A century at Albany Golf Club
By David H. Waller
Last week marked the official start of the 2025 golf season at Albany Golf Club, as the course hosted its first high school tournaments in nearly a decade, with both boys’ and girls’ teams competing last Monday and Wednesday, respectively. The official start of the golf season last week brought a renewed energy to the course as members looked ahead to what will be a milestone year—the 100th anniversary of the club.
“This year is special,” said Ronnie Anderson, club president. “It’s the 100th anniversary of the club, and we’re planning a lot of things to celebrate that.”
Among the events planned for the year, the Centennial Classic will serve as the centerpiece of the 100th-anniversary celebration, taking place of the club’s traditional Father’s Day Tournament. Set for June 14-15, the tournament will bring members together to honor a century of golf in Albany, featuring a meal and a group photo that recreates an image taken by the club’s original members in the late 1920’s. In 2026, the tournament will return to its Father’s Day Tournament name.
There will be much planned around the tournament to make the celebration special, and there are also preliminary discussions about placing a special marker at the course to commemorate the anniversary, though details have yet to be finalized.
A Course Built from the Ground Up
The Albany Golf Club traces its roots back to the early 1920s, when oilman Ben Scott arrived in Albany to drill a well on the Truehart land. The venture failed to produce oil, but Scott, an avid golfer, saw a different opportunity. Golf was virtually unknown in the area at the time.
Determined to bring the game to Albany, Scott worked with a group of locals in 1925 to establish the town’s first nine-hole course at the intersection of the Ibex highway and Highway 6. Built on a mix of pastureland and abandoned fields, the course featured sand greens, and members had to carefully maintain the playing surfaces by raking and oiling them regularly.
By 1927, the club relocated to a 68-acre site just outside the city limits, where a professional course designer from Abilene helped create a more refined layout. A clubhouse was built, featuring a dance floor, locker rooms, and a dining hall, quickly making it a central hub for social life in Albany. At its peak in the early years, the club had 72 members, many of whom participated in both golf and social events.
However, the Great Depression of the 1930s took a toll on the club, causing membership numbers to decline. Eventually, the club could no longer sustain operations, and the land was reclaimed by R.E. Nail, who had financed the purchase. Over time, the club regained stability, and the course evolved into the well-maintained Bermuda grass layout seen today, with it having virtually the same layout over the past 100 years.
Course Improvements and Tournament Season
Leading up to and in preparation for its centennial year, the club has made several course improvements, including new cart paths, new tee markers featuring the club’s logo and updated flags. A capital campaign is also underway to raise funds for essential maintenance equipment, with the purchase of a new fairway mower—estimated to cost between $35,000 and $50,000—as a top priority.
“The one we have now is wearing out,” Anderson said. “A new one will cost anywhere from $35,000 to $50,000, but it’s a necessary investment.”
Regular Wednesday scrambles are set to begin shortly after daylight saving time changes on March 9, leading into a full tournament season.
The 2025 tournament schedule includes:
May 3-4 – Christmas for Kids Tournament
June 14-15 – Centennial Classic (Father’s Day Tournament)
July 19-20 – Shackelford County Youth & Livestock Association Tournament
Aug. 30-31 – Labor Day Tournament
Sept. 13-14 – Club Championship
Sept. 27-28 – PTO Tournament
Oct. 4 – Xi Chi Pi Sorority Tournament
Oct. 25 – Mason Tournament
TBD – Kiwanis Tournament
Note that tournament dates that are subject to change.
To keep the course in top condition, the club will conduct a major aeration project in April, requiring temporary greens for a brief period. Anderson emphasized the importance of allowing the greens time to heal, stating, “We have got to aerate our greens in April, and when we do that, we sand them heavily. We really need to stay off of them for a couple of weeks.”
Looking Ahead
As the Albany Golf Club enters its 100th year, the focus remains on maintaining the course’s legacy and sustainability. With fundraising efforts, course upgrades, and community involvement, the club hopes to continue attracting new members and providing a quality golfing experience for years to come.
Reflecting on the club’s importance to Albany, Anderson said, “This is a nice little course here. We’re real fortunate to have it. In my opinion, it’s one of the biggest assets Albany has.”
With a century of golf behind it and a future still unfolding, the Albany Golf Club stands as a testament to the passion and dedication of its members—past, present, and future.
Editors Note: as editor of The Albany News, I do have the privilege of deciding what makes it into the paper. So, as a self-proclaimed golf enthusiast, you might notice a bit more golf coverage than in the past. Apologies in advance—or you’re welcome, depending on where you stand.
