In the 1920’s, renowned golf course architect Seth Raynor was hired to design a major renovation and re-routing of the course.  It was stretched to 6,144 yards and the holes that crossed Devon Road were eliminated.  Once completed, this “new” eighteen blossomed into the golf course Essex Fells Members recognize today.

The decades that followed brought many highs and lows, great golfing success for many, and enjoyment and revelry for all.  The Club continued to expand and develop over the years, always moving forward and looking to the future.  In 1955, Essex Fells became a true country club with the addition of the swimming pool.  Platform tennis, that unusual sport also known as paddle, made its debut in 1965 and seven years later tennis courts were added.  Today our advancements continue in the form of our short game practice facility and our indoor golf learning center, outfitted with all the modern technology.

The stories are too many to detail here but one unique story bears telling.  Sometime In the 1930’s, a golfing custom, albeit one not sanctioned by the United States Golf Association, was born on our first tee.  It seems the practice of awarding a “mulligan” on the first hole of play originated at Essex Fells Country Club.  Click here for the full story of How the Mulligan Came To Be. 

For www.golfchannel.com's investigative report on the story of the mulligan, please click here.

Our history is deep and long.  We are working on our second century as a Club, but if you wish to learn in greater detail the history of our first century we refer you to Up on the Hill: A History of Essex Fells Country Club, authored by Marty Parkes in 1996.  Members may contact the Club office for information on how to obtain a copy.