The History of Piney Branch Golf Club
From Farmland to Fairways
Set among the rolling hills of northwestern Baltimore County, Piney Branch Golf Club has welcomed members and guests for more than six decades, where Maryland’s rural roots meet a vibrant and enduring golf community.
The countryside surrounding Upperco, once known as Arcadia, was settled in the late eighteenth century by German Lutheran farming families. Records from nearby St. Paul’s Lutheran Church date back to 1794, documenting a close community connected by unpaved roads, family farms, and wooded streams, or “branches,” that wound through the hills.
Bill Armacost & Thomas Schilling
In 1963, local farmers Thomas Shilling, John William "Bill" Tracey (J.W.T.), Armacost, and Fred Eberling organized to build a golf course on the land they owned at the headwaters of Little Piney Run, which would give the club its name: Piney Branch. The 206 acres were exchanged for stock, thereby establishing the original Piney Branch Corporation in 1964.
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1964-1979: Design & Early Growth
The founders hired acclaimed golf architect Edmund B. “Ed” Ault to design a par-71 championship course that would honor the land’s natural contours. Warren Randall of the Delval Company in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, handled construction. True to Ault’s design philosophy, the layout followed the land’s existing slopes and ridges, resulting in tree-lined fairways, subtle elevation changes, and scenic views that challenged players while showcasing the natural beauty of northern Baltimore County
The course initially opened as a nine-hole layout in 1964, and the first clubhouse was completed in 1966, becoming the social center of the club. In 1970, a new maintenance building was constructed, marking an early commitment to professional standards in course care. The second nine holes were completed in 1971 through the dedication of members Tom Zepp, Paul Wooden, and Gordon Harden, who helped raise the funds needed to finish the full 18-hole course. That same year, a semi-automatic irrigation system was installed, ensuring consistent turf quality across the property.
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The club’s first golf professional, Tim McCoy, was hired in 1971. His leadership brought rapid growth in membership, tournaments, and public outings, earning Piney Branch recognition throughout the Mid-Atlantic PGA as an excellent and challenging test of golf. In 1972, the clubhouse was expanded to include a Pro Shop, and two years later, the restaurant and dining room were enlarged to enhance member experiences both on and off the course.
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Expansion, Leadership, and Member Ownership
Through the 1980s, Piney Branch continued to grow. Numerous course improvements were made, and the clubhouse saw several renovations to meet the needs of a growing membership. In 1989, Jeffrey Zachman became the Head PGA Golf Professional, a position he continues to hold with pride. His dedication to the sport and to Piney Branch has made him a respected figure throughout the Mid-Atlantic region.A turning point came in 1997 when members completed a stockholder buyout, making Piney Branch fully member-owned. Under the leadership of the Board of Directors and its committees, the club entered a new era of investment and improvement. A full-time restaurant manager was added, a fully automated irrigation system was installed in 1996, and by 1999, the course featured continuous paved cart paths. The clubhouse lounge was remodeled that same year, providing a more comfortable and inviting space for members and guests.
Modernization and Renovations
The new century brought further progress. In 2004, members approved one of the most ambitious projects in the club’s history: a complete renovation and a ten-thousand-square-foot expansion of the clubhouse, along with a comprehensive bunker reconstruction and course enhancement program. The bunker work was completed before the 2005 season, and in 2006, the doors opened to a modernized clubhouse that blended contemporary comfort with traditional charm.
A Tradition That Endures
Today, Piney Branch Golf Club stands as one of the premier private golf clubs in the Mid-Atlantic. Its championship course, welcoming community, and exceptional facilities reflect the vision of its founders and the dedication of generations of members and staff.What began as farmland has become a lasting landscape of sport, fellowship, and pride. From the first farmers who shaped the land to the members who continue to care for it, Piney Branch remains a place where heritage and championship golf come together, a club built on history, preserved through community, and played with passion.