History of Bellerive Country Club

Golf in Missouri has a pretty amazing history that most people don’t even know about. In fact, the first televised golf match happened at a club in St. Louis. Some of the most important moments and players also have roots in the Show Me State. So as you are watching the 2026 BMW Championship, this is the place to have your questions answered.

See the history of Missouri Golf here.

The Birth of a Midwestern Giant

The story doesn’t actually begin where the club sits today. Bellerive’s roots stretch all the way back to 1897 as a humble nine-hole track called “The Field Club” in north St. Louis. By 1910, the club moved, expanding its ambitions and renaming itself after Louis St. Ange de Bellerive, the last French commander in North America.

But the Bellerive the world knows today was born in 1960. Seeking more space, the club moved to its current location, entrusting a pristine farming site to a man who would mold it into a masterpiece.

The Master and the “Green Monster of Ladue”

The club brought in legendary architect Robert Trent Jones Sr. to design the new layout. When it opened, locals dubbed it the “Green Monster of Ladue” because of its immense length and difficulty.

Decades later, the baton was passed to his son. In 2005-2006, Rees Jones (known affectionately in the golf world as the “Open Doctor”) led a massive renovation. He modernized the layout, brought a meandering creek more prominently into play, and maintained his father’s punishing, undulating greens.

Bellerive was Built for Majors

Bellerive isn’t just a tough course; it’s a piece of golf history. It is only the third club to host all four men’s traveling majors (the U.S. Open, PGA Championship, U.S. Senior Open, and Senior PGA Championship).

Here are the chapters of its championship story:

• 1965 U.S. Open: At just five years old, Bellerive became the youngest course to host the event. Gary Player battled Kel Nagle in a playoff to win, famously completing his career Grand Slam on these very greens.
• 1992 PGA Championship: Nick Price captured his first major championship here.
• 2018 PGA Championship: In one of the most electric atmospheres in recent history, Brooks Koepka held off a charging, vintage Tiger Woods to claim the Wanamaker Trophy.
• The Future: Bellerive’s story is far from over, as it prepares to host the prestigious 2030 Presidents Cup.

The Course

If you ever find yourself walking Bellerive’s immaculate Zoysia fairways, there are a few tactical realities you must accept:

• Water is everywhere: A massive creek and various ponds come into play on 11 of the 18 holes.
• The Greens within Greens: The putting surfaces are massive and heavily contoured. Hitting the green isn’t enough; you have to hit the right section of the green.
• The Brutal Par 3s: The 214-yard 6th hole is a classic “beauty and the beast,” featuring a daunting tee shot entirely over water and sand that demands absolute perfection.
• The Locker Rooms are Amazing: One of the greatest memories of my time at Bellerive was going into the locker rooms. Sure, every club has them, but these are something you have to see to believe.

The Scorecard

Bellerive isn’t just a country club; it’s a piece of St. Louis golf history and tradition. It is one of the best of the best and that’s why it is in the national spotlight once again in 2026.