Representative image Photo: Stuart Logan · CC BY-SA 2.0
Hillcrest Country Club
Los Angeles, California, United States
18 Holes · Par 71 · Private club — no published green fee; play is by member invitation · Parkland
— About
About Hillcrest Country Club
Hillcrest Country Club is an 18-hole course in the Cheviot Hills neighborhood on the west side of Los Angeles. Willie Watson designed the original layout, and the course has since been redesigned. The club made its mark on the national game in 1929, when it hosted the PGA Championship, the first major championship played in the western United States. It also holds a particular place in Los Angeles social history, as a club created for the city's Jewish community and long a gathering place for the entertainment world.
- Leo Diegel won the 1929 PGA Championship final over Johnny Farrell, 6 and 4, in match play.
- The Los Angeles Open was played here in the 1930s, and Ben Hogan took the 1942 edition in a playoff over Jimmy Thompson.
- The dining room's Round Table drew comedians such as Jack Benny, George Burns, Milton Berle and Danny Kaye.
- Architect Kyle Phillips redesigned Watson's course, and the new version reopened in 2019.
History of Hillcrest Country Club
Hillcrest was founded in 1920, at a time when other elite clubs in Los Angeles excluded Jewish members. In the decades that followed it became a social home for Hollywood performers, so its story is as much about conversation and comedy as about golf. Professional golf also found its way to the club, first through the Los Angeles Open and then through the PGA Championship, which ran from 2 to 7 December 1929.
When to play Hillcrest Country Club
Hillcrest is private, so the practical answer is whenever a member can host you. Ask your host about member days and club events, which can limit guest play, and about when the course is best for a round.
Playing Hillcrest Country Club: tips
There is no public access and no published green fee, so a round means playing as the guest of a member. The club does not publish visitor guidance, so ask your host about dress, arrival times and whether caddies or carts are available before you go.
Visit Hillcrest Country Club
Los Angeles, California, United States
— FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions about Hillcrest Country Club
Can the public play Hillcrest Country Club?
No. Hillcrest is a private club with no public tee sheet, and play is by member invitation.
Where is Hillcrest Country Club?
The club is at 10000 West Pico Boulevard in the Cheviot Hills neighborhood of west Los Angeles, California 90064.
What is the par at Hillcrest?
The course is a par 71 over 18 holes. Yardage depends on the tees you play, so check the card with your host.