An inspiration and challenge ... the golfer is forever fascinated by the complexity and perfection of nature, magnificently untouched...at this historic Salem Club. Between old growth giants lining the fairways and swollen curves along the Willamette River contour, your own game becomes very personal. Each shot has its own character; a new experience. In a native sanctuary and wildlife refuge you
are the guest of a fertile, nimble valley. You feel it all around you, in every direction, where eagles and ospreys are hunting or nesting overhead in the filtered drama. You share the movement and waterways at the base of the Cascade mountains with deer, fox, mink, cranes, water fowl, beaver, bobcat and painted turtles. Each round is met with unique strategy, and you discover your own best, which is why Salem has been celebrated as "Best in the Valley" ... and why visitors come from around the world to play this glorious, old Championship Golf Course. Local business in the community started this venture in 1925, by donating $250 each to purchase the John Hughes Land Grant for Salem's first class public golf course, designed and built by Ercel Kay. Ercel's grandfather, the original Thomas Lister Kay, was in the Woolen Mill business, and loaned his grandson money for trees. "It was a risky thing to do, and everyone in the family was mad about it" remembered his only his son, Tom Kay. A quiet athlete, Ercel was ill suited for the wool industry and dedicated himself to the hard work of carving 200 acres of flat fields on the outskirts of town into fairways. Working all the daylight hours on one tractor, he could be found "where the dust was".... imagining his game, and in 1927 had transformed the dirt into the first undulating nine holes . Sculpting and planting Ercel unearthed the remains of an old farm on the 6th tee. He was a good golfer and state champion. When the golf course opened to the public, the green fees were 25 cents for nine holes and 40 cents for eighteen. Returning home from WWII his son, young Thomas B. Kay married, started a textile and carpet business, bought the club from his father in 1965 and worked with equal devotion to nourish the Salem Golf Club his entire life until 2018. * His efforts and contributions extended into the development of the adjoining and surrounding Minto Brown Island Public Park project that we all enjoy today. Nearly 100 years later we feel as though a piece of this favorite public landmark belongs to all of us. Amidst growing pressure in development OUR MISSION REMAINS THE SAME;
To conserve and protect the remarkable unspoiled bio-diversity, to celebrate and support the vigorous enthusiasm for the time honored game and to keep the experience available for everyone. In 1927 it was "for every working man." Today, we work at this together, with a hard working staff, schools, our members, charities and guests so that the
beloved Salem Golf Club can continue to be a place where everyone can play. The course has never been in finer shape. The practice and teaching facility has expanded south into one of the largest and best in the area. In contrast to the established fairways and benefits of natural light, engineered greens & tees keep the entire course in excellent, peak playing condition.
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Isaac, aka "Whiskey" Brown shipwrecked in 1850 at the mouth of the Columbia, rowed south and founded a small island in the Willamette River just behind the fir trees on the second green. Inspired by his reputation for growing exceptional local produce, hospitality and generosity we've named our Restaurant and Library bar Whiskey Brown's farmhouse kitchen. HOME of Salem's Capital City Amateur Championship Golf Tournament,
and in the continued spirit of community, we are pleased to have schools, visitors and private events enjoying their celebrations in this
natural magnificence for nearly
100 years. Welcome!
