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.

THE 1937 RYDER CUP MATCHES
By Randy Huber

With this year’s Ryder Cup matches scheduled for September, it seems appropriate to celebrate the 1937 event, won by team USA.

The bi-annual tournament was held in June of 1937 at the Southport and Ainsdale Golf Club in Southport, England. The star-studded U.S. team, captained by 11-time major winner Walter Hagen, included Byron Nelson, U.S. Open winner Tony Manero, PGA and U.S. Open winner Ralph Guldahl, Sam Snead, PGA and British Open winner Denny Shute, PGA champ Johnny Revolta, two-time Masters champ Horton Smith, career Grand Slam winner Gene Sarazen, 1933 Hershey Open champ Ed Dudley, and Hershey Country Club pro Henry Picard. Team Great Britain was captained by three-time British Open champ Henry Cotton, and included three other British Open champions.

Heavy rains fell during the entire event, but the U.S. led after the first day’s foursome matches with two wins, one halve, and the lone loss surprisingly being five-time four-ball tournament champs Picard and Revolta (shown center of photo with Hagen) to Percy Alliss and British Open champ Richard Burton.

In the second day’s singles matches, the British stormed back to tie overall at four to four after morning defeats to reigning Masters champ Byron Nelson and Tony Manero. Following an intermission, Gene Sarazen, who recovered from three holes down to Percy Alliss, birdied the 15th hole after his drive struck a spectator and bounded onto the green. He would win one up. Sam Snead trounced Richard Burton five and four, Ed Dudley defeated British Open champ Alf Perry, and Henry Picard capped off the eight and four U.S. victory with a two and one win over Arthur Lacey.

This would be the first time the Americans would win on British soil. Good Luck to the 2008 U.S. Ryder Cup team!

Henry Picard — World Golf Hall of Fame Inductee

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