Reunderstanding Ross

[Sven Nilsen]

Not much in the way of general articles on Ross in 1921, and with 30 or so courses in production it would have been tough for him to break away for an interview.

Ironically, during this busy year Ross proposed a timetable for pace of play.  An admirable thought that many clubs are still grappling with today.

March 17, 1921 Pinehurst Outlook -



It appears that he did think he'd have time to make a return visit to the UK, but I can find no record confirming he did indeed make the voyage.

Feb. 12, 1921 New York Evening Post -



As noted above, Ross' workload in 1921 is nothing short of staggering.  With just a passing glance you might assume that there was no way Ross could give each project the individual attention it deserved.  But reading through the articles it strikes me how much time he spent traveling and actually visiting the locations where his courses would be built and in many cases making return visits to check in on construction or suggest additional changes.  There were certainly different levels of involvement, both by Ross and by his team.  A course like Daytona was planned by Ross, but the construction was handled by the club itself.  On the other hand, courses like Charles River and Mid Pines, close to his summer and winter home bases, received a great deal of his attention.

It is worth noting that we start to see Ross losing a few contracts in situations where it was evident that he wouldn't be available to manage construction.  Alison would use this as a selling point for his work in the mid-20's when Colt & Alison made their return to the US.  Whether or not a Ross layout would have been better or worse for those clubs is a matter of speculative debate, but what is certain is that Ross would prove that courses that received as much time as he could manage turned out nothing less than spectacular.

But even those projects where Ross only did the layout and left plans have held up amazingly well over the years.  There are a number of courses like the Broadmoor in Indiana that still today are given their due regard.

In the background of his activity in 1921 is the loss of his wife Janet.  There might be a bit of grief management in the amount of work that was taking place.  But we can't discount that in 1921 Ross was already working with at least three associates (Hatch, McGovern and Johnson) and what we see is the swell of the wave his reputation and production had been building over the last decade.

[Sven Nilsen]

At the end of 1921, Ross' calendar was full for the next three years.

Dec. 3, 1921 Buffalo Enquirer -



In the same month that the article above was printed, Ross would form a partnership  with E. S. Draper, a landscape architect based in North Carolina.  Draper was essentially the Olmsted of the Mid-Atlantic, and would play a role in the formation of a number of clubs in the region during the 1920's.  This relationship would fuel the NC numbers that Ross produced.

Dec. 11, 1921 Charlotte Observer -

[Sven Nilsen]

1922

Biltmore Golf Club (o/k/a Miami Biltmore) (Coral Gables, FL) - 18 Holes, New in 1922, Still in Existence

2018 DRS Update - Date changed to 1926

The 1930 Ross Booklet notes 18 Holes.

[To be updated]

1925 Ross 36 Hole Plan -




Florida Country Club (Jacksonville, FL) - 18 Holes, New in 1922, NLE

The 1930 Ross Booklet notes 18 Holes.

Dec. 12, 1923 Tampa Tribune -




Handley Park Golf Club (New Smyrna Beach, FL) - 9 Holes, New in 1922, NLE

Not noted in the 1930RB.

I don't have anything on Ross here, and there is no record of a course by this name in any of the Annual Guides.


Riviera Country Club (o/k/a Miami Biltmore-South) (Coral Gables, FL) - 18 Holes, New in 1922, Still in Existence

2018 DRS Update - Date changed to 1924

Not noted in the 1930RB.

See the 1925 36 Hole Plan above.

[To be updated]

Ross returned here in 1945 to design a completely new course.

July 15, 1945 Miami News -




Highland Country Club (o/k/a La Grange) (La Grange, GA) - 9 Holes, New in 1922, Still in Existence

The 1930 Ross Booklet notes 9 Holes.

The Annual Guides note a 9 hole course with a date of formation of 1922.

Feb. 5, 1927 Atlanta Constitution -





Uncredited Plan of the Course -




Cohasset Golf Club (Cohasset, MA) - 18 Holes, New in 1922, Still in Existence

2018 DRS Update - Changed to 9 Holes New in 1909, 9 Holes New in 1922

The 1930 Ross Booklet notes 18 Holes.

As noted in the 1913 listing above, Ross was here earlier to rework the course.  He returned around 1920, adding 9 holes and rearranging what was already there.

April 15, 1920 Boston Post -



Nov. 14, 1920 Boston Post -





Franklin Park Golf Course (Wm. J. Devine) (Boston, MA) - 18 Holes, New in 1922, Still in Existence

Not noted in the 1930 Ross Booklet.

Ross and Walter Hatch extended the existing 9 hole course to 18 holes, utilizing some of the features of the old course.

Dec. 29, 1921 Pinehurst Outlook -



May 24, 1922 Christian Science Monitor -








The Orchards Golf Club (South Hadley, MA) - 9 Holes, New in 1922, 9 Holes, New in 1927, Still in Existence

The 1930 Ross Booklet notes 18 Holes.

I don't have anything on the 1922 work here.

April 9, 1927 Walter Hatch Letter -



Photo of the Course -




Petersham Country Club (Petersham, MA) - 9 Holes, New in 1922, Still in Existence

Not noted in the 1930 Ross Booklet.

I don't have anything on Ross here, other than to note that there was a 9 hole course in Petersham leading up to 1922 and from what I understand the course is now NLE.


Sandy Burr Country Club (Wayland, MA) - 18 Holes, New in 1922, Still in Existence

The 1930 Ross Booklet notes 18 Holes.

Jan. 26, 1922 Waterloo Courier -




Indian Spring Golf Club (Silver Spring, MD) - 18 Holes, New in 1922, NLE - 1956

Not noted in the 1930 Ross Booklet.

