The Legacy of

Sewickley Heights Golf Club

Aerial view of a golf course with a clubhouse in the center and fairways and trees surrounding.

A Vision Turned into Tradition

Founded in 1961 by five passionate golfers—Harton “Bud” Semple, William George, and the Oliver brothers—Sewickley Heights Golf Club was built on a shared dream: to create a pure golf experience in a pristine setting. The land, once slated for an airport, was instead transformed into a championship-caliber course by architect Jim Harrison, ensuring a design that was both challenging and enjoyable.

Championship Pedigree

From the start, Sewickley Heights made its mark in competitive golf. In 1966, just five years after opening, the club hosted the U.S. Women’s Amateur, where JoAnne "Big Mama" Gunderson-Carner claimed victory in a record-setting 41-hole final. The club’s commitment to excellence continued, hosting events such as the 1998 Champion’s Tour Pittsburgh Senior Classic and welcoming legendary players like Palmer, Player, Irwin, Floyd, and Trevino.

Dark blue shield with

A Legacy of Greatness

Few embody the spirit of Sewickley Heights more than Carol Semple Thompson, daughter of founding member Bud Semple. A 12-time amateur champion and 19-time national team competitor, her success has solidified the club’s reputation as a home for elite golf.

Green golf course with two sand traps, trees, and cloudy sky.
Golf course fairway with green grass and sand bunkers under a blue sky.

Affiliations & Membership

Sewickley Heights Golf Club proudly holds memberships with the United States Golf Association (USGA), Western Pennsylvania Golf Association, Western Golf Association, and the Women’s Golf Association of Western Pennsylvania. The club is incorporated under the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and proudly owned and operated by its bond-holding Active Members.


More Than a Course—A Tradition That Lives On