U.S. WOMEN'S MID-AM SITE IS AMONG MOST HISTORICAL CLUBS IN AMERICA
You’ll never guess this historical fact about Brae Burn Country Club, host of the U.S. Women’s Mid-Am that began on Saturday.
Nestled within the town of West Newton, among residential streets, a hospital and a preschool, is one of the best golf courses in Massachusetts. Dating back to 1897, the club has a rich history of hosting big tournaments and crowning renowned winners, including Walter Hagen’s U.S. Open win in 1919 and Bobby Jones’ U.S. Amateur victory in 1928. But of all the historical factoids that you could list about Brae Burn C.C., one is especially unexpected: Donald Ross is buried in a cemetery just down the road from the club.
Of all the over 400 courses Ross designed in the states, why is Brae Burn his resting place?
“It could very well have been because his brother, Alex Ross, was the pro there,” Kevin Mendik, the club’s historian, explains.
Bobby Jones accepts the U.S. Amateur trophy after he won in 1928 at Brae Burn.
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Ross arrived in Massachusetts in 1899, coming from Scotland. “During that period, they were fierce competitors. They won the first eight Massachusetts Opens, Donald won two to Alex’s six. So you can imagine a little sibling rivalry there,” Mendik says.
It’s fun to imagine it. The two brothers, dominating the Massachusetts golf scene. Alex, as the pro of Brae Burn, his brother a club pro then designer. What did the conversations sound like that led to the eventual reality of Donald redesigning Brae Burn in 1912 and then again in 1928?
Some changes have been made to the course since Ross’ time there to help it adjust to faster green speeds and players’ ability to hit the ball father. But the changes have been minimal, to maintain the golf course Ross left.
“The course that the women are playing [in the 2024 Mid-Am] is the same layout tee to green as the 1928 national amateur,” Mendik said.
As the golfers compete in the 2024 U.S. Women’s Mid-Am, they’re adding to Brae Burn’s already extensive history of women’s golf. Brae Burn hosted the Curtis Cup in 1958 and 1970, and the U.S. Women’s Amateur in 1906, 1975 and 1997.
“People here are so excited about hosting this tournament,” Mendik said. “It’s great to have the club in the spotlight. Seeing the USGA set up and the players coming in, it’s very exciting.”
The USGA will return to Brae Burn for the U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship. “In 2028, we’ll have hosted that event four times,” Mendik said. “And not that anyone’s counting, but that will be the most of any club in the country.”
Brae Burn Country Club's Main Course in West Newton is ranked as one of the best golf courses in Massachusetts. Discover our experts reviews here.
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