Early examples of benched greens

[Eric Smith]

I played a little 9 hole course the other day set at the base of a hill where it seemed that nearly every other hole had a green benched into the hillside. It made for some interesting golf (if not a bit repetitive), but I enjoyed the morning, spending all of $6 on the affair.  I wondered though, is this something golf architects employed even on the oldest links courses ?

What are some of the earliest examples?

[PCCraig]

Here's an example from Jason Topp's Travels this past summer at Town & Country Club in St. Paul, MN. The Par-4 10th. The Club dates to 1888, the actual course to ~1898, but am unsure as to when exactly this green was built (most likely early 20th century).

The 10th is one of the best on the course – 377 yards to a green benched into a hillside.  75% of balls that hit the hill right of the green stay there.  



A closer view of the green:

[Eric Smith]

Pat,

Thanks. I remember that one from JT's tour. Looks a bit nicer than mine.