By Dan Murphy
For more than 50 years, there has been a friendly debate in Westchester of which golf club holds the honor of being the oldest in the area. Knollwood County Club and St. Andrew’s Golf Club both lay claim to the title, with Knollwood holding the distinction as being the oldest private golf club still located in its original location. (St. Andrew’s moved several times before landing for good in Hastings.)
This year, Knollwood is celebrating its 125th anniversary and its rich history and tradition pour out of the course and the clubhouse, located in Elmsford. New York City residents established the 18-hole club in 1894 and over the years, famous golfers and famous Americans have enjoyed playing the 19 holes – yes, there are 19 holes at Knollwood, and the 19th hole isn’t the bar in the clubhouse.
Knollwood Country Club became one of the first 15 clubs in the country to join the U.S. Golf Association, in 1894. The original golf course was designed by Lawrence Van Etten and opened in the summer of 1895. Over the years, the club and its members have endured two world wars, depressions, recessions and a devastating fire.
In 1924, the club hired famous golf course architect AW Tillinghast to expand the course. At Tillinghast’s direction, the club purchased an additional 50 acres of adjacent land that 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.
While Tillinghast did not complete Knollwood’s design, his famous touches are on many of the holes that he worked on. “Tillie” designed seven new holes (6, 7, and 10 through 14) on the new land, and presented plans for a revision of all 18 holes.
Tillinghast’s seven holes, combined with the challenging 18th hole, and the unique 19th hole, make Knollwood a legendary and special round of golf. The famous Americans that played at Knollwood – some of who were members – add to the club’s lore.
Knollwood welcomed U.S. Open Champion Francis Ouimet to the old course in 1915. After the renovation, Bobby Jones was a member and frequented the club in the late 1920s during his heyday at the greatest golfer of all time. Jones held the course record, 68, in 1928, which is listed in the club’s grill room. Many historians agree that Jones and club member Clifford Roberts hatched the idea to establish Augusta National Golf Club, home of the Masters Tournament, at Knollwood’s grill room during the same time.
Other famous members include President Dwight Eisenhower, who enjoyed playing the course while he was president of Columbia University, before he became United States president. He told the board he was resigning his membership because very soon “he would be busy” serving our country.
The Turnesa family from Elmsford is also a part of Knollwood, and golf history. Mike Turnesa served as Knollwood’s head professional for 44 years (1942 to 1986) and played in the first Masters, with his brother, Joe. Mike came in second place in the 1948 Professional Golf Association Championship, losing to Ben Hogan. Willie Turnesa was a two-time winner of the U.S. Amateur (1938 and 1948), and winner of the 1947 British Amateur.
In 2017, Knollwood completed a $1.1 million course restoration, which returned the course back to its roots of 100 years ago, and golfers now get to play the course in the same way Bobby Jones did more than 90 years ago.
Knollwood Country Clubs’ famed 19th hole was recently named one of “golf’s six best 19th holes” by Links Magazine. The 123-yard par 3 was added to the course in 1928, after a recommendation by Bobby Jones, who said the walk from the 18th green to the clubhouse was too long. Known as “The Bye,” the tricky par 3 plays from an elevated tee box over water to a tiny back-to-front-green and is protected in front by a row of three bunkers.
Knollwood’s 18th hole has been named 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 125 years ago.
My round at Knollwood was a memorable one. While the course plays to 6,225 from the White tees, every hole is a challenge because of the hidden and protected greens and undulations and slopes if you miss your approach shot.
Two long par 3s – the 8th at 198 yards, and the 16th at 191 – are both uphill shots that play longer than the yardage and are well protected by bunkers that are in great shape and give you a chance to save par. The course is a true test of your golf game – fair and challenging with a layout that is unique and historic.
Knollwood Country Club is a Troon Privé-managed club, of which members have exclusive access to extraordinary golf and lifestyle benefits around the world through the Troon Privé Privileges Program.
Recent renovations include improvements to the tennis courts, bocce courts, swimming pool, dining and lounge rooms, and a new chef with rave reviews. Golf clinics, summer camps and a 24-hour fitness center give Knollwood something for all ages and interests.
Knollwood Country Club enters its 125th anniversary year with a new management team, including General Manager Chris Thomas, Club Controller Eriola Gjocaj, Membership Director Jacquie Faldetta and Superintendent Scott Olson. Bob Miller Jr. returns for his 35th year as Knollwood’s head golf professional.
As part of Knollwood’s 125th anniversary celebration, the club recently announced a new membership promotion that includes reduced initiation fees, food and beverage credits, and a Callaway Golf welcome package.
For more information about Knollwood Country Club, call 914-592-7411 or visit www.kccclub.org.
