What makes Tanyard Country Club different is how it came to be. As a member-owned country club, Tanyard is the perfect example of a group of dedicated golfers pulling together to make a dream a reality. A true “human interest story in the works,” says golf course architect Tom Clark of Ault, Clark, and Associates.
Tanyard Country Club was originally built between 1852 and 1856 by Dr. William Beadles and extensively renovated by Stapleton D. Gooch from 1871 to 1875. The stately pillared mansion now houses the Club's Tavern and Dining Rooms. Behind the Clubhouse, twin silos and a small milking barn reflect a more recent history of the property. During the decades of the 1940's through the 1960's, these 225 rolling acres were home to Glenmary Farm, a working dairy farm. The cream still rises to the top in the milking barn that currently houses the Pro Shop for Tanyard Country Club's 18 hole championship golf course.
When Larry and Judy Kavanaugh purchased the farm in the 80's, they could only dream of what Tanyard Country Club would someday become. Designed by novice golf course architects Larry Kavanaugh, Jim Bell and J. C. Rine, "Louisa Country Club" was initially only a nine-hole layout.
When Mr. Kavanaugh sold Louisa Country Club to its members in 1996, they did more than just change the name. They called upon veteran golf course architect Tom Clark to redesign and expand the course to 18 holes. Mr. Clark was a senior partner in the firm of Ault, Clark and Associates, which designed over 750 courses including The Tournament Players Club at Avenel and The Woods Course at Kingsmill. His vision became reality in the new Tanyard Country Club named for the Tanyard Branch that empties into Beaver Creek at a spot near the seventh tee.