Bethlehem Steel Club - Is this really a Donald Ross design?

[Karl Jensen]

The Bethlehem Steel Club's website claims that their course is the last Donald Ross design. They even have a Memorial plaque to him. I cannot find anything in newspaper articles or otherwise that links Ross to the club's opening in 1948. What I have found are newspaper reports from 1953 - 1954 that state golf architect William F. Gordon and son David designed the 18 hole Bethlehem Steel Club course. These reports are mentions in articles pertaining to Gordon and son designing the new Bethlehem Golf Club at Monocacy near Illick's Mill. I also found a 1956 newspaper article stating that Gordon and son designed an additional 9 hole course for the Bethlehem Steel Club which makes the 27 hole golf club that it is today. Based on newspaper evidence for Gordan and nothing for Ross, I feel it was William F. and son David Gordon who should receive credit for the Bethlehem Steel Club, not Donald Ross.


Does anyone have anything that links Donald Ross to this course in a substantive way? Newspapers can be oft times incorrect especially if it makes a better story. Same with a Club claiming to have a famous golf architect rather than a lesser somewhat unknown.


Bethlehem Steel Club opening, 1 Oct 1948 Allentown, PA Morning Call newspaper



Bethlehem Steel Club, Donald Ross plaque



Bethlehem Steel Club mention, 7 Oct 1953 Allentown, PA Morning Call newspaper



Bethlehem Steel Club mention, 31 Dec 1953 Allentown, PA Morning Call newspaper



Bethlehem Steel Club mention, 17 Jul 1954 Allentown, PA Morning Call newspaper



Bethlehem Steel Club mention, 6 May 1956 Philadelphia, PA Inquirer newspaper

[Sven Nilsen]

Seeing as Gordon built courses for Ross, there might be a bit more to the story. 


Gordon didn't start building courses under his own banner until 1950.


It is possible that this was indeed a Ross design and Gordon did the construction work.  Wouldn't be the first time that someone received an oversized amount of the credit in later reports.  It is also possible that Ross was really only a figurehead, and Gordon was way more involved with the actual design than the historical record suggests.


At this stage in Ross' career and the post-WWII date of construction, it seems unlikely that the club would have its own record wrong.


Sven

[Chris Wegner]

Karl,


The club has the original Donald Ross drawings for the original 18.  When purchased by the Members and changed to Silver Creek Bethlehem Steel provided all the plans from their files. Currently, the new owner has all those drawings.


I had access to them while I was the Head Golf Professional in 2020 as new ownership looked to return an original Ross Bunker to the 17th hole that had been removed many years earlier. I was adamant we look at the original intent and at minimum build the new bunker to the same size as the original.


I am certain a few Architects who post on here have seen those plans as I know Silver Creek had a few Master Plans done to help restore the Ross holes. I believe Ron Forse or Jim Nagle did work at Silver Creek (Now Steel Club).


The current ownership also spoke of a picture of Donald Ross standing on the 9th green of the Hill, which was the last hole constructed of the original 18. This could possibly be the last hole Donald Ross stood on under construction prior to his passing.


Sven,


JB McGovern was involved in the construction of the "original 18". I have seen a routing noting him as being involved in construction.

[Sven Nilsen]

Chris:


That makes sense, as McGovern was Ross' last remaining associate at the end of his career.


That being said, I probably should have noted that Gordon built courses for Ross and McGovern.


Sven

[Karl Jensen]

Thank you Sven and Chris for setting me straight. I did see an ad for the club previously giving credit to both Ross and Gordon. So I would guess the 18 hole course is Ross' and the 9 hole course is the Gordon's. I'll see if I can run that ad down again. I can say, that William F. Gordon appears to have designed on his own in 1947 the Fort Dupont course. Bill Flynn was initially consulted for the project and unfortunately died in 1944. They then turned to Bill Gordon. See the below link.


https://books.google.com/books?id=Ugl5AAAAMAAJ&pg=PA124&dq=william+flynn+fort+dupont&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjJuNiB5pXxAhVMCM0KHUOSDPQQ6AEwAHoECAoQAg#v=onepage&q=william%20flynn%20fort%20dupont&f=false

[Karl Jensen]

Chris and Sven, Here is that advertisement.


Silver Creek Country Club advertisement, 11 May 1997 Allentown, PA Morning Call newspaper

[MCirba]

The "Hill Nine" that was part of Ross's original.18 is exceptional in so many respects.  Sad to know it will be going the way of the dinosaur, despite the efforts of folks like Chris W.

[Chris Wegner]

Mike,

I was happy to host you while the hill was still playable.

I would argue that at minimum the 2 best holes on the property are on the hill, and possibly the 3 best holes. Hill #4 and #8 are easy winners and I am a big fan of #2.

Sad that housing and other structures will see the demise of the Hill.


Karl,

Ross designed the 18 on the Hellertown side of the property, Gordon's nine is across the road in Lower Saucon. The club utilizes the original Ross back nine as holes 1,2 & 12 - 18. Gordon holes are 3 - 11. I would say the club has done its utmost to blend the Gordon holes and changed bunkering and mowing patterns to make them look as "Ross like" as possible.