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Rutland Country Club
Architect: Stiles & Van Kleek Year: 1901 275 Grove St, Rutland, VT 05701 Phone: (802) 773-9153 Course Access: Private https://www.rutlandcountryclub.com/ |
Rutland Country Club
Origins and Early Years (1890s–1901)
Rutland Country Club’s story begins before its formal establishment, with golf first played in the area under the name Rutland Golf Club. In the late 1890s, the club operated at Clement Woods, a site in southwest Rutland near present-day College of St. Joseph, off Clement Road. This rudimentary course featured just three holes, reflecting golf’s nascent status in America. The earliest recorded event was a putting contest on October 1, 1897, with 42 participants—a modest start for what would become a Vermont institution. This initial incarnation relied on leased or borrowed land, lacking permanence or significant infrastructure.
The shift to a lasting entity came in 1901, when Rutland Country Club was incorporated under Vermont law. Articles of Association were filed with the Secretary of State and Rutland City Clerk, formalizing its status. In 1902, a group led by Club President John Woodfin and Treasurer James Button purchased a 382-acre farm from John Baxter for $4,648—equivalent to roughly $160,000 in 2025 dollars. This land, at 275 Grove Street, became RCC’s permanent home. The Baxter farmhouse, dating to around 1800, served as the initial clubhouse, doubling as a store stocked with sundries, clothes, food, and golf gear, plus farm products like milk, hay, and apples.
Scottish architect George Low designed the original 9-hole course in 1902, laying out a compact yet strategic track on the former farmland. Low, known for shaping early American courses, tailored the layout to the site’s natural contours, setting the stage for RCC’s reputation for small, tricky greens.
Expansion and Golden Age (1920s–1940s)
RCC remained a 9-hole facility for its first 25 years, growing steadily as golf gained traction among Vermont’s elite. In 1927, the club enlisted the famed architectural firm Stiles & Van Kleek—Wayne Stiles and John Van Kleek—to expand it to 18 holes. This transformation, completed using the existing farmland’s hillside and river-separated terrain, introduced a more dynamic layout. The new course measured just over 6,000 yards, short by modern standards but formidable due to its elevation changes and demanding greens. The back nine climbed into the hillside, offering striking mountain views, while the front played along flatter ground near the Otter Creek.
The 1927 redesign cemented RCC’s status as a top Vermont course. The Baxter farmhouse evolved into a proper clubhouse, and the club became a social hub, hosting celebrities like Ted Williams, the baseball legend who admired its challenge, and later figures like sports psychologist Bob Rotella. The greens—small, fast, and severely sloped—emerged as RCC’s signature, defending its modest length against skilled players.
Mid-Century Stability (1950s–1980s)
Post-World War II, RCC settled into a period of refinement rather than reinvention. The course layout remained largely unchanged, preserving Stiles & Van Kleek’s work. Maintenance standards rose, with superintendents honing the greens’ speed and trueness, a trait lauded by players like Keegan Bradley, a modern PGA star with ties to Vermont. The club’s semi-private model—open to members and limited public play—balanced exclusivity with accessibility, drawing locals and tourists alike.
The clubhouse expanded, incorporating Baxter’s Restaurant (named for John Baxter), a full-service dining spot with a patio overlooking the course. By the 1980s, RCC had hosted the Vermont Amateur Championship multiple times, earning a record 22nd hosting in 2019. Its reputation grew for producing elite golfers, including recent champions like Drake Hull, who won three straight titles from 2018–2020.
Modern Era (1990s–Present)
The late 20th and early 21st centuries brought subtle upgrades. The course stretched to 6,185 yards (par 70, rating 70.2, slope 131 from the tips), with a 1990s yardage tweak reflecting equipment advances. Tree management opened sightlines, enhancing both playability and views, though some argue it diluted the original design’s intimacy. The practice area—a putting green and caddy shack near the 9th—remained basic but functional.
