Which course?...

[Ted Sturges]

If there was an "angel" who would go around funding golf course restoration work that, if done, would produce a "gem", which course would you nominate as a candidate for restoration? 


My nomination would be Dunedin Golf Club in Dunedin, FL (north of St. Petersburg).  Dunedin is a 1927 Donald Ross course that served as the home of the PGA of America for a period in the 50's and 60's.  Cool place with a great routing.  If restored, it would be really special.


This exercise will be interesting by getting to see the nominations, and would have the potential to help these facilities gain some traction in their efforts to be restored.


TS

[Sven Nilsen]

Spring Valley in Wisconsin.

[Buck Wolter]

Veenker Memorial --Iowa State University course in Ames designed by Perry Maxwell


edit -- I've never seen this map. A full reno isn't possible but...
https://new.veenkergolf.com/sites/default/files/img/originalplan.pdf

[PCCraig]

The Charleston Muni!

[Tom_Doak]

I actually got a call last week from another of the courses on my short list of places I'd like to restore.


We'll see in a few weeks whether it is "for real" or not.  I will hold off naming it til then, because I don't want to jinx it.

[Rob Marshall]

If there was an "angel" who would go around funding golf course restoration work that, if done, would produce a "gem", which course would you nominate as a candidate for restoration? 


My nomination would be Dunedin Golf Club in Dunedin, FL (north of St. Petersburg).  Dunedin is a 1927 Donald Ross course that served as the home of the PGA of America for a period in the 50's and 60's.  Cool place with a great routing.  If restored, it would be really special.


This exercise will be interesting by getting to see the nominations, and would have the potential to help these facilities gain some traction in their efforts to be restored.


TS

I played Dunedin last October when I was staying at Innisbrook. Man are the starting holes tough. Who’s who of great players walked those fairways. The back nine was in poor condition. It was odd because I thought the front was in good shape. They were in the process of building a new clubhouse. The pro shop was in a trailer. I think we payed $30. I believe the county owns it. 20 minutes from Clearwater beach and about 10 from Innisbrook.

[Rob Marshall]

The Charleston Muni!

Played Charleston Muni last November. They are in the process of a renovation now.

[Mark Mammel]

Broadmore CC Indianapolis

[mike_beene]

Perhaps Dornick Hills

[Scott Rosa]

Broadmore CC Indianapolis

I agree Sir! We are trying to get ourselves in the right position to do it.

[Tim Leahy]

Griffith Park in LA.  Two George Thomas designs.

[Ted Sturges]

Broadmore CC Indianapolis

I agree Sir! We are trying to get ourselves in the right position to do it.

Broadmoor received as much of a face-lift as it could afford about 15 years ago, courtesy of Tom Doak and Bruce Hepner.  They recaptured lost portions of the greens due to shrink-mowing, and also took out as many trees as Broadmoor could afford at the time.  I served on the Green Committee at that time.  They also got the fairway mowing lines improved and renovated some of the bunkers.  I know more needs to be done, and I hope you all can do it...but it is SO MUCH BETTER than it was when I moved to Indy in the late 90's.


TS

[Joe Zucker]

Sleepy Hollow in Cleveland by Stanley Thompson.  The greens are too almost too much with modern speeds, but they are wonderful to play.  It's a muni with tons of play, but it has to be one of the best values in the country in terms of architecture.

[Bill Crane]

Suneagles Golf Club - Eatontown, NJ.     A Tillinghast design.

Only played it once last December before Christmas.  By far the most amazing greens I have seen on a public course in this area, and could potentially be some of the most interesting in the entire state.

Many good holes, some blah ones that could use a little work, but this may already be a gem and could really become something special.    Also has an interesting history.
 
Huge movement on some of the greens, and some of the original bunkers are also massive, deep with many elevated greens.Some greens have substantial bunker splash build-up.   

Will have to go back with good weather and take some early evening pictures of the greens.    Joe Bausch has a tour on MyPhillyGolf.com, but the greens deserve some extra focus.

[astavrides]

Suneagles Golf Club - Eatontown, NJ.     A Tillinghast design.

Only played it once last December before Christmas.  By far the most amazing greens I have seen on a public course in this area, and could potentially be some of the most interesting in the entire state.

Many good holes, some blah ones that could use a little work, but this may already be a gem and could really become something special.    Also has an interesting history.
 
