Golf Club Atlas

GolfClubAtlas.com => Golf Course Architecture Discussion Group => Topic started by: Joe Bausch on March 29, 2009, 03:15:46 PM

Title: Guess the clubhouse (now also with an aerial!)
Post by: Joe Bausch on March 29, 2009, 03:15:46 PM
This is probably just a wee bit harder than guessing a course from an aerial, and if you are not from the Philadelphia area this one is likely next to impossible.  But I came upon this photo from the May 2nd, 1929 issue of the Public Ledger and really had to chuckle.

Can anyone guess the course?  No fair you few that I already sent this to!  The first hint is that it is an NLE, but the course was around for way more than a few years.  :)


Title: Re: Guess the clubhouse
Post by: Steve_ Shaffer on March 29, 2009, 03:53:35 PM
A wild guess- Ashbourne.
Title: Re: Guess the clubhouse
Post by: Joe Bausch on March 29, 2009, 04:14:12 PM
Quote from: Steve_ Shaffer on March 29, 2009, 03:53:35 PM
A wild guess- Ashbourne.

Nope.  But we have some nice parting gifts for you Steve!  ;)

Another clue:  the architect of the course was a Scottish immigrant that did a handful of courses in the Philadelphia area.
Title: Re: Guess the clubhouse
Post by: Anthony_Nysse on March 29, 2009, 04:29:17 PM
ALMOST looks like the original Colonial CC prior to the fire...

Tony Nysse
Asst. Supt.
Colonial CC
Ft. Worth, TX
Title: Re: Guess the clubhouse
Post by: Doug Braunsdorf on March 29, 2009, 05:27:06 PM
One of us, if we guess enough, should finnallay get it
Title: Re: Guess the clubhouse
Post by: Joe Bausch on March 29, 2009, 06:40:20 PM
Next clue (bet some of you didn't know this!):  Mike Souchak was an early pro at this club.
Title: Re: Guess the clubhouse
Post by: Mike_Cirba on March 29, 2009, 08:36:06 PM
Both this course and the town it occupied were famous as a "winter spot" going way back...
Title: Re: Guess the clubhouse
Post by: Joe Bausch on March 30, 2009, 08:39:23 AM
And here is a 1937 aerial of the course and clubhouse:
Title: Re: Guess the clubhouse (now also with an aerial!)
Post by: Jay Kirkpatrick on March 30, 2009, 09:25:34 AM
VFGC... those roads are a lot bigger now.
Title: Re: Guess the clubhouse (now also with an aerial!)
Post by: Joe Bausch on March 30, 2009, 09:32:45 AM
Quote from: Jay Kirkpatrick on March 30, 2009, 09:25:34 AM
VFGC... those roads are a lot bigger now.

Very nice Jay:  Valley Forge Country Club it is!
Title: Re: Guess the clubhouse (now also with an aerial!)
Post by: Ray Cross on March 30, 2009, 09:41:38 AM
Good one, Joe.  The long, slow death of VF must have taken 30 years from the first attempt to sell to the final court decision and now the start of construction (?). Will there ever be a finish to that site?
Title: Re: Guess the clubhouse (now also with an aerial!)
Post by: Jay Kirkpatrick on March 30, 2009, 09:56:02 AM
the winter getaway clue was priceless.  can't exactly imagine gen. washington hitting his titanium driver across the icy river in boredom...
Title: Re: Guess the clubhouse (now also with an aerial!)
Post by: Joe Bausch on March 30, 2009, 09:56:15 AM
Quote from: Ray Cross on March 30, 2009, 09:41:38 AM
Good one, Joe.  The long, slow death of VF must have taken 30 years from the first attempt to sell to the final court decision and now the start of construction (?). Will there ever be a finish to that site?

I drive by there frequently and I think construction of whatever it is to become is progressing.

Oh, for completion sake the architect was Alexander Findlay.
Title: Re: Guess the clubhouse (now also with an aerial!)
Post by: Mike_Cirba on March 30, 2009, 10:11:13 AM
Quote from: Jay Kirkpatrick on March 30, 2009, 09:56:02 AM
the winter getaway clue was priceless.  can't exactly imagine gen. washington hitting his titanium driver across the icy river in boredom...

Big hitter, the General...although I heard he was more sneaky long.

A few years ago I started a thread here after walking Valley Forge National Park where I compared the earthworks created by Washington and his men to those bunkers and embankments on golf courses.

I still think there is a direct connection between warfare and golf, and in looking at some of these pics, I'm wondering if Washington and his guys weren't waiting for a spring thaw to hit some around this lovely property.

(http://photos.igougo.com/images/p154396-Malvern-Valley_Forge_National_Park.jpg)

(http://www.bridgeandtunnelclub.com/bigmap/outoftown/pennsylvania/montgomerycounty/valleyforge/grounds/earthwork.jpg)

(http://www.bridgeandtunnelclub.com/bigmap/outoftown/pennsylvania/montgomerycounty/valleyforge/grounds/cannon2.jpg)

(http://www.bridgeandtunnelclub.com/bigmap/outoftown/pennsylvania/montgomerycounty/valleyforge/grounds/baking.jpg)

(http://www.bridgeandtunnelclub.com/bigmap/outoftown/pennsylvania/montgomerycounty/valleyforge/grounds/obelisk.jpg)
Title: Re: Guess the clubhouse (now also with an aerial!)
Post by: Kyle Harris on March 30, 2009, 03:16:12 PM
Quote from: MikeCirba on March 30, 2009, 10:11:13 AM
Quote from: Jay Kirkpatrick on March 30, 2009, 09:56:02 AM
the winter getaway clue was priceless.  can't exactly imagine gen. washington hitting his titanium driver across the icy river in boredom...

Big hitter, the General...although I heard he was more sneaky long.

A few years ago I started a thread here after walking Valley Forge National Park where I compared the earthworks created by Washington and his men to those bunkers and embankments on golf courses.

I still think there is a direct connection between warfare and golf, and in looking at some of these pics, I'm wondering if Washington and his guys weren't waiting for a spring thaw to hit some around this lovely property.

(http://photos.igougo.com/images/p154396-Malvern-Valley_Forge_National_Park.jpg)

(http://www.bridgeandtunnelclub.com/bigmap/outoftown/pennsylvania/montgomerycounty/valleyforge/grounds/earthwork.jpg)

(http://www.bridgeandtunnelclub.com/bigmap/outoftown/pennsylvania/montgomerycounty/valleyforge/grounds/cannon2.jpg)

(http://www.bridgeandtunnelclub.com/bigmap/outoftown/pennsylvania/montgomerycounty/valleyforge/grounds/baking.jpg)

(http://www.bridgeandtunnelclub.com/bigmap/outoftown/pennsylvania/montgomerycounty/valleyforge/grounds/obelisk.jpg)


There's a lot more to this idea than meets the eye at first. Post more in a bit.