Hi again with another short historical summary -- Newport CC.
We understand that Tilly's Reef hole may have first been designed on the course, but am not sure if the hole still exists as originally designed or intended by Tilly. Also, we don't know how many original holes were re-designed by Tilly and how many were originals on the newly aquired property. All help is appreciated.
Newport – redesigned by A.W. Tillinghast circa 1924
The Newport Country Club in Newport, Rhode Island was founded in 1893 and played host to the first U.S. Amateur Championship and the first U.S. Open in 1895. The Club played over several early golf courses in it early years.
“Courses” is the correct description, as there have been countless changes in the links layout from the earliest days to the present time. When the original Newport golfing enthusiasts played on rented Brenton Pointe property, they used a nine-hole course presumably designed by Theodore Havemeyer himself in 1890. In 1893 hat site was modified by W.F. Davis, the newly-hired professional of the newly-organized Golf Club. {The Newport Country Club, Its Curious History, by Alan T. Schumacher, 1986, p.41}
The club moved to the Rocky Farm land in 1894 and Davis also designed two new courses there, a long course and a short course. In 1897 a second nine holes was added in 1897. The membership expressed dissatisfaction with the second nine holes, which was built on low-lying land and had serious drainage problems. In 1915, Donald Ross was retained to remodel the course. In 1921, the club planned a complete reshaping of the links and purchased 49 acres of nearby land and engaged A.W. Tillinghast to design a new 18 golf course. {The Newport Country Club, Its Curious History, by Alan T. Schumacher, 1986, p.42-43}
The course which emerged was essentially the one which is still being played on over sixty years later. Today it measures 6,568 yards long, red tees, and 6,198 yards from the with for men, less for ladies. {The Newport Country Club, Its Curious History, by Alan T. Schumacher, 1986, p.43}
Since 1995, the club has carefully restored its Tillinghast course under the direction of golf architect Ron Forse. In 1995, in celebration of the U.S. Amateur Championship centennial the course hosted the U.S. Amateur and in 2006 it was the venue for the U.S. Women’s Open.