Publicly Accessible Macdonald/Raynor/Banks

[Matt Schiffer]

In light of Rock Spring GC (West Orange, NJ) recently becoming a public golf course and nearby Knoll West being semi-private, I was wondering what other Macdonald/Raynor/Banks courses can the average man get onto? 

[Tim Martin]

Hotchkiss-Raynor, Banks
Francis Byrne Golf Course-Banks

[Matt Schiffer]

Hotchkiss-Raynor, Banks
Francis Byrne Golf Course-Banks

Thanks Tim.  They both look pretty neutered on Google Earth.  How are they on the ground?  Worth a visit?

[Matt Schiffer]

Check that.  I've gone back and checked the old posts and it looks like Hotchkiss will be a great detour the next time I'm in NW Connecticut...
Thanks

[Chris_Blakely]

The Greenbrier Old White

[Tom_Doak]

You can actually get on Mid Ocean Club if you stay at one or two hotels with which they have limited access deals.  Besides Old White, that is the only other Macdonald course that’s accessible without a member introduction.


There must be a couple of Raynor courses, too, but I can’t think of any.  I think Waialae CC has some arrangement with the Kahala Hotel, but that’s not cheap.

[Matt Schiffer]

Excellent, thanks for the responses!  I was lucky enough to see Mid-Ocean about 5 years ago and it was fantastic.  Old White is on a bucket list somewhere as a one off... I'll try to check off the low hanging fruit first.

[David_Tepper]

I recall reading in Michael Bamberger's The Long Green Road Home that he grew up on Long Island playing a Raynor public course. But maybe it was a private club where he caddied in his younger days.

[Robert Mercer Deruntz]

Bellport is a town course that does still have some intact Raynor holes

[David_Tepper]

Yes, I think Bellport is the course Bamberger played in his younger days.

[George Pazin]

Isn't there another in NJ that is public beside Byrne?

[Howard Riefs]

Mountain Lake has been accessible with a stay at the Colony House.


https://www.mountainlakecc.com

[Tim Martin]

Isn't there another in NJ that is public beside Byrne?

George-Hendricks Field Golf Course like Francis Byrne is owned by Essex County and designed by Charles Banks. They are close enough to make up a thirty six hole day.

[Cal Seifert]

Mountain Lake has been accessible with a stay at the Colony House.


https://www.mountainlakecc.com

I am not sure they offer that deal as of right now. Their website states “on behalf of your sponsoring member, we are delighted to have you as a guest”


I could not find any page that talks about guest play with a stay at the colony house.

[Nigel Islam]

Lake Wales CC is open to the public now.
Downers Grove of course was originally CBM
Forrest Park in St. Louis if you believe a few 1912 papers is possibly a public Raynor
Riddell’s Bay sadly seems to be NLE.
North Palm Beach May as well be considered NLE as far as Raynor goes
Old White, MOC, Rock Springs, Hendricks Field (Banks,) The Knoll West (Banks,) Francis Byrne (Banks with early Raynor influence,) and Hotchkiss as previously mentioned all allow public play at times.


I’m sure anyone wishing to play Yale could probably find someone willing to help too.


I’m dubious over Bellport actually being a Raynor. It was built as the Suffolk County Golf Club. I think over the years the proposed Raynor course at Islip for Marion Hollins father might have been confused with the course that became Bellport. The Hollins project was called Suffolk County Country Club. I know Bellport looks like a Raynor offering in the 1960s aerials, but I have yet to uncover anything actually tying Raynor to the work. I would love to be proven wrong.

[Ronald Montesano]

Knoll Club West and Forsgate Banks, both in New Jersey, are public Banks.

[Jim_Kennedy]

Knoll Club West and Forsgate Banks, both in New Jersey, are public Banks.

You have to scratch Forsgate from your list Ron.

[Cal Seifert]

Knoll Club West and Forsgate Banks, both in New Jersey, are public Banks.

You have to scratch Forsgate from your list Ron.

Forsgate offers tee times through boxgroove. Seems like a great deal at less than $100.

[Jim_Kennedy]

Didn't know that, I thought they only made the Palmer course available to the public.

[Jim_Kennedy]

Yep - it's only the Palmer course.

[B.Ross]

not true. i played the banks course through boxgroove in october of 2017. maybe the policy's changed or maybe they accommodated me b/c in the request i specified i only wanted to play the banks, i dont know. regardless, boxgroove can get you on the banks.

Yep - it's only the Palmer course.

[Jim_Kennedy]

Let's say 'debatable'. Right now Boxgroove only lists the Palmer course.