In 1897 Riverdale Street, West Springfield was a countrified thoroughfare bordered with large trees. Most of this main road was farmland with pastures of grazing farm animals, and orchards which gave bountiful harvest in season. There were many folks on either side of the Connecticut River who showed a great interest in the “royal and ancient game of Scotland”. Some of these hardy Springfield and West Springfield golfing pioneers used to travel by horse and buggy, trolley and bicycle to play golf at a distant golf club across the Connecticut River.
As far back as 1896 these golfing pioneers started an informal golf course on Ethan Brook’s hillside. It was into this tranquil Riverdale section that Springfield Country Club would take up residence.

Then in 1897, because of mounting interest, and the accessibility of the location, these gentlemen officially formed the Springfield Country Club and acquired seventy five acres on the bluff which commanded a breathtakingly beautiful, sweeping panorama of the Connecticut River Valley. One of the most famous golf architects in the world, Mr. Donald Ross is responsible for the original course design.