The former Melrose Country Club in Cheltenham Township closed for good on Sunday, December 1.
The closure was featured by Better Rounds in an article titled “Melrose Country Club’s Final Round: A Sad Day for Golf History“. The article details the club’s privately-owned ascent and publicly-owned decline, culminating in a man’s death by fallen tree in April.
The nearly century-old course was co-designed by architect Perry Maxwell between 1924 and 1926.
In August, 7600 Tookany Creek Parkway CRCP, LLC, which owns the 116-acre property, sent a letter to area residents notifying them that the company intends to file a zoning application for the mixed-use redevelopment.
An excerpt from the article:
Originally a private country club, Melrose began its life as an exclusive retreat for Philadelphia’s golfing elite. The course was pristine, the clubhouse lively, and the membership loyal. However, as times changed, so did the club’s fortunes. Ownership changed hands several times over the decades, and with each transition, the course began to lose a bit of its luster. Maintenance standards slipped, and the once-manicured greens and fairways began to show signs of neglect. What had once been a jewel of Philadelphia golf became progressively more run-down, though its bones—the hallmark of Maxwell’s genius—still attracted those who loved the game.
The club’s transition from private to public in its later years opened the doors to a wider audience, allowing everyday golfers to experience a Perry Maxwell design without the hefty price tag of other courses in his portfolio. For many, this was a blessing. Melrose Country Club became a place where golfers could sharpen their skills, chase milestones, and fall in love with the game. Personally, it’s where I learned to play, where I carded my first par, birdie, and eagle. Melrose wasn’t just a course—it was a proving ground.
But the decline was undeniable. Ownership struggled to keep up with the rising costs of maintaining a course, and frequent changes in management didn’t help. Each new owner seemed less invested in restoring Melrose to its former glory. The final blow, many suspect, came after a tragic accident in which a falling tree killed a golfer during a storm. This heartbreaking incident seemed to drain the will of the current owners to continue. Whether it was the liability concerns, the emotional toll, or simply the feeling that enough was enough, it marked the beginning of the end for Melrose Country Club.
Check out the TikTok video below about the course’s history and closure:
You can also watch the Youtube video below, which was filmed last year:
For all the latest news, follow us on Facebook or sign up for Glenside Local’s “Daily Buzz” newsletter here.
Photo: MCC