In 2021, RCC navigated Vermont’s COVID-19 recovery, maintaining operations from May to October. As of March 12, 2025, it boasts a renovated clubhouse, a pro shop with modern rentals (e.g., Cobra, Titleist), and Baxter’s as a dining draw—think Ahi Tuna salad or Turkey Clubs with mountain vistas. The club’s 124-year legacy includes hosting legends and fostering talent, with Garren Poirier’s record-setting 15-under at the 2020 Vermont Amateur at Stowe highlighting its influence.
Critical Perspective
RCC’s claim as one of Vermont’s oldest courses holds if tracing back to the 1897 Clement Woods days, though the 1901 incorporation and 1902 relocation mark its true founding. The 1927 expansion, not the 1902 original, defines its modern character—Stiles & Van Kleek’s work overshadows Low’s simpler 9-hole vision. Its “best greens in Vermont” reputation is subjective but widely echoed; Golf Digest’s 4-star rating (2002–2005) and consistent top-five state rankings affirm its quality, though it vies with Ekwanok or Quechee for supremacy.
The course’s 6,185 yards belie its difficulty—223-yard par-3s like the 5th and rollercoaster back-nine greens demand precision over power. Critics note disjointed nines (split by the river) and a few lackluster holes (e.g., 1st, 18th), but standouts like the 14th’s panoramic perch elevate it. Tree clearing debates persist—purists lament lost quirkiness, while players enjoy the openness. Ownership details are vague pre-1901, and its semi-private status limits broader historical impact compared to fully public courses like Green Mountain National.
Conclusion
Rutland Country Club’s 124-year history (as of 2025) blends humble origins with deliberate growth. From a 3-hole pastime to an 18-hole gem, it reflects Vermont golf’s evolution—shaped by Low’s pioneering layout, Stiles & Van Kleek’s ambition, and a century of care. Its greens, views, and competitive pedigree (22 Vermont Ams) anchor its legacy, drawing figures from Ted Williams to Keegan Bradley. Not the longest or most revolutionary, RCC thrives as a timeless test, a Rutland treasure where history and challenge converge amid the Green Mountains.
Rutland Country Club’s story begins before its formal establishment, with golf first played in the area under the name Rutland Golf Club. In the late 1890s, the club operated at Clement Woods, a site in southwest Rutland near present-day College of St. Joseph, off Clement Road. This rudimentary course featured just three holes, reflecting golf’s nascent status in America. The earliest recorded event was a putting contest on October 1, 1897, with 42 participants—a modest start for what would become a Vermont institution. This initial incarnation relied on leased or borrowed land, lacking permanence or significant infrastructure.
The shift to a lasting entity came in 1901, when Rutland Country Club was incorporated under Vermont law. Articles of Association were filed with the Secretary of State and Rutland City Clerk, formalizing its status. In 1902, a group led by Club President John Woodfin and Treasurer James Button purchased a 382-acre farm from John Baxter for $4,648—equivalent to roughly $160,000 in 2025 dollars. This land, at 275 Grove Street, became RCC’s permanent home. The Baxter farmhouse, dating to around 1800, served as the initial clubhouse, doubling as a store stocked with sundries, clothes, food, and golf gear, plus farm products like milk, hay, and apples.
Scottish architect George Low designed the original 9-hole course in 1902, laying out a compact yet strategic track on the former farmland. Low, known for shaping early American courses, tailored the layout to the site’s natural contours, setting the stage for RCC’s reputation for small, tricky greens.
Expansion and Golden Age (1920s–1940s)
RCC remained a 9-hole facility for its first 25 years, growing steadily as golf gained traction among Vermont’s elite. In 1927, the club enlisted the famed architectural firm Stiles & Van Kleek—Wayne Stiles and John Van Kleek—to expand it to 18 holes. This transformation, completed using the existing farmland’s hillside and river-separated terrain, introduced a more dynamic layout. The new course measured just over 6,000 yards, short by modern standards but formidable due to its elevation changes and demanding greens. The back nine climbed into the hillside, offering striking mountain views, while the front played along flatter ground near the Otter Creek.
