First Multi Course Complexes?

[Paul_Turner]

I mean purpose built from scratch.  So not including the old Scottish complexes like Gullane.  

More than 36 holes

I'm trying to put Moor Park in context.

[Jeff_Mingay]

Paul,

Olympia Fields jumped into my mind immediately. Don't know the exact date, but it's a pretty old club.

And, Bethpage.

[Sam Sikes]

Winged Foot.  Was it one of a kind when it opened?

[Sean_A]

Paul

How about the new Scottish complexes like Gleneagles?

Ciao

Sean

[SL_Solow]

I am not certain of your intent.  Certainly Sunningdale consists of 2 courses designed from "scratch" although I am not certain that 2 courses were originally planned.  In the USA, Pinehurst is a relatively early example and part of a planned community.

[SPDB]

Paul - When was Moor Park (the club, not clubhouse) planned/built?

I think SL Solow is right, Pinehurst was planned, although I'm not sure the scope was clearly laid out.

Others - LACC (1910, i think)?

[Bill_McBride]

Tenison Park in Dallas?  Were those both Bendelow?

[Phil_the_Author]

I think the most amazing multi-course job was Baltusrol. When Tillinghast was awarded this commission in the late teens, the existing course had already held severla national championships. He was able to convince the board of directors that they didn't need to build one course, they needed to get rid of the one they had and build two BETTER ones in its place!

They agreed to this as long as he was able to keep 18 holes open for play at all times, and he managed to do this. What an accomplishment. Two new world-class courses that have stood the test of time and have both held numerous national championships amateur and professional as well as male and female!

And all he had to do was destroy what was considered, at the time, one of the great courses of the world!

[SPDB]

Phillip -

Sounds like he was quite a salesman. Such skills could be useful in times of privation.  

[Paul_Turner]

More than 36.  So I don't think Baltusrol or Winged Foot qualify.  Unless there are NLEs there?

I can't quite recall the exact date for Moor Park without checking in a book (which had 54 holes), I think it was 1922.
Is it the first?

[SPDB]

Paul - Pinehurst was envisioned by Tufts as a resort, and by 1919 it had four golf courses. I'm afraid it has Moor Park beat.

[SPDB]

also, 54 holes at Moor Park?

[Paul_Turner]

Rickmansworth Muni was once Moor Park East.

[Brad Tufts]

Olympia Fields?  Didn't they have four courses at one point by Bendelow and Park?

[SPDB]

Paul -
Was Rickmansworth built contemporaneously with Moor Park, sufficient to fulfill your 36+? My understanding was that it was built much later.

[Michael Goody]

Merion? 1912- think both courses were built around same time

[Phil_the_Author]

Paul, you are so right, both Baltusrol and Winged Foot would not qualify based upon the theme of complexes of more than 36 holes.

In my case of bringing up Baltusrol I can only claim stupidity in missing something hidden in such a subtle manner as using bold type face! Thank you for the manner in which you opened my eyes!  

OOPS! (Though I still think that it ranks among the most complex and amazing engineering golf constructions ever accomplished!)

[mark chalfant]

Paul, The Greenbrier in West Virginia had 45 holes by 1924.
There were some good holes  there by Raynor. Its possible that Medinah had over 36 holes when the #3 course was opened in the late 1920s. Hope this helps.

[Paul_Turner]

Paul -
Was Rickmansworth built contemporaneously with Moor Park, sufficient to fulfill your 36+? My understanding was that it was built much later.

I believe they were all built, or at least planned, at the same time on the same estate:  High, West and East.

Do you have some info that suggests differently?