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Dorset Field Club
Architect: Lawrence Van Etten Year: 1886 132 Church St, Dorset, VT 05251 Phone: (802) 867-4002 Course Access: Private https://www.dorsetfieldclub.com/ |
Dorset Field Club
Origins and Founding (1886)
The Dorset Field Club, located in Dorset, Vermont, traces its beginnings to September 12, 1886. A group of summer residents, primarily from Troy, New York, and New York City, laid out a rudimentary nine-hole golf course known initially as the Dorset Golf Links. The effort was spearheaded by A.W. Harrington Jr., a lawyer and mayor of Troy, who served as the club’s first president and principal architect. Other founding members included Allen Bourne, Richard M. Campbell, James C. Chapin, Ransom H. Gillett, Joe H. Harrington, George B. Harrison, Fred S. Hawley, S. Frank Holley, W.E. Kent, Edwin Q. Lasell, O.P. Liscomb, George Lewis Prentiss, and Henry S. Woodruff. These men were part of a growing trend of affluent urbanites seeking respite in Vermont’s Green Mountains, where Dorset had emerged as a fashionable summer retreat by the late 19th century.
The original layout was informal, sprawling across privately owned pastures, swamps, apple orchards, and hills, with holes bearing quaint names like “Clover Patch” and “Home Willow Tree.” A map attributed to Ransom H. Gillett, a founding member, describes the course as “laid out by A.W. Harrington Esq., assisted by a crowd of thugs, touts, and loafers” on that Sunday in 1886—a colorful anecdote suggesting a casual, perhaps impromptu start. However, the map’s original was lost during copying for the club’s 1986 centennial, leaving its authenticity reliant on secondary accounts.
Early Development (1886–1896)
For its first decade, the Dorset Golf Links remained a modest nine-hole course. Golf in America was still in its infancy—often dated to 1884 with the formation of the St. Andrew’s Golf Club in New York, though that claim lacks definitive records. Dorset’s founders likely drew inspiration from such early efforts, adapting the Scottish game to Vermont’s rugged terrain. The club’s early years coincided with a broader golf boom, fueled by the sport’s growing popularity among the American elite.
In 1896, the club took a significant step forward with the construction of a fieldhouse named Woodruff Hall, honoring founding member Henry S. Woodruff. This building, later incorporated into the modern clubhouse as its dining area, marked a shift from a loose association of golfers to a more formalized social institution. Around this time, the name evolved from Dorset Golf Links to Dorset Field Club, reflecting an expanding scope that would eventually include tennis and other recreational activities.
Growth and Evolution (1896–1999)
Over the next century, the Dorset Field Club underwent five major alterations and re-routings, though it remained on its original site—a key point in its claim to continuity. The nine-hole course persisted, with alternate tees for a second loop, preserving early features like quirky landscapes that golfers today might still recognize. Adjacent land purchases gradually expanded the property, though exact dates for these acquisitions are less documented.
Tennis courts were added early in the club’s history, capitalizing on Dorset’s appeal as a summer hub. By the mid-20th century, the club had become a social and sporting centerpiece for multi-generational families, many of whom maintained summer homes in the area. In 1958, platform tennis (paddle tennis) courts were introduced, fostering one of northern New England’s most active programs and further diversifying the club’s offerings.
The most transformative change came in 1999, when the club expanded to a full 18-hole course. Designed by Vermont architect Steve Durkee, this project modernized the layout while retaining its challenging character—tight fairways, undulating greens, and scenic hazards like the dogleg par-5 16th hole framed by birches. At 6,240 yards, it’s not long by modern standards, but its design and pristine condition have earned it acclaim as one of Vermont’s top courses.
Modern Era (2000–Present)
Since the 18-hole expansion, the Dorset Field Club has continued to evolve. Recent upgrades include a lengthened driving range, a short-game practice area, and a golf simulator, alongside a fitness center and pavilion for year-round use. Winter activities like cross-country skiing on groomed trails (over two miles) have broadened its appeal beyond summer. Social events—Memorial Day cookouts, Fourth of July picnics, lobster bakes, and tournaments—reinforce its role as a community anchor.
Membership has remained private, with initiatives like a $0 initiation fee for juniors signaling an eye toward future growth. The club’s 130th anniversary in 2016 was a celebrated milestone, though debates over its “oldest” status persist among golf historians.
The “Oldest” Claim: A Critical Look
Dorset Field Club proudly asserts it is the oldest continuously operating golf course in the United States at its original location, a claim rooted in its 1886 founding. However, this is contested. St. Andrew’s Golf Club (New York, 1888) has robust documentation, while Foxburg Country Club (Pennsylvania, 1887) offers a competing narrative with similar evidentiary gaps. Dorset’s case hinges on:
Conclusion
The Dorset Field Club’s history is a blend of rustic beginnings, steady growth, and modern refinement. From a nine-hole pastime for summering elites to an 18-hole haven for sport and socializing, it reflects both Vermont’s charm and golf’s American evolution. Whether truly the oldest or not, its 139 years (as of March 12, 2025) of continuous play on the same land make it a remarkable survivor in a sport rich with tradition. Its story is less about undisputed primacy and more about enduring legacy—a testament to the founders’ vision and the community that sustains it.
