During centennial year no initiation fee for a regular membership

The Tryon Country Club is not your father’s typical country club.

First and foremost, it was the idea of a very forward-looking woman, Emma Payne Erskine. Her great-grandson, Andy Haynes, has researched Ms. Erskine’s life and discovered that in 1916 she came up with the idea to donate land for a country club with hopes that if there was a golf course and swimming pool in Tryon, then she’d be able to sell lots on the land adjoining the dairy farm that became the Tryon Country Club. She commissioned Donald Ross to design the nine-hole course.

Another great-grandson, Chris Bartol, says “Emma was 75 years ahead of her time.”  When her husband, Charles Erskine, died in 1908, he left her property along Hwy. 108 in Tryon. She realized this land could be a source of income if she sold the lots and built houses. She became “one of Tryon’s earliest developers,” according to Mr. Bartol. Mr. Haynes’ research verifies this.

Ms. Erskine didn’t play golf but as a fun-loving, industrious woman, she’d be pleased to know that in April 2016 the Tryon Country Club celebrated 100 years of golf and family fun.

The Tryon Country Club is also different from most country clubs because of the fact that during this centennial year there is no initiation fee for a regular membership. There are a number of different kinds of memberships: regular, sports, non-resident, associate, and junior membership.

Even though the course is laid out for nine holes, it plays to 18 by virtue of extra tees, one extra green and variations of tee placements. Besides the golf course there is a driving range, chipping and putting practice greens, a clubhouse, locker rooms, a full size swimming pool and a fully stocked pro shop—all available to members and guests.

Tryon Country Club is member owned and member operated, administered by a resident PGA club professional, and maintained by a GCSAA course superintendent.  If you’d like information about which membership category suits your needs, call the club pro at 828-859-9561.

– article submitted

by Robbie ter Kuile