This is the same course as Silver Spring GC from the 1921 listing.  Work started here in 1921.

Nov. 17, 1921 Washington Herald -



Feb. 19, 1922 Washington Herald -




Oct. 15, 1922 Washington Herald -




Biddeford-Saco Country Club (Saco, ME) - 9 Holes, New in 1922, Still in Existence

Not noted in the 1930 Ross Booklet.

I don't have anything on Ross here.


Barton Hills Country Club (Ann Arbor, MI) - 18 Holes, New in 1922, Still in Existence

The 1930 Ross Booklet notes 18 Holes.

1922 Ross Plan -




Benvenue Country Club (Rocky Mount, NC) - 18 Holes, New in 1922, Remodel in 1946, Still in Existence

Not included in the 1930RB.

May 1928 Golf Illustrated -



1922 Ross Benvenue Plan -




Biltmore Forest Country Club (Asheville, NC) - 18 Holes, New in 1922, Still in Existence

The 1930 Ross Booklet notes 18 Holes.

Including a rather large cache of articles on Biltmore Forest to show a typical design and construction practice for Ross and his team, starting with initial visits, laying out of the course and supervision of construction.  In the case of Biltmore Forest, in addition to the plan for two 18 hole courses, it was interesting to discover how often Ross planned on visiting the site.

In addition to the articles below, a Sept. 27, 1924 Burlington Free Press article posted in the 1924 listing notes the course was planned by Donald Ross and Walter Hatch.

July 3, 1920 Charlotte News -



July 19, 1920 Asheville Citizen-Times -



Nov. 18, 1920 Asheville Citizen-Times -



Feb. 1923 Golf Illustrated -












Mayview Park Golf Club (Blowing Rock, NC) - 9 Holes, New in 1922, NLE

Not noted in the 1930RB.

Dec. 29, 1921 Greensboro Daily News -



1923 Ross Plan -




Brookside Country Club (o/k/a Lakeside CC) (Canton, OH) - 18 Holes, New in 1922, Still in Existence

The 1930 Ross Booklet notes 18 Holes.

A Sept. 27, 1924 Burlington Free Press article posted in the 1924 listing notes the course was planned by Donald Ross and Walter Hatch.

1921, Canton:  The City of Diversified Industries -





Oct. 14, 1922 American Contractor -




Delaware Golf Club (o/k/a Odevene CC) (Delaware, OH) - 9 Holes, New in 1922, Still in Existence

Not noted in the 1930RB.

I don't have anything on Ross here, and the date for this probably should be 1924.

March 21, 1924 Detroit Free Press -




Wyandot Golf Course (Centerburg, OH) - 18 Holes, New in 1922, NLE - 1952

2018 DRS Update - Changed to the course in Worthington, OH (o/k/a Elks CC), and date changed to 1923

Not noted in the 1930RB.

As this course was in Canterbury and not in Worthington/Columbus, I am guessing it was a different course than the Elks CC course that became Wyandot CC.  I don't have anything on Ross here.


Buck Hill Falls Golf Club (Buck Hill Falls, PA) - 18 Holes, New in 1922, Still in Existence

2018 DRS Update - Changed to 9 Holes New in 1922, 9 Holes Remodel in 1920-24

Not noted in the 1930RB.

June 17, 1928 Philadelphia Inquirer -



1922 Ross/Hatch Plan -




Overbrook Golf Club (Overbrook, PA) - 18 Holes, New in 1922, NLE - 1952

2018 DRS Update - Changed to 9 Holes, New in 1922, 9 Holes, Remodel in 1922

Not noted in the 1930RB.

More of a R9/A9 than a full new 18 hole course, and the work took place in 1919.

May 6, 1919 Philadelphia Inquirer -



Dec. 3, 1919 Philadelphia Inquirer -




Sakonnet Golf Club (Little Compton, RI) - 18 Holes, New in 1922, Still in Existence

The 1930 Ross Booklet notes 18 Holes.

I don't have anything on Ross here.


Winnapaug Country Club (Westerly, RI) - 18 Holes, New in 1922, Still in Existence

Not noted in the 1930RB.

July 3, 1921 New York Herald -



A Sept. 27, 1924 Burlington Free Press article posted in the 1924 listing notes the course was planned by Donald Ross and Walter Hatch.

1921 Ross/Hatch Plan -




Country Club of Petersburg (Petersburg, VA) - 9 Holes, New in 1922, NLE

The 1930 Ross Booklet notes 9 Holes.

I don't have anything on Ross here.


Kenosha Country Club (Kenosha, WI) - 18 Holes, New in 1922, Still in Existence

The 1930 Ross Booklet notes 18 Holes.

There was a 9 hole course here prior to Ross' arrival, and it is unclear if he incorporated any of the existing course into his new layout.

March 21, 1921 Des Moines Register -



1922 Ross/Hatch Plan -

[Sven Nilsen]

1922 (cont.)


Additions:


Wilmington CC (Wilmington, DE)

Not included in the 1930RB.

Dec. 7, 1922 The News Journal -




Highland Park GC (Grand Rapids, MI)

2018 DRS Update - Listing added with 9 Holes, New c. 1914

Not included in the 1930RB.

This one is a bit dubious, and the only citation for it I've seen is from a website covering Michigan courses:

http://www.webgolfer.com/june99/history.html

The Highland Park course is credited to Tom Bendelow, and as far as I can tell it wasn't built until 1929.


Cloquet GC (Cloquet, MN)

Not included in the 1930RB.

