Blue Ridge Country Club - (610) 826-2504

Blue Ridge Country Club
A Century of Excellence
Golf, Dining and Special Events

Blue Ridge Country Club was organized on April 16, 1915, with charter membership of 32 active and 21 associate members. The officers elected at this meeting were Dr. J.W. Luther, President; O.O. Jarrad, Vice President; H.N. Blunt, secretary, and F.P. Sinn, Treasurer.

At a meeting on April 30, 1915, the Constitution and Bylaws were adopted and a Board of Governors was elected consisting of J.C. Loose, J.E. Hayes, Jr., F.B. Gearhart, J.A. Singmaster, Eugene W. Baer, G.L. Ostgren, Dr. B.F.R. Clark, and John Gordon. O.O. Jarrad was elected chairman of the House Committee, J.A. Singmaster was elected chairman of the Greens Committee, and F.B. Gearhart was elected chairman of the Membership Committee.

The membership for the year 1915 was composed of 7 family, 88 active, 36 associate, 7 non-resident and 1 junior. During the first year a 9-hole course was laid out with the efficient assistance of J.S. McKaig of Franklin.

The clubhouse was officially opened on July 3, 1915, and about the third week of July the entire course opened for play. In 1916 T.N. Black was employed as the club’s first professional. Since the late 1940s no professionals have been hired.

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On January 3, 1928, Blue Ridge Country Club was granted a charter as a non-profit corporation. The incorporators were: C.H. Beatty, W.J. Colwell, C.B. Conover, H.Pettit, T.C. Routson, F.B. Gearhart, W.C. Hooey, E.H. Bunce, Lloyd Teter, A.S. Loose, W Richards, G.A. Kummer, R.W. Williams. The first officers under the charter were C.H.Beatty, President, W.J. Colwell, Secretary, and C.B. Conover, Treasurer.

On February 1, 1928, the Club purchased 137.56 acres of land from the Palmer Land Company for $6,070. And on July 24, 1958, the Club purchased 168.8 acres from the New Jersey Zinc Company for $3,000.

A revival of interest in the construction of nine new holes was renewed following the purchase of land. Golf course architects submitted several plans, but for a variety of reasons it was deemed impractical to initiate any construction at that time.

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In 1957-58 the clubhouse was completely renovated and a caddy house, men’s and ladies’ locker rooms, players’ bar, social bar and dining room were added. The new facilities were intended to provide adequate space for the increased golfing and social functions required by an increase in membership. Later a banquet entrance and restrooms were added to the dining area.

Each successive Board implemented programs that led to continued improvements to the existing golf course as well as the physical facilities. New tees were added, a few greens rebuilt, an automated watering system was installed, and improved maintenance procedures were practiced. A golf cart fleet was purchased and cart paths were installed.

In 1989 nine holes were added to the course making BRCC an eighteen-hole golf course. This occurred as a result of a loyal membership dedicated to the pursuit of golfing excellence.

In 2002, after years of planning and redesign, ground was broken for the construction of a new clubhouse. The design of Howard Kulp Architects was chosen for building and construction was awarded to C.M. Wells Construction. The $3 million facility was completed in October 2003 and marked the beginning of a new era for BRCC.

Tags: Sports & Recreation