Merion Golf Club Membership Cost
Here are the latest and updated Merion Golf Club Membership Cost 2023
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
Regular Membership |
|
| Initiation Fee | $70,000.00 |
| Annual Fees | $6,000.00 |
| Annual Food Minimum | $600.00 |
History of Merion Golf Club
Golf is a game that has been played for centuries, with its roots firmly planted in Scotland. As the sport grew in popularity, it began to spread worldwide, and many courses were built to accommodate the growing number of players. One such course is the Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1896, Merion Golf Club has a rich and storied history and has become one of the most iconic golf courses in the world.
A Humble Beginning
Merion Golf Club was founded by golf enthusiasts looking to create a course that could rival those in Scotland. The club originally had nine holes but quickly expanded to 18 in 1912. The course was designed by Hugh Wilson, a club member who had never designed a golf course before. Wilson’s design incorporated many features commonly found on Scottish courses, such as deep bunkers, narrow fairways, and challenging greens.
The Early Years
Merion Golf Club quickly gained a reputation as a challenging course, and it wasn’t long before it began to attract the attention of golfers worldwide. In 1916, the club hosted the U.S. Amateur Championship, which Charles “Chick” Evans won. This was the first of many prestigious tournaments that Merion Golf Club would host over the years.
During the 1920s and 1930s, Merion Golf Club continued to grow in popularity, and it became known as one of the most challenging courses in the country. In 1930, the club hosted its first U.S. Open Championship, which Bobby Jones won. This began a long and storied relationship between Merion Golf Club and the U.S. Open.
The U.S. Open Years
Merion Golf Club has hosted the U.S. Open Championship a total of five times, with the most recent being in 2013. The club’s first U.S. Open in 1934 was won by Olin Dutra, who overcame a four-shot deficit on the final day to win by a single stroke. The 1950 U.S. Open is perhaps the most famous of the five, as it was won by Ben Hogan just 16 months after a near-fatal car accident.
Merion Golf Club’s most recent U.S. Open in 2013 was won by Justin Rose, who finished two strokes ahead of Phil Mickelson and Jason Day. The course was widely praised for its challenging layout and beautiful scenery, and many golfers commented on the historical significance of playing at such an iconic venue.
Merion Golf Club Today
Today, Merion Golf Club continues to be one of the most iconic golf courses in the world. The club has undergone numerous renovations to maintain its challenging layout and historic beauty. It remains a popular destination for golfers worldwide and is considered a must-play course for any serious golfer.
Course Layout and Design
A Brief History of the Course
Merion Golf Club was founded in 1896 by golf enthusiasts who wanted to create a course that could rival those in Scotland. The original course had just nine holes but quickly expanded to 18 holes in 1912. The course was designed by Hugh Wilson, a club member who had never designed a golf course before.
Wilson’s design incorporated many features commonly found on Scottish courses, such as deep bunkers, narrow fairways, and challenging greens. Over the years, the course has undergone numerous renovations to maintain its challenging layout and historic beauty.
Challenging Fairways and Greens
One thing that sets Merion Golf Club apart from other courses is its challenging fairways and greens. The fairways are narrow and lined with thick rough, making it difficult to hit accurate tee shots. The greens are also notoriously difficult, with subtle breaks and undulations that can make even short putts a challenge.
The course’s signature hole is the par-3 3rd, which requires a tee shot over a deep ravine to reach the green. The 18th hole is also a challenging finish, with a narrow fairway and a green that slopes severely from back to front.
Deep Bunkers
Another feature that sets Merion Golf Club apart from other courses is its deep bunkers. The bunkers are strategically placed throughout the course to catch errant shots, requiring precise shots to escape. The most famous bunker on the course is the “Whiteface” bunker on the 18th hole, deep enough to conceal a golfer standing in it completely.
Scenic Beauty
In addition to its challenging layout and design, Merion Golf Club is known for its scenic beauty. The course is on rolling hills, with mature trees lining the fairways and greens. The clubhouse, built in 1912, is a beautiful example of Colonial Revival architecture and adds to the historic charm of the course.
Tournaments Hosted by Merion Golf Club
U.S. Open Championships
Merion Golf Club has hosted the U.S. Open Championship five times, the first in 1934 and the most recent in 2013. The U.S. Open is one of the world’s most prestigious golf tournaments, attracting the best golfers from around the globe.
