Pittsburgh Field Club History

Near what is now the corner of Forbes Avenue and South Braddock Avenue in the Regent Square section of Pittsburgh was the original home for the Pittsburgh Cricket Club, chartered into existence on April 1, 1882. Cricket was the only sport played at the Cricket Club until 1895. At that point, after golf was introduced to the Cricket Club members by John Moorehead Jr., three rudimentary golf holes were constructed as the Club was reorganizing to provide its members lively activities in all branches of sport and social recreation.
New clubs like the Duquesne Country and Athletic Club (DCAC) were forming at that time with emphasis on team sports such as baseball, football, and basketball. On June 6, 1896, the newly named Pittsburgh Field Club applied for and was granted a charter under the intent to be a country club where sports were to be played as recreation and social features of club life were to be given special prominence.
On July 3, 1914, Henry Clay Frick, the owner of the land on which the club resided, terminated the lease immediately leading to a decline in membership and an immediate search for other property. Later that year, under the leadership of member J.H. Tonkin and his newly formed grounds committee, the Club purchased 171 acres on which the property still exists. Construction of the golf course began in August of 1914 under the watchful eye of Alexander H. Findlay, the “Father of American Golf”, and was completed and open for play on June 1, 1915. The original clubhouse was also completed in June of 1915 just in time for a formal grand opening. Sadly, on April 14, 1924, the original clubhouse burned to the ground. One year later, a new clubhouse was constructed which still exists today.
The Club has evolved throughout the years and continues to provide its members, their families and guests the opportunity of numerous activities, both social and athletic. Since its inception in 1882, the club has offered the following sports: Cricket, Golf, Swimming, Tennis, Paddle Tennis, Skeet Shooting, Fishing, and Bowling plus numerous social and family activities.
THE GOLF COURSE What started as a three hole course on the H.C. Frick property in 1895, to today’s 18 hole layout complete with unparalleled practice facilities and course conditions, the story of golf at the Pittsburgh Field Club is ever changing.
The original design of the golf course at its present day location was done by Alexander H. Findlay and was constructed by Fred Pickering. Many of the original holes or parts of the original holes are still in use today; however, some of his original holes like the 600 yard par 6 #12 played to an island green followed by “Gibraltar”, a 165 yard par 3 with its green perched on top of a sharp cliff have gone away.
Since that time, the golf course and property have undergone numerous changes. Properties were purchased that are now the practice area as well as the current #11 and #12 holes. Modifications to the golf course have been done by Donald Ross, Albert (A.W.) Tillinghast, Willie Park Jr., Emil Loeffler & John McGlynn, Robert Trent Jones, Arthur Hills, Craig Schreiner, Tripp Davis, and Keith Foster which have created the layout that exists today.