Staff WriterOn the edge of the 9th green and the start of the 10th tee, Nassau Country Club has just given its historic halfway house a facelift that would make a Beverly Hills surgeon weep with envy.
The “Calamity Jane House,” as it’s affectionately known, now stands as the crown jewel in a three-phase renovation plan that’s been years in the making—part preservation, part expansion, and all heart.
According to Meg O’Connor, General Manager and COO of Nassau Country Club, this project was far more than a cosmetic fix. “The halfway house project was done in conjunction of an expansion of the No. 10 tee, as well as a renovation of the Townsend family cemetery that borders on one side of the property,” O’Connor said. “We are so proud of the end result and as a bonus, we now have an outdoor patio allowing members to watch golf for the first time in many years.”
Yes, you read that right. For the first time in what feels like an eternity, members can now sip their Arnold Palmers—or something a bit stronger—on a proper patio, watching fellow golfers either stride with confidence or trudge in shame toward the back nine.
But the story of Nassau Country Club’s Calamity Jane House doesn’t stop at bricks, mortar, or even outdoor seating. No, this halfway house isn’t just a place to rest your spikes. It’s a living tribute to golfing royalty.
For the uninitiated, Calamity Jane wasn’t just a Wild West sharpshooter with a penchant for chaos; she was also the name of Bobby Jones’ iconic putter—the same club he wielded to capture 13 major titles, including five U.S. Amateurs and the mythical Grand Slam of 1930.
That magical wand first found its way into Jones’ hands thanks to Jim Maiden, a Scotsman-turned-American and Nassau CC’s head professional at the time. Legend says Jones drained eight straight putts with it on sight, and walked off with the club like it had been calling his name all along.
Today, Nassau Country Club honours that history not only in name, but in spirit. And while the Pro Shop has moved (what used to be the men’s card room is now home to polos and putters), the past hasn’t been paved over—it’s been polished.
“The original Pro Shop, formerly located at the halfway house, is now utilised for bag storage,” O’Connor explained, detailing the careful repurposing of Nassau CC’s facilities. It’s a kind of chessboard shuffle only a club with this much pedigree could pull off without losing its soul.
Tucked away on the North Shore of Long Island in Nassau County, the club has been doing this dance between heritage and innovation for nearly 130 years. Designed and redesigned by the best in the business—most recently Fazio Design in 2021—the golf course is a testament to American course architecture. And come September 2025, Nassau Country Club will once again make headlines when it hosts the opening days of the 13th Junior Ryder Cup. The competition will then head to the iconic Bethpage Black for its singles matches, dovetailing into the full Ryder Cup just days later.
It’s a timely reminder: while the world outside the club gates races ahead, Nassau Country Club knows the value of pacing. Sometimes, the best way forward is to honour what came before—then stick a patio on it and pour a drink.
More than just a golf club, Nassau CC continues to thrive as a family-friendly sanctuary, offering elite racquet facilities, aquatics, and youth programs.
But make no mistake—the golf remains the heartbeat, and the newly revived Calamity Jane House is its soul, polished and proudly in place.
For more, visit www.nassaucc.com. And if you do stop by, don’t forget to raise a glass to Bobby, to Jim, and to Jane—calamitous in name, but never in purpose.
