Scottsdale, Ariz. (January 9, 2017) – Knollwood Country Club members and guests will be playing a rejuvenated golf course when they return to the historic Elmsford, New York club this spring. The A.W. Tillinghast, Seth Raynor and Charles Banks-designed course is currently in the final phase of a major restoration under the direction of Ontario, Canada-based golf course architect Ian Andrew.
“It’s an honour to restore one of Raynor’s most interesting courses,” said Andrew. “He built some wonderful template holes, but like Shoreacres in Chicago, he also created some unique holes that are even more compelling – golfers won’t soon forget the sixth green. The course begins with a flourish and builds to a climax, culminating at the finest par-four finisher that I know. Plus, one of the best parts about a round at Knollwood is once you’ve finished 18, you’re not done. There’s a stunning short par-three 19th hole to settle your bets.”
Before one spade of dirt was turned, Andrew poured over Raynor’s original plans and sketches as well as Banks’ construction notes. In addition, the club’s archives yielded an aerial photograph taken in the middle of construction in 1926. Andrew and the Knollwood team have been working on the entire course restoration plan since 2010. The project began in 2011 when the 16th green was restored and has continued intermittently since. The third green was restored in 2012 and the 12th green returned to its original configuration this past summer.
“The goal of this restoration is to adapt the design concepts of Seth Raynor and Charles Banks to the modern game currently being played by Knollwood members,” added Andrew.
During this final phase of the course restoration, Andrew focused on bunker location and bunker reshaping, tree removal and fairway/target-line changes. The bunker restoration and tree removal projects, performed by NMP Golf Construction, began this past October and took over two months to complete. In addition, irrigation issues around greens were also addressed.
“Adjusting to the modern game means more than making the course longer,” said Matt Neaus, superintendent, Knollwood Country Club. “Maintenance practices are new, too. We now have the equipment to manage things like high-grass face bunkers. The new bunkers are flat-bottomed, are surrounded by sloping-grass walls and are similar to the bunkers Raynor originally had built here. The course will definitely look and play differently.”
“This restoration is going to change how many holes play,” said Bob Miller, head golf professional, Knollwood Country Club. “I expect the 10th hole, now the number eight handicap hole, to become the number four handicap hole because it’s going to play much harder – especially from the new back tee. The new tee has added about 20 yards to the hole while new fairway bunkers have been placed down the right side of the landing area, which doesn’t bode well for slicers.”
About Knollwood Country Club
Knollwood Country Club is located in renowned Westchester County. The club has a rich history dating back to 1894 when it was founded. Knollwood was one of the first 15 clubs to join the USGA and iconic golfers frequented the club, including Francis Ouimet and Bobby Jones. The original golf course was designed by Lawrence Van Etten and opened in the summer of 1895. In 1924, the club hired A.W. Tillinghast to expand the golf course. At Tillinghast’s direction, the club purchased an additional 50 acres of adjacent land which was ultimately redesigned by Seth Raynor to add approximately 1,000 yards in length. Raynor passed away before the course was completed, so Charles Banks finished the project. The present-day course will play 6,552 yards from the championship tees. Knollwood’s 18th hole has been named to Met Golfer’s “Dream 18” as one of the finest holes in the greater New York area. The current 9th green remains from Van Etten’s earliest course.
Knollwood Country Club is a Troon Privé-managed club. Members at Troon Privé clubs enjoy additional benefits outside of their club membership, including: the Troon Advantage program in which full golf members can take advantage of special rates at participating Troon-managed facilities worldwide; and the Troon Privé Privilege program in which full members at Troon Privé clubs have the opportunity to play at other Troon Privé private clubs for the host club’s cart-fee rate.
For information on how to become a member or to book a private event or golf outing, contact Knollwood Country Club at (914) 592-7411 or visit www.kccclub.org.
About Troon
Headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz., Troon is the world’s largest golf management company, with more than 270 golf courses in its portfolio. Also specializing in homeowner association management, private residence clubs, estate management and associated hospitality venues, the company oversees operations at Troon Golf, Honours Golf, Troon Privé (the private club operating division of Troon) and Troon International properties located in 38 states and 31 countries. Additionally, there are 56 Troon affiliated properties featuring 75 courses that have been recipients of a “Top 100” ranking by national and international publications. Troon properties include Princeville Makai Golf Club, Kauai, Hawaii; Centurion Club, London, England; The Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa, Tucson, Ariz.; The Bay Club, Berlin, Md.; Prince’s Golf Club, Sandwich, England; and CostaBaja Golf Club, in La Paz, Mexico. For additional news and information, visit www.Troon.com.
Contact:
Rob Myers
Troon
480.477.0506
rmyers@troon.com
