This past summer the Country Club of Buffalo began the reconstruction/restoration of their 1926 Donald Ross golf course. The purpose of this posting is to provide an overview of the work being performed at the club as they attempt to improve their golf course. This project has been in the making for a number of years and it took some time to get the full backing of the membership to progress to this point. Over the coming weeks/months we hope to provide a chronological summary of not just the work being done, but the history of the course also. There has been an interesting evolution to the place and now it appears as thought things are coming back full circle to its beginning on the Youngs Road site (there was a previous location prior to moving in 1926).
Ross was involved with the course construction and oversight. The Club is fortunate to have not only his plans but also aerial photos taken within a year of construction completion. The Club hosted the 1931 USGA Women's Championship which provided the club the opportunity to secure many ground level photos of the course (many of which will be posted at various times). The Club is truly embracing their past as they look forward. The plan was titled the "Donald Ross Golf Course Master Plan". Yes, there are many courses in the country which bear the name of an ODG and are not worthy of restoration, and I know nothing can be a true restoration, but the Club believes there cannot be a better course placed upon the existing ground afforded them other than Ross' original layout. There are a few instances where safety required design modifications and visual deterrents. While the restoration was planned the club also desired, where feasible, the lengthening of the course. We prefer to think of it as "restoration of design intent". This is a truly exciting project for the Club and one they feel will help kick start membership growth (which is happening while the machines are at work and the sod is flying).
CCB has had a number of changes through the years. The influence of the '31 Women's Championship led to some design alterations and the Club solicited the advice of RTJ Sr. following his work at Oak Hill in order to modernize the course. Geoffrey Cornish consulted with the Club and later in the 90's the bunkers were completely rebuilt. The Club, like so many others, also was busy planting trees, lots of trees. It was not until an October 2006 snowstorm decimated over 700 of those trees that a fresh approach was undertaken to better manage the trees. The great thing about this course is that through the years original greens were never rebuilt. The Ross greens (all 18 combined) are pure genius. Some were "bit into" by visual bunkers during the modernization but the internal contours remain. Any green which was reduced will be restored to its original outline and horizons.
As the construction continues, we are very pleased with the work of the Aspen Corporation. Their site superintendent has developed a fine relationship with the Club and Forse Design. Aspen's crews have been exceptional. More than anything, the shapers have been incredible. We, most architects, do not give enough praise to the men who really take our vision and create beautiful features. The three shapers; Mike, Mario and Shamus are exceptional.
The 6th green has been covered in another topic on GCA, but we wanted to kick off the conversations with this particular hole. As time permits we will post other holes and their changes.
Enjoy!
CCB - 1927
CCB - 1951 just prior to the work by RTJ Sr.
CCB - 1995
CCB - 2002
Hole 6 - 1927
Plan for hole 6 -
Ross plans for 6 -
1931 image - The left bunker directly adjacent to the green was added for the Championship.
October 2012 -
