Manchester Country Club (MCC) was conceived by members of the neighboring 9-hole Intervale Country Club who seceded to form the 18-hole golf course at Manchester Country Club. Leading course architects Walter Stiles and Donald Ross competed for the business of course design, but legendary Ross won out. He participated in the selection of the land, the design and construction of the golf course. Manchester CC was one of the few courses designed and actually viewed by Ross before opening.
In present day, Manchester Country Club has been consistently ranked as one of the ten best golf courses in the state of New Hampshire. Many believe the on-going restoration of the course will return the club to one of the best in all of New England. We are proud of our legacy: For nearly 100 years, we have been bringing people together across generations, through great golf and good times…
Articles of Association were signed after the initial drive to solicit subscriptions to raise $150,000 (shares were listed at $100 each) to build Manchester Country Club. The dream was realized by members of the neighboring 9-hole Intervale Country Club who seceded to form the 18-hole golf course at Manchester Country Club.
Golf course construction was completed, under the direction of famed course architect Donald Ross. Official opening and ceremonial competition was held on August 1, 1923, in which National Open Champion of 1913, Francis Ouimet; and Jesse Guilford, National Amateur Champion of 1921, played. Pictured left to right: Jim Hendry, MCC pro; John Cowan, Oakley CC pro; A.B. Jenks, MCC president; Francis Ouimet, 1913 U.S. Open champion; Jesse Guilford, 1921 U.S. Amateur champion
Always hailed a Ross masterpiece, the Club faced tough times when it went bankrupt, and ownership transferred to a group of New Hampshire businesses. These "Manchester Associates" leased the Club back to the membership for the next 50 years.
The membership reacquired Manchester CC, and up to 350 Full Golf Certificate Holders currently share in the current and future stability of the Club. While the club survived the troubled times, many of the charms of Ross's course design were lost due to lack of money, neglect of maintenance, and the passage of time.
Ross renovation architect, Ron Forse of Forse Design was hired to develop a plan to restore the course's classic design to its original intent and modernize the length to meet today's standards for a championship golf course.
The Board of Directors engaged in a management contract with Arizona-based golf management company, Troon, in November of 2008. The Club remained member-owned and governed by the member-elected Board of Directors. In 2010, the new management started right in with a renovation of the Member Dining Room and Bar.
In 2011, the membership authorized the Club's Board of Directors to pursue a proposed Clubhouse Renovation Project. In 2013, the all-encompassing $8 million project, the Club's largest-ever renovation, was completed. The result was a premier New England clubhouse updated with all-new amenities, a brand new venue for weddings and events, and a new golf house with pro shop, cart storage and indoor simulator and golf training area.
Work began for Forse's master course renovation plan, dubbed The Forse Plan. Many believe the ongoing restoration project will return the club to one of the best in all of New England.
The NH Open Championship returned to Manchester Country Club for the first time since 1969.
Manchester Country Club hosted the 99th NEPGA Section Championship in 2019.
A.B. Jenks' (MCC's first President) family visits the Club for a day of golf and remembrance. Pictured are Phil Jenks (A.B. Jenks' Grandson), Andrew & Michael (Great-grandson) and Christopher (Great-great Grandson).
New Agronomy Facility is completed, and the agronomy team moves in to new on-course building, which houses equipment storage and operations, agronomy operations offices, and employee locker room and break areas.
MCC's signature hole 13 undergoes a renovation in preparation of the Centennial year. Click to view a timelapse video of the project.