The rich-in-tradition San Jose Country Club (SJCC) will hold its Centennial Celebration July 9-15. The celebration will commence on Mon. July 9 with the unveiling of a golf museum featuring interesting artifacts, photos and golf memorabilia spanning the club's 100 years and beyond.

"We are celebrating 100 years of the San Jose Country Club," says Ernie Moreno, SJCC member and historical committee chair. "But actually, the club began as a nine-hole course known as the Linda Vista Country Club in 1899 which was located on Alum Rock and Kirk Avenues."

The Alum Rock area was best known for its scenic vistas, and loosely translated in Spanish Linda Vista means "pretty view." Linda Vista CC was the eighth course to open in California and the fourth in the Bay Area, preceded only by the Burlingame CC (1893), San Francisco GC and The Presidio GC two years later.

According to SJCC Historian Paul Harrison, initiation fees to Linda Vista CC were $10 for gentlemen and $5 for ladies, who were accorded full membership privileges. Annual membership dues were the same. Original revenues to the club came from dues, guest tickets, and lockers, but the greatest proceeds were derived from the land because the hayfield yielded about $120 for each of three annual mowings.

The Linda Vista CC laid the foundation for the great championship golf tradition that has carried on for more than a century at San Jose CC. The course was originally designed by Tom Nicoll (1912), a Scottish-born professional and the Club's first head pro, with renovations by A.W. Tillinghast (1936), and John Harbottle (1997). The late, John Harbottle, thought the course had "a touch of Scotland" likening it to Gleneagles.

San Jose CC (located in the Santa Clara Valley, now Silicon Valley) is a founding member of the Northern California Golf Association (NCGA) and through the years turned out many champions such as Ernie Pieper, Roger Maltbie, Ken Venturi, and brothers Jack and Eli Bariteau. "Yes, there are several golf legends that have been associated with San Jose Country Club," said General Manager Jason Green, "and as we reflect back in preparation for our 100th anniversary, it is clear these individuals have truly added to the history and spirit of our club."

Eddie Duino was a very notable club pro at San Jose CC, and in 1959 earned the coveted distinction as Northern California PGA Golf Professional of the Year, the highest honor bestowed upon a PGA member. Duino gave lessons to Roger Maltbie, Ken Venturi, and Hon. Congressman Don Edwards, who are honorary members today. Duino also taught other standout players such as Jack and Eli Bariteau, Hank Lucente, Greg Galasso plus Gary and Barbara Vandeweghe to name just a few. Today, the club honors Duino by naming its casual bar and restaurant, the Eddie Duino Room, which features the former pro's trophies and awards as well as many historical photographs.

Several other accomplished athletes have enjoyed the subtle design yet testing environment which the course has provided throughout the years. The list includes Sam Snead, Ben Hogan, Byron Nelson, Walter Hagen, Babe Didrickson-Zaharias, Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, Joe DiMaggio, Patty Berg, Gene Sarazen, Johnny Miller, Julie Inkster, Patty Sheehan, Fred Couples and more.

The Centennial Celebration which includes a series of golf events, dining experiences, an outdoor concert and a legacy wall dedication, are limited to SJCC members and their families. However, the museum will be open to the public from July 10-15. For more information visit www.sanjosecountryclub.org or call (408) 258-4901.

Media Contact Chris Disalvo
E-mail: profeff@aol.com
Facility Contact: Jason Green, GM
E-mail: jgreen@sanjosecountryclub.org