Virginia Golfer July/August 2025 | Page 29

HERMITAGE COUNTRY CLUB has a storied history. Started as a golf club and officially organized on October 24, 1900 by businessman Berkely William and friends, its membership enjoyed club sites on Richmond’ s Broad Street, Hilliard Road( think Belmont) and Ethelwood before finally moving to its current Manakin Sabot location in Goochland County.
GREEN GOLF AND TURF

HERMITAGE COUNTRY CLUB has a storied history. Started as a golf club and officially organized on October 24, 1900 by businessman Berkely William and friends, its membership enjoyed club sites on Richmond’ s Broad Street, Hilliard Road( think Belmont) and Ethelwood before finally moving to its current Manakin Sabot location in Goochland County.

HERMITAGE COUNTRY CLUB
While current club coffers and membership rolls are robust, the association wasn’ t always so. In fact, it wasn’ t until 1971 when the organization purchased 450 acres from the Luck family that Hermitage gained footing for the prosperous enterprise it is today.
Golf has always been the raison d’ etre for Hermitage. It cemented its leadership in Virginia golf in the first part of the 20th century, when it became one earliest members of the Virginia State Golf Association. Since then, club members have continued to serve the VSGA and Virginia golf as stewards of the game.
In addition, its players have competed exceedingly well while enthusiastically welcoming others to Hermitage for various amateur and professional events. To this day, the 1949 PGA championship, won by Sam Snead and staged on Hermitage’ s Hilliard grounds, remains the only major professional championship held in Virginia.
The acquisition of Goochland property allowed Hermitage to establish the roots and physical structures that comprise its present healthy and comprehensive family-friendly environment. In addition to 36 holes of golf, members have access to eight outdoor tennis courts, six indoor tennis courts, eight pickleball courts, platform tennis, a fitness center, a full gym, a large swimming pool, multiple dining options, extensive event space, and a variety of youth and adult programs.
A FESTIVE AFFAIR It was in April when the club paid homage to its first 125 years with a weekend of“ unforgettable events that honored our rich past while celebrating the vibrant community that continues to shape our future,” said Brenda Murray, director of membership services. One highlight was the unveiling of a commissioned Hermitage painting by renowned golf artist Graeme Baxter, from which giclee( archival fine art) prints were made available to club members.
On the golf side, director of golf Matt Evans created multiple golf competitions in player, couple and family divisions. In honor of the early days of
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