The first U.S. Open hosted by Merion Golf Club was won by Olin Dutra, who overcame a four-shot deficit on the final day to win by a single stroke. The most famous U.S. Open hosted by the course was in 1950, when Ben Hogan won 16 months after a near-fatal car accident. Other U.S. Open winners at Merion include Lee Trevino, David Graham, and Justin Rose.
Walker Cup
The Walker Cup is a biennial event that pits the best amateur golfers from the United States against those from Great Britain and Ireland. Merion Golf Club has hosted the event twice, in 1957 and 2009. The 2009 event was particularly memorable, as the United States team won dramatically with a 16.5 to 9.5 victory.
U.S. Amateur Championship
The U.S. Amateur Championship is among the world’s oldest and most prestigious amateur golf tournaments. Merion Golf Club has hosted the event six times, the first in 1916 and the most recent in 2005. The tournament has been won by some of the greatest golfers in history, including Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, and Tiger Woods.
Other Tournaments
In addition to the U.S. Open, Walker Cup, and U.S. Amateur Championship, Merion Golf Club has hosted numerous other prestigious tournaments. These include the Curtis Cup, the U.S. Junior Amateur Championship, and the U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship.
Famous Moments in Merion Golf Club’s History
Bobby Jones’ Grand Slam
In 1930, Bobby Jones became the first golfer to achieve the Grand Slam, winning the U.S. Open, the British Open, the U.S. Amateur, and the British Amateur all in the same year. Jones won the U.S. Open at Merion Golf Club that year, shooting a final-round 69 by two strokes.
Ben Hogan’s Comeback
In 1950, Ben Hogan was involved in a near-fatal car accident that left him with a double pelvis fracture, a fractured collarbone, and other injuries. Just 16 months later, Hogan returned to competitive golf and won the U.S. Open at Merion Golf Club. His victory was one of the most remarkable comebacks in sports history.
Lee Trevino’s “Merry Mex” Celebration
In 1971, Lee Trevino won the U.S. Open at Merion Golf Club, beating Jack Nicklaus in a playoff. After sinking the winning putt, Trevino famously threw his putter into the air and danced a “merry Mex” celebration. The moment has become one of the most iconic in U.S. Open history.
David Graham’s Surprise Victory
In 1981, David Graham won the U.S. Open at Merion Golf Club, beating George Burns and Bill Rogers by three strokes. Graham’s victory was a surprise, as he was not considered one of the favorites going into the tournament. His win remains one of the biggest upsets in U.S. Open history.
Why Merion Golf Club is a Must-Play Course for Golfers
Challenging Layout
Merion Golf Club is known for its challenging layout, which requires precision and skill from golfers of all levels. The narrow fairways, deep bunkers, and challenging greens make every shot a test of skill and precision. The course’s signature hole, the par-3 3rd, requires a tee shot over a deep ravine to reach the green, making it a challenge even for the most skilled golfers.
Unique Design
One thing that sets Merion Golf Club apart from other courses is its unique design. The course was designed by Hugh Wilson, a club member who had never designed a golf course before. Wilson’s design incorporated many features commonly found on Scottish courses, such as deep bunkers, narrow fairways, and challenging greens.
Historic Beauty
Merion Golf Club’s historic beauty is another reason why it’s a must-play course for golfers. The course is on rolling hills, with mature trees lining the fairways and greens. The clubhouse, built in 1912, is a beautiful example of Colonial Revival architecture and adds to the historic charm of the course.
Prestigious Tournaments
Merion Golf Club has hosted numerous prestigious tournaments, including the U.S. Open, the Walker Cup, and the U.S. Amateur Championship. These events have attracted the best golfers worldwide to the course, making it a must-play destination for any serious golfer.
Conclusion
Merion Golf Club is a must-play course for any serious golfer. Its challenging layout, unique design, and historic beauty make it one of the most iconic courses in the world. The course’s prestigious tournaments, including the U.S. Open, the Walker Cup, and the U.S. Amateur Championship, have attracted the best golfers worldwide, cementing its place in the history of golf. If you’re looking for a challenge and a chance to play on one of the most iconic courses in the world, a visit to Merion Golf Club should be at the top of your list.
For more information, please visit their official website.
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