This is another of the courses where sources have long speculated it was done by Ross.  No evidence either way, and it is worth noting that Rick Shefchik has his doubts on this one.


Fort Bragg GC (Fort Bragg, NC)

Not included in the 1930RB.

The listing notes Ross doing the Stryker Course at Fort Bragg in 1946.  He was here in 1922

Jan. 5, 1922 Pinehurst Outlook -




High Point CC (a/k/a Sunset Park CC) (High Point, NC)

2018 DRS Update - Listing added for the "Emerywood Course" with 9 Holes, New in 1923

Not included in the 1930RB.

This was an E. S. Draper project where Ross was involved.

Oct. 10, 1922 Charlotte Observer -




Hyde Park CC (Cincinnati, OH)

The 1930 Ross Booklet notes 18 Holes.

2018 DRS Update - Date for the Remodel changed from 1926 to 1920

The listing has this as an 18 hole remodel in 1926.  From the sounds of it Ross created 17 new holes and left one of the existing holes intact.

July 23, 1922 Cincinnati Enquirer -



Aug. 5, 1922 Cincinnati Enquirer -




Greensburg CC (Greensburg, PA)

Not included in the 1930RB.

There was a 1922 report that Ross had come in to redo the course.  Jim Kennedy started a thread on this one a while back:

http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,54344.msg1253263.html#msg1253263

May 26, 1922 Latrobe Bulletin -

[Sven Nilsen]

Reposting this early 1922 article on the number of projects taking place to emphasize just how busy things were in the early 1920's.  It is likely that Ross knew about a good deal of this activity because he had been asked to take it on.

Jan. 26, 1922 Waterloo Courier -



The next article almost reads like Ross' take on what an ideal course should be.  There is a distinction between his thoughts and those of CBM, in that Ross seems to willingly take what the landscape allows and seemingly wouldn't see the need to alter what this there other than to make it work.  Within his words remains the notion that courses should be built for the club player, and as we see below although there is room for championship courses, not every one needs to present the utmost of challenges.

The comment regarding his disdain for laying out 9 hole courses is interesting, in that a good deal of his workload up until this point was on 9 holers. 

May 2, 1922 Chillicothe Gazette -



During the summer of 1922 Ross would take his first trip to the West coast, a trip that would eventually only yield one project (which we'll discuss later).  But the fact he was called out there at all speaks to the scope of his influence.

The article below touches on quite a few of themes we've already discussed in this thread.

July 30, 1922 San Francisco Chronicle -









Aug. 5, 1922 San Francisco Chronicle -



Ross' thoughts on the true American championship tests.

Sept. 1922 Golf Illustrated -



A bit of followup on the Ross/Draper working relationship.  Although I wouldn't agree that Draper was responsible for bringing Ross into North Carolina, the thought that their agreement made it easier for smaller budget clubs to procure his services makes sense.

Nov. 30, 1922 Charlotte Observer -

[Rich Goodale]

Fantastic work, Sven et. al.  Ross needs a book using modern digital technology and your insights.


Keep up your good work.


Rich

[Chris Buie]

Hi Rich, hope this finds all well.
What modern digital technologies and insights are you referring to?
Thanks.

[Rich Goodale]

Hi Rich, hope this finds all well.
What modern digital technologies and insights are you referring to?
Thanks.

All is well, Chris.  Thanks for asking.


Vis a vis modernity, I would think that the information that Sven and others have utilized on this thread could be verified and expanded as to what DR actually did or didn't do on the courses he worked with.  Brad Klein's book on Ross (for example) could be significantly improved if drone pictures were used and Sven's work incorporated.


Rich

[Bret Lawrence]

Here is an article and some grainy photos describing Ross' work at The Hermitage Club (now Belmont Golf Course-Richmond, VA) in 1922. The article is from The Richmond times-Dispatch-May 7, 1922.  The Ross info can be found in the last few paragraphs:




This second article from one week later describes Ross' work at Lakeside Country Club
The Richmond times-Dispatch-May 14, 1922:

[Bret Lawrence]

Also including an article from The New York herald-July 3, 1921 on Winnapaug in Rhode Island.  Sven mentioned Lakeside and Winnapaug would be included in a later article, but I thought I would throw these in anyway.

[Sven Nilsen]

1923

Peninsula Golf & Country Club (o/k/a Beresford G&CC) (San Mateo, CA) - 18 Holes, New in 1923, Remodel in 1923, Still in Existence

2018 DRS Update - New in 1923 removed, Remodel date changed to 1922-1923.

The 1930 Ross Booklet notes 18 Holes.

Ross' visit is noted in the July 30, 1922 and Aug. 5, 1922 articles posted above.  This was basically a remodel, as he reworked the course designed by Bendelow years earlier.

Sept. 1922 Golf Illustrated -



1922 Ross Plan -




Elmhurst Golf & Links (Winnipeg, Man., CAN) - 18 Holes, New in 1923, Remodel in 1923, Still in Existence

2018 DRS Update - 18 Holes New in 1919 and 18 Holes Remodel in 1919

The 1930 Ross Booklet notes 18 Holes.

Another of the Canadian courses stemming from his earlier visit, although it appears that the work here took place earlier than 1923.

Aug. 30, 1920 Winnipeg Tribune -



Ross Plan -




DuPont Country Club (Wilmington, DE) - 18 Holes, New in 1923, NLE

Not included in the 1930RB.

1923 Ross/McGovern Plan -




Brentwood Golf Club (f/k/a Jacksonville Muny) (Jacksonville, FL) - 18 Holes, New in 1923, NLE

The 1930 Ross Booklet notes 18 Holes.

