History

"Ridgeway Country Club is the oldest club in Memphis, as it was founded in 1861"

idgeway Country Club is the oldest club in Memphis, as it was founded in 1861 as a young men’s club under the name of the Southern Club on the banks of the Mississippi. When Federal forces occupied Memphis in 1863 the commanding general objected to the name, hence, the name was changed to the Memphis Club. Several years later, the club’s name was changed to the Rex Club and occupied quarters over the Lyric Theater on Madison Avenue. On January 15, 1908 the Club purchased a plot of ground at Dunlap and Madison and built the new home of the Rex Club.

In 1919 The Rex Club purchased 178 acres of land at 5854 Poplar, which is now Ridgeway Road and constructed the first nine holes of golf, two tennis courts and a clubhouse. On August 21, 1921 the name of the club was changed to the Rex Ridgeway Country Club. In 1935 four additional tennis courts were constructed and in 1939 a swimming pool was built. On December 27, 1941 the corporate name of the club was again changed and it became known as Ridgeway Country Club. In 1950 the second nine holes of the golf course were completed.

In 1971, the 5854 Poplar property was sold and the present land at 9800 Poplar was purchased.  Ed Seay and Ellis Maples were hired as architects of the present golf course.  In 1998, construction was completed on the present clubhouse.