The First 18-Hole Golf Course in the US Opened This Week in 1893 | US Census Bureau

WASHINGTON, July 19, 2017 / Following is the daily "Profile America" feature from the U.S. Census Bureau:

JULY 19: THE HOLE TRUTH

Profile America — Wednesday, July 19th. The first 18-hole golf course in the United States opened this week in 1893 in Downer's Grove, Illinois. The course was an expansion of an existing 9-hole facility. The Chicago Golf Club soon moved to a new course in nearby Wheaton, and the Downer's Grove course has since reverted to 9 holes. The sport arrived on these shores from Scotland, and there is evidence of golfing in the late 18th century in South Carolina and Georgia. Today, over 25 million Americans play the game at least once a year at the 11,280 golf courses and country clubs across the nation. These establishments employ over 295,000 people in the nearly $21 billion per year pursuit of what a frustrated player called "a good walk spoiled." You can find more facts about America from the U.S. Census Bureau online at www.census.gov.

A look ahead to the upcoming 2024 Masters Tournament!