Far and Sure: The Story of America's First Golf Course
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 28 ก.ค. 2023
- Nearly 140 years ago, in the tiny village of White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, the beginning of American golf courses started at Oakhurst Links. Five men, from various parts of the globe settled in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains and carved a 9-hole golf course out of the rolling countryside and began match play.
This 28 minute historical documentary by West Virginia’s own Brett Ward and Mike Riley, dispels previous claims by other golf courses, including St. Andrew's in Yonkers, New York, by proving golf started here in the Greenbrier Valley years prior to the founding of every other golf course and club in the United States.
For nearly 50 years, matches continued at Oakhurst until the Greenbrier Resort opened their first golf course. The pastures and fairways of Oakhurst sat dormant for almost 60 years until Lewis Keller began the uncovering process with Sam Snead and Bob Cupp. Oakhurst Links opened for public play in 1994 with a ceremonial tee shot by golf legend Sam Snead. In 2012, the land was purchased by The Greenbrier Resort but currently sits idle, undisturbed.
In 1994, when opened for public play, hickory golf clubs had to be used to play this 9 hole course. The National Hickory Championships were held at Oakhurst multiple times to crown a champion.
See interviews from the Greenbrier Resort’s own, Dr. Robert Conte, golf course architect, Robert Cupp, U.S. Amateur Champion, Billy Campbell and former Oakhurst Links owner, Lewis Keller.
Far and Sure tracks the story of Oakhurst Links and its original five members who founded it including the original owner, Russell Montague, who came to the region from Boston, Massachusetts. The other members; Alexander MacLeod, Roderick MacLeod, George Grant & Lionel Torrin came from different parts of the world.
Oakhurst Links is an important part of American history that’s never been told before on screen.
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What a gem here, so grateful to have been led to see this video and very key piece as being the original home of what we all know today as, "golf courses" here on America. I all but shed tears when hearing about the original clubs getting burned the night before going to get them from Mrs. Montague. I am only 2 hours away from Oakhurst Links, south of Roanoke, VA about 20 or so miles. I sure would love to see the place and find myself wishing I'd have known about Oakhurst Links when the hickory tournaments were there, I'd have been there for sure! This course needs someone to come in and take care of that place and keep her playable!! USGA has the $$$ and imho responsibility to keep Oakhurst open to the public as a historical, national treasure for being the oldest and first golf course on America!! Oakhurst deserves to be open to the public and played by any golfer that wants to play America's first course! It's not right for this course to be left neglected, at all....!!
I have enough hickory clubs here to make several sets, enough to get a few of us around the 9 holes there at Oakhurst and sure would love to be able to experience a round or 3 there!
I am fortunate and humbled to be able to say that I knew such a significant person who assisted in laying the foundation for the preservation of the living history of golf in America. Lewis Keller was without a doubt a gentleman and visionary far ahead of his moment in time. Historically this man should be remembered for what he did for Oakhurst, the legendary history of what the course stands for, and the significance of what it meant as far as recognizing White Sulphur Springs as the true home of golf in America. Mr. Keller was an outstanding gentleman in every sense, with a dynamic demeanor and southern warmth, unlike anything I’ve known since him. I’m dismayed at the condition of the course today and the complete disregard for care it’s been shown in recent years along with all the Keller family worked so hard to restore and cherish.
This video is a masterpiece and I’m very happy to be able to watch it and witness the story so completely. I can remember my
Grandfather Lee Lockhart visited while he was still with Golden Bear working for Jack. He was so excited about the fact White Sulphur Springs had taken its place under the sun with the recognition it so deserved as the true start of golf in the United States.
I’m so glad you enjoyed the film. Hearing yours and other’s comments on the film and the Keller’s and their experiences at Oakhurst has helped complete my experience as well. This who have commented and shared this film with others has proven the hard work has paid off. Seeing the emotions this film has brought out has made it worth it. The Keller’s and everyone else that helped with this film made the experience amazing. Hopefully the Oakhurst story isn’t over. Again, thank you for watching and thank you for commenting!
