Our History
The Saratoga Golf & Polo Club was founded in 1896, the same year that Henry Ford built his very first gasoline-powered automobile. Much like Ford’s late 19th century vision, the Saratoga Golf & Polo Club has evolved over 125+ years, maintaining and building traditions to secure a solid place in history.
Since its inception, the focal point of the Saratoga Golf & Polo Club has been our Victorian-era, 9-hole golf course. Just stepping onto the tee box of the first hole of this meticulously maintained course will transform your mindset and stimulate your mental well-being. In September 2020, Golf Magazine ranked the Saratoga Golf & Polo Club course #11 on its list of top stand-alone 9-hole golf courses.
At the turn of the 20th century, the Saratoga Golf & Polo Club – often referred to as "The Little Club" by its members – offered four grass tennis courts and two additional courts. At the time, tennis was popular in Saratoga Springs, and the courts at the Saratoga Golf & Polo Club were well known among locals. That tradition continues today with a diverse tennis offering that includes four grass courts, three hard courts, one clay court, and two platform tennis courts.
Our exquisite Colonial style clubhouse was built in 1914 as Hylande, a private residence for George and Harriet Ostrander. A November 1914 article in The Saratogian describes the property:
“Adjoining the green course of the golf club, at the top of a hill with an unobstructed view overlooking the Adirondack mountains to the northwest and surrounded by 14 acres of smooth greensward dotted with flowers and shrubbery, the site of Hylande is ideal.”
In 1956, the Hylande became the Dorian restaurant and in 1968, the property was purchased by the Saratoga Golf & Polo Club. Since the acquisition, we have precisely maintained, upgraded, and expanded the mansion within very specific design principles to preserve period details and the property’s overall historic charm.
To meet the evolving needs of our membership, the Saratoga Golf & Polo Club added a swimming pool in 1969. Today, members enjoy the pool and wading pool with a dedicated staff of lifeguards and the Cabana with a full-service kitchen and bar.
Most recently, in 2020, the Saratoga Golf & Polo Club expanded its year-round recreational offerings with the addition of two platform tennis courts. Our raised courts have heated floors for winter play and members can take to the adjacent warming hut in between matches.
The Saratoga Golf & Polo Club is a historic country club in the heart of Saratoga Springs. We embrace our historic roots as "The Little Club", blending decades of tradition with state-of-the-art amenities to deliver a home away from home for our members.