The Los Angeles Country Club: Older Than Your Grandpa's Caddy, But Definitely Younger Than Dirt (Probably)
Ah, the Los Angeles Country Club. A place where the greens are pristine, the air smells of money (probably just expensive cologne), and the history is...well, let's just say it's seen a few things.
But how old are we talking, exactly? Buckle up, golf enthusiasts and socialites alike, because we're about to dive into a rabbit hole of fancy clubhouses and questionable mulligans.
From Humble Beginnings to Beverly Hills Bliss: A Timeline (Because Who Remembers Dates Anyway?)
The Los Angeles Country Club's story isn't exactly a straight drive down fairway number one. It's more like a vintage golf cart with a mind of its own, taking some unexpected turns along the way. Here's the CliffsNotes version:
- The 1890s: A group of golf-obsessed Angelenos decide whacking balls in a field just isn't cutting it anymore. Bold move.
- 1897: The club is officially founded. Party time! (Probably not, these were classy folks)
- Late 1800s/Early 1900s: The club bounces around locations like a rogue tee shot, leaving a trail of confused golfers in its wake. Pico and Western? Been there, done that. Apparently, finding the perfect spot for a country club is harder than it looks.
- May 30, 1911: The big one! The club finally settles in its current location, just outside Beverly Hills. Cue the confetti (made of hundred-dollar bills, obviously).
Do the math: That means the Los Angeles Country Club is rocking a cool 113 years old as of today (well, April 30th, 2024, to be precise).
So, is it Older Than Your Grandpa's Golf Clubs?
Depends on grandpa. If your grandpa was hitting the links with Willie Watson, then no. But for most of us, the LACC takes the cake (or in this case, the fancy hors d'oeuvres).
Here's a fun fact: The club's stately clubhouse, which has probably seen more deals struck than a Hollywood agent's rolodex, celebrated its own grand reopening in 2016 after a year-long restoration project. Because apparently, even exclusive clubs need a facelift every now and then.
The takeaway: The Los Angeles Country Club is old. Like, really old. Old enough to tell stories about horse-drawn carriages delivering golfers to the course (unverified, but it sounds good, right?).
So next time you're stuck in traffic on Wilshire Boulevard, just imagine all the history whizzing by. There might even be a ghost of a flapper golfer chasing a rogue driver down the street. (Okay, maybe not, but a fun thought nonetheless).
