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San Jose Country Club is set in the lower elevations of the Diablo Range east of San Jose, California and was established in 1899 as the Linda Vista Country Club. In the late 1800's a "golf boom" had been unleashed by the graceful swing of Englishman Harry Vardon, who staged a successful turn-of-the-century U.S. tour, and by the flight of the new Haskell golf ball with its ribbons of rubber innards. 

Linda Vista Country Club emerged during an amazing cross-country buildup of golf courses. In the last five years of the 1800's, the U.S. Golf Associations membership grew from 5 to 168 clubs. Linda Vista Country Club was the eighth course to open in California and the fourth in the Bay Area, preceded only by the Burlingame Country Club (1893), and the San Francisco Golf Club and The Presidio Golf Club two years later. Loosely translated, in Spanish Linda Vista means "pretty view."

The Linda Vista Country Club laid the foundation for the great championship golf tradition that has carried through over a century at San Jose Country Club. On July 12, 1912, a Charter was drawn up for the San Jose Country Club. 1912 was the year that Sam Snead, Ben Hogan, Byron Nelson, and our local champion, Ernie Pieper were born, the first radio broadcast in San Jose, and the year the Titanic sank.

The course was originally designed by Tom Nicoll (1912), a Scottish-born professional and the Club's first head pro, with renovations by A.W. Tillinghast (1936), and John Harbottle (1997). Harbottle thought that the course has "a touch of Scotland", likening it to Gleneagles. Later, golf course architect, Bill Love renovated the bunkers of San Jose Country Club in 2014.

As a Founding member of the Northern California Golf Association, San Jose Country Club has turned out many champions through the years such as Ernie Pieper, whose swing was most compared to Bobby Jones, and of whom Jones purportedly referred to as "the man with a near-perfect swing", Eddie Duino who gave lessons to Roger Maltbie and Ken Venturi, Jack and Eli Bariteau, Hank Lucente, Greg Galasso, and Gary and Barbara Vandeweghe to name just a few.

Many golf celebrities have also enjoyed the challenge and subtle design of the San Jose Country Club golf course, Snead, Hogan, Nelson, Walter Hagen, Babe Didrickson-Zaharias, Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, Joe DiMaggio, Patty Berg, Gene Sarazen, Johnny Miller, Julie Inkster, Patty Sheehan, and Fred Couples, again, to just name a few.

The San Jose Country Club has grown up with a rich history and tradition still followed today. Competitive golf in a friendly social environment promoting camaraderie and friendship.

Learn More History

In June of 1948, Ben Hogan won his first major tournament, the U.S. Open. In September of 1948, he came to San Jose Country Club at the invitation of the Club's Head Professional, Eddie Duino, to conduct a clinic and play an exhibition match.

Hogan, in his first round at San Jose Country Club, shot 64 (par is 70), having never seen the course. During that round, Hogan never had his ball more than a flag stick's length from the hole, hitting all 18 greens in regulation.

Shortly after his play at San Jose Country Club, where this photo was taken, Hogan was in the car accident that almost ended his career. While driving with his wife Valerie, a bus on the wrong side of the road hit his car head on. To protect his wife, Hogan threw his body in front of her. She was unhurt.

This act saved his wife, but Hogan was badly injured, suffering a broken pelvis, broken legs, and so many other injuries that doctors told him he would never be able to play golf again.

Proving them wrong, Hogan rehabilitated himself and went on to have what is arguably the best year in golf. In 1953, he won the Masters, the U.S. Open, and the British Open (at that time, the British Open and the PGA tournament were played at the same time.)

Eddie Duino went on to be named the "PGA Pro of the Year" for the entire United States. Many believe Eddie Duino was the most popular - and best loved - Head Professional of all time.

Established in 1899, the San Jose Country Club is the fourth oldest golf club in Northern California. The course is truly unique to the Bay Area. Tom Nicoll, a Scottish-born professional and the club’s first head pro, designed it in 1912. John Harbottle, a classic golf course architect who likened the course to Gleneagles and noted that the course was "a touch of Scotland," renovated it eighty-eight years later.

San Jose Country Club is known for its love of the game of golf and has a history steeped in tradition and golfing honors. The Club is a founding member of the NCGA and has turned out many champions through the years. Eddie Duino was the most famous Club pro, who was "Club Professional of the Year" in 1959. He gave lessons to Roger Maltbie, Ken Venturi, and Congressman Don Edwards, who are honorary members today. Ernie Pieper, whose swing was most compared to Bobby Jones, and of whom Jones purportedly referred to as "the man with a near-perfect swing," won 15 Santa Clara County Championships. Through the years, the long list of golf pros and celebrities who have enjoyed our course include Ben Hogan, Walter Hagen, Sam Snead, Byron Nelson, Johnny Miller, and Fred Couples.
 
The Club provides many golf and social activities, in a family friendly environment of mutual respect, friendship, and camaraderie. Members use the clubhouse and dining facilities for business luncheons, off-site meetings, and casual and formal dining with a spectacular view of Silicon Valley.

MEET OUR MEMBER — IDA PIERACCI

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Ida Pieracci. Ida passed away on Saturday, December 15th, 2018.  We at San Jose Country Club will remember her always.

This is a message written by Dustin Cohen, the creator of this wonderful video of Ida which he posted on Instagram.  I just got word that Ida Pieracci passed away on Saturday. She was an absolute legend and I am grateful that I got to spend a little time with her capturing her spirit. Depending on who you ask, Ida was 106 or 107. Today, I'm remembering Ida and her advice about the key to a long, happy life: "Just being a good kid!"

It's been several years since our son, Dustin Cohen, a photographer and director in New York, spent some time interviewing and filming our beloved Ida Pieracci. After more than four hours of filming, on a chilly, misty morning, this short but very sweet film was produced. We think it captures Ida's essence and love of life (and golf).

The film quickly won accolades from around the world and the golf world. To date more than 1.5 million views have been registered. A senior related news outlet called the Senior Planet had this to say: “Meet Ida. When Dustin Cohen made this very short film about her, she was 101 and playing golf four or five times a week. “I practically own this course,” she says with a sense of humor that’s light as air.”

Dustin tells the Daily Mail in England, “I worked on the piece for a while, trying to keep it pretty short, fun and sweet - a nice, easy watch to make people smile.” News outlets around the world and country took notice as did the LPGA and the San Francisco Chronicle, which did its own article after viewing the film.

Barbara and I hope it makes you smile and that you enjoy the short film as much we do. A special thanks to Jerry Pieracci and San Jose Country Club for helping make this possible. If you'd like to see more of Dustin's films and photos, please go to: dustincohen.com

 
See you on the course,
Barbara and David Cohen.