More than a century on Cape Ann.
From farmland and a cow barn in 1913 to 405 members today — the history of Rockport Golf Club.
Farmland, a cow barn, and an ocean view.
Rockport Golf Club sits in Rockport, Massachusetts at the tip of Cape Ann — a short train ride or drive from Boston and close to Gloucester, Manchester, Beverly, Salem, Essex and Ipswich.
The Rockport Country Club was established on December 11, 1913 and incorporated on January 2, 1914. George W. Harvey oversaw construction of a stately clubhouse with an open veranda — offering an ocean view and a sightline to every tee and green from its elevated position, as reported by the Gloucester Daily Times on September 8, 1916.
The nine-hole layout was designed by Essex County professional Eugene Wogan on farmland owned by the Lane and Smith families. A cow barn used by the Lane family housed the construction workers and is still used today for maintenance storage.
Success lasted through the Roaring Twenties with a membership above 225. The Depression cut that to about 40 by 1935 and the club faced bankruptcy; through the reorganization efforts of George I. Emery of the First National Bank of Boston the club was re-incorporated and renamed The Rockport Golf Club.
Today it flourishes again with 405 members, under head PGA professional Steve Clayton and greens superintendent Bill Yanakakis, and is known for the quality of its fairways and greens.
A scorecard from 1951.
A relic of the club's mid-century play — the front and back of an original Rockport Golf Club scorecard.
The people behind the club.
Stephen Clayton
At Rockport since 1990. Raised in Keene, New Hampshire; earned PGA membership in 1987 after time at Keene, Oceanside (FL) and Haverhill Country Clubs. He runs a fully stocked pro shop and offers lessons and club repair, and resides in Gloucester with his wife Valerie.
Bill Yanakakis
Head greens superintendent since 2004 after 14 years at New Meadows; began as an assistant at Cohasset Golf Club and has been a member of the GCSA of New England for more than 25 years. He lives in Ipswich; his son Chris serves as assistant superintendent.
Jamie Ethier
A PGA member who learned the game on a nine-hole course and graduated the PGA Golf Management Program in 2004; the first PGA member assistant professional at Rockport in over 30 years, and coach of the Rockport Rebels PGA Jr. League.
Come be part of the story.
Whether you'd like to plan a visit, ask a question, or explore becoming a member, we'd love to hear from you.