Back in 1926, an enterprising group of seventy-one young men decided it was high time for Russellville to have its very own Country Club. They had their eye on an eighty one acre parcel just north of town - the Will Bruce Farm. So, they put their minds together and their names on the dotted line and collectively pledged $6800 to get the development off the ground. Soon thereafter, they purchased the Bruce acreage for $2500 and began the work of laying out the first nine holes, which today is played as the Back 9 (referred to locally as "the bottom 9"). In 1927, the founders decided to borrow $8000 to complete the original nine holes and make a start at building an appropriate Club House.
In 1974, the membership voted to take a bold step and double the size of the original Club House, expanding it to its present physical layout. With membership and participation in club activities continuing to grow, consideration was now being given to also expanding the golf course. So, in 1977, land just up the hill from the Club House was acquired and an additional nine holes were developed (referred to locally as "the top 9")...giving RCC an 18 hole golf course. It had taken just over 50 years in the making, but the wait was well worth it. The hilly, rolling terrain of the newly constructed nine holes (played today as the Front 9) was completely different from the original nine holes on the valley floor. And, it offered scenic vistas that added much to the aesthetic beauty of the entire property.
With more and more golfers came the demand for a better golf course on which to play. But first, the issue of water had to be addressed. In 1991 it was, with the addition of a large lake on the Back 9 to serve as a reservoir. Shortly thereafter, in 1994, a completely new and modern irrigation system was installed throughout the 18 hole layout, along with an additional small lake on the Front 9.
The decade of the 90's marked another era of prosperity for the River Valley and the membership of RCC felt it was time to dramatically redesign the entire golf course. The project was ambitious to say the least - calling for nearly all the tee boxes to be rebuilt, all the greens to be rebuilt and converted to bent grass, numerous sand traps added, new holes to be constructed and others to be modified, plus drainage, new sod, new cart paths and new landscaping. And, if that wasn't enough, they added a large, new putting green and two-way driving range. It was a major undertaking and a nearly $1.5 million dollar project, but as you can see today...the results are magnificent.
Just like any local Country Club, RCC faces the everyday challenges of operating a successful enterprise, but with the leadership of its Board of Directors, the dedication and commitment of its staff and the strength of its membership...the Russellville Country Club moves forward toward its 100th Anniversary, taking great pride in its heritage and an optimistic outlook for an even brighter future.
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