who designed yale golf course

by Mrs. Leanna Gleichner 5 min read

In 1923, a 700-acre tract of swamp and woodland was given to Yale by Mrs. Ray Tompkins in memory of her husband. Under the supervision of Charles Blair Macdonald, the renowned golf course architect, champion golfer, and co-founder of the USGA, plans were made for an 18-hole golf course.

When was the first golf course at Yale?

In 1923, a 700-acre tract of swamp and woodland was given to Yale by Mrs. Ray Tompkins in memory of her husband. Under the supervision of Charles Blair Macdonald, the renowned golf course architect, champion golfer, and co-founder of the USGA, plans were made for an 18-hole golf course.

Why did Yale hire a professional golf architect?

After months of deliberation, Yale’s athletic department has officially announced plans to hire world-class golf architect Gil Hanse for the restoration of its historic golf course.

How long will it take to restore Yale’s old golf course?

At the time, YGC General Manager Peter Palacios told the News that if the plan was approved the restoration would close the course for approximately 22 to 24 months. Now, Yale has officially hired Gil Hanse to lead the design effort.

Is Yale’s historic Charles Blair Macdonald and Seth Raynor golf course being restored?

On Thursday, Yale Athletics officially announced that it had reached an agreement with Hanse Golf Course Design to “create an architectural restoration master plan” for the Yale Golf Course. Back in May, the News reported that a proposal was in the works for a restoration of the iconic Charles Blair Macdonald and Seth Raynor course.

What happened to the Yale Golf Course?

closed for the 2019 season last November. Three months later its superintendent of 17 years, Scott Ramsay, left, weeks before the course's scheduled 2020 opening. Two weeks later the COVID-19 pandemic hit, forcing Yale University to shutter its campus and facilities, including the golf course.

Can the public play Yale Golf Course?

Tee times are mandatory; no walk-on play will be permitted.

Who designed Twin Oaks Golf Course?

Ted RobinsonSAN MARCOS, CA (March 26, 2018) – JC Golf, a San Diego-based golf course management and operating company, announces the 25th anniversary of the Twin Oaks Golf Course in San Marcos, California. Designed by Ted Robinson, JC Golf completed construction and opened the Twin Oaks Golf Course in 1993.

Who designed Camargo golf?

Seth RaynorDesigned by Seth Raynor and Tom Doak the Camargo Club's Camargo golf course, which opened in 1925 provides 6,636 yards of par-70 golf on Bentgrass, with a course rating of 72.1 and a slope rating of 134.

How old is Yale Golf?

Yale Golf CourseClub informationEstablishedSurveyed 1923, constructed 1924-1925, opened for play April, 1926TypePrivateOwned byYale UniversityTotal holes1812 more rows

Is Yale Golf walkable?

Walking the front nine at Yale is challenging, walking the back is twice as challenging since the elevation changes are steep. The Alps hole, the 12th at Yale, keeps going, and going and going. Uphill all the way to a blind green. The Redan hole is also on a massive scale.

Who designed Westhampton Country Club?

architect Seth RaynorThe seaside links course, designed by legendary golf course architect Seth Raynor in 1915, has been meticulously maintained for one hundred years. As the pride of the club it continues to challenge golfers of all levels.

How many courses did Seth Raynor design?

85 golf coursesSeth Jagger Raynor (May 7, 1874 – January 23, 1926) was an American golf course architect and engineer. He designed approximately 85 golf courses in about 13 years, his first in 1914, at age 40.

Where is Yale University Golf Course?

The Yale Golf Course, or Yale University Golf Course, located on a property called the Ray Tompkins Memorial, is a golf course in New Haven, Connecticut owned and operated by Yale University. It is an example of Golden Age American golf course design, with large undulating greens, deep bunkers and wide rolling fairways ...

How much did Yale Golf Course cost?

The courses' final cost was a then-record $400,000. One reviewer, Herbert Warren Wind wrote that the Yale Golf Course was, "a back-breaking job over an untouched plot of rugged land whose hazards and greens have the kind of dimensions that one would have expected of Michelangelo".

What is Yale University known for?

