Shady Rest Golf and Country Club Accepted into the National Black Non-Profit Directory
Located in Scotch Plains, New Jersey, Shady Rest Golf and Country Club was established in 1921 when a group of prominent Black investors known as the Progressive Realty Company purchased the property and created what is recognized as the first African American-owned and operated country club in the United States.
The property has an even older history. Its clubhouse originated as the Ephraim Tucker farmhouse, dating to the 18th century. The Westfield Golf Club later transformed the property into a nine-hole golf course and clubhouse. When the predominantly white club moved in 1921, Black investors acquired the property and gave it new purpose.
Shady Rest was created during an era when segregation and discrimination prevented African Americans from enjoying many of the recreational opportunities available to white Americans. The club provided much more than golf. Members and guests could participate in tennis, horseback riding, croquet, skeet shooting and other activities while enjoying social and cultural events.
Shady Rest also holds a special place in the history of African American golf because it was home to John Matthew Shippen Jr., one of America’s pioneering Black golf professionals. Shippen competed in the U.S. Open and served as Shady Rest’s golf professional for decades. The PGA of America later granted him posthumous membership in 2009.
The club became a gathering place for prominent Black athletes, entertainers and cultural figures. Among those associated with Shady Rest were musicians including Duke Ellington, Count Basie and Billie Holiday, while tennis legend Althea Gibson was also connected to the club’s tennis history.
In 2022, Shady Rest was added to the National Register of Historic Places, recognizing its importance to American history and culture.
Preserving the Legacy
The preservation of Shady Rest is ultimately about preserving a story of Black entrepreneurship, recreation, achievement and community building. At a time when African Americans were frequently excluded from established private clubs, Black investors created their own institution—and built a legacy that continues nearly a century later.
Black Philanthropy Month provides a fitting opportunity to support that legacy.
Preserve Shady Rest’s August campaign encourages supporters to make a donation during the month, with the announcement stating that donations will receive a 5% match. Every contribution helps advance efforts to preserve and share the history of this extraordinary place.
Shady Rest is not simply an old golf course. It is a physical reminder of what Black communities built when doors were closed—and what can happen when people come together to create their own doors.
This August, consider supporting the preservation of Shady Rest and helping ensure that its remarkable story remains available for generations to come.
