Berkeley Country Club was founded at the start of the Roaring 20s during the Golden Age of Golf – the era of prohibition, the Jazz Age, of new "radical" politics that gave women the right to vote. San Francisco had just hosted the notorious booze-fueled 1920 Democratic National Convention, and the University of California across the Bay would soon become an international beacon for free speech and independent thought.
It was among this cultural landscape that Indiana-by-way-of-New York transplant Robert Hunter – a Cal sociology professor, progressive author, friend of Jack London and Upton Sinclair, and avid amateur golfer and visionary course designer – brought together a diverse crew of fellow academics and business leaders and hatched the idea for a Golden Age golf course rooted in the spirit of the great clubs of Scotland and Ireland.
The founding members envisioned an approachable yet challenging golf course, with a welcoming social scene and a commitment to the surrounding community. From the beginning, the Club would be closely associated with the University of California and its golf teams – a legacy that continues today – and a membership that has included a large number of Berkeley coaches, faculty and alumni.
The Berkeley Country Club was one of the first private clubs to welcome members historically excluded from other clubs of the time, and it continues to be among the most ethnically and economically diverse in the Bay Area, actively encouraging minorities, women and the LGBTQ community to join. The Equity membership tier extends the Club's amenities to both children and grandchildren to foster a love for the game among the next generation, while the Ratcliff-designed Tudor-style clubhouse and ballroom is a popular local venue for charitable events, weddings and fundraisers.
In the early years of the 20th century, UC Berkeley professor Robert Hunter had an idea for a startup: bring a group of like-minded golfing enthusiasts and liberal thinkers together and create a remarkable golfing destination and social clubhouse. It would be located in the verdant hills not far from the UC campus, and its design would rival the greatest courses of Scotland and Ireland.
While a private club, the BCC has always been a diverse and inclusive community, with a variety of membership options that ensure it remains accessible and welcoming to people of all ages and life experiences. The Intermediate Memberships are designed for those under 40 and their families to enjoy the Club's sport and social amenities – including the golf course, driving range, chipping and putting greens, fitness center, and the classic Clubhouse restaurant and bar – as they move toward full Equity Membership.
In addition to an extraordinary golf experience, the Berkeley Country Club is renowned for its five-star customer service and gourmet cuisine. Farm-to-fork seasonal menus featuring organic and sustainably harvested ingredients are presented daily in the Hunter Grill, and the classic Clubhouse bar is a popular place to grab a casual drink and a bite with friends before or after a round.
"A storied legacy, an unparalleled golf experience, and a welcoming member community have defined the Berkeley Country Club for more than a century."
"The Berkeley Country Club is one of the best kept secrets in Northern California. The course is absolutely superb and a challenge for golfers of every ability."
7901 Cutting Boulevard, El Cerrito, CA 94530
membership@berkeleycountryclub.com