In Honour of Donald Ross' Birthday, What Ross Restoration Do You Want to See?

[mike_malone]

The third iteration of Aronimink

Interesting. I'd love to hear more.

Wayne,


Just a little fun. But they do a Prichard by the designs then a Hanse by the photos. They just have an itch and too much money.

[Wayne Wiggins, Jr.]

Maybe it'll go back to the RTJ or Fazio plans in another 20 yrs or so!!!

[Ryan Book]

Jason, sorry for the delay.


As of right now, the plan is for the drop-shot par three (which occurred after the current No. 13) to be restored as the new No. 14 (you may have noticed the bare minimum version of this green still exists). The current No. 14 (not an original Ross, but would be renovated to better match) will be bumped back to No. 15 so, yes, back-to-back par threes.


In the corridor where Hurdzan's Nos. 15, 16 and 17 currently sit, only two holes would exist. One would be a downhill par four in the corridor current occupied by No. 15, and the next would be an uphill par five in the corridor currently filled by Nos. 16 and 17. The latter hole intrigues me most due to the severe nature of the current slope, but I also understand that Hanse will have a relatively free hand in updating the topography to make this feasible.

The current No. 18 will remain the closing hole.

Hanse was actually at Denison recently as part of an effort to drum up support for the reno-resto. The university does not have quite all the funds necessary to greenlight the project (and its clubhouse component) but the formal event is at least a nice nod that they are trying. There is, however, a master plan in existence. Looks nice.

Denison fka Granville - had heard rumors of a Hanse restoration but could never confirm that

What do we know about what the master plan would mean for the 4 non-original holes?


As an Ohioan myself, I agree with your Manakiki call since I'd generally assume a true Granville restoration is an impossibility. Manakiki could be a real jewel with a little effort.

[Ian Mackenzie]

The Struie Course in Dornoch!!!

[HarryBrinkerhoffDoyleIV_aka_Barry]

Ha!  +1

Holston Hills

[James Brown]

Pinehurst # 1.

+1. Just played it for the first time last week and would love to see what it looks like with the same degree of attention as #3.

[Paul Stephenson]

Manakiki gets my vote.

[Dan Boerger]

Speaking of Philadelphia area Donald Ross courses that were at one time touched by Ron Prichard, St. Davids is undergoing some renovation over the next year. Our own Mike Trenham, I'm sure, knows more. 

[Andrew Harvie]

Speaking of Philadelphia area Donald Ross courses that were at one time touched by Ron Prichard, St. Davids is undergoing some renovation over the next year. Our own Mike Trenham, I'm sure, knows more.

Tyler Rae if I'm not mistaken, though I haven't seen a plan.

[Tim Rooney]

Denison (Granville) Golf Club

[Matt Wharton]

I am hopeful we may have an opportunity to see Andrew Green put his magic touch on Idle Hour CC in Lexington, KY. Formerly known as Ashland Country Club designed by Donald Ross in 1924 the golf course had once meandered away from its heritage like many courses did during the modern age. In 1968 the club hired Robert Simmons of Camden, Indiana to redesign the golf course after some expansion within the club's non-golf spaces consumed some real estate. Utilizing land the club owned adjacent to the original golf course Robert Simmons created two new golf holes to replace those lost to the other club amenities.



Twenty years ago the club hired golf course architect Ron Prichard to restore the golf course back to its Donald Ross heritage. Ron did a phenomenal job restoring many Ross characteristics to the golf course, including taking one of those two Bob Simmons holes and creating what I believe to be the best non-original Ross golf hole I've ever played. But Ron's work does have some flaws that create certain agronomic challenges that need to be corrected if this golf course is to survive another 100 years.

[Ryan Van Culin]

Ridgefields CC in Kingsport, TN. Privately owned and very neglected, but the bones are there, I believe.

[Matthew Rose]

Wellshire in Denver.

[MCirba]

Wellshire in Denver.

Matthew,


I've never played Wellshire but it was pretty apparent a few years ago when I arrived in the parking lot as a single only to find they were closed for a tournament that the course would greatly benefit from an aggressive tree management program.

[Matt Wharton]

Ridgefields CC in Kingsport, TN. Privately owned and very neglected, but the bones are there, I believe.

Ryan, I have had the pleasure of playing Ridgefields four times but it was all back in the early 90's. I remember liking the golf course then and thought the club to be of a higher standard compared to other facilities in Upper East TN and Southwest VA. How or what are things like now?

[Matthew Rose]

Wellshire in Denver.

