1928              History of the Orleans Country Club              2008 

Once it was a fairground -- then a farm -- but 75 years ago it became Orleans Country Club.

 
Back in 1928 the club letterhead boasted "the best little golf club in the world where good folks get together and enjoy each other".

 In the early 1920's Newport, Barton, and Derby already had golf courses. Many of the Orleans men played the rugged Barton cow pasture but didn't want to continue putting money into a course leased by a farmer and with the cows used as "fairway mowers." The fairground offered a flat meadow surrounded by woods and a farmhouse, which could be converted, to a clubhouse. An old County road bisected the property where fairs were held in the 1870's, and an oval race track running broadside to the present 12th tee, 14th green, across to the 16th tee continued into the fairways leaving humps and ridges which translates today into slight uphill, downhill, and sidehill lies. After raising $9,550, construction was underway for six holes in the meadow, the "dog-leg" carved out of the woods, the uphill and downhill holes culminating in front of the farmhouse, converted into the clubhouse with porches on three sides, a fireplace, and locker rooms.

 
When the snow cleared in the spring of 1929, OCC was ready and in business at a cost of $13,000. Dues were $10 and greens fees $1 ($ .60 for 9 holes).

 
In 1951 a new section was added to the clubhouse for a men's locker room (now ladies) and the kitchen remodeled.

 
When 127 acres became available across the road for $5,000, the "new" nine became a reality.

 
After removing the porches in 1958 a 72'x36' addition was added providing for the large dining room, new locker rooms, pro shop, and the kitchen as we know the building to be today.

 
Over the years there have been gradual course improvements, irrigation system, ponds, new tees and greens, and removal of the old barn adjacent to the 9th fairway.

 
In recent years membership has ranged around 400 or more, and activities are constant throughout the season.

 
Ladies' activities began in 1929 as indicated by having on record a Club Champion that year. Since then there have been Twilight League, Member-Guest events, Best-Ball matches, and State and Club tournaments, all of which are still open to all members.

Spring of 2004 marked an important year at the club when major renovations took place to upgrade the building with a more inviting entrance, new windows for the kitchen and pro shop, rewiring, air conditioning, redecorating and new carpeting throughout and remodeling of the men's bathroom.