Who designed the Carolina Country Club of Raleigh, NC?

[Karl Jensen]

So who designed the Carolina Country Club, originally known as the Raleigh Country Club? I can't say for sure. This course should not be confused with the Donald Ross 1947 designed Raleigh CC.


Carolina CC oka Raleigh CC was being planned as early as 1906.


26 Aug 1906 Raleigh, NC The News and Observer newspaper



By Apr 1909 after the Club was organized and officers elected, the Club had "golf experts from Pinehurst" to survey the ground. I'm guessing this could be Donald Ross but can't say for sure.


13 Apr 1909 Charlotte, NC The Charlotte Observer newspaper



The very next month May 1909 it is reported that Mr. Minor, an expert from New York and Florida, laid out the course. This would be Dermont E. Miner who was a club pro and tournament player who had winter employment at the College Arms Golf Club in Deland, FL.


12 May 1909 Charlotte, NC The Evening Chronicle newspaper



Dermont E. Miner wasn't a one trick pony as evidenced by this 1916 newspaper article reporting other courses he laid out.


D. E. Miner article, 12 May 1916 Wilmington, NC Morning Star newspaper



So it is then reported in Apr 1911 that an invitation would be presented to President Taft to attend the Club's opening in the Fall. The course is reported to be laid out by Donald Ross.


13 Apr 1909 Charlotte, NC The Charlotte Observer newspaper



I don't know if the Donald Ross part of the article is true. Could be since previously in 1909 it was reported that golf experts from Pinehurst surveyed the ground. The invitation to Taft did happen by a Mr. P. D Gold meeting with him in Aug 1911.


President Taft Invitation, 7 Aug 1911 Charlotte, NC Evening Chronicle newspaper



In May 1912 it is reported that the Club had been open for little over a year and 9 holes were in play with the other holes being worked on. Club president William Holt Williamson had been president for 2 years and was stepping aside.


12 May 1912 Norfolk, VA Virginian-Pilot newspaper



Club president William Holt Williamson had a winter home in Deland, FL were golf professional Dermont E. Miner was employed by the College Arms Golf Club. When Miner died in 1932 he had an obituary in a Raleigh, NC newspaper. So there is a connection of Miner to the Club.


So who laid out the Carolina Country? Was it Ross or Miner? One thing that is known for sure is golf architect A. W. Tillinghast, as part of his 1936 PGA sponsored golf course survey tour, came to the CCC and offered his suggestions for altering the course.


Carolina Country Club article, 2 Feb 1938 Raleigh, NC News and Observer newspaper



Finally here is a photo of Club president William Holt Williamson and below a link to his biography. After opening the link just page up and down to read the lengthy biography.





https://books.google.com/books?id=0NoDAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA38&dq=%22william+h.+williamson%22+raleigh+country+club&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiKhonovJnxAhUPAZ0JHRGmAPAQ6AEwAHoECAkQAg#v=onepage&q=%22william%20h.%20williamson%22%20raleigh%20country%20club&f=false

[Ian Mackenzie]

My copy of "Architects of Golf" lists one John LaFoy as architect, but he is listed as "R" meaning redesign.


Rees Jones' web site says that CCC was originally known as Raleigh CC and designed by Donald Ross.


https://www.reesjonesinc.com/carolina-country-club/

[Karl Jensen]

Thanks Ian,


John LaFoy is a member of the ASGCA. Here is his link


https://asgca.org/architect/jlafoy/


I clicked on the Rees Jones link. Maybe I am blind but I don't see Donald Ross' name connected to the Carolina CC.

[Ian Mackenzie]

Karl,


In Ron Whitten's book (that I cite above), Raleigh CC is credited as a Ross course and that was (apparently) the precursor to CCC as the listings are separate.


That's all I got,man....where's Sven...he will know. ..?

[hhuffines]

The simple answer is a lot of people, including Mr. Tillinghast.  The shame is that none of his work would be recognizable unless we had before and after routings or aerials.  The information provided by Karl is fascinating for our history prior to Tillinghast.


So by my count we’ve had an original course designer, Tillinghast, Gene Hamm, John LaFoy, and now Rees Jones. Several holes have been changed long since 1937.  The result is the hilliest golf course you’d want to play with some tough blind tee shots and six par threes.  The Jones team did a really nice job in redesigning some greens and adding chipping areas.


We’ve been lucky to have some solid greens committees as the course is in fantastic shape!


Thanks again Karl!