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MCirba

  • Karma: +0/-0
Does anyone have architectural information on the first golf course built on the historic Revolutionary War lands occupied today by Sunningdale (NY) Country Club?


It was reported in 1912 that the "Overlook Golf and Country Club" had begun the process of building an 18 hole golf course on roughly 150 acres of land they hoped to purchase from the owner, one Thomas Simpson.


The course was built and played upon, yet the club never reached their goal and in 1916 Simpson sold the land and golf course outright to Sunningdale.  That transaction referred to the "Overlook golf course" as well as the "Thomas Simpson Private Course".


Evidently, Sunningdale wasn't too satisfied with the course and brought in Seth Raynor to make changes and opened in 1918.  Over the next two years Walter Travis made some pretty extensive changes to Raynor's design by 1920.


In any case, I'm perplexed that a course could be built that close to NYC on historic land without any architect of record mentioned.  Any help with this mystery is greatly appreciated, thanks!
"Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent" - Calvin Coolidge

https://cobbscreek.org/

Jim_Kennedy

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Overlook Golf and Country Club prior to Sunningdale (NY) question
« Reply #1 on: September 12, 2019, 04:18:07 PM »
Looks like C.A W. Fox.  Here you go Mike:


https://tinyurl.com/y2m8dsn5
"I never beat a well man in my life" - Harry Vardon

Tim Martin

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Overlook Golf and Country Club prior to Sunningdale (NY) question
« Reply #2 on: September 12, 2019, 04:44:00 PM »
Looks like C.A W. Fox.  Here you go Mike:


https://tinyurl.com/y2m8dsn5


Jim-That’s a great find in short order. I thought the last paragraph/sentence was interesting and says-“The Course will be a full eighteen hole one, covering one hundred acres of ground and over 6000 yards in length with a lake to drive which is quite essential for a regulation golf links.” I don’t recall a similar reference to a lake being “essential”. Sorry for the threadjack.


MCirba

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Overlook Golf and Country Club prior to Sunningdale (NY) question
« Reply #3 on: September 12, 2019, 04:45:38 PM »
Jim,


[bowing] I AM NOT WORTHY!!   :o


Thanks, man...very impressive!   :D
"Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent" - Calvin Coolidge

https://cobbscreek.org/

MCirba

  • Karma: +0/-0
« Last Edit: September 12, 2019, 05:51:20 PM by MCirba »
"Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent" - Calvin Coolidge

https://cobbscreek.org/

Jim_Kennedy

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Overlook Golf and Country Club prior to Sunningdale (NY) question
« Reply #5 on: September 12, 2019, 06:21:33 PM »

Mike's away from his devices. Here's the link he posted, a bio of Fox.
  https://www.antiquegolfscotland.com/antiquegolf/maker.php3?makerid=864
"I never beat a well man in my life" - Harry Vardon

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