Dec. 12, 1923 Tampa Tribune -



April 1924 - Golf Illustrated -



1922 Ross Plan -




Gulf Stream Golf Club (Delray Beach, FL) - 18 Holes, New in 1923, Still in Existence

2018 DRS Update - Date changed to 1924

The 1930 Ross Booklet notes 18 Holes.

Oct. 1, 1923 Palm Beach Post -



April 1924 Golf Illustrated -











1923 Ross Plan -



1933 Aerials -






Palma Ceia Golf Course (Tampa, FL) - 18 Holes, Remodel in 1923, Still in Existence

Not included in the 1930RB.

Palma Ceia is another Bendelow layout that was reworked by Ross. 

April 20, 1923 Tampa Tribune -







Dec. 10, 1924 Tampa Times -



Aug. 24, 1928 Tampa Tribune -






Timuquana Country Club (Jacksonville, FL) - 18 Holes, New in 1923, Still in Existence

The 1930 Ross Booklet notes 18 Holes.

See the April 1924 Golf Illustrated article above.

1923 Ross Plan -




Tekoa Country Club (Wakefield, MA) - 9 Holes, New in 1923, Still in Existence

Not noted in the 1930 Ross Booklet.

The club had a 9 hole course prior to Ross' arrival.

1923 Ross Plan -




Whitinsville Golf Club (Whitinsville, MA) - 9 Holes, New in 1923, Still in Existence

2018 DRS Update - Date changed to 1925

Not noted in the 1930 Ross Booklet.

1923 Ross Plan -



9th Hole from Golf Architecture in America -




Wyckoff Country Club (f/k/a Wyckoff Park CC o/k/a Mt. Tom GC) (Holyoke, MA) - 18 Holes, New in 1923, Still in Existence

2018 DRS Update - Date changed to 1912

The 1930 Ross Booklet notes 18 Holes.

As noted in the 1912 listing, Ross was here earlier.

June 27, 1926 Hartford Courant -






Penobscot Valley Country Club (a/k/a Bangor) (Orono, ME) - 18 Holes, New in 1923, Still in Existence

The 1930 Ross Booklet notes 18 Holes.

1923 Ross Plan -



July 3, 1926 Boston Globe -




York Golf & Tennis Club (o/k/a York CC) (York, ME) - 18 Holes, New in 1923, Remodel in 1930, Still in Existence

The 1930 Ross Booklet notes 18 Holes.

I don't have anything on any later remodeling.

Oct. 4, 1926 Portsmouth Herald -



1923 Ross Plan -




Elk Rapids Golf Club (Elk Rapids, MI) - 9 Holes, New in 1923, Still in Existence

Not included in the 1930RB.

1923 Ross/McGovern Plan -




Oakland Hills Country Club - North (f/k/a North Hills GC) (Bloomfield Hills, MI) - 18 Holes, New in 1923, Still in Existence

The 1930 Ross Booklet notes 36 holes.

Not sure of the provenance of this 1922 map found in the Tufts Archives.




St. Clair River Country Club (St. Claire, MI) - 18 Holes, New in 1923, Still in Existence

Not included in the 1930RB.

I don't have anything on Ross here.  The Annual Guides note a 9 hole course here with a date of organization of 1918 prior to the 1923 date ascribed to Ross' work.


Blowing Rock Country Club (Blowing Rock, NC) - 9 Holes, New in 1923, Still in Existence

Not included in the 1930RB.

Blowing Rock was a Raynor course. 

http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,62336.msg1538062.html#msg1538062


Carter Country Club (o/k/a Farnum Hill G&CC) (Lebanon, NH) - 9 Holes, New in 1923, Still in Existence

Not included in the 1930 Ross Booklet.

I don't have anything on Ross here.


Manchester Country Club (Manchester, NH) - 18 Holes, New in 1923, Still in Existence

The 1930 Ross Booklet notes 18 holes.

July 28, 1923 Portsmouth Herald -




Crestmont Country Club (o/k/a Newark Athletic Club) (West Orange, NJ) - 18 Holes, New in 1923, Still in Existence

The 1930 Ross Booklet notes 18 holes.

Aug. 1925 Golf Illustrated -








Glens Falls Country Club (Glens Falls, NY) - 18 Holes, New in 1923, Still in Existence

2018 DRS Update - Changed to 9 Holes New in 1912, 9 Holes New in 1921

The 1930 Ross Booklet notes 18 Holes.

A Sept. 27, 1924 Burlington Free Press article posted in the 1924 listing notes the course was planned by Donald Ross and Walter Hatch.

1921 Ross/Hatch Plan -



Ross returned in 1927 to offer suggestions on improvements.

Aug. 24, 1927 The Post-Star -




Monroe Golf Club (Monroe, NY) - 18 Holes, New in 1923, Still in Existence

The 1930 Ross Booklet notes 18 Holes.

Jan. 5, 1923 Democrat and Chronicle -



May 28, 1924 Democrat and Chronicle -





May 7, 1935 Rochester Times-Union -







1923 Ross Plan -




Acacia Country Club (Lyndhurst, OH) - 18 Holes, New in 1923, NLE

2018 DRS Update - Date changed to 1921

The 1930 Ross Booklet notes 18 Holes.

A Sept. 27, 1924 Burlington Free Press article posted in the 1924 listing notes the course was planned by Donald Ross and Walter Hatch.

April 20, 1924 Cleveland Plain Dealer





1921 Ross/Hatch plan -




Elks Country Club (Worthington, OH) - 18 Holes, New in 1923, Still in Existence

2018 DRS Update - Combined with the Wyandot listing, now has 18 Holes, New in 1923

The 1930 Ross Booklet notes 18 Holes.

