back in time golf course often compared to the Old Course of St. Andrews. The course offers up a quirky test wth a classic out and back layout, while providing stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean.

When was Savannah Golf Course opened?

Shortly after the opening of St Andrew’s course in 1897 , the Savannah Golf Club responded with a course that has been in use since 1899. Although there are some discrepancies about what makes a golf course old, the oldest golf courses or clubs in the United States are all worth visiting if the opportunity arises.

Who designed the Co Sligo Golf Course?

Co. Sligo Golf Course features traditional links layout, designed by Harry Colt. The dune-covered landscape sets the scene for a course packed with undulations, elevated tees, and raised plateau greens for a stunning test of golf. The golf course is famed for its tremendous par 3s.

What hole is the 11th hole in the back nine?

The first par four of the back nine is the 11th hole, which is a dogleg left that offers a generous landing area for your tee shot. The deep rough and second cut of fescue start to narrow as you come closer to the green.

How many people attended the World's Fair of 1893?

The World’s Fair of 1893 attracted 28 million people to Chicago from all over the world. Among these attendees were many with Scottish, Irish and British heritage who were already familiar with the game of golf and eager to become golf professionals or club makers.

When was Chicago Golf Club built?

On July 13, 1893, the Chicago Golf Club was incorporated with a 2,800-yard 9-hole course on 60 acres of land in Downers Grove. A year later, Macdonald purchased 200 acres of land in nearby Wheaton and built the country’s first 18-hole course. The original length of Chicago Golf Club was 5,877 yards, but was expanded to 6,032 yards by 1900.

Who is James Foulis?

One of those new American transplants was James Foulis, who ran the golf shop at the Chicago Golf Club along with his brother David. James Foulis was born in St Andrews in Scotland and his father worked at Old Tom Morris’s golf shop and clubmaking business. In 1895 James came to the United States to take up a job as a golf professional ...

What is the 12th hole of Chicago Golf Club?

Nicknamed “Punchbowl”, the 12th hole at Chicago Golf Club is a long, straight par four that plays to another raised green. If you can avoid the five scattered fairway bunkers, it’s best to hammer your drive as long as possible to help with your second shot.

How many members are there at Chicago Golf Club?

Amateur Championship. Chicago Golf Club is ranked one of the most exclusive golf clubs in the world by GOLF Magazine. There are only about 120 members and the only way to get in is by invitation from a member.

Where is the first tee in the clubhouse?

The first tee is directly in front of the clubhouse. It provides a memorable first experience that you’re following in the same footsteps as Charles Blair MacDonald, Bobby Jones, Harry Vardon and all the greats since the late 1800s.

What is the oldest golf course in the USA?

St Andrews Golf Club. 1888 1897 1897. The St Andrews Golf Club is presently the oldest golf club documented to be in continuous existence in USA. It was started, as is widely known, by John Reid and four friends on three holes in an orchard on the outskirts of New York in November 1888 and nicknamed the Apple Tree Gang.

Where is the oldest golf club in the world?

The Savannah Golf Club, in Georgia, USA can trace its origins back to 1794 and claim to be the oldest golf club in North America and USA, on a non-continuous basis. There is a note in 1796 of the club holding a ball and also a notice of the annual general meeting to be held 1st October 1796 being the anniversary of the club formation.

Who founded Chicago Golf Club?

1893 1895 1895. The original course of the Chicago Golf Club was the first 18-hole course in North America. Its founder was Charles Blair Macdonald, who used to play golf on 7 holes on ‘Bluff’s Edge with two American friends, the landowner CB Farwell and Hobart Chatfield-Taylor. Encouraged by them, he raised funds ...

Where was the first golf course in Montreal?

The first golf course was a 9-hole layout on Fletcher’s Field, part of Mount Royal Park on the outskirts of Montreal but the club moved to Dixie in 1896 where it remained for over sixty years until it moved to its present site at Ile Bizard in 1959.

Who won the first Amateur Championship?

Charles B Macdonald won the first official US Amateur Championship in 1895. After the Chicago club moved to Wheaton the original 18-hole course reverted to 9 holes and now operates as the Downers Grove Golf Club. They say holes 2, 4, 7, 8 & 9 and still much as they were 110 years ago.

When was Oakhurst Links laid out?

Oakhurst Links are reported to have been laid out in 1884 by Russell Montague, with the first recorded match in 1888. The Links fell into disuse in 1912, but were revived in 1994 as a hickory course and have staged the US National Hickory Championship.

When was Shinnecock Hills Golf Club founded?

Shinnecock Hills Golf Club was founded in 1891, and has the oldest extant 18-hole golf course, as well as the oldest golf clubhouse, started in 1892 in America. It was also the first club in America to admit women, which it did from the start, and possibly the second in the world to do so, after Aldeburgh GC in England.

When was golf first introduced?

The Beginning. Back in 1884, golf was not really heard of in the United States. Anyone who witnessed it or knew of it in other countries considered it a strange sport. When Russell Montague of West Virginia learned of the sport that was so popular in Scotland and where he studied in Great Britain, he was intrigued.

Who was Keller's friend?

Keller knew the land’s history and, being a golf fan, was very interested when his friend and golfer Sam Snead told him about the property being for sale. Keller lived in New York but would come to play golf with Snead in West Virginia frequently. After seeing the property, he knew he had to make the purchase.

When was the first golf tournament held in the United States?

Montague hosted its first competition in 1888 in Scottish match play tradition. Their annual competition became the first golf tournament known to be played in the United States, and the medal given to the winner was known as the oldest golf prize in America.

When was Oakhurst Links sold?

The thirty acres stayed in the Montague family for many decades and was sold to Lewis Keller in 1959.

What is the name of the golf club in St Andrews?

St Andrews along with being the ‘home of golf’ is the home for the Royal and Ancient Golf Club , which was founded in 1754. Initially known as the Society of St Andrews Golfers, the R&A GC was started by 22 noblemen, landowners and professors. The Royal and Ancient Golf Club was the original governing body for the game of golf.

Where is the home of golf?

Saint Andrews Links located in the town of St Andrews, Fife, Scotland, is widely recognized as the “home of golf.”.

What happened to St Andrews Links?

St Andrews Links hit a dark time in 1797 when the St Andrews Town Council went bankrupt and sold the links to local merchants. The merchants turned the links into a rabbit farm. What would ensue became known as the “rabbit wars,” over twenty years of legal and physical war between golfers and the rabbit merchants over the links.

What is the Royal and Ancient Golf Club?

The Royal and Ancient Golf Club was the original governing body for the game of golf. In 2004, The Royal and Ancient Golf Club passed along its rule making authorities, one of only two golf governing organizations with the other being the USGA, to its offshoot organization, simply known as the Royal and Ancients or R&A.

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