Founded on July 1, 1961, International Country Club was named in part because the future permanent site of the club was to be located near Dulles International Airport.



At the time of its founding, International leased its original 9-hole “town” course located on Lee Highway just inside the Beltway at the site of Fairfax County’s Jefferson Golf Course and owned the property for the 18-hole “suburban” course at the club’s present location on U.S. 50 in western Fairfax County. The present 18-hole golf course was opened in 1961, but the first clubhouse there was not constructed until 1968. This was the same year that the club’s lease on the “town” course expired, at which time the “town” course and clubhouse were closed and all operations were moved to the present location. Later, in recognition of operating in only one location, the club began doing business as “International Country Club.”  From the outset, it was clear that International was to be more than a golf course and a clubhouse. The first swimming pool at the club's present location was opened in 1970. The club's first tennis courts were opened in 1974.


Members lined the 1st fairway on the groundbreaking for the new clubhouse on May 20, 1967.  Our signature sycamore tree on No. 1 can be seen in the background.

International’s golf course is widely recognized as one of the finest in Northern Virginia. In 2002, it was listed by the Virginia State Golf Association as one of the top 25 golf courses in the state of Virginia. Indeed, International was one of only four courses in Northern Virginia to be so highly regarded.

In 1966, Golf Digest magazine included International among the nation’s 200 toughest golf courses. Over the years, International also has hosted numerous USGA, VSGA, Middle Atlantic Golf Association events, including U.S. Open and U.S. Senior Open qualifying and the Virginia State Open. Most recently qualifying for the 2003 U.S. Senior Open was held here.

International also was the site for PGA Tour Qualifying in 1977 and 1979. In 1977, one notable qualifier was current Champions Tour star Dana Quigley. In 1979, Scott Hoch, a PGA Tour star for more than 20 years and a veteran of Ryder Cup and President’s Cup competitions, was the co-medalist.


The circa 1823 Stone House, possibly an old tavern

International’s golf course also has a tie to the legendary Old Course at St. Andrew’s in Scotland. In 1977, when our first all-fairway irrigation system was being dedicated, the 1st tee was “baptized” with water from the Old Course. TWA transported a jug of the Old Course water from Scotland to Dulles especially for this occasion. Member Bill Watt, a native Scot, made the arrangements.