Elks CC was also known as the Columbus Lodge No. 37, B.P.O.E. golf course.  Around 1930 or so the course would become Wyandot CC.

Dec. 8, 1922 Portsmouth Daily Times -



March 16, 1931 Akron Beacon Journal -



Course Plan -




Kennett Square Golf & Country Club (Kennett Square, PA) - 9 Holes, New in 1923, Still in Existence

2018 DRS Update  - 9 Holes, New in 1936 added

Not included in the 1930RB.

The club history notes Ross laid out the original 9 holes in 1923 and came back in 1936 to add 9 more holes.  I can find nothing to corroborate either of these activities.

Early Aerial -




Misquamicut Country Club (Westerly (Watch Hill), RI) - 18 Holes, Remodel in 1923, Still in Existence

The 1930 Ross Booklet notes 18 Holes.

1921 Ross Plan -




Sunset Grove Country Club (f/k/a Pinehurst CC o/k/a H. J. L. Stark) (Orange, TX) - 18 Holes, New in 1923, Still in Existence

2018 DRS Update - Separate listing created for Pinehurst CC in Orange

The 1930 Ross Booklet notes 18 Holes.

March 9, 1923 Houston Post -



May 16, 1926 The Austin American -





1923 Ross Plan -

[MCirba]

The 1928 article describing Buck Hill Falls as having 27 holes by Ross is inaccurate.   He took an existing nine hole course and turned it into 18, of which somewhere around 14 holes exist today with lots of bunkers lost.   Robert White turned it to 27 holes and the Gordons were responsible for some later changes.

[Sven Nilsen]

1923 (cont.)

Additions:

Hollywood G&CC (Hollywood, FL)

Not included in the 1930RB.

Ross was consulted in 1923 for what would become the Hollywood G&CC course.  Tippett is given credit for the eventual design, with Ralph Young having constructed the course.




Palm Beach GC (Palm Beach, FL)

Not included in the 1930RB.

Ross first worked here in 1922/23, and returned in 1929 and 1938 for further updates.

Oct. 29, 1922 Palm Beach Post -



Jan. 2, 1923 Palm Beach Daily News -




June 8, 1929 Palm Beach Post -



Dec. 20, 1938 Palm Beach Daily News -

[Sven Nilsen]

1924

Wampanoag Country Club (West Hartford, CT) - 18 Holes, New in 1924, Still in Existence

The 1930 Ross Booklet notes 18 Holes.

Oct. 1, 1924 New York Telegram and Daily Mail -



Oct. 5, 1924 Hartford Courant -




Bradenton Country Club (o/k/a Palma Sola GC) (Bradenton, FL) - 18 Holes, New in 1924, NLE

2018 DRS Update - Date changed to 1925

Not included in the 1930RB.

Nov. 20, 1924 Tampa Tribune -



Dec. 8, 1924 Tampa Tribune -



Ross/Johnson Plan -




Longboat Key Club (Sarasota, FL) - 18 Holes, New in 1924, NLE

Not included in the 1930RB.

June 16, 1924 Tampa Tribune -



Dec. 28, 1924 Tampa Tribune -



Oct. 29, 1925 Tampa Tribune -




Ashland Golf & Country Club (o/k/a Idle Hour CC) (Lexington, KY) - 18 Holes, New in 1924, Still in Existence

2018 DRS Update - Name changed to just Idle Hour CC

Not included in the 1930RB.

July 11, 1925 Courier-Journal -



1924 Ross/McGovern Plan -




Springfield Country Club (West Springfield, MA) - 18 Holes, New in 1924, Still in Existence

Not included in the 1930RB.

I don't have anything on an a new course by Ross in 1924, but he did give advice (along with Travis) on lengthening the course in 1915 and visit a few years prior to 1924 to make some changes.  A later 1928 article notes additional changes (without noting an architect) and notes it was only the second time the course was revamped since the club's founding in 1928, casting doubts on the construction of new course in 1924.

Feb. 1915 American Golfer -





March 30, 1922 Boston Globe -




Winchendon School Golf Club (o/k/a Toy Town Tavern GC) (Winchendon, MA) - 18 Holes, New in 1924, Still in Existence

The 1930 Ross Booklet notes 18 Holes.

A 9 hole course existed here prior to Ross' arrival.

June 7, 1925 Brooklyn Daily Eagle -



Sept. 1929 Golf Illustrated -



Ross Description -



1924 Ross/Hatch Plan -




Bannockburn Golf Club (Glen Echo, MD) - 18 Holes, Remodel in 1924, NLE in 1948

2018 DRS Update - Date changed to 1918

Not noted in the 1930 Ross Booklet.

Ross' work here took place in 1918, but the actual implementation of his plans didn't take place until 1922 and was carried out by William Connellan.

April 1, 1918 Washington Herald -



May 12, 1918 Evening Star -



March 27, 1922 Evening Star -



Ross Plan -




Fountain Head Country Club (Hagerstown, MD) - 18 Holes, New in 1924, Still in Existence

The 1930 Ross Booklet notes 18 Holes.

Feb. 1926 Golf Illustrated -






Lake Kezar Country Club (Lowell, ME) - 9 Holes, New in 1924, Still in Existence

Not noted in the 1930 Ross Booklet.

I don't have anything on Ross here.


Linville Golf Club (Linville, NC) - 18 Holes, New in 1924, Still in Existence

The 1930 Ross Booklet notes 18 Holes.

Ross designed the second 18 hole course here.

