History of Springfield Country Club

In 1957 a group of approximately 20 neighbors bought some farmland in the Marcola valley area and built the Springfield Country Club. It was a six-hole course beginning at the current number 14 hole. Once you finished hole number three (the current number 16 hole), you had to walk all the way down to the large Douglas fir tree on the current number 11 to play the fourth hole. There were only three or four used carts available for rental at that time.

Eventually the last three holes were built by members to make it a complete nine-hole course. The late Palmer Pitkin was one of the original 40-some members. He and his family and friends built hole 17. Even his two boys, very young at the time, helped by carrying buckets of rocks to the river bank. He also worked at the pro shop. Almost all work at the club was done by volunteer. Palmer and two other ladies volunteered to run the pro shop. The pro shop at the time was a farmhouse that had long been out of service. It was dated by its original plumbing with a classic top tank toilet. The roof was so old that every time it rained, which can be often here in the Marcola valley, they had to set pots and buckets out to catch the water. Palmer wasn't put off by all of the hard work in the beginning and worked in the Springfield pro shop until he passed away in July of 2006.

On Sundays there was a workday and potluck. All of the families would come out in the afternoon and do any work that needed to be done around Clubhouse Front the course. Afterward there would be a potluck and everybody brought their favorite dishes to share. There was much talk about buying the farmland across the street to build another 9 holes, but not many wanted to take the financial risk. It was uncertain that golfers would come all the way out to play. But they did take the risk and we now have the beautiful 18-hole championship course that it is today. Along with the 10,000 square foot clubhouse facility and full service Pro Shop, it has become one of the finest courses in Oregon.

Springfield Country Club is still owned by its members and is a non-profit organization. Much of the same family feel from the birth of the course is still with it today. Members have a pride of ownership when it comes to the course and that pride is felt as you walk along the pristine fairways and lush greens. The back nine holes wind around the Mohawk River. One can often find deer wandering to the river or an osprey circling overhead.

You will find that you are not only close to nature, but also close to perfect at the Springfield Country Club.