Barrington Golf Club in Rhode Island, Rhode Island is a classic country club with gorgeous Bermuda grass greens, majestic pines and sprawling gardens with beautifully arranged shrubs and flowers. Barrington is one of the most famous golf clubs in the country and it is located only about 20 minutes from one of the most popular cities in the world – Boston. The club has been around for a very long time and it was originally founded in the early 1900s.
How exclusive is Barrington Golf Club?
Well, Barrington is a private club and it is extremely exclusive. The club has some of the most expensive and luxurious amenities in all of New England including its own equestrian center called “Barrington Farm”, numerous swimming pools, tennis courts, and about a mile of trails for walking, jogging, and biking. All of these elements make Barrington Golf Club a special place to be, whether you are a golfer or not!
Table of Contents
What Is The History Of Barrington Golf Club?
The history of Barrington Golf Club is intriguing because it contains all of the elements of a classic American story that we love so much. The club was first established in 1901 and it was named after a well-known Bostonian named Henry Lee Higginson who was a legendary Harvard University football player in the early 1900s. Higginson went on to become a prominent attorney, a Rhodes Scholar, and he was a founder of the Lee Higginson Law firm, which still exists today. Higginson was also one of the organizers of the American Bar Association and he helped to draft the Massachusetts Constitution. Higginson loved to play golf and he established several golf clubs in the area, including the one that we are interested in today – Barrington Golf Club.
By 1912, the membership at Barrington Golf Club was already up to around 100 people and it continued to grow over the next several years. The club purchased 300 acres of land in the town of Barrington in 1917 and that same year saw the construction of the iconic “Higginson Building”, which is still there today and it is the centerpiece of the club’s campus. The building was originally designed by the famous architectural firm of Boston based Eliot and Cotton & Woolworth and it still exists today, having been completely remodeled in the 1970s. One of the most prominent features of the building is its massive wooden doors, which are a classic example of Craftsman Style. When they were originally built, the doors were 48 feet tall and they weighed around 15 tons! Unfortunately, not much has been said about the doors over the years, other than they are very old and they are a work of art. The building also houses the club’s administrative offices and it was also the site of many historic events over the years – including the 1944 New England College Baseball Championship. Today, the Henry Lee Higginson building is one of the most prominent and historic structures on the Barrington Golf Club campus!
How Is Barrington Golf Club Governed?
Since Barrington Golf Club is a private club, it is governed by a Board of Directors who are appointed by the membership. The board of directors is ultimately responsible for the management and operation of the club and it meets about four times a year. The Club is also a member of the International Country Club’s (ICCG) in the United States and Canada. ICCG is a private organization that was created to administer and promote the game of golf. The organization was started in England in 1895 and it eventually spread to other countries throughout Europe and the Americas. Today, ICCG has around 300 member clubs and it is one of the most successful and prominent golf organizations in the world. The Barrington Golf Club is currently the 26th oldest member club in the entire group! The club’s bylaws state that it must remain an all-men’s club but it allows for the integration of women as guests, however, they must be unattached. The members of the club have very high social and professional standards and they expect the same of their guests. Most of the members are graduates from some of America’s most prestigious universities such as Harvard, Princeton, and Yale. It is interesting to note that although Barrington is a private club, it is not necessarily exclusive to the wealthy – anyone who meets the criteria can become a member. In fact, over the years, the club has welcomed many celebrities and prominent figures from all walks of life.
What Is The Membership Of Barrington Golf Club?
As we mentioned above, the membership of Barrington Golf Club is extremely select and it is limited to around 300 people, many of whom are connected to one of the world’s most prestigious universities. The club’s website states that the membership is made up of “a remarkable group of men and women from all over the world who share a common interest in golf, scholarship, and friendship.” Since Barrington Golf Club is a private club, we do not have access to membership lists or the like but we do know that many of the club’s members have held prominent political positions including government officials and professors. It is also worth noting that the majority of the club’s members are either graduates or former graduates of some of America’s most prestigious universities including Harvard, Princeton, and Yale. The membership fee for Barrington Golf Club is around $30,000 a year and it covers all of the club’s expenses, including the cost of maintaining its famous golf course! So, it is clear that this is a luxurious, private country club that is affiliated with some of America’s most prestigious universities!
How Many Miles To Downtown Boston?
The question here really is how many miles to downtown Boston? Barrington is located 20 minutes south of Boston, so we will use 20 minutes for our estimation. You can get there in around 45 minutes in good traffic, but it’s probably best to travel at a relaxed pace and it should take around 20 minutes. From Barrington, it’s only around 10 miles to downtown Boston and there are plenty of places to eat and drink along the way. So, the trip should take you about an hour and 45 minutes to an hour and 55 minutes, including stops at restaurants and getting coffee. If you’re driving, there is an ample amount of parking spaces at the club. If not, there are plenty of spots nearby, particularly in the lot of the Massachusetts Bay Aquarium. Once you’re in downtown Boston, you have the Red Line nearby, which takes you directly to Boston’s subway system, the T or the Blue Line, which leads you to the airport. From there, you have numerous options for flights to reach almost every part of the country. So, if you live in the Greater Boston area and you want to visit Barrington Golf Club, it’s not such a long trip!
What Is The Food And Drink Available At Barrington Golf Club?
Since we are interested in golf, the food and drink available at the club are somewhat important to cover. Barrington Golf Club is known for its magnificent seafood and its prime rib which is cooked in a charcoal grill. The steakhouse at the club was named after a famous golfer named Johnny Pesky who passed away in 1997. The steakhouse was once voted by the members as “the best in New England” and it prides itself on its prime rib, which is supplied by the club’s butchers. You do not necessarily need to be a member of the club to eat there but you must be 20 years old to drink. There are several other bars and restaurants at the club that serve lunch and dinner but these are mainly for members and their guests. The club also offers a wonderful banquet hall that can be hired for private parties and events. A full service bar is also located in the club’s clubhouse and it serves as a great place to unwind after a round of golf or a long day at work. There is also a coffee machine available in the bar which is an ideal place to end a long day and get some work done. Of course, the members also love to socialize over drinks and dinner at the club – so it’s a win-win!
Does Barrington Golf Club Have An Outdoor Pool?
Yes, the club has an outdoor pool that is open from mid-May to mid-October. The pool is surrounded by a deck with tables and chairs and it is also adjacent to the tennis courts. In addition, there are plenty of picnic tables nearby so you can bring your lunch and spend some time with your friends and family. The pool is open to the public but it is mostly reserved for members and their guests – it is not uncommon for members to bring in their own food and drink and enjoy a sunset cocktail by the pool. Even if you’re not staying at the club, you can pop in for an hour or two to enjoy a cool summer day by the pool!