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Kittansett Club
Architect: William Flynn Year: 1923 11 Point Rd, Marion, MA 02738 Phone: (508) 748-0148 Course Access: Private https://www.kittansett.org/ |
Kittansett Club
The Kittansett Club, appropriately named from two Native American words meaning “near the sea,” is situated in the town of Marion at the end of Butler Point, which extends into Buzzards Bay. The club's history is as rich and varied as the winds that sweep across its stunning seaside golf course.
Founding and Early Years (1922 - 1938)
The Kittansett Club was founded in 1922, making it one of the oldest private country clubs in Massachusetts. Initially, the club was conceived as a golf club, with the course being built in the early 1920s. The project was undertaken by a group of local golf enthusiasts who bought the land on Butler's Point, which was previously occupied solely by the Beverly Yacht Club.
Evolution and Restoration (1938 - Present)
The Kittansett Club has a rich history of hosting Massachusetts Golf Association championships over the years. These include the Massachusetts Amateur Championship in 1958, 1978, 1990, 1999, 2008, and 2020, and the WGAM Edith Noblit Baker Trophy in 1954, 1979, 1989, 1995, 2005, and 2015.
The most prestigious event hosted by Kittansett was the 1953 Walker Cup, a match between amateur golfers from the US and Great Britain. The US defeated Great Britain & Ireland 9 to 3, a testament to the club's reputation for challenging and competitive golf.
The course itself has undergone significant changes over the years. In the 1990s, the course underwent a series of redesigns by Gil Hanse, who aimed to restore the course to its original design. Hundreds of trees were eliminated, revealing the original contouring of the course, and nearly all of the greens and bunkers were restored to their original design.
The Kittansett Club's history is not just about golf. The club has been a part of the community for nearly a century, providing a venue for social events and a place for members to connect and celebrate. The club's clubhouse, opened in 1922, stands as a testament to the club's commitment to providing a premier golfing experience and a welcoming social environment.
Today, the Kittansett Club continues to be a cherished destination for golf enthusiasts, a testament to the vision of its founders and the enduring legacy of those who have contributed to its development. The club remains a distinguished destination for those seeking refined leisure and a sense of community in the heart of Marion, Massachusetts.
Founding and Early Years (1922 - 1938)
The Kittansett Club was founded in 1922, making it one of the oldest private country clubs in Massachusetts. Initially, the club was conceived as a golf club, with the course being built in the early 1920s. The project was undertaken by a group of local golf enthusiasts who bought the land on Butler's Point, which was previously occupied solely by the Beverly Yacht Club.
Evolution and Restoration (1938 - Present)
The Kittansett Club has a rich history of hosting Massachusetts Golf Association championships over the years. These include the Massachusetts Amateur Championship in 1958, 1978, 1990, 1999, 2008, and 2020, and the WGAM Edith Noblit Baker Trophy in 1954, 1979, 1989, 1995, 2005, and 2015.
The most prestigious event hosted by Kittansett was the 1953 Walker Cup, a match between amateur golfers from the US and Great Britain. The US defeated Great Britain & Ireland 9 to 3, a testament to the club's reputation for challenging and competitive golf.
The course itself has undergone significant changes over the years. In the 1990s, the course underwent a series of redesigns by Gil Hanse, who aimed to restore the course to its original design. Hundreds of trees were eliminated, revealing the original contouring of the course, and nearly all of the greens and bunkers were restored to their original design.
The Kittansett Club's history is not just about golf. The club has been a part of the community for nearly a century, providing a venue for social events and a place for members to connect and celebrate. The club's clubhouse, opened in 1922, stands as a testament to the club's commitment to providing a premier golfing experience and a welcoming social environment.
Today, the Kittansett Club continues to be a cherished destination for golf enthusiasts, a testament to the vision of its founders and the enduring legacy of those who have contributed to its development. The club remains a distinguished destination for those seeking refined leisure and a sense of community in the heart of Marion, Massachusetts.