Southampton Golf Club (USA) Seth Raynor 1925 - A REBIRTH! (Now with Pictures)

[Gene Greco]

Southampton Golf Club (US) Seth Raynor 1925 - A REBIRTH
       I am proud to announce that through the hard work and diligence of a dedicated Board of Directors, specifically by Green Chairman Dave Greene, the Southampton Golf Club has voted nearly unanimously in favor of restoration. I would like to think that the influence of this website has also played a part in this once unfathomable personal wish.

As many of you know whom I have hosted here in Southampton the golf course was built by Seth Raynor and completed in 1925. However, only 11 of the 65 bunkers presently in place are original Raynor bunkers as a "modernization" was done in the mid 1960's by one William Mitchell.

Brad Klein, after playing the course, spoke to the membership eloquently and insightfully, explaining to all that many of the bunkers not only are not in the Raynor style but seemed to have been placed without much thought to the original architect's intent. He very euphemistically stated he had "difficulty" looking at some of the bunkering.

He enthusiastically urged the membership to support the Board's Proposal and the ensuing vote was a landslide victory. Thank you, Brad.

The original routing at SGC is still intact as are the original greens. However, the original shape of the greens will be restored as well as the size to facillitate more challenging pin placements.

Trees have slowly been removed over the last several years but now will be removed en masse.


Actually, ALL the trees bordering the interior of the back nine were removed this week!


The change is startling.


The golf course appears much larger. Removal of the trees has revealed great contour and movement to the land.


Wind is unimpeded as it was in 1925 when no trees existed and will once again affect play as it was originally intended by Raynor.


I will let Dave Greene post some before and afters of this week's tree work.


The full restoration will begin in September 2010 and take three months to complete.


Plans were drawn up by Brian Silva in 2004 and he will be the consulting architect throughout the duration of the restoration.











 
 

[PThomas]

congrats Gene and good luck

[Mike Cirba]

Gene,

At a time when most news seems to range from depressing to tragic, thanks for sharing somthing optimistically uplifting.

Great to see Southampton reclaiming its heritage! 

[JC Jones]

This is good news, Gene.

I heard Southampton doesn't have a prevailing wind, is that right?

[Gene Greco]

This is good news, Gene.

I heard Southampton doesn't have a prevailing wind, is that right?

JC:

  I'm sure  Mucci the Cyber Bobo Doll  will be happy to provide you with half a century of wind readings from all 22 of the regional, national and international airports within 90 miles of Southampton and then, and only then, may we draw a conclusion regarding from where and at what frequency a prevailing wind may exist.

[JC Jones]

This is good news, Gene.

I heard Southampton doesn't have a prevailing wind, is that right?

JC:

  I'm sure  Mucci the Cyber Bobo Doll  will be happy to provide you with half a century of wind readings from all 22 of the regional, national and international airports within 90 miles of Southampton and then, and only then, may we draw a conclusion regarding from where and at what frequency a prevailing wind may exist.

I'd feel bad for you Gene but I just got done with him trying to convince me there were no swamps in Florida

[Jim Sweeney]

Congratulations. Very exciting news.

[Mike Sweeney]

Dr,

Can you say who the architect is? Congrats to Jeff, Starky, Dr Gene and any other members I may have missed here.

[Gene Greco]

Dr,

Can you say who the architect is? Congrats to Jeff, Starky, Dr Gene and any other members I may have missed here.

Brian Silva

[Mike Sweeney]

Dr,

Can you say who the architect is? Congrats to Jeff, Starky, Dr Gene and any other members I may have missed here.

Brian Silva

Well enjoy next week at Mountain Lake. For any of the new guys, here is an old piece about Silva's work at Mountain Lake:

http://golfclubatlas.com/in-my-opinion/mike-sweeney-blending-old-and-new-in-renovating-a-classic

It is a little dated and the back 9 never made it over when the GCA website shifted to the new platform, but it gives a flavor for Silva's talents.

Dr.

At some point when Brian is in town I would love to catch dinner with you guys. I have never met him in person but he is a riot on the phone.

[mark chalfant]

Gene,

Congrats,  I am very happy to hear your diligence and patience paid off. There's some charming land  at the course and its great to hear about tree management  to open up vistas !   Can't wait to see the expanded greens and I'm sure Brian Silva will do a good job

Mark

[Kevin Pallier]

Gene

In my quick tour around Southampton - I did get the feeling that a chainsaw and the right person could make the course so much better.

