Middlesboro Country Club was established in 1889 by the English who settled in the region. Investors, away from their homes in England and far removed from their beloved game of golf, found the Yellow Creek Valley a suitable place for the building of a golf course and founded Middlesboro Country Club, now known as the oldest continuously played golf course in the United States.
The city of Middlesboro, Kentucky, was established in the late 1880s by Scottish born Canadian Alexander Alan Arthur and his British backers in the American Association Ltd. They were drawn to the area by the promise of iron ore deposits in the Cumberland Mountains. Arthur purchased 80,000 acres of land and built his city in the Yellow Creek Valley of Kentucky.
The exact year in which the golf course opened is not definite, but 1889 is the earliest year that golfing has been confirmed. That makes the course the oldest continuously played course in the United States and the second oldest course in the nation. The course has had several names over the years. The original name was Kentucky Golf Club, later Middlesboro Golf Club, and the current name of the Country Club of Middlesboro.
Although today’s course is similar to the course that was played in the late 1880′s there have been some changes. In the early years there was no clubhouse. The 1st tee was located at what is now the corner of 25th Street and Worcester Avenue and headed west to Cirencester Avenue and then on to the remainder of the course that is still played today. In the 1920s the course moved west to accommodate the growing need for residential housing.
In 1889 30 men and women were members at the country club. Each paid the annual $2 membership fee. Of course, in the 1880s there were no golf carts. Golfers carried their own bags or used caddies. Some of the first caddies were Henry Sandifer, Ed Slusher, Mark Colgan, Paul Colgan, Arthur Rhorer, Ed Sampson, and Arden Kennedy.
By 1893 the boom in Middlesboro was over and the Baring Brothers Bank in London cancelled Arthur’s funding. The course continued to be used sparingly until 1921 when Judge Joe Bosworth Jr. helped reorganize the club and started on a plan of growth. The officers of the Club in 1921 were R.E. Howe – President, F.P. Scales – Vice-President, J. M. Milles – Secretary, and E.P. Nicholson – Treasurer.
In 1921 there were 150 members, and that was also the year the original clubhouse was constructed. In 1924 Middlesboro Country Club played host to the Kentucky State Amateur Championship.
For many years Middlesboro Country Club was also the home of one of the few Par 6 holes (660 yards) in the country. Number 7 was shortened to add flood control but remains a very challenging hole that few can reach in 2. The original clubhouse was torn down in 1962 and replaced by the new clubhouse that is used today. Through its many names and faces, one thing remains as true today as it did over 100 years ago. The members of the Country Club of Middlesboro love their golf!
Middlesboro Country Club sits on its original layout. With its 200 year old oaks lining the fairways, Middlesboro Country Club will be a challenge for all levels of golfers. Many times it has been said to be “The toughest little golf course you’ll ever step off of.”
Come out and enjoy its historic beauty and see golf as it was over 100 years ago. Please accept our open invitation to visit and play our historic golf course. We’re proud of it.
Original Clubhouse