“Only 15 miles from Manhattan?” Imagine escaping the city’s hustle to this very spot at Pelham Country Club. This club is a family-oriented haven. It offers first-rate recreational, social, and dining facilities.
Pelham Country Club’s story began in 1908. It started as a small tennis club with a five-hole golf course. This course was carved out of a cow pasture.
In 1921, Mont Rogers formed a company. His goal was to buy the land. He hired Devereux Emmet to design a championship golf course. Emmet was a noted golf architect. The course was cut from virgin woodland. It stretched around rolling hills. The setting was beautiful like an old English park.
That same year, “Long” Jim Barnes became Pelham’s first golf pro. He was one of the top golfers. Just a week after the course opened, Barnes won the U.S. Open. He won at Columbia Country Club in Washington, D.C. Barnes also won the PGA Championship. It was held at Siwanoy Country Club. President Warren G. Harding presented Barnes with the U.S. Open Trophy. Pelham Country Club instantly became a golfing center. President Harding even became an honorary member.
Then in 1923, Pelham Country Club hosted the PGA Championship. The final match was between Gene Sarazen and Walter Hagen. It was an epic 38-hole match. Sarazen won. It is still considered one of the most dramatic.
The golf course was redesigned in the late 1950s. This was to make way for the New England Thruway. More recently, new tees and bunkers were added. These improvements made the course more challenging.
A major renovation was completed in 2001. A new Fitness Center was added. The Clubhouse was renovated as well. It now features elegant dining areas and wood-paneled locker rooms.
Pelham Country Club is committed to future improvements. A golf course renovation project was completed in June 2020. A winter tennis bubble was developed in 2017. The pool complex was renovated in 2020.
Today, Pelham Country Club continues to evolve. It is a community focal point. It is an accessible escape for city dwellers. Its excellent facilities and friendly service create a congenial atmosphere. This is Pelham Country Club a place where history and recreation meet.