The Dorset Field Club, located in Dorset, Vermont, traces its beginnings to September 12, 1886. A group of summer residents, primarily from Troy, New York, and New York City, laid out a rudimentary nine-hole golf course known initially as the Dorset Golf Links. The effort was spearheaded by A.W. Harrington Jr., a lawyer and mayor of Troy, who served as the club’s first president and principal architect. Other founding members included Allen Bourne, Richard M. Campbell, James C. Chapin, Ransom H. Gillett, Joe H. Harrington, George B. Harrison, Fred S. Hawley, S. Frank Holley, W.E. Kent, Edwin Q. Lasell, O.P. Liscomb, George Lewis Prentiss, and Henry S. Woodruff. These men were part of a growing trend of affluent urbanites seeking respite in Vermont’s Green Mountains, where Dorset had emerged as a fashionable summer retreat by the late 19th century.
The original layout was informal, sprawling across privately owned pastures, swamps, apple orchards, and hills, with holes bearing quaint names like “Clover Patch” and “Home Willow Tree.” A map attributed to Ransom H. Gillett, a founding member, describes the course as “laid out by A.W. Harrington Esq., assisted by a crowd of thugs, touts, and loafers” on that Sunday in 1886—a colorful anecdote suggesting a casual, perhaps impromptu start. However, the map’s original was lost during copying for the club’s 1986 centennial, leaving its authenticity reliant on secondary accounts.
Early Development (1886–1896)
For its first decade, the Dorset Golf Links remained a modest nine-hole course. Golf in America was still in its infancy—often dated to 1884 with the formation of the St. Andrew’s Golf Club in New York, though that claim lacks definitive records. Dorset’s founders likely drew inspiration from such early efforts, adapting the Scottish game to Vermont’s rugged terrain. The club’s early years coincided with a broader golf boom, fueled by the sport’s growing popularity among the American elite.
In 1896, the club took a significant step forward with the construction of a fieldhouse named Woodruff Hall, honoring founding member Henry S. Woodruff. This building, later incorporated into the modern clubhouse as its dining area, marked a shift from a loose association of golfers to a more formalized social institution. Around this time, the name evolved from Dorset Golf Links to Dorset Field Club, reflecting an expanding scope that would eventually include tennis and other recreational activities.
Growth and Evolution (1896–1999)
Over the next century, the Dorset Field Club underwent five major alterations and re-routings, though it remained on its original site—a key point in its claim to continuity. The nine-hole course persisted, with alternate tees for a second loop, preserving early features like quirky landscapes that golfers today might still recognize. Adjacent land purchases gradually expanded the property, though exact dates for these acquisitions are less documented.
Tennis courts were added early in the club’s history, capitalizing on Dorset’s appeal as a summer hub. By the mid-20th century, the club had become a social and sporting centerpiece for multi-generational families, many of whom maintained summer homes in the area. In 1958, platform tennis (paddle tennis) courts were introduced, fostering one of northern New England’s most active programs and further diversifying the club’s offerings.
The most transformative change came in 1999, when the club expanded to a full 18-hole course. Designed by Vermont architect Steve Durkee, this project modernized the layout while retaining its challenging character—tight fairways, undulating greens, and scenic hazards like the dogleg par-5 16th hole framed by birches. At 6,240 yards, it’s not long by modern standards, but its design and pristine condition have earned it acclaim as one of Vermont’s top courses.
Modern Era (2000–Present)
Since the 18-hole expansion, the Dorset Field Club has continued to evolve. Recent upgrades include a lengthened driving range, a short-game practice area, and a golf simulator, alongside a fitness center and pavilion for year-round use. Winter activities like cross-country skiing on groomed trails (over two miles) have broadened its appeal beyond summer. Social events—Memorial Day cookouts, Fourth of July picnics, lobster bakes, and tournaments—reinforce its role as a community anchor.
Membership has remained private, with initiatives like a $0 initiation fee for juniors signaling an eye toward future growth. The club’s 130th anniversary in 2016 was a celebrated milestone, though debates over its “oldest” status persist among golf historians.
The “Oldest” Claim: A Critical Look
Dorset Field Club proudly asserts it is the oldest continuously operating golf course in the United States at its original location, a claim rooted in its 1886 founding. However, this is contested. St. Andrew’s Golf Club (New York, 1888) has robust documentation, while Foxburg Country Club (Pennsylvania, 1887) offers a competing narrative with similar evidentiary gaps. Dorset’s case hinges on:
- The 1886 Map: A compelling artifact, but its loss raises questions about provenance.
- Continuous Operation: Unlike some early clubs that closed during wars or relocated, Dorset stayed put—a strong point in its favor.
- Early Testimony: Articles by John English (1965, Golf Journal) and Ross Goodner (1987, Golf Digest) lend credence, though both note the lack of definitive records.
Conclusion
The Dorset Field Club’s history is a blend of rustic beginnings, steady growth, and modern refinement. From a nine-hole pastime for summering elites to an 18-hole haven for sport and socializing, it reflects both Vermont’s charm and golf’s American evolution. Whether truly the oldest or not, its 139 years (as of March 12, 2025) of continuous play on the same land make it a remarkable survivor in a sport rich with tradition. Its story is less about undisputed primacy and more about enduring legacy—a testament to the founders’ vision and the community that sustains it.