Could you believe that the Golf- und Land-Club Berlin-Wannsee began with students? In 1894, a group from the K. Technische Hochschule zu Berlin formed the Charlottenburger Golf-Club.
Now, standing here at the Golf- und Land-Club Berlin-Wannsee, you’re experiencing a place steeped in history. It’s one of Germany’s oldest and most prestigious golf clubs. The Golf- und Land-Club Berlin-Wannsee isn’t just a sports venue. It’s a landmark.
Originally named the Berlin Golf Club in 1895, Willoughby Dayton Miller became president. Imagine British and American diplomats mingling here. The Golf- und Land-Club Berlin-Wannsee became a social hub for them. By 1909, Germans made up the majority of members.
In 1913, the club became the Golf-Club Berlin. They moved to this Wannsee location. Prince Heinrich of Prussia helped secure the land. The plan? An 18-hole course for the 1916 Olympics. World War I disrupted everything.
After the war, Max Franz Guido Freiherr von Thielmann led the club. Then Karl Beck took over. In 1925, it finally became the Golf- und Land-Club Berlin-Wannsee. Herbert Gutmann spearheaded the Wannsee expansion in 1924. The revived German Open in 1926 marked a new era.
Percy Alliss, the club’s golf instructor, dominated the German Open. He won five times. In 1929, the Golf- und Land-Club Berlin-Wannsee hosted a major event. Percy Alliss competed against Walter Hagen and Ryder Cup players. Alliss won.
Before 1933, German players rose to international fame. Bruno Jersombeck and Georg Bessner played in the British Open in 1934. The Golf- und Land-Club Berlin-Wannsee was thriving. Diplomats and artists enjoyed its challenges. Plans arose for a second 18-hole course.
Then came 1933, a turning point. The New York Times reported the club’s anti-Semitic actions. Herbert Gutmann and the board resigned. A new, non-Jewish board took over. The Golf- und Land-Club Berlin-Wannsee changed dramatically.
During the 1936 Berlin Olympics, the Golf- und Land-Club Berlin-Wannsee hosted the cross-country event for the modern pentathlon. By late 1936, most Jewish members were forced out. The club was declared “judenfrei” in 1937.
World War II devastated the area. The golf course became a battlefield in 1945. The clubhouse lay in ruins. After the war, Americans restored twelve holes.
In 1946, Heinz Friedrich sought to reclaim the Wannsee grounds. Golfers played in Kladow. In 1949, the Golf- und Land-Club Berlin-Wannsee was officially relicensed. Disputes arose. Eventually, the Wannsee club prevailed.
In 1953, a rebuilt 9-hole course reopened. The Golf- und Land-Club Berlin-Wannsee slowly recovered. In 1970, the club hosted an international tournament. Jack Nicklaus visited in 1979. The Braun Trophy brought top golfers in 1980.
Today, the Golf- und Land-Club Berlin-Wannsee continues to thrive. It boasts an 18-hole championship course and a 9-hole course. The club fosters young talent. The “Gründerpokal” is Germany’s oldest golf trophy. The Golf- und Land-Club Berlin-Wannsee stands as a testament to resilience and sporting excellence.