Essex County Club, Massachusetts

The Essex County Club dates back to 1893 and when the club opened that year, it was the proud owner of the first 9-hole course in New England. The five founding members of the United States Golf Association (1894) – St Andrews, Newport, Shinnecock Hills, Chicago and the Country Club in Brookline – gradually began to invite other clubs to join and so the Essex County Club became the sixth member of the USGA.

The par five 3rd hole at Essex County Club is a monster and it is nearly as long as the sum of the first two par fours that precede it. But there’s much more to this hole than length alone. The hole was routed over a tidal flood plain and the drive must avoid the run off area or channel, which contains sand and pebbles. A stream on the left, and huge bunkers on the right make it challenging to reach the green in regulation. The 3rd green, which dates back to the club’s inauguration in 1893, is considered to be the oldest in the country and is notable not only for its age but also for its deep swale at the front left of the putting surface.

Essex County Club, Massachusetts

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