You’re driving down Shea Road, and the trees start to thicken. It feels different. Most people who live in the Memphis area think they know the local golf scene, but there’s a specific kind of quiet that hits you when you pull into Ridgeway Country Club Collierville. It isn't just about the grass. Honestly, it’s about the fact that this place has survived, thrived, and evolved while other clubs in the region have sort of... faded into the background.
It’s been around since 1921. That’s a long time for any institution to stay relevant.
Most folks assume a "country club" is just a place where people wear pleated khakis and complain about their handicaps. And yeah, you'll find that. But Ridgeway is weirdly unique because it relocated. Originally, it was in Memphis—out on Sanderlin, where the Racquet Club and Whole Foods area is now—but in the early 70s, the board made a massive gamble. They packed up and moved to Collierville. At the time, Collierville was basically the middle of nowhere. It was all farmland and quiet roads. Today? It’s the heart of the most affluent residential corridor in the Mid-South. That move was probably the smartest thing the club ever did.
The Golf Course: It’s More Than Just Flat Land
Let’s talk about the actual dirt. The course at Ridgeway Country Club Collierville was designed by Ellis Maples. If you aren't a golf nerd, that name might not mean much, but Maples was a student of Donald Ross. You can see that influence in the greens. They aren’t just flat circles; they’re complex, tiered, and occasionally frustrating.
It's a par-71. It plays over 7,000 yards from the back tees, which is plenty of length for the modern game.
The layout is classic. You won't find those gimmicky "island greens" or massive forced carries over fake waterfalls that you see in some of the newer suburban developments. It’s a traditional walk. Thick stands of hardwoods line the fairways. If you miss the short grass, you're going to be punching out from under a sprawling oak tree. That’s the real defense of the course. It’s not about trickery; it’s about accuracy.
The 2000s saw a major renovation by Bill Bergin. He didn't ruin the Maples vibe, but he definitely modernized the bunkers and the drainage. That's the stuff nobody talks about but everyone notices. If a course doesn't drain, it’s a swamp after a Memphis thunderstorm. Ridgeway stays remarkably dry.
Championship Pedigree and the USGA
People forget that this place isn't just for Saturday morning foursomes. It has real teeth. It’s hosted USGA Sectional Qualifying for the U.S. Open multiple times. Think about that. You have guys trying to make it to the biggest tournament in the world, and they choose this specific 18 holes to test them.
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The greens are usually kept at a speed that would make a casual golfer weep. We’re talking 11 or 12 on the Stimpmeter during peak season. You tap a putt at the top of a ridge, and if you aren't careful, it’s off the front of the green and into the fairway. It’s brutal. But it’s fair.
Life Beyond the Fairway
If you think this is just a golf course, you're missing half the story. The clubhouse is a massive, sprawling piece of architecture that serves as the social anchor for a lot of families in Collierville and Germantown.
The pool area is basically a summer camp for kids. In July, it's the loudest, busiest place in the zip code. You've got the "Ridgeway Rays" swim team, which is a big deal in the local competitive swim circuit. It’s one of those things where the parents sit under the umbrellas with a drink while the kids burn off enough energy to actually sleep at night.
Then there’s the tennis. Or, more accurately, the "racquet sports" scene.
- There are eight outdoor courts.
- They have a mix of clay (Har-True) and hard surfaces.
- The Har-Tru courts are a godsend for older players' knees.
- Pickleball has, inevitably, taken over a chunk of the social calendar.
It’s not just a gesture, either. The tennis program is robust. They have full-time pros who actually know how to teach a backhand, not just ball-machine operators.
The "Jewish Club" History and Modern Inclusion
We have to address the history because it matters. Ridgeway was founded as a primarily Jewish country club at a time when other clubs in Memphis were... let’s just say "less than welcoming." For decades, it was the social hub for the Jewish community in the Mid-South.
Today, that’s still a huge part of its identity and heritage, but the membership is significantly more diverse than it was in 1950. It’s become a reflection of Collierville itself. You’ve got young families who moved in for the schools, corporate executives from FedEx or International Paper, and retirees who have been members for fifty years.
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That mix is what keeps the atmosphere from feeling too stuffy. It’s less "old money" and more "active professional." You see people in the dining room in gym clothes just as often as you see them in blazers.
Why People Choose Ridgeway Over the Competition
Collierville isn't exactly hurting for options. You have Spring Creek Ranch nearby, which is a fantastic, high-end "pure" golf experience. You have the public options like Cherokee Valley just across the line in Mississippi. So why pay the initiation fee and monthly dues here?
Basically, it's the "all-in-one" factor.
If you go to a place like Spring Creek, it’s amazing golf, but your kids aren't going to be swimming there. If you go to a public course, you're looking at five-hour rounds and no locker room culture. Ridgeway hits that middle ground of a full-scale family resort that still takes its golf seriously.
The dining is actually good, too. That’s a common complaint at country clubs—that the food is overpriced and boring. But the kitchen here does a legitimate job. The Sunday brunch is a local legend for a reason. They do this thing with fried chicken and custom omelets that makes the membership dues feel a little more justifiable.
The Membership Reality
Let’s be real: it’s an investment. Like most private clubs, you have an initiation fee and then your monthly "nut"—dues, food minimums, service fees.
But Ridgeway has been smarter than most. They offer different tiers. There’s the "Junior" membership for the under-40 crowd, which is huge because that’s the demographic every club is dying to attract. They also have social-only memberships if you just want the pool and the dining room without the golf.
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One thing to watch out for is the assessment cycle. Every club eventually needs a new roof or a bunker renovation. Ridgeway has been pretty stable lately, but you always want to ask about the long-term capital plan before signing that check.
What You Need to Know Before Visiting
If you get invited to play or attend an event, there are a few unwritten rules.
First, the dress code is strictly enforced on the course. Tucked-in shirts are a must. Cargo shorts are a "no." It sounds archaic to some, but it’s part of the vibe they’re preserving.
Second, the pace of play is a point of pride. If you’re a four-ball and you’re taking four and a half hours, you’re going to hear about it from the marshal. People here play fast. They have lives to get back to.
Third, use the practice facility. It’s one of the best in the area. The range is huge, the chipping green is actually representative of the course conditions, and there’s a separate bunker practice area.
Actionable Steps for Potential Members
If you’re thinking about joining or just moved to the Collierville area, don't just look at the website. Websites for country clubs are notoriously vague.
- Schedule a "Prospect Round." Call the membership director. Most of the time, they’ll let you play a round and bring a guest to feel out the course.
- Visit on a Tuesday or Wednesday. Saturday is easy to love. See what the club looks like on a random weekday afternoon. Is the service still good? Is the pool a ghost town or a nice escape?
- Audit the Social Calendar. Ask for the last three months of the club newsletter. If the events (wine tastings, kid movie nights, holiday parties) don't interest you, you’re paying for a lot of overhead you won't use.
- Check the Reciprocity. Ridgeway has a solid network. If you travel for business, find out which other clubs you can play across the country through their network. It’s an underrated perk that makes the dues feel like a national pass rather than a local one.
Ridgeway Country Club Collierville isn't a museum. It’s a living, breathing part of the community that managed to transition from an old-school Memphis staple to a modern suburban powerhouse. Whether you’re trying to shave two strokes off your handicap or just need a place where your kids won't get lost in a public pool crowd, it remains one of the most consistent options in the Mid-South.