The Knoll has been my "home" course for the past 30 years.
I have been doing bunker restoration there for the past two seasons but the wheels turn slowly when a municipality is involved but I (and the members) are pleased with what has been done so far - I don’t please easily.
What is so very interesting here is that the greens are so original. I have not seen original green undulations like this on any Banks course and have only seen a few greens this original on few Raynor courses.
I'm planning new tees on certain holes that would add much to the architecture.
I am NOT going to play musical bunkers but plan to reestablish the 7 bunkers that have been removed over the years. Most of the "lost" bunkers were those seemingly inconsequential ones that were "no longer in play" - the ones usually placed some 180-yds off the tee at the beginning of fairways. Not in all cases should they be re-established on old courses but here I would like to do it here for many reasons ......... Anyhow, they ARE IN PLAY for some golfers. Besides they add a great visual to the playing field.
There are a number of holes where new tees restore the Banks hole strategies perfectly
......... example: a new tee on hole 15, now a short 5, where people blow over the 1st set of bunkers AND 2nd shot landing area bunkers, would be back in play with the new tee, some 45-50 yards back.
Adding new tees or lengthening tees on 2, 4, 8, 9, 11, 14, 15 & 18, not only adds (little needed) length but strategy and shot values to those holes.
* The course plays tough.
* It needs to be kept more firm.
* The greens WILL be properly expanded (we’re currently moving them out at a snail’s pace.
* The fairways WILL be expanded properly (same as above)
* The greens are large and are kept too slow - but you have to be really careful here because, given the bold undulations - (some think they would be too difficult to putt - to me that's a joke). These greens would be perfect at about "11"
* The attention to detail it awful.
* We're overgrown but are doing pretty good with tree removal (nice with no committees and neighbors).
Patrick: I really do have a free hand in what is to be done inside our budget parameters. - We can’t go out and consign the members - the town owns the course
Everything is fine, it’s just a slow grind but I think we will be moving faster soon.
A bit of history:
Club founded by 30 millionaires in 1927-28 by presidents and some members of Montclair CC, Essex County and other local clubs so they could have their own very private enclave. Included in the founders were Thomas Watson (BM founder) and J R Monroe (Monroe Bus Machines) who were influential members at Baltusrol.
They spent 2 mil at the time - clubhouse, the great Clifford Wendehack. They had Banks actually built three models of courses (different properties) before settling on the present property. They also asked Banks not to make the course overly difficult and they did not want a lot of hill climbing - hence the clubhouse on the hill (The Knoll - duh!) .... play down #1 and thru level land, climbing back up the knoll for #9 ....... same on the back nine.
They went Depression broke and the course was picked up by 2 brothers from Montclair in the food business - the Millionaires owed him $30,000.
The next 25 yrs were the hey-day of the Knoll: celebs (ball players, musicians etc ..... Jackie Gleason, Joe DiMaggio, Tommy Dorsey and the rest - it was Sarazen's hangout as well. - other "celebs" included most of the better golfers in the area - yes, of course, Sr and Jr Pat Mucci!!!!!!!
When Mr. Aiello died the club was purchased by a local college and it really went to hell - later there were local political problems and people were “sent away”
The Township purchased it under the NJ Greenacre’s program and we have been on the upturn since -
Good thing I live close by!!