I wish you well in hoping that the course becomes so much better for it.

[Mark Hissey]

I drove by the course yesterday afternoon. I would like to echo what Gene stated. The change is startling.

Southampton will return to its former glory. Of that I have no doubt.

[Paul Jones]

Pictures anyone?

[John Mayhugh]

Just what Southampton needed - a course with some architectural interest.   

Thanks for sharing the info with us, and congratulations.  That's awesome that the work (other than tree removal) can be done in just three months. 

Hope someone is able to share some before/after pics of the tree removal. 

[Scott Szabo]

Gene,

Congratulations to you and your club! Was it difficult to get the members to buy-in on the restoration or was it a fairly easy task?

[Mike Sweeney]

Pictures anyone?

Not great, but here are some on the website:

http://www.southamptongolfclub.com/guests/image_gallery.cfm

[Chip Gaskins]

Great news Gene!  Congrats.

[Carl Nichols]

Forgive my ignorance, but I don't know much abt
the course. Was it very highly regarded when built?

[Jud_T]

Great to hear Gene! Can't wait to see the results!

[Tiger_Bernhardt]

Gene My hat is off to you and the Green Comm at Southampton Golf Club for this monumental step in the right direction. I hope the course post restoration brings you the happiness and satisfaction your famous other club as well as your neighbors do. Your passion is rare and appreciated by many of us. cheers Tiger

[RJ_Daley]

Since nothing obviously seems to remain of Raynor style, from looking only at the photo gallery, are there plans or hole descriptions by Raynor that identify the hole corridors and style designated by name as his several template holes?  Has Silva designated his intended restoration work by template hole names?

Nice going Gene, I can't wait for the pictures.  Of the few low quality pics on the website, they bring to mind the flavor of pre-redesign work styling of a course that underwent seriously good restoration work by Bruce Hepner, called North Shore CC (not THAT one of so many posts on other thread!) 

[Gene Greco]

Sweens:

     Yes, just like Mountain Lake, designed and built by Raynor, restored by Silva. We know THAT place is magnificent.

How about dinner AND golf when you're in town? And...those pics from the website are horrible.

Paul, Jim S, Mark C., and Mike C.:

      Thanks for the well wishes. Indeed, great news during gloomy times.

Mark Hissey:

       Our view of the ladies tee from our respective lockers remain undisturbed!

Kevin P.:

       After playing the Murderer's Row of American Golf what did you expect?

John Mayhugh:

       You're right. If you golf it doesn't stink living in Southampton!

Scott Sz:

        Only 12 votes against reno!

We are billed $40/month separately every month for "capital improvements."  Guess after twelve years with 450 members/family members and interest the $$ adds up. Over those years we've also built a new clubhouse, parking lot, pro shop (all understated), on course bathrooms,custom club fitting building, new sprinkler system (last year), etc.  With very favorable interest rates financing really isn't even an issue.

We have a very stable, conservative and patient Board which always seems to make the right decisions. Helps everyone is here year 'round, too.

Chipster:

    After the reno I'll be your host and your assignment will be to scout around looking for lost redans.  
(Thanks for the good wishes)

Carl N.

    The course has always been in the shadows of the behemoths next door. Yet most who play it are pleasantly surprised at how enjoyable a round of golf Southampton GC provides players of all abilities.

Jud and El Tigre:

     Much thanks!

See you next week at glorious Mountain Lake.

RJ:

  ONLY most of the bunkers are no longer in the Raynor Style.

Brian Silva and Uncle George Bahto identified many of the Raynor template holes with ease.

So did Davis Love and Bill Coore when they each did a courtesy walkabout.



    


    

[John Mayhugh]

John Mayhugh:

       You're right. If you golf it doesn't stink living in Southampton!

I don't know - it could be hell.  Just think about living there and not being a member or knowing anyone at one of the great clubs in your area. Driving past them would be pretty painful.

[Mike Sweeney]

John Mayhugh:

       You're right. If you golf it doesn't stink living in Southampton!

I don't know - it could be hell.  Just think about living there and not being a member or knowing anyone at one of the great clubs in your area. Driving past them would be pretty painful.

Big guy I did that for something like 10 years (weekends). 

I know, I know nobody is crying for me.