Founded in 1919 as one of the Miami Valley’s earliest 18-hole golf clubs, Miami Valley Golf Club was born out of a vision to create a premier recreational destination for the Dayton community. Wealthy Dayton residents Walter and Georgeanna Kidder assembled 157 acres of farmland to build a course and facilities, eventually commissioning famed designer Donald Ross to layout the 18-hole par-71 course that formally opened on June 3, 1919. The grand opening drew roughly 500 spectators, with then-Governor James M. Cox delivering the dedicatory address. Over time, the clubhouse and grounds expanded, including a stately clubhouse opened in 1931 in Jacobethan Tudor style that remains a centerpiece of the property. The club’s setting — with Ross’s routing and contributions from the Olmsted Brothers on landscape and approach design — helped establish Miami Valley as both a cherished private golf venue and a lasting piece of Dayton’s recreational heritage.

Throughout the 20th century, Miami Valley Golf Club earned a prominent place in both regional and national golf history. In 1931 it hosted the Western Open, one of the era’s premier tournaments, and in 1957 it was the site of the PGA Championship, notable as the last time that major was contested in match play before switching to stroke play — won that year by Lionel Hebert over Dow Finsterwald. The club’s competitive pedigree continued into later decades, hosting state championships such as the 1996 Ohio Amateur, and producing many distinguished players and champions. Recognizing its historical and architectural significance, the property — including its classic Donald Ross course and historic clubhouse — was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2015. Today, Miami Valley Golf Club continues as a private, championship-minded course, preserving its rich history while welcoming new generations of golfers.