A tradition of excellence
Since 1896

1893

Discovery and Founding

In June 1893, John D. Crimmins and his son encountered Augustus Floyd Delafield and Dr. William French playing golf on open land in Darien. The moment sparked Crimmins’s vision to introduce the game to the local community.

1896

What’s in a Name? – “Wee Burn”

In April 1896, he hosted a meeting at his home to officially establish the club. Shortly thereafter, George Strath, a Scottish golf professional and landscaper, was hired to design the first course and instruct members in the art of the game.

The Club’s name was proposed by Andrew Carnegie, famed industrialist and Crimmins’ friend. Inspired by Stony Brook, the small stream that crossed the golf course in multiple places, Carnegie suggested the Scottish phrase for a small stream—“wee burn.” The name was adopted with pride.

1897

Joining the Golfing Elite

Wee Burn joined the United States Golf Association (USGA) in 1897 and became a charter member of both the Connecticut State Golf Association (1899) and the Women’s Metropolitan Golf Association (1900) - pioneering women's inclusion in golf. Among the distinguished players to grace Wee Burn’s fairways was Genevieve Hecker, the national women’s amateur champion in 1901 and 1902.

1899

Early Clubhouse Days

The club’s first course was located behind the current site of St. Luke’s Church in Noroton, eventually expanding to a full nine holes. One of the original clubhouses still stands on Clubhouse Circle in Darien - a living piece of club history.

1923

A New Era Begins

In 1923, the Wee Burn Development Company acquired the Club’s current property. Renowned architect Devereux Emmet was commissioned to design an 18-hole course, with construction beginning later that year, followed by plans for a new clubhouse.

1926

The Castle of Dreams

In September 1926, the stunning new clubhouse opened and was hailed by the Darien Review as a “Castle of Dreams.” As part of the new course, Stony Brook, the original “wee burn”, was carefully woven into the layout, becoming both a beautiful and strategic feature.