Milton Hershey envisioned a chocolate enterprise whose profits would enrich the community, providing a finer and fuller life to the people connected with it. In 1930, he founded HERSHEY Country Club, giving up the first floor in his High Point Mansion to serve as the Clubhouse. Since then, sporting excellence has been the key, attracting legendary golf heroes and players of all levels.

Known for impeccably maintained greens and the natural beauty of its rolling fairways, with rich history on every hole, Hershey remains a golf favorite for players, as well as those who prefer the sidelines. Host to prestigious national events, including the 1940 PGA Championship and the LPGA Tour’s Lady Keystone In its 75-year history, HERSHEY Country Club has attracted the game’s top players including Ben Hogan, Henry Picard, Byron Nelson, Sam Snead, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Jim Furyk, and Nancy Lopez.

In keeping with its rich golf tradition, HERSHEY Country Club continues to be one of the most prestigious clubs in the country.

America’s First Country Club for Boys and Girls
By Randy Huber

Following the completion of the public play Hershey Park Golf Club and the private Hershey Country Club, Milton S. Hershey asked golf course designer Maurice McCarthy to create a venue specifically for children 18 and under. The Hershey Juvenile Country Club would become America’s first course so designated.

The new nine-hole course was a challenging 2,316 yards and opened April 27, 1932. Highlight holes were the par-3 fourth, ending with a green on a quarry’s edge; the 100-yard downhill par-3 seventh behind the Clubhouse, upon which the author’s late father and Club Member Dutch Huber had his only hole-in-one; and the par-4 ninth, featuring an intimidating drive over a cavernous quarry.

The log construction Adirondack-style Clubhouse resembled a hunting lodge and featured two stone fireplaces, taxidermy animal pelts and heads, rustic furniture and lighting, and boys and girls locker rooms with showers.

Membership was initially open only to children of Hershey Country Club Members. The greens fee was $0.35 for Members, $1 for their guests during the week, and $1.50 on weekends. Caddies in good standing from the Hershey Country Club, Hershey Park Golf Club, and later The Hotel Hershey were permitted to play during weekday mornings. Adults at that time could only play when accompanying their child.

In an effort to teach young players proper golf etiquette, appropriate attire was mandatory, official USGA rules were enforced, and good sportsmanship was stressed.

The Hershey Juvenile Country Club, renamed Spring Creek Golf Course in 1969, has trained thousands of local youth to enjoy golf and to play in a gentlemanly or ladylike manner. It remains a local golf gem today!

Henry Picard — World Golf Hall of Fame Inductee

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