Lakewood, Washington
Tacoma Country & Golf Club is a Pacific Northwest institution and Washington’s oldest private club, blending tree-lined tradition with decades of championship pedigree. It stands as a state-elite course ideal for golfers seeking classic shot values and a walk through golf history.
Tacoma Country & Golf Club is a living exhibit of Northwest golf history, where nearly every tee points to a story as much as a fairway. Routed along American Lake among tall evergreens, the classic layout tests accuracy and shot planning over brute force—echoing the early game’s strategic roots. Vernon Macan’s early 20th-century influence is evident in the subtle movement and timeless structure, while John Steidel’s 1980s additions stitched in three fresh but harmonious holes. The course’s relatively gentle terrain combines with formidable trees to create a sense of seclusion and old-school challenge—precisely the style Seattle/Tacoma’s top-tier private courses are known for.
Design legacy spans Vernon Macan’s shaping hands in the 20th century, John Steidel’s pivotal 1980s renovation, and John Harbottle III’s modern refinements.
The opening hole sets the tone with a straight, tree-lined drive demanding accuracy more than length. A well-placed tee ball is key to attacking the slightly raised, guarded green.
Favor the left side of the fairway for the best angle; play for position, not distance.
Miss the fairway and trees all but guarantee scrambling for bogey.
Private-club grooming with smooth greens and tree-lined fairways; firm but fair, with subtle hazards.
Respectable pace typical for private championship courses; quick if you keep it in play.
Classic, understated Northwest tradition with a members-first atmosphere.
Traditional private-club attire expected; collared shirts and slacks recommended.
You'll need accuracy from the tee above all—there’s little margin for wild drives here.
The long par 3s will demand all the distance and control you have.
With so many trees, bouncing back from trouble is key to salvaging your round.
Club established in Tacoma
Founding club of Pacific Northwest Golf Association
Relocated to current Lakewood-American Lake property
Hosts U.S. Women's Amateur
Slated to host U.S. Senior Women’s Open
Founded in 1894 and moved to its current site in 1905, Tacoma Country & Golf Club has seen the game evolve for well over a century. Its claim as the oldest private club west of the Mississippi is a badge of honor still touted today.
James Barnes, legendary early professional and major champion, was the club’s head pro in 1906. His wins in the U.S. Open, PGA, and Open Championship made him Tacoma’s most decorated alumnus.
Tacoma C&GC was a founding club of the Pacific Northwest Golf Association in 1899, helping to steer the region’s golfing growth. It has since hosted countless state and regional championships, cementing its historic status.
A series of updates — from Macan’s classic touch to Steidel’s 1980s holes and Harbottle’s modern bunkering — have kept Tacoma’s routing crisp. Yet, the course retains its tree-lined soul and strategic bite.
Oldest private golf club west of the Mississippi River
Hosted U.S. Women’s Amateur, Senior Women’s Amateur, and U.S. Girls’ Junior
James Barnes, a major winner, was once the club’s pro
Home to Pacific Northwest Golf Association’s inaugural championships
Course features seven tee combinations for all players
Major championship, sun-soaked linksland with Puget Sound views
Highly praised, playable, and affordable—top area value
Strong two-course facility for an affordable, full day
Tournament-tough, accessible for visitors
Easy add-on for convenience in Lakewood
Tacoma, University Place, or Lakewood for access to both the club and Chambers Bay
Courses with the most similar DNA profile — matched by deviation shape across all eight playing characteristics.
Why it matches: If Tacoma Country & Golf Club is your kind of course, Elyria Country Club is worth a look because it a comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character.
Why it matches: There is real overlap here. Olive Branch Country Club offers similarly polished playing surfaces, making it a compelling counterpart to Tacoma Country & Golf Club.
Why it matches: What links these two? A comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character — a familiar feeling, expressed in Cincinnati Country Club's own setting.
Seattle’s elite private test
LPGA venue with traditional roots
Community Sentiment
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