Los Angeles Country Club

Los Angeles Country Club
Name	Los Angeles Country Club
Location	Los Angeles, California, United States
Establishment	1897
Holes	36

Los Angeles Country Club. Founded in 1897, it is one of the most exclusive and storied private clubs in the United States. Located in the Westside of Los Angeles, its two championship golf courses are set on prime real estate bordering the affluent neighborhoods of Beverly Hills and Century City. The club has a long history of hosting prestigious amateur events and, after decades of maintaining a private profile, began hosting major professional championships in the 21st century.

History

The club was originally formed by a group of prominent Los Angeles businessmen at a downtown location before moving to its current site in 1911. Early influential figures included Harrison Gray Otis, publisher of the Los Angeles Times, and Henry Huntington, the railroad and real estate magnate. The club's North Course was originally designed by George C. Thomas Jr., a noted amateur golfer and course architect, with later significant restoration work performed by Gil Hanse. For much of the 20th century, the club was known for its extreme privacy and exclusivity, famously declining to host the U.S. Open for many years.

Facilities

The club's expansive campus features the 36-hole golf complex, a stately Spanish Colonial Revival-style clubhouse that serves as a social hub, and extensive practice areas. Other amenities include tennis courts, a large swimming pool, and formal dining rooms. The clubhouse, overlooking the golf courses, contains historic artifacts and artwork related to the club's history and the broader story of golf in Southern California. The facilities are maintained to exceptionally high standards, reflecting the club's affluent membership.

Golf courses

The centerpieces of the club are its two George C. Thomas Jr.-designed courses: the North Course and the South Course. The North Course, meticulously restored by Gil Hanse, is a classic strategic layout known for its dramatic barranca hazards, subtle greens, and stunning views of the Hollywood Hills. It has been ranked among the top courses in the world by publications like Golf Digest. The South Course, while shorter, presents its own set of challenges and is used regularly by the membership. Both courses are known for their superb conditioning and classic design principles.

Membership

Membership is strictly by invitation only and is considered one of the most difficult to obtain in the world, with a lengthy waiting list and a rigorous vetting process. The membership roster has historically included many of the region's most powerful figures from industries such as entertainment, finance, and law. While traditionally very private, the club has slightly modernized its policies over time. Notable members have included Howard Hughes, Greg Norman, and various executives from major studios like Warner Bros. and The Walt Disney Company.

Tournaments

For decades, the club primarily hosted significant amateur events, including the Los Angeles Open in the 1920s and the Walker Cup in 2017, which signaled a new openness. Its most significant tournament hosting role came in 2023, when it held the U.S. Open for the first time, won by Wyndham Clark. The championship showcased the North Course to a global audience. The club is also scheduled to host the U.S. Women's Open in 2032, and it regularly hosts qualifiers for events like the U.S. Amateur.

In popular culture

The club's aura of exclusivity and its iconic location have led to references in various media. It has been featured or mentioned in films and television shows depicting the lifestyles of Los Angeles elites. The club's grounds and distinctive clubhouse have occasionally been used as a filming location. Its cultural cachet is intertwined with the image of Old Hollywood and the modern power structures of Southern California, often symbolizing privileged access and social status in the popular imagination.

Category:Golf clubs and courses in Los Angeles Category:Sports venues in Los Angeles Category:1897 establishments in California