GolfClubAtlas.com > Golf Course Architecture Discussion Group
Reunderstanding Ross
Sven Nilsen:
The DRS List notes Woodland GC in Auburndale, MA as a 1928 remodel. They fail to mention Ross' involvement with the extension of the course from 9 to 18 holes in 1903.
DRS 2018 Update - 9 Holes New in 1903 added to the listing.
June 1904 Golf Magazine -
MCirba:
Hard to understand how they missed Woodland. It was one of the most well documented of the early good courses.
Sven Nilsen:
Mike:
It seems like the DRS List only mentions projects where Ross had significant involvement (although I think they oversell that involvement in a few cases). There are quite a few "consultations" or "advisory" situations that they do not mention. I guess it is hard to quantify the influence Ross had on those courses, but I feel they at least deserve mention when you're presenting the body of the architect's work.
Sven
Sven Nilsen:
1906
Merrimack (Valley) GC (Methuen, MA) - 18 holes, New in 1906, Still in Existence
Not noted in the 1930 Ross Booklet.
Merrimack Valley is a bit of a mystery, as is the note "See Dunn" included in the DRS listing.
The club got its start in 1898 when the original 9 hole course was laid out by Alex Findlay. I can find no mention of the course being extended to 18 holes until the 1927 Annual Guide, except for the Jan. 1911 Golf Magazine article copied below which mentions that a new course has been laid out by A. G. Lockwood. It would appear that this course was never built.
So what did Ross do, and if he did anything, when?
1900 Harper's Guide -
Feb. 1901 Golf Magazine -
Jan. 1911 Golf Magazine -
March 1914 American Golfer -
Update: The article below indicates that the club did not go forward with Lockwood's plans, and instead hired Ross to lay out an 18 hole course in 1911. However, the March 1914 article above suggests that any expansion of the course did not immediately take place.
Oct. 26, 1911 Boston Globe -
Southern Pines County Club - Elks (Southern Pines, NC) - 18 holes, New in 1906-1912, 9 holes, Remodel in 1928, Still in Existence
2018 DRS Update - Listing changed to reflect the #1 course as 18 Holes New in 1906-1913 and the #2 course as 18 Holes New in 1924-28
The 1930 Ross Booklet notes 36 Holes.
It would be impossible to improve on Chris Buie's history of Southern Pines (found here - http://golfclubatlas.com/a-history-of-southern-pines-golf-club-page-3/). For this exercise it makes sense to point out that Ross really wasn't involved with the course until 1914, and although his revisions essentially formulated the course we know of today, it is disingenuous to describe his involvement as a "New Course" with the dates ascribed above.
Jan. 1907 Golf Magazine -
Jan. 1913 Golf Magazine -
1939 Plan -
1907
Pinehurst Country Club #3 (Pinehurst, NC) - 18 holes, New in 1906-1948, Still in Existence
The 1930 Ross Booklet notes 72 Holes.
Pinehurst #3, on the other hand, is an open and shut case. Another labor of love course that Ross would work on throughout his career.
Sven Nilsen:
1908
Belmont Country Club (f/k/a Belmont Springs CC) (Belmont, MA) - 18 Holes, New in 1918, Still in Existence
2018 DRS Update - Listing updated to show 18 Holes New c. 1910 and 18 Holes Remodel in 1920
The 1930 Ross Booklet notes 18 Holes.
The 1918 date given in the listing is only off by about a decade. Ross did come back in 1918, but the work he did then did not amount to a new course.
June 30, 1908 Brooklyn Daily Eagle -
Aug. 2, 1908 Boston Globe -
The March 1909 American Golfer notes suggestions on the layout of the course were made by D. Ross, A. Ross, A. Findlay and members of the committee while the May 1910 edition of Golf Magazine notes the course was laid out by Donald Ross.
June 1918 American Golfer -
Oct. 1916 Golf Illustrated -
Feb. 8, 1920 The Sun -
1918 Ross Layouts -
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