Colonial Country Club (Memphis)


Colonial Country Club is a private golf club in Cordova, Tennessee. For many years, it was host to an annual PGA Tour event.

History

The club was founded in 1913 by some local businessmen in what was then called White Station, Tennessee.
The first 18-hole course was opened on August 7, 1914. In 1915 the first clubhouse opened.
On December 16, 1919, the clubhouse was destroyed in a fire, blamed on defective wiring. In the summer of 1921, a new clubhouse opened.
Colonial Country Club remained in this location for over forty years. In 1968 the club announced plans to relocate to the suburb of Cordova, Tennessee, near Interstate 40. The new venue would offer two separate 18-hole championship golf courses, as well as a practice area, a clubhouse, an Olympic sized swimming pool, 6 tennis courts, and snack-bar/dressing facility. Both courses were designed by Joe Finger. The new clubhouse and courses opened in 1972. Colonial Country Club has been located there ever since.

Courses

The two courses are known as the North Course and the South Course. The South Course is the course which hosted the professional tour events.

Tournaments

Colonial has hosted many tournaments at both of its locations, including the Memphis Open, now known as the St. Jude Classic. This PGA Tour event began in 1958 and was played at Colonial through 1988. Many years, regional qualifying for the U.S. Open has taken place at Colonial.

1977

1977 was the most memorable year for Colonial as two huge events occurred which made national news at the PGA Tour event.
1. President Gerald Ford made a hole-in-one during Wednesday's Celebrity Pro-Am.
2. Two days later, Al Geiberger shot a record low round of 59 on Friday of the tournament. The 13-under-par round remains a record in relation to par on the PGA Tour. .

Champions

Champions of the PGA Tour events held at Colonial:
Federal Express St. Jude Classic
St. Jude Memphis Classic
Danny Thomas Memphis Classic
Memphis Open Invitational
Memphis Open