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Greg Hohman

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From pamphlet prepared for Thirteenth Annual National Public Links Golf Championship, South Park County Course, Pittsburgh PA, July 30, 31, August 1, 2, 3, 4, 1934.
 
The South Park course is situated eight miles from the downtown district of Pittsburgh or about a 20-minute ride with a yardage of 6,590 and a par of 72. The original golf course began on what is now #17.
 
No. 1, 507 Yards, Par 5
 
Reverse dog leg, right, left, right, running 200, 200 and 107 yards to green; easy grade; five fairway traps at vantage points, with two large sand traps guarding green; the longest hole on the course; will challenge the skill of the best golfers; a birdie here will be well earned.
 
No. 2, 368 Yards, Par 4
 
Fairway dips to a point 200 yards in direction of two magnificent oaks, one at either side at this distance; the fairway flanked somewhat by shrubbery with a rather acute rise from the 200-yard line. A not too easy four. Round, undulating green surrounded by three traps, with four fairway traps at strategic points.
 
No. 3, 388 Yards, Par 4
 
The tee runs due south, bordering the practice fairway, overlooking a beautiful valley. Fairway runs to a slight dip at a point 165 yards from tee, rising slightly from that point to an oblong, undulating green; both fairway and green well trapped and bunkered.
 
No. 4, 378 Yards, Par 4
 
Trap on left 165 yards; on right 185 yards, fairway running straightaway to double oblong green; approach to green on left well bunkered and trapped in rear and on sides.
 
No. 5, 474 Yards, Par 5
 
Fairway banked on right with dip 200 yards from tee; slight dog leg, right, left, with three fairway traps, two to left and one to right at this point; fairway rising to a beautiful saucer green surrounded by six traps, the green, unlike most of the others, recessed, inviting accurate iron shot.
 
No. 6, 409 Yards, Par 4
 
This fairway banked on right similar to No. 3, leading downgrade to point 200 yards, trapped on both sides; fairway from this point leads upgrade straight to green, which rests just below crest of hill, shelved out of solid rock; green and approaches surrounded by sand and grass traps.

No. 7, 470 Yards, Par 5
 
Slight dog leg to right; traps 200, 300 and 350 yards leading to oblong, saucer green well trapped on sides and rear. This green cut out of solid rock formation.
 
No. 8, 245 Yards, Par 3 (You can still see the remnants of this tee above and to the left of what is now 5 green.)
 
Straightaway, on a slight rise; two fairway traps; undulating green surrounded by grass and sand traps. This green skirts the fairway of the practice ground.
 
No. 9, 428 Yards, Par 4
 
From an elevated tee the fairway drops down unto valley, with slight dog leg to left at 250-yard mark. Three large sand traps to right of fairway at 200 yards. A rolling fairway from dog leg to green which has traps on both right and left with bunkers on right. Green is large and elevated slightly at back to hold full shot played to carry to green.
 
No. 10, 148 Yards, Par 3
 
A short hole, which is one of the most beautiful water holes in the Western Pennsylvania district. Slightly to the right stands "patriarch," a massive 400-year-old oak; fairway dips keenly to a waterfall where a shallow lake separates tee from green, rising rather abruptly up hill to green.
 
No. 11, 441 Yards, Par 4 (This one played to what is now the putting green.)
 
This fairway extends along shelf to a rather acute dip 200 yards from tee, forming somewhat of a natural hazard, with three fairway traps well placed, one short of dip and two beyond; from this point fairway rises rather keenly towards club house 240 yards straightaway.
 
No. 12, 451 Yards, Par 5
 
A right hand dog leg from tee down a rather acute grade to dip, 165 yards from tee; from this point fairway extends along plateau to green, skirted on left by a magnificent oak; shot must be placed well to right in order to reach this green on second or approach shot; fairway shirted by five traps, including approach to green on right of fairway. Green surrounded by four sand and two grass traps.
 
No. 13, 429 Yards, Par 4
 
Fairway bears to right into rising ground; slight dog leg, left, right; three fairway traps on right at strategic intervals; in order to drain traps on fairway, excavation of nine feet was made; one of the best constructed holes on the course, with double, undulating green, which rests in front of three beautifully placed oaks, the center tree on direct line to hole.
 
No. 14, 345 Yards, Par 4
 
Acute right, left dog leg; tee built on an elevation. A fine hole but good golf necessary to make par. Fairway skirted by four sand traps, the green, a beautiful double saucer effect, with mound at mouth, separated into two sections, surrounded by five well-placed traps in rear and sides.


No. 15, 239 Yards, Par 3
 
Overlooking a beautiful valley in the north-western corner of the course; abounds in natural hazards; the green rests between a clump of trees, one of the many intriguing characteristics of the South Park course. A hard three with three sand traps surrounding the green. A sporty hole.
 
No. 16, 398 Yards, Par 4
 
Slight left, right dog leg; starting with gentle rise to a more acute elevation from a point 200 yards from tee; natural hazards bordering rough; fairway skirted by three sand traps, one at 200 and two at 300 yards from tee; undulating, elevated round green, surrounded by three sand traps, commanding beautiful view.
 
