This year marks the 125th anniversary of the Albany Country Club.
Founded in 1890, the Albany Country Club was the 30th golf club to open in America. Today it holds the distinction of being one of the oldest operating country clubs in the country, and one of oldest continuously operated businesses in the Capital Area.
The club held a historical-themed members-only tournament on Sunday, May 31, and a Guest Day on Thursday, June 18 to celebrate this achievement.
In its century and a quarter lifetime, the Albany Country Club has stood witness to decades of Capital District history. Local historical figures, like Howard Van Rensselaer and John Boyd Thacher, once golfed the club’s original course. One man who trained on the course, Tom Creavy, went on to win the 1931 PGA Championship, while two female golfers training on the course participated in the first National Women’s Golf Championship in 1895.
In addition to its historical significance, the Albany Country Club is also one of the largest landholders and biggest taxpayers in the county, making the club a huge financial presence in the area. At a time where each year sees more golf courses closing nationally, and in years past local country clubs, such as the Normanside Country Club, have considered closing their doors, the longstanding presence of the Albany Country Club is indeed an occasion to be celebrated.
Though William Aperance, General Manager at the Albany Country Club, admits the club has “had to reduce prices like every club has.” He sees the Albany Country Club’s future as a positive one. “Members are coming back – we’re optimistic.”
Throughout its long history, the club has influenced generations of greater Capital District residents. Many a local can remember summers spent swimming at the country club’s pool, while mom may have met up with friends and dad hit the tee.
In order to continue to hold onto its community presence, the club is now focusing on getting the next generation of Capital District residents interested in the club’s services.
“We’ve spent the great majority of the last 50 years promoting the game of golf and other outdoor family sports” said Aperance, suggesting that he sees maintaining interest in golf in the area as being the key to maintaining interest in the club.
When asked why he thought the newer generation has seen dwindling interest in golf, Aperance pointed to the Capital District’s high saturation of golf courses. “Everyone is aware that there are too many clubs in area said Aperance in reference to the eight country clubs that the Capital area hosts, “But even in these hard times we continue to offer the same amenities we have always offered.”
The factor characterizing those services offered by the Albany Country Club is tradition.
The club keeps tennis courts, hosts multiple golf leagues, a summer swim league and ladies and mixed bowling leagues- all features typical of the classic country club. Even social clubs like bridge and mahjong that were popular in the 1920s and 30s still meet bi-weekly. Clearly, maintaining their traditions has been a priority for the Albany Country Club.
As the Albany Country Club has now been operating for more than a century, club officials said using the same practices that it always has seems like a fitting business plan. Rather than becoming a public golf course as so many other golf courses have done, the Albany Country Club chooses to honor its history by remaining a private club.
With the historical traditions of the club in mind, Aperance says the club is now looking forward to 125 more years of service.
