Jackson (TN) CC - Langford?

[Mike Hendren]

From The History of Tennessee Golf - 1894 - 2001, an outstanding book by Gene Pearce:

"The late Dr. Jackson Thompson, longtime administrator of the Jackson-Madison County General Hospitall, said in 1989 that soon after he joined the club in 1928 he was made chairman of the green committee.  He said a course designer had already been hired and work was underway when he took the job.  Dr. Thompson was not able to recall the designer's name, but remembers he was from Memphis.  Jack Wenzler, the retired golf professional at Ridgeway Country Club in Memphis, said Hugh Miller, an engineer by profession, designed only two courses - Chickasaw in Memphis and Jackson Country Club.  William B. Langford, a noted golf architect from Chicago, built Chickasaw in 1922.  He also designed the old Colonial course (1914) and Ridgeway (1919) in Memphis, Green Meadow Country Club (1925) in Maryville, Gatlinburg Golf and Country Club (1956) and the Country Club of Morristown (1957).  It appears that Chickasaw or Langford hired Miller to build Chickasaw.  Miller used this new expertise to design the course for Jackson.  Hugh H. Miller's obituary said he built Colonial, Chickasaw, Rugby Park, and Galloway in Memphis and the course in Greenwood, Mississippi.  Albert Stone Jr. who has played at Jackson since the 1930's said he was told the club hired a famous architect.  He and other can remember an architect's drawing of the course that once hung in the old golf shop."

It would not be a stretch to assume Langford partnered with a local engineer.  He is widely credited as the architect of Chickasaw and there are certainly hints that he was involved at Jackson as well.  I have not played Jackson CC in 30 years but we played high school and junior tournaments there frequently.  I recall smallish pushed up "birthday cake" greens flanked by flat bottomed bunkers among other classical features.  

John LaFoy apparently enlarged the greens and converted them to bent among other changes in 1991.  

Bringing this back up given the growing Tennessee contingent and quassi's imminent  Nashville to Memphis trip since the course is just off I-40.

Anybody aware of Langford's involvement and the changes made by LaFoy?  The course I remember would easily qualify as a hidden gem.

Mike

Also, Pearce's book includes a scorecard of a match played at Jackson CC in 1950 with Ben Hogan partnered with 16 year old Mason Rudolph against the club champ and Memphis CC head professional.  

[Jeff_Stettner]

Mike,
When I was in Memphis a couple on months ago, a head pro from a nice club raved about Jackson CC. Based on his description, I think it might support your hidden gem speculation. He seemed to think it was Ross, however, and I did nothing to confirm or deny.  

[Mike Hendren]

Jeff,

The features I recall (30 years later were bold and manufactured.  While Ross liked the occasional volcano, the lines at Jackson were relatively sharp - blatantly man made.  

The author of the book I referred to is from Jackson and his family has a long and reknowned history of involvement in the game.  I believe he's a member at Jackson as well.  That's why I'm surprised the architect of Jackson CC is not better known.  

Mike

[Tucker Davis]

Mike,

I heard that Chickasaw CC is looking to renovate their greens this year.  I believe that Keith Foster is the architect.  I heard that Foster is going to try and bring them back to their former glory.  Sometime in the 80's the course went to bent, while increasing the size of the greens and reducing slope.  

THey might go ahead and do the whole course?  

Where can I buy that book?

I have not played Jackson CC, but am going up there sometime this summer to play it hopefully.

[Mike Hendren]

Tucker,

Link to book:  

http://www.golfhousetennessee.com/fw/main/History_of_Tennessee_Golf-558.html

It is a real treasure.

I played with the Chickasaw superintendent at Memphis CC last year and they were still interviewing architects.  I sensed they were going to focus on the greens and restore them to Langford's originals.

Mike

[Lawrence Largent]

I have the book also and played the 2000 state amateur at Jackson C.C. I to agree that the greens have a hint of push up but when I inquired about the designer I was told that Ross had a hand in the work. The greens though feature sharper lines reminding me of The Country Club in Morristown. 10 thru 12 Byron Nelson said this was  one of the toughest stretches he had every played and I totally agree. The land features lots of movement and has lots of classic features. I'm pretty sure that the True Temper which rotates with a couple of other courses in that area is being played at Jackson this year. The back nine I'm pretty sure 13 is a really good short hole with the green having lots of movement with a really deep bunker fronting the green. Mr. Hendren you are more than welcomed to come up and join us at TCC this summer just let me know when its convenient for you.


Lawrence