The golfing world owes Brett Ward a medal for the work he has done on Oakhurst and the history of golf that started here in West Virginia!!! If not for him golf history and Oakhurst would be lost forever!!!! Such a shame to see history vanish in front of your eyes from the years of neglect!!! Many many thanks to Brett and his family for the work that he has done!!
If that was your family’s place, I can’t imagine how hard it hits you. Just living in the area it’s heartbreaking.
Mr. Keller,
Your comments are humbling, honestly. Your family has been so gracious and PATIENT, while we worked on this project. Mike Riley and I have tried to present this story with the most respect to the original members, your siblings and of course your parents, not to mention the history of golf in America. It’s been an honor to be a part of this and it’s great to see so many other people now being exposed to this story. I hope the story of Oakhurst Links isn’t over and we can make an updated version one day. Thank you again for trusting us with this personal story. It’s been personal to me.
Totally agee with you lewis!! After being led to click on this video based on title and being a lover of the game and all history.....especially golf back to the hickory era and a collection of 100 or so hickory clubs myself, I commented the below & a bit more in a separate comment for all to see!
"This course needs someone to come in and take care of that place and keep her playable!! USGA has the $$$ and imho responsibility to keep Oakhurst open to the public as a historical, national treasure for being the oldest and first golf course on America!! Oakhurst deserves to be open to the public and played by any golfer that wants to play America's first course! It's not right for this course to be left neglected, at all....!!"
OMG! Lewis, John and Vikki what a tremendous documentary to honor your family. I love you all ... much love Helen Woodward Searle.
I’m my town a lot of our clients are golfers and I’m hoping to work as a waitress I want to learn more about the subject, thank you for this great videos!
I've been in the golf business for 35 years. I never heard of Oakhurst. But I've played Pinehurst #2!!!!
I putt the Thistle Dhu every day. What a roller coaster 🎢 of a putting green that js. Giant moguls make some putts next to impossible negotiate. The Dhu will humble you in the first 4 feet.
Love this! Please do more!
Beautifully produced, from writing to production. Entertaining and insightful. Congrats!
Thank you Greg!
What grand work you've done documenting the legacy of Oakhurst.Links and the people that contributed to it. I was saddened by the ending, and even more by reading the earlier comments updating the status of this historic course. Yet your wonderful documentary here is so well done and encouraging that I can't help but hope that a new rebirth of the Oakhurst legacy might once again be "Far and Sure" in the future.
Thank you so much for your comments. One of these days I hope to be able to redo the ending of the film if it ever opens again. Those who told the stories in the interviews and the Keller’s allowing us access to their family photos made this piece what it is. It is a special place and deserves its recognition. I hope this film helps with that. Thanks for watching and sharing.
Wonderful documentary! Thank you so very much for sharing this excellent piece! 🏌♂️❤🏆
Thank you so much for watching and for your kind comments. Oakhurst is truly a special place and important to American golf history.
Really wonderful golf history. I grew up near here. The Keller family did a lot to keep this history alive, wonderful people. Unfortunately, J.Justice let it die.
Glad I found this gem!
I’m glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for commenting!
Imagine their was no golf!? Thank God for the Scottish folks. We will be eternally grateful.
Really enjoyed this, thank you. Would be great to see it even in its current state. Hope it gets the attention it deserves.
Thank you for watching it and your comments! Hopefully one day it can be restored, again and enjoyed by many more. It deserves to be recognized and have its rightful place in history.
@@brettward4922 agreed!
Bill Campbell was a gentleman of the game.
Bill Campbell was truly a gentleman and a pleasure to work with on this project. He was such a golf historian, an ambassador to the game and a proud West Virginian.
Its crazy that I played my first round when golf was only 99 years in USA
USGA should help with America’s Old Course in some way
Sorry for being a semantics warrior...had to start by saying sorry because I'm canadian :)
But I think the title should be "The Story of the oldest golf course in the United States of America", because the oldest golf course in America is a beautiful 9 holes course situated on Île d'Orléans, in the province of Québec, Canada.
I'm definitely biased since I'm a Frenchman/Acadian who has played that course.
Speaking of semantics.....so you as an Acadian from the province of Quebec consider yourself as an AMERICAN then????
..... 🍿
Ratho, Bothwell, Tasmania. Australia 🦘🇦🇺 The oldest golf course in the southern hemisphere ✅🙏
Savannah golf course built 1795. It is now Savannah Country Club.
