Oakland Golf Club is a former golf country club in Bayside, New York. The club opened in September 10, 1896,"Golf Notes". The New York Times. November 26, 1896. p. 3. and it was disbanded in 1952. The former site is now the site of the Queensborough Community College. It was the second oldest course in Queens, New York, and it claimed to be the fourth oldest golf course in the United States."Club Board to Discuss Sale". New York Daily News. September 21, 1952. p. 42. The first game was played on September 10, 1896."The Oakdale Golf Club". The Brooklyn Daily Times. September 7, 1896. p. 6.
Its membership included J.P. Morgan, Nicholas Murray Butler, Alfred E. Smith, H. P. Whitney, and W. K. Vanderbilt.
Early history The golf club was incorporated on August 13, 1896."Flushing Golfers". Brooklyn Eagle. August 18, 1896. p. 4."Sports Out on the Island: A New Golf Club in Bayside". The Brooklyn Daily Times. August 19, 1896. p. 6. Tom Bendelow designed the first nine holes at the golf course."A New Links Near Flushing". New York Herald. August 19, 1896. p. 4. The first game was played on September 10, 1896. The club initially limited the number of memberships available to 200. In order to join, men needed to be at least 17 years old and women 16 years old. Annual dues were $15 for men and $7.50 for women (equivalent to $ and $ respectively in )."Gold Players Organize". Brooklyn Eagle. November 21, 1896. p. 4.
Walter Travis designed the second nine holes in 1905.
The clubhouse was destroyed in a fire caused by a defective chimney flue in 1917."Oakland Golf Club Destroyed By Fire". New York Tribune. October 14, 1917. p. 16.
The course was redesigned by golf course designer, Seth Raynor, in 1919. Roger Bullard was the architect for the golf course's clubhouse.
Closure and redevelopment In September 1952, the membership decided to offer it up for sale, as the land had increased substantially in value as eastern Queens had been developed around it.Kirk, Vincent R. (September 18, 1952). "Old Oakland Golf Club Offered for Sale". Brooklyn Eagle. p. 11.Trost, Ralph (September 19, 1952). "Moving Around. Brooklyn Eagle. p. 17.
The former clubhouse of the golf course now serves as Queensboro Community College's Oakland Building and includes an art gallery. Benjamin N. Cardozo High School was also built on the former site of the golf course.
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Hand-Colored Original Plan