No. 17, 151 Yards, Par 3
 
Tee and green on equal elevation, with beautiful dip between. An oblong, undulating green; being trapped on sides and rear. A sporty three, all carry.
 
No. 18, 321 Yards, Par 4
 
Affording sporty approach shot to an elevated, undulating, oval green, overlooking 100 acres of wooded valley. Three fairway traps, well placed, with two large sand traps guarding green; straightaway; a fine hole.
 
 
Pamphlet source: Jim Stanko, Friends of South Park.
« Last Edit: May 27, 2018, 12:27:52 AM by Greg Hohman »
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Jeff Evagues

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Re: South Park County Course (Riis), Library PA, 1934 hole description
« Reply #1 on: April 27, 2018, 02:35:02 PM »
I grew up in the area and played South Park a lot in the '80s. I'd love to see an aerial to compare it to the current layout.
Be the ball

astavrides

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Re: South Park County Course (Riis), Library PA, 1934 hole descriptions
« Reply #2 on: April 29, 2018, 07:38:43 PM »
I played there as a young teen a few times. After having only played Schenley Park, South Park seemed like Augusta National. I don't think they took tee times, or whatever the case was, we used to have to play cards in the clubhouse for a couple hours before we were able to tee off.
I didn't realize, or had forgotten that they played a Public Links there way back when.

Greg Hohman

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Re: South Park County Course (Riis), Library PA, 1934 hole descriptions
« Reply #3 on: April 30, 2018, 07:46:35 AM »
It hosted big UGA events too, e.g. 1946 Open.

Some wonderful photos in Teenie Harris Archive (search "golf"):

http://teenie.cmoa.org/CollectionSearch.aspx
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astavrides

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Re: South Park County Course (Riis), Library PA, 1934 hole descriptions
« Reply #4 on: April 30, 2018, 09:12:33 AM »
Nice pictures. Thanks. It took me a minute to realize you did mean UGA, not USGA.  :)  I saw a Teenie Harris exhibition at the Carnegie Museum some years back.

MCirba

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It's not the greatest resolution but here's a 1939 aerial of South Park. 

"Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent" - Calvin Coolidge

https://cobbscreek.org/

MCirba

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South Park was designed by Emil Loeffler of Oakmont fame with advice from...drumroll please...William C. Fownes.



« Last Edit: May 01, 2018, 08:39:46 AM by MCirba »
"Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent" - Calvin Coolidge

https://cobbscreek.org/

Greg Hohman

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Loeffler? Hmm, I wonder if he got the job in the end. A few years ago I made inquiries and came up with a man named Riis.
 
We can’t forget the clubhouse, which bears a plaque of the Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation. I was unable to upload a pic of the façade with its brick golfers.
 
The Expressionist work of architect Henry Hornbostel (1867-1961) was built in 1938-9:
 
"…since then, dapper, angular golfers have played in panels set between the second-story windows of the long, narrow, two-story brick building. Truly wonderful is the two-story opening in the center of the building – a dramatic, geometric gesture as well as a ceremonial triumphal arch evoking an ancient civilization, Hornbostel’s source was a temple in Yucatan that he had seen in 1907; its creative adaptation in Pittsburgh recalls Titus de Bobula’s 1905 exhortation that American architects should seek inspiration in 'our own archeological excavations of Yucatan and Mexico.'”
 
Albert M. Tannler, Pittsburgh Architecture in the Twentieth Century (2013)
 
« Last Edit: May 02, 2018, 11:38:10 AM by Greg Hohman »
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MCirba

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Greg,


Mr. Riis was the Director of the Parks System and the titular head of the project..   I have more if you'd like to see additional documentation. 


Hornbostel was quite the architect and designed the clubhouse.
"Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent" - Calvin Coolidge

https://cobbscreek.org/

Greg Hohman

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Yes, Mike, thank you!
newmonumentsgc.com

MCirba

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Sure Greg...

I appears that Loeffler/McGlynn designed the course, likely with some advice from Fownes, but once Loeffler/McGlynn provided a construction estimate the County Commissioners directed Riis to do it with another construction group.   Riis also appears to have claimed prior golf course construction experience.   

In any case, prior to opening Loeffler did make a visit where he commended the work being done to his plans although there were cost overruns and criticisms of construction delays.  Loeffler also played there opening day.   

There may have been a few construction revisions and some additional land was acquired during that period so I've included a few maps.   I don't have time at the moment but hopefully others more familiar with the course can cross compare to Loeffer's original plans and what exists today.   

Pittsburgh Press 03/04/1928



Pittsburgh Press 06/10/1928



Pittsburgh Press 08/25/1928



Pittsburgh Press 05/04/1929



Pittsburgh Press 06/13/1929

« Last Edit: May 02, 2018, 02:29:14 PM by MCirba »
"Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent" - Calvin Coolidge

https://cobbscreek.org/

Greg Hohman

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Yes, I hope others more familiar chime in. Does anybody else see difficult-to-reconcile discrepancies among the two routings, the descriptions and what exists today?
newmonumentsgc.com

MCirba

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Paging George Pazin...white courtesy phone please.
"Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent" - Calvin Coolidge

https://cobbscreek.org/

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