Linking Golf + Golf Architecture + Our Experiences
George 
Buried in the back pages of the program for the 2017 Western Amateur is an article by the esteemed Ron Prichard entitled “The Rescue of a Classic Golf Course”. Ron Prichard’s essay describes the architectural milieu that Skokie Country Club had drifted into and further outlines his vision for its revitalization. Having just played Skokie, … Read more
The 1971 U.S. Open and Merion Today Merion Golf Club hosted the 1971 US Open and my friend Jim Simons of Butler, Pennsylvania, by way of Wake Forest University and then an Amateur, nearly won the tournament with Trevino and Nicklaus ending up in a Monday 18 hole playoff. Jim lead after three rounds and … Read more
Architect aims to create ‘one of the best public courses in Pennsylvania’ STATE COLLEGE, PENNSYLVANIA, FEBRUARY 20, 2025 – The Toftrees Golf Resort is to undergo a major renovation project at the hands of Jim Nagle of Nagle Design Works – and the architect believes the property has the potential to become one of the best … Read more
First, the chronological list of new golf course experiences ( as in first time played ), to wit; Second, condensed observations on each course, commencing with the wonderfully unique golf experience at Pepper Pike Club. PPC shuns the rankings and other intrusions from the golfpaparazzi. If such attention was sought, PPC would be hailed among … Read more
If by mid-week of your Jersey Shore vacation you need a change of pace, grab an early tee slot at Atlantic City C.C. and enjoy an incredibly pleasant and memorable experience. Despite having played ACCC several times, each visit provides new discoverers and reinforces past marvels. The Club checks all the boxes, namely, history, design … Read more
The natural thing to do once you have decided to drive from Pennsylvania to Grand Rapids, Michigan is to line up a few golf venues. Having previously played the headliners along the route, the thought was to play the gems not experienced in prior treks. Sylvania C.C., University of Michigan (Mackenzie course) and Wuskowhan Players … Read more
In order to condense a five day golf trip running for some thirty plus years with as many as 24 guys to a three day trip with eight players, the drive time best be manageable, the venues strong and the amenities first class. For our 2017 and 2018 outings, check, check and check. The four … Read more
In the course of researching the life and times of architect Henry Rogers, I made an astonishing discovery as to the inspirational source for his design of the clubhouse at Sunnehanna Country Club (1923). Tucked away in a desk drawer in Henry Rogers’ grandson’s lumber mill, hundreds of clippings from The Western Architect and The … Read more
Just outside of the Cleveland city limits at the northwest edge of Cuyahoga Valley National Park, the Cleveland Metroparks owned Sleepy Hollow Golf Course unfolds over an ideal tract of land for golf. Never one to try and outdo natural beauty, Stanley Thompson melded Sleepy Hollow into the contours, crevices, creeks and craters of the … Read more
In so many varied aspects, Milton Hershey was an unparalleled visionary. The fact that the Hershey Companies remain governed by his Trust created in 1918 speaks for itself as the 99 year old document has fended of such multi-national suitors as Mondelez’s 23 billion dollar bid in 2016, frequent overtures by Cadbury and scuttled auction … Read more
Tucked between the former boom towns of Oil City and Franklin, Pennsylvania, Wanango Country Club boasts the following byline, “Original Front Nine by Donald Ross, Second Nine Thomas Bendelow and redesigned by A.W. Tillinghast.” The tireless contributors to Golf Club Atlas’ Discussion Group would take some issue with the design heritage, but the GCA researchers … Read more
The major golf road trip of 2017 was tabbed “The Wonders of Wisconsin” many months before we actually experienced the beauty and charms of the Badger State. We kicked off our four day tour with a blazingly hot afternoon round at Blue Mound Golf and Country Club. Despite the encroachment of the Wauwatosa sprawl and the … Read more
First the superlatives; Second, full disclosure on conditions, costs and other devilish details; Third, Bandon Dunes Resort Takeaways;
In March of 1969, the golf development visionary E. Llwyd Eccelstone acquired 3,200 acres just north of Vero beach proper that encompassed a vast swath of beachfront, Indian Riverfront and over a thousand acres of wetlands. Despite Vero’s old Florida feel that was literally and figuratively miles from Miami and the Palm Beaches, Eccelstone’s trailblazing … Read more
Rolling Rock Club in Ligonier, Pennsylvania remains the absolute embodiment of class and elegance as when Richard Beatty Mellon founded it in 1917. Rolling Rock is an hours drive from the Mellon’s home city of Pittsburgh, but the Club is world’s away. Secluded over 10,000 acres in the gorgeous Laurel Highlands of Western Pennsylvania, Rolling Rock … Read more