You're driving down Otis Avenue in Saint Paul, the Mississippi River glinting through the trees on your right, when you see it. That massive, rolling expanse of green. It looks like it’s been there forever. Honestly, it basically has.
Town and Country Club St Paul isn't just another golf course where people in polos complain about their putting. It is the literal birthplace of golf in Minnesota. That's a heavy title to carry. Most people assume these old-school clubs are just stuffy relics or "old money" hideouts, but if you actually dig into the history of this place, it’s way more interesting—and a bit more complicated—than just a fancy scoreboard.
Founded in 1888, it started as a social club. No golf. Can you imagine? A group of guys just wanted a place to hang out away from the grit of late 19th-century downtown life. They didn't even have a course until 1893. When they finally decided to pull the trigger on a golf course, they didn't hire some world-famous architect initially; they just kind of made it happen.
The Weird History of the "First" Golf Course
It’s funny how history gets remembered. People say Town and Country Club St Paul is the oldest, and while that’s true, the first "course" was basically just a few holes poked into the grass. George McCree is the name you’ll hear most often. He was a local who laid out the initial five-hole or nine-hole loops.
By the time the late 1890s rolled around, the club brought in Robert Foulis. If you’re a golf nerd, that name should ring a bell. Foulis was part of that legendary Scottish lineage from St. Andrews. He saw the rolling bluffs of the Mississippi and realized the land was perfect for a more formal layout.
The terrain here is mean.
It’s not long by modern standards—it barely scratches 6,300 yards from the tips—but the elevation changes will absolutely wreck your scorecard if you aren’t careful. It’s a par 72, yet it plays like something much bigger because you're rarely standing on flat ground. That’s the thing about these "Golden Age" courses. They didn't have bulldozers to flatten everything out, so they just followed the dirt.
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Why the Location Is Actually a Big Deal
Most clubs are tucked away in the suburbs now. They're surrounded by McMansions in places like Eden Prairie or Wayzata. Town and Country Club St Paul is different because it’s right in the middle of the urban fabric. It sits in the Marshall-Merriam Park area.
You’ve got the University of St. Thomas just a stone's throw away. You've got the river. You’ve got city streets bordering the fairways. There’s something incredibly cool about being in the heart of Saint Paul but feeling like you’re in a secluded valley. It creates this weird microclimate. The wind coming off the Mississippi can turn a simple 150-yard approach into a complete guessing game.
It’s Not Just a Golf Course (The Social Reality)
Let's be real: people join these places for the pool and the booze as much as the birdies. Town and Country Club St Paul has had to evolve. Back in the day, it was the epicenter of the Saint Paul social season. We're talking big galas and strictly enforced dress codes.
Today? It’s a bit more relaxed, but it still holds onto that "private" atmosphere. They have a massive pool complex that gets absolutely slammed in the summer. It’s where the neighborhood kids grow up.
The clubhouse itself is a landmark. It’s had several iterations because, in classic old-building fashion, the original structures had a habit of catching fire or needing massive overhauls. The current vibe is a mix of traditional woodwork and modern amenities. They’ve poured a lot of money into the fitness center and the dining areas recently because, frankly, if a club doesn't have good food and a gym in 2026, it dies.
Membership Myths and Truths
You probably think you need to be a descendant of a railroad tycoon to get in. Not really. While it is a private equity club—meaning the members own it—the "vibe" has shifted toward families.
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- The Waitlist: It exists. Depending on the year and the economy, getting a full golf membership can take time.
- Social Memberships: This is the "secret" way in. A lot of people join just for the dining and the pool. You get the prestige and the sunset views over the river without the heavy golf dues.
- The "Old Money" Tag: Sure, there are families who have been members for four generations. But there are also plenty of tech professionals and young families who just want a place where the bartender knows their name.
The Architecture: Small but Mighty
If you’re used to playing modern "championship" courses that are 7,500 yards long with massive fairways, Town and Country Club St Paul is going to feel like a shock. It’s tight. It’s quirky.
There are holes where you’re hitting uphill at such an angle you can’t even see the green. There are side-hill lies that make you feel like one leg is shorter than the other. This is "Target Golf" before that was even a marketing term.
One of the most famous aspects is the green complexes. They are small. If you miss the green, you aren't just in the grass; you're likely 20 feet below the surface of the putting green, staring up at a wall of turf. It requires a specific kind of short-game creativity that you just don't learn at a driving range.
Environmental Stewardship in the City
Being right next to the Mississippi River carries a lot of responsibility. The club has had to be very careful about runoff and chemical use. In recent years, there’s been a big push toward more sustainable turf management. They’ve integrated more native grasses in non-play areas. It’s a delicate balance: keeping the course "country club green" while not dumping a bunch of junk into the river.
What Most People Miss
The most underrated part of Town and Country Club St Paul? The winter.
Saint Paul winters are brutal. Most golf clubs just shutter the windows and wait for April. But T&C (as the locals call it) stays pretty active. They do paddle tennis—which is basically tennis for people who don't mind the cold—and the social calendar stays full. The "off-season" is actually when a lot of the best networking happens because everyone is huddled inside the bar away from the snow.
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Is It Worth the Hype?
Look, if you’re looking for a sprawling, modern resort experience, this isn't it. This is a "neighborhood" club that happens to be one of the most historic sites in American sports.
The value isn't just in the 18 holes. It’s in the fact that you’re playing the same lines that people played in the 1890s. There’s a sense of continuity there that you can't manufacture. When you stand on the patio at sunset and look out toward the Minneapolis skyline in the distance, you realize why they picked this spot. It’s arguably the best view in the Twin Cities.
Actionable Advice for Prospective Visitors or Members
If you’re thinking about exploring Town and Country Club St Paul, don't just cold-call the front desk and ask for a tee time. It doesn't work like that.
- Find a Member: This is a "who you know" situation. The club is strictly private. If you want to see the course, you need to be a guest of a member. Check your LinkedIn or your local business circles; someone you know is likely a member.
- Attend a Public Event: Occasionally, the club hosts charity events or regional golf qualifiers (like MGA events). These are your "backdoor" tickets to see the grounds without a membership.
- The "Social First" Strategy: If you're considering joining, ask about the Social Membership first. It's significantly cheaper than the Full Golf option and lets you "test drive" the culture of the club before committing to the big initiation fees.
- Respect the History: If you do get invited to play, brush up on your etiquette. This isn't a "loud music and tank tops" kind of course. Respect the pace of play and the traditional dress code.
Town and Country Club St Paul remains a cornerstone of Minnesota's athletic history. It’s survived depressions, world wars, and the total transformation of the Twin Cities. Whether you're a history buff or just someone looking for a quiet place to grab a drink by the river, its place in the Saint Paul landscape is permanent and well-earned.
To get the most out of the experience, focus on the short game. Leave the driver in the bag on the tight par 4s. The course doesn't punish length; it punishes ego. Navigate the slopes, enjoy the river breeze, and remember that you're walking on the same grass that started the entire golf movement in the Midwest.