Home of the first Ryder Cup

Worcester Country Club

A Storied Start

Established in 1900—two years before the birth of golf legend Bobby Jones—Worcester Country Club emerged from a thriving Central Massachusetts manufacturing city eager to create a premier golf venue. In 1913, the club relocated and enlisted the legendary golf-course architect Donald J. Ross, who personally supervised the design of the new layout. His vision, complete with five par threes that make the course play longer than its 6,600-yard length would suggest, remains largely intact today. The course officially debuted on September 29, 1914, with former  President William Howard Taft launching the first drive (a 125-yard hook, thanks to a case of nerves) before a crowd of 2,500 spectators.

The Birth of Tradition

The inaugural Ryder Cup was held at WCC 98 years ago, on June 3 and 4, 1927. The U.S. team, captained by Walter Hagen, faced off against. Great Britain in a competition that would grow into one of golf’s most celebrated international traditions.

Bronze plaque reading "Worcester Country Club U.S. Open Practice Round Sixth Hole June 1, 1925" and "Walter Hagen's First Hole-in-One".

Walter Hagen’s Leadership

Having turned pro in 1912 at the age of 19, Hagen was already a golf icon by the time of the first Ryder Cup in 1927. His sense of swagger and confidence would define the American team’s spirit and help shape the Cup’s identity. 

A Singular Venue in Golf History

WCC is one of the few American clubs to host all three majorchampionships: the Men’s U.S. Open (1925), the inaugural Ryder Cup (1927), andthe Women’s U.S. Open (1960)

1960 Women’s U.S. Open

Betsy Rawls won her fourth title at Worcester in 1960, and the 15-year-old Judy Torluemke (Rankin) earned the low amateur honors—the first in Open history—with a display of poise and precision.