Morris County Golf Club facts for kids
Morris County Golf Club Clubhouse
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| Club information | |
|---|---|
| Location | Morris Township, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Established | 1894 |
| Type | Private |
| Total holes | 18 |
| Designed by | Seth Raynor |
| Par | 70 |
| Length | 6,522 yards (5,964 m) |
| Course rating | 71.6 |
| Slope rating | 129 |
The Morris County Golf Club (MCGC) is in Morristown, New Jersey, USA. It started in 1894. What made it special back then was that it was created and run only by women. Two people who led this club later became presidents of the United States Golf Association.
Contents
Club History: How It Started
A Club Run by Women
On April 10, 1894, a group of women met in Morristown. They wanted to create a new golf course. Miss Nina Howland led this group as president. They rented 20 acres of land. Their first golf course had only 7 holes.
By November 1894, the Morris County Golf Club was unique. It was the only club in the entire country that was organized and managed completely by women. In its first year, the club had 200 female members and 175 male members.
On June 21, 1895, the United States Golf Association (USGA) accepted the Morris County Golf Club as a member. This was a big deal! It was the first women-only club to join the USGA.
Changes and Growth
In 1896, the club grew even more. It became an official company with $50,000. They bought almost 100 acres of land to make the golf course bigger. In 1897, men took over managing the club.
Golf has always been the main sport at the club. But over the years, other fun activities were added. These include tennis, swimming, and paddle tennis.
The club's main building, called the Clubhouse, was built in 1919. Members and their guests can use the Clubhouse for special events. Since 1995, a group called Preschool Advantage has held its yearly golf event at the club.
The Golf Course: Design and Features
Who Designed the Course?
The golf course used today was designed in 1916. A famous architect named Seth Raynor created it. He might have worked with Charles Blair MacDonald. The course was updated in 2001 to bring back its original look.
What the Course Is Like
The Morris County Golf Club has an 18-hole golf course. It is a "par 70" course, meaning a good golfer should finish it in 70 strokes. It covers 150 acres of land. From the longest tees, the course is 6,522 yards long.
The grass on the greens, tees, and fairways is a special type called bentgrass. It is kept in excellent condition for championship play. The club also has areas to practice. There's a putting green, a driving range (updated in 2011), and a short game area.
Club Facilities and Activities
Sports and Recreation
The club has many facilities for different sports. There are tennis courts with two types of surfaces: har-tru and hard courts. They also have platform tennis courts. The Paddle Facility was updated in 2016. It has an indoor space for parties and a fire pit outside.
There is also a large Olympic-size swimming pool. Next to the pool, there's a bar and grill. The club has shops where you can buy golf and tennis gear.
Dining and Events
The Clubhouse has four different places to eat. These are the Raynor Room, the Sun Room, the Pub Room, and the Patio. The Patio was updated in 2017. The Executive Chef, Adam Plitt, creates special menus for both fancy and casual meals all year long.
The club hosts many special events for members and their guests. These include a barbecue with fireworks for Independence Day. They also have picnics for Memorial Day and Labor Day. For Easter, there's a brunch and an Easter egg hunt for kids. They even have Father-daughter dances and more fun events.