April 25, 1926 Asheville Citizen-Times -



Aug. 15, 1928 Bristol Herald Courier -



1924 Ross Plan -




Waynesville Inn Golf Resort & Spa (o/k/a Waynesville, CC) (Waynesville, NC) - 9 Holes, New in 1924, Still in Existence

2018 DRS Update - Date changed to 1926

Not included in the 1930RB.

Plans for a course in Waynesville were noted in the press in 1924, but I don't have anything that mentions Ross.


Oak Hill Country Club - East (Rochester, NY) - 18 Holes, New in 1924, Still in Existence

Oak Hill Country Club - West (Rochester, NY) - 18 Holes, New in 1924, Still in Existence

The 1930 Ross Booklet notes 36 Holes.

April 26, 1922 Rochester Chronicle and Democrat -



July 18, 1931 Amsterdam Recorder -



1924 Ross Plan -




Granville Country Club (Granville, OH) - 18 Holes, New in 1924, Still in Existence

The 1930 Ross Booklet notes 18 Holes.





Portsmouth Elks Country Club (o/k/a Portsmouth CC) (Portsmouth, OH) - 18 Holes, New in 1924, Still in Existence

The 1930 Ross Booklet notes 18 Holes.

Ross' work here started in 1922.

Sept. 28, 1922 Portsmouth Daily Times -



Oct. 11, 1922 Portsmouth Daily Times -



Dec. 7, 1922 Chillicothe Gazette -




Youngstown Country Club (Youngstown, OH) - 18 Holes, Remodel in 1924, Still in Existence

The 1930 Ross Booklet notes 18 Holes.

Youngstown is another mystery.  The course started in 1912 and is credited to Barker.  However, there are newspaper reports suggesting the original work was done by Ross.

June 23, 1928 Marion Star -




Bedford Springs Hotel Golf Club (Bedford, PA) - 18 Holes, Remodel in 1924, Still in Existence

2018 DRS Update - Changed to 12 Holes, New in 1923, 6 Holes, Remodel in 1923

The 1930 Ross Booklet notes 18 Holes.

Ross was here in 1922, and the early accounts note the addition of 9 holes to an existing 9 holes course.

Aug. 29, 1922 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette -




Warwick Country Club (Warwick, RI) - 9 Holes, New in 1924, Still in Existence

The 1930 Ross Booklet notes 18 Holes.

I don't have anything on Ross here.


Cheraw Country Club (Cheraw, SC) - 9 Holes, New in 1924, Still in Existence

2018 DRS Update - Changed to 9 Holes, New in 1924 & 1939

Not included in the 1930RB.

I don't have anything on Ross here.


Shelby Golf Course (Nashville, TN) - 9 Holes, New in 1924, Still in Existence

Not included in the 1930RB.

Although Ross did visit the site and map out a course, the city eventually decided to locate the course in a different area of the park.  Although the article below is from late in 1924 (after the course eventually opened), Ross visited the site well before this time.

Oct 26, 1924 The Tennessean -



The layout at the new location was designed by Tom Bendelow.  The course was expanded to 18 holes by 1931, but I don't have any information on who did the extension.

March 29, 1924 The Tennessean -




Tate Springs Golf Club (Tate Springs, TN) - 18 Holes, New in 1924, NLE in 1936

2018 DRS Update - Date changed to 1926

Not included in the 1930RB.

The 1924 date is probably off by a couple of years.

Feb. 28, 1926 Tampa Bay Times -



1926 Ross Plan -




River Oaks Country Club (Houston, TX) - 18 Holes, New in 1924, 9 Holes, New in 1927, Still in Existence

The 1930 Ross Booklet notes 18 Holes.

April 10, 1923 Galveston Daily News -



Sept. 27, 1923 Houston Post -




Burlington Country Club (Burlington, VT) - 18 Holes, New in 1924, Still in Existence

The 1930 Ross Booklet notes 18 Holes.

Sept. 27, 1924 Burlington Free Press -




Jan 27, 1925 Burlington Free Press -



1924 Ross/Hatch Plan -

[Sven Nilsen]

1924 (cont.)

Additions:

Riviera CC (St. Petersburg, FL)

Not included in the 1930RB.

In 1924 advertisements for the Riviera CC ran in the local papers.  I have found no other records of a course by this name in St. Petersburg, other than a 1928 listing of courses in Florida which notes an 18 hole course.

March 6, 1924 St. Petersburg Times -

[Sven Nilsen]

The Sept. 27, 1924 Burlington Free Press article posted above for Burlington CC notes a number of Ross and Hatch projects that had been completed to date.  They include:

Acacia CC (Cleveland, OH) - noted in the 1923 Listing.
Edgewood CC (Pittsburgh, PA) - noted in the 1921 Listing.
Biltmore Forest CC (Biltmore, MD (this should be Asheville, NC)) - noted in the 1922 Listing.
Brookside CC (Canton, OH) - noted in the 1922 Listing.
Winnapaug CC (Westerly, RI) - noted in the 1922 Listing.
Westbrook CC (Mansfield, OH) - noted in the 1920 Listing.
Glens Falls CC (Glens Falls, NY) - noted in the 1923 Listing.
Lakeside CC (Richmond, VA) - noted in the 1921 Listing.
Charles River CC (Newton Center, MA) - noted in the 1921 Listing.

Ross' workload in 1924 was a bit lower than it had been in the previous few years.  One reason for the dip is that Ross was severly ill for a good part of the year.  In 1923, the woman he had started dating, Susie Aldridge, had passed away.  With Ross battling illness, and looking for a stable mother figure for his daughter Lillian, Ross became engaged to Florence Blackinton.  When the wedding took place, Ross was bedridden.