Huge movement on some of the greens, and some of the original bunkers are also massive, deep with many elevated greens.Some greens have substantial bunker splash build-up.   

Will have to go back with good weather and take some early evening pictures of the greens.    Joe Bausch has a tour on MyPhillyGolf.com, but the greens deserve some extra focus.

Interesting. only a few minutes away from Old Orchard, another Tillinghast (supposedly at least), which the reviews say is in post-apocalyptic condition now.

[MCirba]

Alex,
I was inadvertently responsible for the incorrect attribution of Old Orchard to Tillinghast. 

I later learned it was Plainfield pro Martin O"Loughlin. 

[John Emerson]

Going with Pebble Beach for 1000 Alex.

[astavrides]

Alex,
I was inadvertently responsible for the incorrect attribution of Old Orchard to Tillinghast. 

I later learned it was Plainfield pro Martin O"Loughlin.

ok, thanks for the correction.

[Bruce Bearer]

I actually got a call last week from another of the courses on my short list of places I'd like to restore.


We'll see in a few weeks whether it is "for real" or not.  I will hold off naming it til then, because I don't want to jinx it.

please say Rivera... 

[Tom_Doak]

please say Rivera...

Mariano?


No, it's not Riviera.

[Mark Mammel]

Broadmore CC Indianapolis

I agree Sir! We are trying to get ourselves in the right position to do it.

I played there a couple of years ago with DRS and thought it was really good- and also got the message that times are tough and the membership would like to expand and complete the restoration. Which would be wonderful!

Broadmoor received as much of a face-lift as it could afford about 15 years ago, courtesy of Tom Doak and Bruce Hepner.  They recaptured lost portions of the greens due to shrink-mowing, and also took out as many trees as Broadmoor could afford at the time.  I served on the Green Committee at that time.  They also got the fairway mowing lines improved and renovated some of the bunkers.  I know more needs to be done, and I hope you all can do it...but it is SO MUCH BETTER than it was when I moved to Indy in the late 90's.


TS

I played there a couple of years ago with DRS and thought it was a fine layout. I heard from our hosts that times are tough, but with the money they would like to continue the restoration  work. That would be great as it has the bones.

[Jeff Schley]

Until it's done, Kankakee Elks. Not a thriving area for sure and a shame as I don't believe it would take a huge budget, outside of a chainsaw, bunker work, reclaiming some green sizes.
Love to see it happen as the area is where my mom's side of the family is from.

[Evan Fleisher]

Sleepy Hollow in Cleveland by Stanley Thompson.  The greens are too almost too much with modern speeds, but they are wonderful to play.  It's a muni with tons of play, but it has to be one of the best values in the country in terms of architecture.

+1


Nailed it!

[Scott Rosa]

Broadmore CC Indianapolis

I agree Sir! We are trying to get ourselves in the right position to do it.

I played there a couple of years ago with DRS and thought it was really good- and also got the message that times are tough and the membership would like to expand and complete the restoration. Which would be wonderful!

Broadmoor received as much of a face-lift as it could afford about 15 years ago, courtesy of Tom Doak and Bruce Hepner.  They recaptured lost portions of the greens due to shrink-mowing, and also took out as many trees as Broadmoor could afford at the time.  I served on the Green Committee at that time.  They also got the fairway mowing lines improved and renovated some of the bunkers.  I know more needs to be done, and I hope you all can do it...but it is SO MUCH BETTER than it was when I moved to Indy in the late 90's.


TS

I played there a couple of years ago with DRS and thought it was a fine layout. I heard from our hosts that times are tough, but with the money they would like to continue the restoration  work. That would be great as it has the bones.

Good news Mark and Ted.  Bruce Hepner is back at Broadmoor CC right now and has started on full bunker renovation, fairway expansions, and fixing tee boxes this fall. More extensive tree removal will also be starting shortly. We are definitely excited to say the least.

[Mike Bodo]

Veenker Memorial --Iowa State University course in Ames designed by Perry Maxwell


edit -- I've never seen this map. A full reno isn't possible but...
https://new.veenkergolf.com/sites/default/files/img/originalplan.pdf

I had no idea that was a Maxwell design. I played that course multiple times when I attended college there 1984 - 1986. I always enjoyed the track, thought it was a solid course, but didn't think it was anything special. I really enjoyed watching the NLU Strapped boys feature it not long ago. I suspect the original layout was more interesting and aesthetically pleasing than the version of the course I and they played.