NOPE. Savannah golf club was established 1794 but did not build a formal course until 1899.
Nice documentary. When was it originally produced? I hope to see the course brought back to life someday.
Thanks for your comments. The majority of it was shot in 2006 & 2007. Other pieces were shot in 2022.
It would be great to see it restored, again!
@@brettward4922 Thank you for the prompt reply. I never knew about this place until this video appeared as a suggestion. I’ll keep my eyes peeled for any efforts to restore it.
What a sad ending, i wasn't expecting that. The PGA or USGA couldn't have bought the place?
Oh it gets worse. Greenbrier bought it and had it running. After the 2016 floods they let it go back to ruins 😢
@@Nirmak13 That is worse. Thanks for the update.
Let’s hope the ending gets rewritten one day for the course if it ever opens again and I can update the documentary also.
Thanks for taking the time to watch the film and I appreciate the feedback! Maybe the more eyes that sees the film will generate more interest and some traction to change things.
What about the South Carolina Golf Club that was founded in 1786 in Charleston
He makes quick mention of Charleston at 1:00
The Savannah Golf Club was founded in 1794 , however they did not build a formal course for more than hundred years until 1899.
Savannah Golf Club. 1794. Oldest golf club in America.
Valley Forge National 1776. General Washington passed out mashies and brassies amongst his officers to keep moral up. They built a course along the Wissahicken Creek with a full practice facility next to Widner's Plantation, which ran from Valley Forge all the way to present day Laffayette Hill, where Edgar Allen Poe penned the Raven and the Pit amd the Pendulem along the banks of what is currently Whitemarsh Valley Country Club, designed by George Thomas.
So in essence, George Washington, the Father of our country, is also the founder of American Golf ⛳️. Washington carried a +2 handicap btw and played a wicked hook.
Hardest golf course I’ve ever played
St. Andrews in NY. Can't make that shiiiit up 😂😂
This is why you dont keep important documents and items in your garage. Not only increased water intrusion, but they arent as "safe" as the rest of the home, a lot more electricals are exposed, etc.
What a sad loss of history.
Let's buy it with $1 donations?
Foxburg
All of the research I found on Foxburg is that it started in 1887 which was still a few years after Oakhurst but was formed still before St. Andrew’s. Plus Foxburg stayed in the same spot, unlike St. Andrew’s. I would love to visit Foxburg! But thanks for watching the film!
Foxburg is the oldest course in continuous operation in the US. Starting in 1887, worth a visit. 9 hole course.
@brettward4922 Records from Foxburg indicate the club had a private 8 hole course dating to 1884.
By 1887 the club added a 9 hole public course that has been in continuous use ever since.
The oldest golf course in the US is Van Cortlandt in the US. Just saying.
Van Cortlandt Golf Course didn't open until 1895. Nice try though.
St Andrews in Hastings on Hudson recognized as the first
St Andrews didn't begin play until 1888. And they didn't start playing at Hastings-on-Hudson until 1897.
I understand people's love of golf. My dad was addicted to it. One question, and I'm not being biased. Does the construction of golf courses on prime natural land hurt our natural animals?
Gee, do you think altering the natural land to BUILD THE HOUSE YOU LIVE IN harmed the natural animals?
i wonder what these men would think of the spectacle that modern golf has become, with its plastic novelty equipment, and just-for-money corporate control? 500 yard par 4's that can only be played by gorillas with novelty equipment, and exclusivity that keeps the working class away from the game...
no sport has degraded more than golf over the years...and that's saying something.
Yea I’ve wondered too what they would think of the sport and its evolution. Technology has changed so many things, including sports.
Thanks for watching and commenting.
Do you think black people were allowed too play golf in 1814?
This documentary was based partly on events that were happening around 1884 in West Virginia and not 1814, as you mentioned. The formation of Oakhurst Links began several years after the completion of the Civil War and the Emancipation Proclamation.
There’s no written or oral history, that I know of, about blacks playing, or not playing, golf at Oakhurst.
I’m hoping this may help clear up any misunderstandings. Thank you for your question and your interest and for watching!!