Our History

Early in 1922, a group of 26 men met in the Kennett Square fire house to talk about organizing a golf club.  During the months that followed they were able to interest friends and neighbors in the project, and on December 15 the first parcel of land, 1.5 acres, was purchased.  It was a start.  Two days after Christmas, a charter was granted to the Kennett Square Golf and Country Club. John W. Chalfant was elected president.  The board of governors consisted of ten members and an elected president.

In early March of 1923, construction got underway on a two-story stone and frame Clubhouse, and by the end of that month the Club had acquired, in two separate purchases, 99.7 acres to go with the original lot.  There was now ground enough for golf, and though it might have been possible to lay out a full eighteen on the 101-acre property, a decision was made to build only nine holes.  Donald Ross was retained to design the first nine, several holes of which opened for play late that same year.  

Late in 1936 the Club leased approximately 34 acres across the road.  Now it was possible to add a second nine holes, which were also laid out by Donald Ross and intermingled with the original nine.

On the 4th of July, 1940, Kennett Square's 18-hole course was dedicated amidst considerable fanfare.  The highlight of the celebration was an exhibition match that featured Gene Sarazen, Wilmington's Ed "Porky" Oliver, the Club's head professional, Willie Palumbo, and its Club champion, Willard McConnell. Less than a year later the Club was in a position to make settlement on the 34-acre tract that had paved the way for the full eighteen.

In the years to come, Kennett Square would build a large swimming pool, seven tennis courts, and three platform tennis courts.  The Clubhouse would be expanded and renovated, and the golf course toughened to the point where today, despite measuring only 6,074 yards from the regular tees (6,305 from the back), and with a par of 71, it has a Slope of 129.

Through the efforts of the members and staff, the Club has had the honor of hosting the 2001 US Open Men's Qualifier, 2002 US Open Women's Qualifier and the 2003 US Open Boys' Qualifier.                                                       

                                                                                                                               THE CLUB TODAY