Club History

In 1922, a group of New Orleanians formed a real estate development corporation and obtained a 130 acre large tract of land just over the parish line on Metairie Ridge which was considered a prime location. Because of crowded conditions on other courses and the need for another golf club, they organized the "Metairie Golf Club". Spearheading the formation of the Club were a number of officers and directors of Audubon Golf Club. Their interest stemmed from agitation to make the course public and they wanted a strictly private championship golf course.

An internationally known golf links architect named Seth Raynor was commissioned to design the course. The services of an outstanding New Orleans architect and golf professional named Joe Bartholomew who was secured to implement the construction. Work began in 1922 and was completed in 1925. Each hole was a replica in almost every detail of celebrated holes in the United States and Scotland and considered the finest golf course in the area. Following the construction of the course, Joe Bartholomew was retained as the Club's first golf professional from 1925-1936. Several professional golf tournaments were hosted such as the True Temper Open and the New Orleans Open featuring such players as Bobby Jones, Walter Hagen, Ben Hogan, Gene Sarazen and Fred Hass, Sr.

During its early years, the Club prospered. However, with the ensuing depression, membership numbers declined and as a result, course conditions suffered. In 1938 golf course architect Jack Daray was hired to modernize and improve the course as the fairways had settled through the years and the greens needed to be updated. The Club, showing a new turnover in interest, moved forward with the reconstruction plans in 1938 under the supervision of newly acquired golf professional, Fred Haas, Sr. The Club's plans came to fruition with construction of new fairways and bringing greens into perfect condition and comparable to the finest of courses.

Between the years of 1939 and 1944 portions of the golf course were sold to provide capital funds. In early 1944, the Club again had financial difficulties and facing the strong likelihood that the golf course would be taken over and developed into a residential site.

Returning from military service in 1945, Mr. I.R. Collord, Sr. an ardent golfer and property owner in the area, spearheaded the funding and reorganization of the Club. Therefore, the name was changed to "Metairie Country Club". Subscriptions were solicited from those interested in the preservation of and the operations of the same as a private golf links course and country club, for the use of its members and guests.

Over the years, Metairie Country Club has expanded to include tennis courts, swimming and diving pools. A major rebuilding and expansion of the Clubhouse took place during the late 1960’s and 1980’s. In 2000, a state-of-the-art fitness center was constructed. In 2003, the golf course undertook a major course renovation returning to its original Raynor design and glory from the early 1920's.

In 2005, following extensive damage from Hurricane Katrina, the Clubhouse and course were restored following a $20 million dollar renovation. Today the Club enjoys a tradition of elegance and adheres to the same high standards established by its original founders, while maintaining the highest level of quality and activity of any private club in the area.