Imagine a meadow. Then picture a brook. Now, don’t call it Meadowbrook. This is Brae Burn Country Club. Its story begins with a suggestion from Mrs. Frost. She said golf is Scottish. Make it Scotch. Call it Brae Burn.
Brae Burn’s name reflects its Scottish roots. “Brae” means a steep bank bounding a river valley. “Burn” signifies a spring or stream. Together, they paint a picture of the land where this club began.
Founded in 1897, Brae Burn Country Club started as Brae Burn Golf Club. It had a nine-hole course. By 1904, it became Brae Burn Country Club. It expanded its offerings to include more than just golf.
This club sits on 200 acres in West Newton Massachusetts. It’s only ten miles from downtown Boston. Members enjoy it all year. Golfers can play on the 18-hole Donald Ross course or the 9-hole course. There is also a golf shop and simulator.
Brae Burn boasts six Har-Tru tennis courts. Five platform tennis courts are also available. A full-service pool complex awaits. The Clubhouse includes a grille room and ballroom. Meeting spaces and an outdoor patio complete the picture.
Champions have marked their names here. Bobby Jones. Walter Hagen. Francis Ouimet. Harriot Curtis. Beth Daniel. These legends have graced Brae Burn’s greens. Their presence marks this club as elite.
The original six-hole layout grew over time. Brothers Henry and Frank Day created it. They used family land. By 1903, it expanded to 18 holes. A clubhouse followed four years later.
Brae Burn hosted Harry Vardon in 1900. He was with fellow Englishman Ben Nicholls. They played an exhibition match. This helped grow the game in America.
In 1906, Brae Burn hosted the U.S. Women’s Amateur. Harriot Curtis won. She lived nearby. Later, Harriot and her sister Margaret donated a silver bowl. It was for the Curtis Cup matches. Brae Burn held these matches in 1958 and 1970.
Donald Ross redesigned the course in 1912. His brother Alec was Brae Burn’s pro in 1907. That year, he won the U.S. Open. Ross made use of a complicated parcel of land. He created a vigorous journey through the course.
Ouimet won the Massachusetts Amateur in 1914. This followed his U.S. Open victory. It was a historic win over Vardon and Ted Ray.
Walter Hagen won the U.S. Open at Brae Burn in 1919. He came from five strokes down. He defeated Mike Brady in a playoff. Legend says he celebrated with Al Jolson all night.
Ross revamped the course again in 1928. This was for the U.S. Amateur. Bobby Jones won. He survived extra holes with Ray Gorton. Gorton was a seven-time Brae Burn club champion.
Beth Daniel won the U.S. Women’s Amateur in 1975. Silvia Cavalieri won in Brae Burn’s Centennial year. She was Italy’s first amateur champion.
The Massachusetts Amateur has returned to Brae Burn 11 times. The modern 18-hole layout is thanks to Donald Ross. It was redesigned in 1928.
Before the club’s founding, a meeting took place at George Frost’s home. Mrs. Frost suggested the name Brae Burn. She felt it suited the Scottish game of golf.
Alex Ross became Brae Burn’s first professional in 1902. He was an accomplished golfer. His brother Donald designed or enhanced golf courses.
Brae Burn decided to become a four-season country club. They expanded to 18 holes. The club officially changed its name in March 1904.
The par-3 eighth hole has a scenic bridge. It carries players over a valley to the green. Brae Burn has a second course. It is a 9-hole layout. It is called the Highland Course.
So, as you stand here, remember the history. Feel the echoes of golfing legends. Brae Burn Country Club is more than a club. It is a legacy.