The 1927 redesign cemented RCC’s status as a top Vermont course. The Baxter farmhouse evolved into a proper clubhouse, and the club became a social hub, hosting celebrities like Ted Williams, the baseball legend who admired its challenge, and later figures like sports psychologist Bob Rotella. The greens—small, fast, and severely sloped—emerged as RCC’s signature, defending its modest length against skilled players.
Mid-Century Stability (1950s–1980s)
Post-World War II, RCC settled into a period of refinement rather than reinvention. The course layout remained largely unchanged, preserving Stiles & Van Kleek’s work. Maintenance standards rose, with superintendents honing the greens’ speed and trueness, a trait lauded by players like Keegan Bradley, a modern PGA star with ties to Vermont. The club’s semi-private model—open to members and limited public play—balanced exclusivity with accessibility, drawing locals and tourists alike.
The clubhouse expanded, incorporating Baxter’s Restaurant (named for John Baxter), a full-service dining spot with a patio overlooking the course. By the 1980s, RCC had hosted the Vermont Amateur Championship multiple times, earning a record 22nd hosting in 2019. Its reputation grew for producing elite golfers, including recent champions like Drake Hull, who won three straight titles from 2018–2020.
Modern Era (1990s–Present)
The late 20th and early 21st centuries brought subtle upgrades. The course stretched to 6,185 yards (par 70, rating 70.2, slope 131 from the tips), with a 1990s yardage tweak reflecting equipment advances. Tree management opened sightlines, enhancing both playability and views, though some argue it diluted the original design’s intimacy. The practice area—a putting green and caddy shack near the 9th—remained basic but functional.
In 2021, RCC navigated Vermont’s COVID-19 recovery, maintaining operations from May to October. As of March 12, 2025, it boasts a renovated clubhouse, a pro shop with modern rentals (e.g., Cobra, Titleist), and Baxter’s as a dining draw—think Ahi Tuna salad or Turkey Clubs with mountain vistas. The club’s 124-year legacy includes hosting legends and fostering talent, with Garren Poirier’s record-setting 15-under at the 2020 Vermont Amateur at Stowe highlighting its influence.
Critical Perspective
RCC’s claim as one of Vermont’s oldest courses holds if tracing back to the 1897 Clement Woods days, though the 1901 incorporation and 1902 relocation mark its true founding. The 1927 expansion, not the 1902 original, defines its modern character—Stiles & Van Kleek’s work overshadows Low’s simpler 9-hole vision. Its “best greens in Vermont” reputation is subjective but widely echoed; Golf Digest’s 4-star rating (2002–2005) and consistent top-five state rankings affirm its quality, though it vies with Ekwanok or Quechee for supremacy.
The course’s 6,185 yards belie its difficulty—223-yard par-3s like the 5th and rollercoaster back-nine greens demand precision over power. Critics note disjointed nines (split by the river) and a few lackluster holes (e.g., 1st, 18th), but standouts like the 14th’s panoramic perch elevate it. Tree clearing debates persist—purists lament lost quirkiness, while players enjoy the openness. Ownership details are vague pre-1901, and its semi-private status limits broader historical impact compared to fully public courses like Green Mountain National.
Conclusion
Rutland Country Club’s 124-year history (as of 2025) blends humble origins with deliberate growth. From a 3-hole pastime to an 18-hole gem, it reflects Vermont golf’s evolution—shaped by Low’s pioneering layout, Stiles & Van Kleek’s ambition, and a century of care. Its greens, views, and competitive pedigree (22 Vermont Ams) anchor its legacy, drawing figures from Ted Williams to Keegan Bradley. Not the longest or most revolutionary, RCC thrives as a timeless test, a Rutland treasure where history and challenge converge amid the Green Mountains.