Meadowbrook Country Club
Meadowbrook Country Club is a Semi-Private, 9 hole golf course located in Garner, North Carolina.
The course first opened for play in 1958. The course was designed by Raleigh native Gene Hamm. The nine holes at Meadowbrook are believed to be among his first creations.
The fairways vary from wide open to narrow, and the greens are medium-sized and undulating. There are no water hazards, but numerous sand bunkers have been incorporated into the layout. The terrain varies between flat and rolling.
Blue tees: par-36, 3,110 yards, 34.4 / 124
White tees: par-36, 2,906 yards, 33.2 / 116
Gold tees: par-36, 2,771 yards, 32.8 / 110
Red tees: par-36, 2,211 yards, 32.2 / 104
___________________________HISTORY___________________________
Founded as Meadowbrook Country Club in 1958, it was the area’s only private golf club for African Americans. Among its charter members were leaders from the African-American community. Forty-five charter members paid $100 each for membership in Meadowbrook at its inaugural meeting on November 6, 1958. The club purchased 136 acres of former tobacco land and pioneered one of the country's first country clubs for African-Americans.
Viewed as a social hub for Raleigh’s black community, Meadowbrook was a part of the black golf circuit, welcoming notable pros and tournaments.
The original mission was to "…build, develop and make available to the Negro citizenry of Raleigh and others, who show by their subscription a desire to participate, a country club to afford the members a place for wholesome recreation…"
Meadowbrook burgeoned in the 1960s and 70s with its membership approaching 200. During the civil rights movement, clubs that had once barred blacks began to open their doors to them. Many of Meadowbrook’s members moved on to more upscale clubs that offered amenities such as pristine 18-hole golf courses, large clubhouses and clay-surface tennis courts. Historic Meadowbrook fell into disrepair and its membership numbers dwindled.
Saint Augustine's University purchased the club in 2007 and a revival is in progress. The course is open to all golfers, but Meadowbrook continues to proudly hold tight to its ethnic heritage that was a groundbreaking achievement in its time.