Learned Something New Today - Historically /Culturally Significant Rackham GC

[Jim_Kennedy]

https://www.hwmi.org/huntingtonwoods/departments/uploads/Rackham_Golf_Course_Historic_Distrcit.PDF

[Stewart Abramson]

Interesting.


Here's a link to photos of the back 9 at Rackham (June 2017), which I was told were the least altered, as well as a few of the clubhouse. If comparing to other old school munis,  Rackham is no Keller or Swope, but it has a nice vibe


https://www.flickr.com/photos/golfcoursepix/albums/72157683015069304/with/34882251534/
.

[Jeff_Brauer]

I played it last year, and yes, the back nine has been significantly altered. Cant recall the gca, but prompted by expansion of I-696 and a basic N-S when it was more E-W.;  Neat course.

[Jim_Kennedy]

Jeff,


Raymond Hearn was the latest.

[Tim Martin]

Jimmy-Rackham is mentioned in the Golf Advisor article that David Tepper referenced in the thread called 10 Munis Worth Saving.

[Jim_Kennedy]

Jimmy-Rackham is mentioned in the Golf Advisor article that David Tepper referenced in the thread called 10 Munis Worth Saving.

Ahead of the curve. 


Talked w/Mark Chalfant last night and he remembers the course well from his youthful days in Detroit. He also mentioned the Rogell course as having some very nice architecture, and it was one of the courses that ignited his passion for the subject.


Your name came up in the conversation when I was trying to remember the name/location of the Emmet course you mentioned when you were here the other day. My gray hair got in the way of my grey matter, so you two will have to make the connection.  [size=78%]    [/size]

[Jim_Kennedy]

Stewart,


Very laid back and placid looking place to play. I was looking at the greens in the hole by hole photos in the link, they seem to be the stars of the show.

[Tim Martin]

Jimmy-Rackham is mentioned in the Golf Advisor article that David Tepper referenced in the thread called 10 Munis Worth Saving.

Ahead of the curve. 


Talked w/Mark Chalfant last night and he remembers the course well from his youthful days in Detroit. He also mentioned the Rogell course as having some very nice architecture, and it was one of the courses that ignited his passion for the subject.


Your name came up in the conversation when I was trying to remember the name/location of the Emmet course you mentioned when you were here the other day. My gray hair got in the way of my grey matter, so you two will have to make the connection.  [size=78%]    [/size]

The name of the nine holer is Dudley Hill Golf Club in Dudley, Massachusetts. I sent him a text with some of the specifics but haven’t heard back as I’m sure he’s reeling in horror if in fact I did slip one in on him.

[Jim_Kennedy]

Tim,


It would be a minor miracle if you did. 

[Ari Techner]

It's the front 9 that was modified by the freeway expansion the back 9 is pretty much original.  The first 5 or so holes were altered.  Great muni course w very interesting greens.  A joy to play if you can find a time where you can get around in less than 5h.

[Sven Nilsen]

The name of the nine holer is Dudley Hill Golf Club in Dudley, Massachusetts. I sent him a text with some of the specifics but haven’t heard back as I’m sure he’s reeling in horror if in fact I did slip one in on him.

Tim:


Is this the Nichols College GC, which was a 9 hole 1926 Emmet design?  I also have a record for a Webster Dudley GC from 1925.  Wonder if they were the same course. 


Sven

[Ryan Taylor]

Thanks for sharing. What a story it would be if Rackham GC is ever renovated / restored along the lines of what Winter Park recently accomplished. The golf course is in major need of drainage updates and bunker restoration. As stated by Ari, the back 9 has some fantastic holes with some really interesting green complexes. The golf course could be better integrated with the surrounding neighborhood. (e.g. fence removal, walking path, etc.)

[Jim_Kennedy]

http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,26593.0/nowap.html


The Webster Times has a mention of Emmet onsite in 1926, so sayeth Tony Pioppi. Is that the article you have Sven? Can you post yours?
 

[Sven Nilsen]

http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,26593.0/nowap.html


The Webster Times has a mention of Emmet onsite in 1926, so sayeth Tony Pioppi. Is that the article you have Sven? Can you post yours?

Jim:


I don't have any articles at all on this one, just a notation of Emmet in 1926 at the Nichols College course.  The Webster Dudley GC info comes from the Annual Guides.


Sven

[Jim_Kennedy]

Thanks Sven/ Perhaps TP will see this and post what he has.
Here's Rackham in 1940

[Mike Schott]

Thanks for sharing. What a story it would be if Rackham GC is ever renovated / restored along the lines of what Winter Park recently accomplished. The golf course is in major need of drainage updates and bunker restoration. As stated by Ari, the back 9 has some fantastic holes with some really interesting green complexes. The golf course could be better integrated with the surrounding neighborhood. (e.g. fence removal, walking path, etc.)

Unfortunately the City of Detroit has no money for such a renovation. Rackham has the bones and some cool greens. The biggest issue is the 5+ hour rounds which are the norm.

[Tim Martin]

The name of the nine holer is Dudley Hill Golf Club in Dudley, Massachusetts. I sent him a text with some of the specifics but haven’t heard back as I’m sure he’s reeling in horror if in fact I did slip one in on him.

Tim:


Is this the Nichols College GC, which was a 9 hole 1926 Emmet design?  I also have a record for a Webster Dudley GC from 1925.  Wonder if they were the same course. 


Sven

Sven-The proximity to the college and Emmet lineage of the present day Dudley Hill GC leads me to believe they are one in the same.