Nov. 11, 1924 Boston Globe -



It makes sense that at around this time Ross began to rely a bit more on his team of associates.  Walter Johnson was busy handling much of the ever expanding work in Florida, while Frank Maples was managing projects near the Pinehurst home base.  Hatch was continuing his duties with a focus on the midwest, while McGovern pops up all over the map.

Ross seems to have rebounded from his near death experience, and returned to the road as the reports from late in 1924 have him traveling to and from Florida, and his activity in the years to come would remain strong.

[Jim_Kennedy]

Sven,
Sadly, the Winchendon GC (Toy Town) closed last season.

[Sven Nilsen]

1925

Belleview Biltmore (f/k/a Belleview Mido o/k/a Pelican CC) (Belleair, FL) - 18 Holes, New in 1925, Still in Existence

Not included in the 1930RB.

This course was originally built for the Belleair Estates, a real estate development near the Bellevue Biltmore Hotel.

Jan. 25, 1926 Tampa Tribune -



Jan. 31, 1927 Tampa Bay Times -




Boca Raton - Cloisters (o/k/a Mizner #1) - 18 Holes, Design in 1925, Still in Existence

2018 DRS Update - Changed to 9 Holes, New in 1925

Not included in the 1930RB.

As the April 17, 1925 article below notes, the reporting suggests the original plan was to have Ross design two 18 hole courses.  Flynn was brought in at some point to do the Ritz-Carlton course, and would design the second course on the west side of Dixie Highway as well.

April 17, 1925 Miami News -



July 26, 1925 Miami News -



Plat of the Development -




Delray Beach Golf Club (Delray Beach, FL) - 9 Holes, New in 1925, Still in Existence

Not included in the 1930RB.

Jan. 1, 1926 Palm Beach Post -



1925 Ross Plan -




Hyde Park Golf Club (Jacksonville, FL) - 18 Holes, New in 1925, Still in Existence

Not included in the 1930RB.

I don't have anything on Ross here.


Lake Wales Country Club (Lake Wales, FL) - 18 Holes, New in 1925, Still in Existence

2018 DRS Listing - Name changed to Lake Pierce CC and noted as NLE

Not included in the 1930RB.

As has been discussed in great detail on this site, Lake Wales Municipal GC (which became Lake Wales CC) was a Raynor design.  Ross did the nearby Lake Pierce CC, which will be discussed in the 1925 Additions.


Miami Shores Country Club (North Miami, FL) - 18 Holes, New in 1925, NLE

Not included in the 1930RB.

Dec. 4, 1925 Miami News -



1926 Ross Plan -




Palatka Municipal Golf Course (Palatka, FL) - 18 Holes, New in 1925, Still in Existence

Not included in the 1930RB.

I don't have anything on Ross here.  Supposedly the 1925 plans for the course note W. D. Clark as architect.


Pinellas Country Club (Belleair, FL) - 18 Holes, Design Only in 1925

Not included in the 1930RB.

Jan. 21, 1925 Tampa Bay Times -



Jan. 25, 1925 Tampa Bay Times -




San Jose Country Club (San Jose, FL) - 18 Holes, New in 1925, Still in Existence

Not included in the 1930RB.

Aug. 22, 1925 Miami News -



Sept. 6, 1925 Miami News -




Dec. 6, 1925 Baltimore Sun -




Sara Bay Country Club (f/k/a North Shore CC and Sarasota Bay CC o/k/a Whitefield Estates CC) (Sarasota, FL) - 18 Holes, Remodel in 1925, Still in Existence

Not included in the 1930RB.

This may have been one of the most heavily advertised golf developments of its day when the project started.  Ads for Whitfield Estates ran almost daily in the local papers.  The property changed hands a number of times before being taken over as a country club.

Jan. 14, 1925 Tampa Tribune -



Course Plan -




Venetia Country Club (Jacksonville, FL) - 18 Holes, New in 1925, NLE?

2018 DRS Update - "?" taken off NLE

Not included in the 1930RB.

Not sure if this course was ever built or if it became known by a different name.  The 1926 Annual Guide notes the course but contains no information on it.  The 1929 AG notes the course is under construction.  The 6,503 yards noted on the Ross plan coincide exactly with the distance given to the San Jose CC course (see above) which opened in Jacksonville in the same year.

1925 Ross Plan -




Country Club of Columbus (Columbus, GA) - 18 Holes, Remodel in 1925, Still in Existence

Not included in the 1930RB.

I don't have anything on Ross here.  The course had recently been expanded to 18 holes with the 1922 Annual Guide being the first instance of the full course being noted. 


Washington Wilkes Country Club (o/k/a Oak Hill CC) (Washington, GA) - 9 Holes, New in 1925, Still in Existence

Not included in the 1930RB.

I don't have anything on Ross here.


Salem Country Club (Peabody, MA) - 18 Holes, New in 1925, Still in Existence

The 1930 Ross Booklet notes 18 Holes.

Aug. 7, 1925 Boston Globe -





July 21, 1926 Boston Globe -



March 1932 Golfdom -





Undated Plan of the Course -




Dearborn Country Club (Dearborn, MI) - 18 Holes, New in 1925, Still in Existence

2018 DRS Update - Date changed to 1923

The 1930 Ross Booklet notes 18 holes.

Dearborn was also know as the "Henry Ford Golf Club."

Feb. 28, 1926 Detroit Free Press -



Aug. 28, 1938 Detroit Free Press -




Rackham Golf Course (Huntington Woods, MI) - 18 Holes, New in 1925, Still in Existence

The 1930 Ross Booklet notes 18 holes.

