Our History

Brae Burn Country Club, founded in 1897, is located in West Newton, Massachusetts. The club's storied past and integral role in advancing the sport of golf in America, has established Brae Burn as one of the most prestigious country clubs in the Northeast. Brae Burn provides Boston-area golf enthusiasts and families with a quality experience steeped in tradition, natural beauty, and personalized service.

Brae Burn has been the site of some historic golf moments, serving as the host of four major tournaments of the United States Golf Association. Walter Hagen won the U.S. Open in 1919, Ray Gorton challenged Bobby Jones in the U.S. Amateur in 1928, and U.S. Women’s Amateur Championships were won by Harriot Curtis in 1906, Beth Daniel in 1975, and Silvia Cavalleri in 1997. Brae Burn hosted Curtis Cup Matches in 1958 and 1970. MGA Amateur victories by Francis Ouimet in 1914 and Eddie Stimpson in 1935 are also highlights in Brae Burn’s rich history.

The club consists of an 18-hole Donald Ross - designed golf course, an additional 9-hole golf course, a large fully equipped golf shop, 6 Har-Tru tennis courts, 3 platform tennis courts, full service pool complex, fitness facility, and a large clubhouse which includes a contemporary grille room, ballroom, meeting space, and an expansive outdoor patio and deck.

1897

Brae Burn Golf Club (as it was first named) was established on May 29, 1897 with a nine-hole “links” course. The original nine-hole course was used from 1897 to 1902. Brae Burn’s first clubhouse was built in 1899. On March 9, 1904, the name Brae Burn Golf Club was changed to Brae Burn Country Club.

Club Name: Before incorporation, there was a meeting at the home of George Frost to discuss a name for the new club. Mrs. Frost said “You have meadows and you have a brook but don’t call it Meadowbrook. Golf is a Scottish game. Make it Scotch, call it Brae Burn.” Brae is defined as a steep bank bounding a river valley, a slope, a hill-side. Burn is a spring, fountain; a stream or river.

Club Colors and Emblems: On May 18, 1897, the Thistle and Leslie Tartan were adopted as the insignia of the club. The colors have never been changed, but in 1900 the four-leaf clover was substituted for the thistle.

1900

Brae Burn received international attention as the host for an exhibition match between Englishman Harry Vardon and Ben Nicholls. Vardon was rated the number one golfer in the world and had won the national open title. Nicholls upset Vardon at Brae Burn in the exhibition match.

The first 18-hole course at Brae Burn was used from 1902 to 1912. A second 18-hole course was used from 1912 to 1928.

1906

Brae Burn hosted the U.S. Women’s Amateur in 1906. Harriot Curtis, rated among the top women golfers, defeated Mary B. Adams in the national championship.

1912

Course architect Donald Ross redesigned the first Brae Burn 18-hole course in 1912 and again in 1928. Ross, who served an apprenticeship with Old Tom Morris in St. Andrews, designed over 400 classic golf courses in the United States during his 48 year career. His brother Alex was the Brae Burn Golf Professional in 1907 when he won the U.S. Open.

1914

Francis Ouimet won the MGA Amateur at Brae Burn in 1914. A year after winning the U.S. Open at The Country Club, Ouimet held off a late challenge by Brae Burn member Bill Chick in the second round and won the state amateur.

1919

Walter Hagen won the U.S. Open hosted by Brae Burn in a playoff. Hagen made up a five-stroke deficit against Mike Brady from Oakley Country Club in the final round, and his victory in the playoff established him as the first American-born to win the U.S. Open twice.

1928

A number of changes were made to the 1912 golf course in preparation for Brae Burn to host the U.S. Amateur Championship in 1928. The legendary Bobby Jones won the US Amateur, despite being challenged by Brae Burn’s Ray Gorton in the second round. Gorton had won the club championship seven times and played Jones even through 18 holes, but lost in a playoff.

1936

Brae Burn member, Edward Stimpson Jr. invented the Stimpmeter (on display in the Brae Burn lobby). Click here to learn more.

1958

Brae Burn hosted the 1958 Curtis Cup, featuring the best Women Amateurs from the U.S. and the British Isles. The British Isles team made the best showing of any British amateur golf team to visit the country at that time. The tenth match for the Cup resulted in a tie.

1970

The U.S. won the 16th International Match for the Curtis Cup, its 12th victory in the series.
United States 11 ½ - British Isles – 6 ½

1975

Brae Burn hosted the U.S. Women’s Amateur for the second time and Beth Daniel defeated Donna Horton to register her first championship. Daniel, only 18 years old, clinched the title with a 15-foot birdie putt on the 16th hole.

1997

In Brae Burn’s Centennial year, the U.S. Women’s Amateur returned for a third time. Italy’s first Amateur champion, Silvia Cavalleri defeated Robin Burke of the United States, 5&4.