By Meghan E. Gattignolo
A new exhibit in the Museum’s Challenges and Champions Sports Gallery remembers legendary golf professional Mason Rudolph. Local golfers know the name well, both for the man himself, and the neighborhood golf course bearing his name. The exhibit is timely, as Clarksville is in the midst of debates over the future of the golf course, a monument to Clarksville’s golf history.
Golf Legend Mason Rudolph
Clarksville native Edgar Mason Rudolph was born to play golf. In 1950 at the age of 16, he became the youngest player to qualify for and compete in the U.S. Open. He then won two TSSAA championships back-to-back in 1951 and 1952.
Rudolph gained legendary status in his sport. He competed in several PGA Tours during his long career, as well as numerous Tennessee Opens. In the 1970s, he competed alongside household names like Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus to win the Ryder Cup.
Later in life, Rudolph gained a reputation as a teacher. He became head coach of the men’s golf program at Vanderbilt University in 1992, which eventually led to a promotion to Director of Golf. Rudolph earned spots in the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame and Tennessee Golf Hall of Fame. He passed away in April 2011.
Mason Rudolph played on the 1971 Ryder Cup Team. Mason Rudolph, Ryder Cup Photo, Customs House Museum & Cultural Center Collections.
And a Legendary Golf Course
The 9-hole golf course bearing Mason Rudolph’s name was built in 1913 on Golf Club Lane in Clarksville. Originally built as the Clarksville Country Club, it was used as a place for Clarksville businessmen to impress and talk shop with clients in the tobacco industry.
Over time, the Country Club grew in membership and eventually there was a need to expand the course. In 1964, the land for the current country club was purchased, and the former was sold to the city and named after Clarksville’s golf golden child, Mason Rudolph.
The Mason Rudolph Golf Course has become a popular place for Clarksville to golf. Even now, during its 111th year of existence, locals love coming to Mason Rudolph. Both new golfers and veteran golfers, focused on improving their game, flock to Mason Rudolph on any given Saturday. Since it is smaller and cheaper than other courses in town, it’s also a wonderful course to teach kids the game. Apart from the course, there’s also a driving range and putting green. More than a few Clarksville locals have fond memories of learning how to play golf with their dad at this golf course.
Challenges & Champions Sports Gallery at the Customs House Museum & Cultural Center. Photo by Justin Kaicles.
The Future of a Clarksville Historic Place
In May 2024, Clarksville Parks and Recreation announced Mason Rudolph Golf Course would close and be reimagined as a city park, aptly named Mason Rudolph Legacy Park. A decrease in golfer usage over the years, as well as a high cost to revitalize the course to bring it up to standards and the serious maintenance problem of a sinkhole opening up in the middle of the course, were all cited as reasons for the new plan.
To say the outcry against losing Mason Rudolph as a golf course was immediate is not hyperbole. An online petition on Change.org and a Facebook page went up quickly after the announcement. The reaction was significant enough that Mayor Pitts released a statement saying the city would wait to decide what to do after more discussion with the public could take place.
Residents must decide whether fixing the golf course is worth the city’s money. The fact remains the antique golf course will cost a lot of money to repair. In contrast, Mayor Pitts said converting the course into a public park would not take any extra money. With a growing population, Clarksville could always use more parks and green spaces.
The Mayor’s reaction is comforting. Clarksville’s local government really does listen and pay attention to the needs and interests of city residents. Lately, with historic buildings becoming the targets of developers altering the landscape, losing more historically significant spaces is a sore spot right now.
As of today, the golf course is closed but the driving range is still open at Mason Rudolph. For now, Clarksville golfers wait with bated breath to learn the ultimate fate of the course. Whatever happens next, though, there’s no danger that Clarksville’s favorite golfer will ever be forgotten.
Come check out the feature about Mason Rudolph – as well as learn about his older brother Jacob, another athlete in the family – now featured in the Challenges and Champions Sports Gallery.
Meghan E. Gattignolo is a freelance writer and longtime Clarksville, TN resident. She loves to obsess about historical subjects and annoy her family daily with unsolicited random facts. Meghan holds a History B.A. from Austin Peay State University and lives in town with her husband and two children.