Matthew,


I've never played Wellshire but it was pretty apparent a few years ago when I arrived in the parking lot as a single only to find they were closed for a tournament that the course would greatly benefit from an aggressive tree management program.

Very much so, and also the removal of a couple of pretty ugly ponds. I believe the most notorious one is gone, though, so that is a start.

[Doug Wright]

Wellshire in Denver.

Matthew,


I've never played Wellshire but it was pretty apparent a few years ago when I arrived in the parking lot as a single only to find they were closed for a tournament that the course would greatly benefit from an aggressive tree management program.

Very much so, and also the removal of a couple of pretty ugly ponds. I believe the most notorious one is gone, though, so that is a start.

I was scrolling through this thread and looking for a mention of Wellshire. The bones are still very much there; only a few abominable changes have been made including the disgusting "water feature" on #17 (and the terrible wetland/pond on #10 thankfully is now gone. I have the Ross plans (executed by Walter Hatch, as far as I know Ross didn't visit the site but did the routing and layout from topo maps as he did with other courses), and with massive tree removal, green expansion and bunker work it could be a gem. As Wellshire approaches its 100th anniversary in 2026, we can only wish wistfully that the City of Denver undertook some restoration efforts. Not likely; I just need to win the lottery to fund it...     

[PCCraig]

Woodhill GC in Orono, Minnesota.


A Donald Ross original design in the western suburbs of Minneapolis. Brian Schneider is completing a full scale restoration of the course in FY 2025.


The property is land with a fair amount of movement, reminiscent of New England. In years past the course has fallen into some traps consistent of other clubs of similar heritage - too many trees, mowing lines, etc.


I've seen Brian's plans and they are extensive. Will be very interesting & exciting to see the only full Ross design (not redesign) in the Twin Cities be restored.

Pat,


I played Woodhill a few years ago and agree the tremendous land movement lends itself to excellent golf. In speaking with the pro, I was under the impression that not much had changed materially at the course over the years. I did notice the tees on 7 had been shifted to the right for safety reasons, however, the major issues seemed to be tree encroachment and fairway mowing lines.


Curious to see Brian’s plan and compare against what is on the ground today.


Tyler

I think quite a bit has changed at Woodhill over the years, collectively.


Believe the 1st set of big changes came in the 1950's when Robert Bruce Harris was in town building Wayzata CC next door. In the late 1970's the club hired Cornish who added ponds, "modern" bunkers, shrunk fairways, and added trees.


Schneider's plan is fairly comprehensive and I believe the budget for the renovation will be as well. By most accounts it's a restoration with two sets of plans by Ross & Schneider is putting the original 5th green location back to the 1915 plans vs. the 1936 location where Ross later moved it. Plan also includes restoring putting surface sizes, a bunch of drainage ditches, and a whole bunch of tree removal (which has begun in earnest this winter from pictures I've seen).


The club has some incredible land movement...I'm excited to see what the tree work uncovers!

[Ryan Van Culin]

Ridgefields CC in Kingsport, TN. Privately owned and very neglected, but the bones are there, I believe.

Ryan, I have had the pleasure of playing Ridgefields four times but it was all back in the early 90's. I remember liking the golf course then and thought the club to be of a higher standard compared to other facilities in Upper East TN and Southwest VA. How or what are things like now?

Unfortunately, since the 90's there have been three high end private clubs built within a 45-minute drive, so it has come at a cost to the mid-tier clubs. There has just been a letdown of standards where about half of the bunkers are left unmaintained. It's a real shame because you can see them and how great they could be, but they are just filled with mud and growing weeds. Also, trees are really starting to encroach into the playing corridors and tightening things up.

[Matt Wharton]

Ridgefields CC in Kingsport, TN. Privately owned and very neglected, but the bones are there, I believe.

Ryan, I have had the pleasure of playing Ridgefields four times but it was all back in the early 90's. I remember liking the golf course then and thought the club to be of a higher standard compared to other facilities in Upper East TN and Southwest VA. How or what are things like now?

Unfortunately, since the 90's there have been three high end private clubs built within a 45-minute drive, so it has come at a cost to the mid-tier clubs. There has just been a letdown of standards where about half of the bunkers are left unmaintained. It's a real shame because you can see them and how great they could be, but they are just filled with mud and growing weeds. Also, trees are really starting to encroach into the playing corridors and tightening things up.

That is most unfortunate! 

[Brian Ross]

Overhills GC on Fort Liberty (formerly Bragg). Still there, just waiting!

[Tim Rooney]

Still awaiting Tom Doak’s Balsams
Renovation with a Great uphill
Par 5 finish!