Our Story
Sixty years of tradition on Maryland's Eastern Shore.
A gathering place rooted in the land ~ Since 1965
A Storied Beginning: The Legacy of Green Hill Country Club
When you step onto the lush greens of Green Hill Country Club, you’re treading on rich history that dates back to 1927. Our journey began in 1925 when a visionary group of 25 men acquired the land from Mr. Harry Jones for $10,000, with a dream of creating a 9-hole golf course.
The name “Green Hill Country Club” was chosen, and Mr. John K. Gunby was appointed as the club’s inaugural president. The course officially opened in May 1927, though the grounds had already seen spirited play from both men and women for over a year. By May 1928, the clubhouse was completed for an additional $10,000, welcoming its first 100 members. Annual dues were set at $100 for gentlemen and $50 for ladies—a modest fee compared to today’s standards.
The club thrived through the late 1920s & early 1930s, becoming a cherished retreat for many.
However, the Great Depression soon cast its shadow over the country, and by 1937, the club struggled to maintain membership despite lowering dues to $25 annually. Unable to sustain operations, the bank foreclosed, and Green Hill closed its doors.
In a twist of fate, brothers Pratt and Lay Phillips purchased the property at the foreclosure sale. They transformed it into “Willow Brook Lodge,” a summer haven for the Phillips family. During this period, the grounds were beautifully landscaped, and cattle roamed where golfers once played.
In 1954, renowned New York golf course architect Alfred H. Tull was commissioned to expand the course. By 1955, an additional nine holes were opened, creating a full 18-hole course that stretched 6,477 yards from the regular tees, 6,929 yards from the championship tees, and 5,975 yards from the women’s tees. The original nine holes, now woven into the new course, remain the most rolling and captivating.
Fast forward to 1977, & Green Hill embarked on a significant capital improvement program.
As you drive through the grounds today, you’ll see the fruits of this effort. The tennis courts to your left, completed in the summer of 1977, stand where the original courts once did. The swimming pool, also added in 1977, sits near the river, left of the clubhouse. The current deck and dining room have replaced the first pool area. Inside the clubhouse, the Pro Shop welcomes you on the right, with the original shop located near the 18th hole. The Grille Room, River Room, Heritage Room, Terrace Dining Room, locker rooms, and offices—all part of the 1978 expansion—stem from the original clubhouse, forming the heart of our current structure.
We invite you to join us and be part of Green Hill Country Club’s ongoing story. Explore our rich past and help us shape the future!
Values That Drive The Club.
Warm Hospitality
Every visit should feel like coming home — to staff who know your name and neighbors glad you’re back.
Family First
Our programming, pool, and camp exist because kids belong at the heart of club life.
Pride of Place
The course, the grounds, the plates on the table — we invest in quality you can feel.
Our club is a community.
Our Code of Conduct — reviewed annually by the membership committee — sets simple, clear expectations for respect, dress, and courtesy that keep the club welcoming for everyone.