The origins of Berkeley Country Club reflect the same spirit that imbues the club today: a group of friends and golf lovers wanting a great place to play golf and relax. There were thirteen of them at the first official meeting of “The Berkeley Country Club” as it was called back then. They met at the University of California, Berkeley in Wheeler Hall back sometime in early 1920 to plan out their vision. The group found an incredible piece of property in the East Bay Hills and two incredible architects: Robert Hunter, an original owner, and Willie Watson. Hunter went on to co-design the world-class Cypress Point Golf Club with Allistar Mackenzie; Watson went on to design the Olympic Club Course in San Francisco. The group also hired an incredible Bay Area architect, W.H. Ratcliff went on to design the Internation House on the Berkeley campus. Wanting to create a space that was elegant with a countryside appeal, Ratcliff designed the clubhouse in the style of an English Tudor manor house. With a great course and a great clubhouse, members were easy to come by. The first members to join the club paid a $180 initiation fee, with monthly dues at $20 and caddies at 24 cents per round. By October of 1920, the club boasted a full roster of 350 members. The club quickly became a haven where members could enjoy great golf and great company in a spectacular setting. However, times were not always as easy for the Club. Following the depression of 1929, the Club suffered severe economic difficulties. Mechanics Bank founder Edward Downer Jr. and five other members purchased the mortgage and saved the Club from total ruin. During World War II the membership dropped to 100 members. The Southern Baptist church made substantial offers for the property, but after much consideration, the Club was able to retain their $10,000.00 a year lease. It was then that the name was changed to the Mira Vista Golf and Country Club. The decades of the 1950's, 60's and 70's saw an increased interest in golf with the foreseeable result that clubs in general, and Mira Vista in particular, began to flourish once again. In 1980, the leasing members purchased the Club from its owners, making Mira Vista a private equity club once again. Enthusiasm for the club couldn’t have been greater. Shortly thereafter, the clubhouse was fully restored to its former grandeur. Considerable improvements were also made to the course, including new irrigation and drainage systems and a top-notch practice range, making the course even better than it was in 1920. In the spirit of Berkeley CC, the club continues to be a great place to play golf with great people.
