Rich Maiden Golf Course                                                        Established 1931

    Founded in 1931 during the height of the Great Depression, Rich Maiden Golf Course was the vision of Jacob “Jake” Merkel, a Fleetwood native who believed golf would become America’s game. While many questioned the idea of opening a golf course during difficult economic times, Jake saw the future differently — affordable public golf for everyday people.       Without hiring architects or designers, Jake personally laid out and built the original nine-hole course on farmland spanning Maidencreek and Richmond Townships.
    The name “Rich Maiden” came from combining the two township names — a simple idea that became a Berks County tradition. When Rich Maiden opened in 1932, Berks County had only a handful of public golf courses. Jake’s course quickly earned a reputation as “Little Rich Maiden” — a challenging but welcoming layout where generations of golfers learned the game.
    The course was praised for balancing playability with challenge, making it enjoyable for beginners while still respected by accomplished players. In 1946–47, Rich Maiden expanded to 18 holes, adding a larger clubhouse, locker rooms, showers, and an expanded grill area. Many iconic features of today’s course date back to that era, including the famous Quarry Hole (#12), which remains one of the most memorable holes in Berks County golf. Rich Maiden’s history is filled with unique details and hidden stories — from old stone quarries scattered throughout the property to remnants of original greens and ponds still visible today. These features connect today’s golfers with nearly a century of local golf history.
    Jake Merkel passed away in 1950, but his vision endured through his family and later owners Jim and Linda Froelich, who continued the tradition of providing quality golf at an affordable price. More than 90 years later, Rich Maiden remains exactly what Jake envisioned: a welcoming course where golfers of all ages and skill levels can enjoy the game. What began as one man’s belief in the future of public golf has become one of Berks County’s enduring golf traditions