A few of us are planning to visit western PA this weekend to play Wanango, which sits above the Allegheny River. We'll also be playing Foxburg, the oldest continuously used golf course in the United States the following morning. (much more on that later).
The trip seems a nice way to honor the memory of Arnold Palmer.
However, the architectural attribution of Wanango seems rather confusing and without a very functional USGA Seagle search available this week I'm hoping others might have more information. The club's website seems provably incorrect in terms of the historical write-up, and I'm hoping perhaps we can clarify some things for them.
Here's what I do know for certain;
In late 1912 it was reported in local newspapers that William C. Fownes of Oakmont fame came and toured the property for a few days and "his advice will be liberally drawn upon in laying out the 9-hole golf links of the new organization which later is to be extended to 18 holes."
In May of 1913 it was reported that "The Building Committee of the Wanango Country Club has engaged Tom Bendelow, of Chicago, who is an expert golf player and landscape artist to come here and assist in laying out the new golf grounds and tennis courts."
The Donald Ross Society lists Wanango as a nine-hole design of Ross's in 1913, with some supporting information available at the Tufts Archives.
The course was official opened in late May/early June 1914.
In April of 1928 it was reported in local papers that "Ambitious plans are underway for the further improvement of the local golf course. The course, laid out some years ago by the famous golf architect, Donald Ross, is one of the most interesting in this section."
At present, the Tillinghast.net site lists Wanango as a course that Tillinghast revised the first nine holes and added a new nine in 1919.
Further clarification and/or details on any of these would be very much appreciated. Thanks in advance for any help.