In the fall of 1896, Yale Alumni Weekly reported that a "new game," golf, was the "rage among seniors" at the school.

[13] In December, it was announced that Yale would discuss founding an "intercollegiate golf association" with representatives of Harvard, Princeton, Columbia, and the University of Pennsylvania.

[16] The following year, the Brooklyn Daily Eagle announced that students from Yale were showing an "unusual interest in the game.

[18] The New York Times reported that the overall quality of play at the tournament was "much better golf [than] was shown... last year.

"[19] The following year, it was reported by The Boston Globe that Yale students' enthusiasm for the sport was so strong that they had essentially monopolized the facilities at New Haven Golf Club.

"[21] In April 1900, the legendary Harry Vardon played exhibition matches at New Haven Golf Club against Yale golfers.

Vardon broke the course record and the event received much media attention,[22][23] including from The New York Times.

[24] In the early 1900s, however, Yale's team had fallen slightly backward in recent years, however, losing three consecutive intercollegiate championships to Harvard.

According to The Boston Globe, the "glory in Hitchcock's score was more in evidence with the boys than delight in their defeat of Harvard.

"[28] In the individual tournament, played a few days later, Hitchcock again scored "an easy victory" over his competitor, claiming honors.

[29] In late May, Hitchcock completed his great year by winning the Yale University Golf Championship.

George Townsend Adee made some proposals to the Director of the Athletic Association to improve the program.

[39] The team was also able to recruit a number of star golfers during this era, including Paul Haviland and Jess Sweetser, the future legend.

In 1931, Jack Reese was medalist at the event while Sidney Noyes, Jr., also of Yale, finished joint runner-up.

[48] In the 1940s, however, Yale entered a period of decline, partly due to sacrifices related to World War II.

[49][39] In the spring, the team's captain Edmund Gravely was recruited by the United States Air Force.

[50] Arthur Williams was elected captain shortly thereafter however he was also quickly drafted into World War II.

[61] Later on, at the end of the 20th century, the Yale golf team won the Ivy League championship in back-to-back years, in 1996 and 1997.