The Yale Golf Course , or Yale University Golf Course, located on a property called the Ray Tompkins Memorial, is a golf course in New Haven, Connecticut owned and operated by Yale University. It is an example of Golden Age American golf course design, with large undulating greens, deep bunkers and wide rolling fairways that frequently present blind drive and approach shots. The course was a late-career Charles Blair Macdonald and Seth Raynor collaboration that featured their situational use of template holes based on original examples in Scotland and England, including the Road and Eden holes at the Old Course at St Andrews, the Redan hole at North Berwick and the Alps hole at Prestwick. Yale is notable for its scale. The size of some of the greens and the depth of certain bunkers was rarely equaled in that era. Yale ranked 83rd in Golf Magazine ' s 2020-2021 Top 100 Courses in the World while maintaining its #1 spot in the 2019 Top 30 Golfweek ' s Best Campus Courses.

What is Yale known for?

Yale is notable for its scale. The size of some of the greens and the depth of certain bunkers was rarely equaled in that era. Yale ranked 83rd in Golf Magazine ' s 2020-2021 Top 100 Courses in the World while maintaining its #1 spot in the 2019 Top 30 Golfweek ' s Best Campus Courses.

What is the Yale Spring Invitational?

Yale Spring Invitational. The Yale Spring Invitational is the Yale men's varsity golf team's spring semester home tournament. It was originally called the Yale Spring Opener from the late 1970s until 2013 when it was scheduled during the first weekend in April.

How many shots to get to the fourth hole at Yale?

Andrews, was rated by Tommy Armour as the ninth most difficult hole in the world, requiring two perfect shots to reach the green; an initial 250-yard (229 m) long drive over or along water and a wood or long iron shot to reach the slightly elevated green. The water hazard curves back into the fairway at 230 yards (210 m), to snare those who overshoot. The bunkers to the rear of the green are generally out of play, but the deep bunker to the front will require a special shot in order to complete the up and down.

How many yards does the second hole on the golf course have?

"The second water hole on the course has a [diagonal] water carry of 118 yards. The hole forces water play as there is no way around. Across the water, the fairway runs parallel to the water on the right and is flanked on the left by high ledges and knolls. The play of the second shot is directly over the saddle between two knolls into a groove between these knolls and a second line of knolls, or directly to the green over the right knoll. The groove leads directly to the green over the right knoll. A long sand trap stretches in front of the first line of knolls. [note: This was removed and not restored.] The green is a double punchbowl with water along the batter on the right and back of it. ... There is a close and narrow pitch approach to the green on the right but it is very dangerous" - Charles Banks (1925).

Who designed the Yale Golf Course?

Under the supervision of Charles Blair Macdonald, the renowned golf course architect, champion golfer, and co-founder of the USGA, plans were made for an 18-hole golf course. With a budget of $400,000, Macdonald, in collaboration with Seth Raynor, designed a masterpiece which opened for play in 1926. Today, the Yale Golf Course is recognized as one ...

Is Yale a college golf course?

The Yale Golf Course is consistently recognized as the finest collegiate course in the nation. The course has been the site of every significant state championship, two USGA Junior National events, and NCAA Regionals in 1991, 1995, 2004, 2010, 2015 and again in 2022. The course has also been the home of the Nike Connecticut Open.

Is Yale Golf Course a Macdonald and Raynor?

Today, the Yale Golf Course is recognized as one of the finest examples from the Macdonald & Raynor portfolios. Large greens with deep bunkers and wide, rolling fairways are the core of Yale’s strategic and penal character. The Yale Golf Course is consistently recognized as the finest collegiate course in the nation.

Yale Golf Course Reopening Guidelines

In collaboration with the State of Connecticut, Yale University and the Connecticut State Golf Association (CSGA) guidelines, Yale will follow the outlined policies. All golfers are expected to follow these policies; any violation may jeopardize the play of other members and the ability for the Yale Golf Course to remain open.

Social Distancing

Everyone must maintain social distance of at least six feet at all times over the entire property including parking lots and playing areas. Respect of social distancing applies not only to fellow golfers but also to golf course employees. Anyone not following social distancing policies will be asked to leave.

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