Old Elm - Highland Park/Fort Sheridan IL

[JMorgan]

From all reports, Harry Colt designed this course, while Donald Ross  handled the construction.  Nevertheless, I consistently see Donald Ross credited with the design without any mention of Colt.  Nada.

Besides the obvious, is there something I'm missing from high up on the Dork Scale?

Does Ross just have more street cred in the USA than HSC?  

I've never played the course ... what says those who have played it or just have an opinion?

[JMorgan]

For instance, how can you miss this one:

"The plans for the course were made by H.S. Colt, and with the exception of enlarging one green, no alterations have been permitted since it was finished.  There is thus an unusual opportunity offered to compare the architecture of a decade with the prevailing ideas of today.  The construction of the course was by Donald Ross."

- Charles Piper, USGA Green Committee Chairman, Golf Illustrated.

[Dan Moore]

I have read somewhere that Colt and Ross worked together on the plan.  

I was talking to a friend last week who recently played there and was raving about it.  He says it has the best Ross greens he has played anywhere.  Assuming Ross built the course (even if Colt did the routing alone) would we consider them Ross greens.  

[Paul Richards]

One of the highest compliments I can give Old Elm is that it is one of the great 'Old Man' golf courses.

My hope is that no one takes this the wrong way.  It is really a compliment.

It is a wonderfully walkable course, without too much land movement, that is in exquisite condition and would be a course I would love to play every day, even when I were to be 70 or 80 years old.  It is that fun and fair.

 

[Dan Moore]

Paul,

Do you think some of the reason for that is that it is the same length today as when it was built?  

[JMorgan]

I have read somewhere that Colt and Ross worked together on the plan.  

I was talking to a friend last week who recently played there and was raving about it.  He says it has the best Ross greens he has played anywhere.  Assuming Ross built the course (even if Colt did the routing alone) would we consider them Ross greens.  

Dan, that's good to hear.  Perhaps I'll have the opportunity to play it someday.

There's no issue with Ross getting credit.  I just don't understand why Colt DOESN'T get credit, as well.

They also made changes at Glen View Club together.

[Paul Richards]

Paul,

Do you think some of the reason for that is that it is the same length today as when it was built?  

Absolutely.

It hasn't been tinkered with too much - too many trees have been planted - but the combination of its length, interesting greens, and lack of hills makes this a great and fun course to play - at any age.

[Jeff_Brauer]

I did some work there years ago. The story they told was that they invited both Colt and Ross to design it without telling each other, locked them in the clubhouse for a few days, and they came out with a plan.  Later, some of the same group founded Shoreacres, and niether gentleman would take the commission, so Raynor got it.

That's what they told me, anyway, and I vaguely recall some old document backing it up, but only vaguely.

Kind of a forerunner of Sebonac, eh?