It All Began in 1921
Oak Hill Country Club opened on July 4, 1921. The 9 hole golf course was designed by renowned architect Wayne Stiles. The
impressive clubhouse, designed by prominent Fitchburg architect Albert Francis
opened five weeks later, to great acclaim. A year later, two tennis courts were
constructed (on the site of today’s swimming pool), completing the founders’
vision of a first-class country club for Fitchburg.
The success of the club encouraged the members to
expand the golf course to 18 holes. In 1925, the club hired Donald Ross, who is still considered one of the greatest golf architects of all time, to design the new
nine. Two years later, at a cost of $65,000, the second nine was ready to play.
The grand opening on July 30, 1927 featured a 36-hole exhibition match between
U.S. Open champion Tommy Armour and Metropolitan and Massachusetts Open
champion Johnny Farrell. The players’ fame was such that the opening of Oak Hill’s
18-hole golf course received extensive coverage in the Boston and New York
newspapers as well as in the national golf magazines. Farrell established the
initial course record with his 2nd round score of 70, defeating Armour by three
shots.
Oak Hill has been a prominent site for local
and regional championships. Beginning with the 1935 Massachusetts Open – won by
Gene Sarazen – Oak Hill has hosted 15 Massachusetts Golf championships, three New
England Amateurs, three New England PGA championships, the 1966 Tri-State
matches, and countless Mass Golf and USGA qualifying events. Local golf
officials consider Oak Hill to be one of the state’s best competitive venues, a
recognition that has resulted in the club being awarded a 7th Massachusetts
Open Championship in its Centennial Year of 2021.
History of Oak Hill Country Club