June 15, 1933 Detroit Free Press -



1923 Ross Plan -




Western Golf & Country Club (o/k/a Brightmoor GC) (Redford, MI) - 18 Holes, New in 1925, Still in Existence

2018 DRS Update - Date changed to 1926

Not included in the 1930RB.

Pretty sure that Western was never known as Brightmoor, which was actually a name used for Hawthorne Valley.

Oct. 21, 1925 Detroit Free Press -



Feb. 21, 1926 Detroit Free Press -



Aug. 30, 1928 Buffalo Evening News -



May 14, 1939 Detroit Free Press -



1925 Ross Plan -




Charlotte Country Club (Charlotte, NC) - 18 Holes, Remodel in 1925, 2 Holes, Remodel in 1942, Still in Existence

2018 DRS Update - Changed to 9 Holes, New in 1913-15, 9 Holes, Remodel in 1913-15, 2 Holes, Remodel in 1945

The 1930 Ross Booklet notes 18 Holes.

As discussed in the 1914, listing, Ross was here earlier.  I don't have anything on his 1925 or 1942 work, but there was discussion of him visiting around 1920.

March 28, 1920 Asheville Citizen-Times -




Hendersonville Country Club (o/k/a Laurel Park CC) (Hendersonville, NC) - 18 Holes, New in 1925, Still in Existence

2018 DRS Update - Date changed to 1925-33

Not included in the 1930RB.

A new course appears to have been constructed in 1933, with later ads noting it as a new Donald Ross course.

Aug. 27, 1924 Miami News -



May 16, 1926 Miami News -



1925 Ross Plan -



Sept. 21, 1932 Asheville Citizen-Times -



April 1933 Golf Illustrated -



July 27, 1934 Greenville News -




Roaring Gap Club (Roaring Gap, NC) - 18 Holes, New in 1925, Still in Existence

The 1930 Ross Booklet notes 18 Holes.

1925 Ross Plan -




Lone Pine Golf Club (New Brunswick, NJ) - 18 Holes, New in 1925, NLE

Not included in the 1930 Ross Booklet.

Lone Pine would become known as Lawrence Brook (or Laurence Brook) CC.

May 14, 1925 Central New Jersey Home News -



Dec. 22, 1929 Central New Jersey Home News -





1925 Ross Plan -



1930 Aerial -



7th Hole -




Whipporwill Country Club (Armonk, NY) - 18 Holes, New in 1925, Still in Existence

Not included in the 1930RB.

I don't have anything on Ross here.


Hamilton Elks Country Club (Hamilton, OH) - 18 Holes, New in 1925, Still in Existence

The 1930 Ross Booklet notes Hamilton CC with 18 Holes.

I don't have anything on Ross here.


Brainerd Golf Course (f/k/a Chattanooga Muny) (Chattanooga, TN) - 18 Holes, New in 1925, Still in Existence

Not included in the 1930RB.

I don't have anything on Ross here.

[MCirba]

Sven,

Here you go regarding Bedford Springs, from the Pittsburgh Daily Post, August 1924;

[Mike Bodo]

Sven -

The repository of information you've compiled and published on Ross' courses over his career thus far in this post is truly amazing. Thanks so much for putting in the hours and days it had to have taken to gather and chronologically sort this information, as it is a Herculean task. I could easily spend an entire day reading and reviewing all of the nuggets posted on this thread and you're not close to being done. Your love and appreciation of Ross' design work is infectious and I thank you for the time and effort put in to creating this thread. Keep it coming!

Mike

[MCirba]

Here Hear!!

[Bret Lawrence]

Going back to 1924 here is an additional article on the Riviera Country Club located in St. Petersburg, FL:


The Evening Independent-March 4, 1924:

[Bret Lawrence]

Two articles from 1925 describing the redesign of Bannockburn Country Club, just a few years after Connellan finished up Ross' original plan.  The second article notes Ross as the designer.



Evening Star-April 14, 1925:





Evening Star-April 15, 1925:

[Bret Lawrence]

Not sure if this belongs in this thread, but I will include it anyway.  Here is 1925 poem written by Edgar Guest for Donald Ross. This is from The Hartford Courant:

[Sven Nilsen]

1925 (cont.)

Additions:


Baisden Shores GC (Tampa, FL)

Not included in the 1930RB.

Pretty sure this course never came to fruition.

Oct. 3, 1925 Tampa Times -





Oct. 4, 1925 Tampa Tribune -



Dec. 13, 1925 Tampa Tribune -




Lake Pierce CC (Lake Pierce, FL)

2018 DRS Update - Lake Wales listing updated to reflect Lake Pierce as 18 Holes, New in 1925, NLE

Not included in the 1930RB.

April 17, 1925 Tampa Tribune -



Dec. 12, 1925 Palm Beach Post -



Lake Pierce Ad -



1925 Ross Plan -




Windemere GC (Orlando, FL)

Not included in the 1930RB.

Not sure exactly the name of this course, and it doesn't appear that it was ever built.

Jan. 20, 1925 Orland Evening Star -








Ocean City Harbors GC (Ocean City, NJ)

Not included in the 1930 Ross Booklet.

In 1925, a bunch of advertisements were run touting the Ocean City Harbors development, with Donald Ross to supervise the construction of the golf course to be built there.  Willie Park had routed a course in Ocean City in 1923, and reports in 1926 would have William Robinson constructing his design.  The Ross notation here is a bit strange, as it doesn't fit his modus operandi.  After reading Ross' letter regarding why he turned down further work at Dedham, it makes sense that he may have declined a project that involved constructing another architect's design.

Sept. 1, 1925 Philadelphia Inquirer -