New York club completes final phase of restoration

Knollwood Country Club recently reopened for member and guest play after completing the final phase of an extensive course restoration this past fall and winter. The restoration of the historic A.W. Tillinghast, Seth Raynor and Charles Banks-designed course was overseen by Ontario, Canada-based golf course architect Ian Andrew.

Andrew and the Knollwood team began working on the entire course restoration plan in 2010. The project began in 2011 when the 16th green was restored and has continued intermittently since. During the final phase of the course restoration, which took place this past fall and winter, changes were made to bunker locations and bunker reshaping, tree removal and fairway/target-line changes. The new bunkers are now flat-bottomed, are surrounded by sloping-grass walls and are similar to the bunkers Raynor originally had built at Knollwood. In addition, irrigation issues around greens were also addressed.

Andrew poured over Raynor’s original plans and sketches as well as Banks’ construction notes. The club’s archives also yielded an aerial photograph taken in the middle of construction in 1926.

“The course definitely looks and plays different than it has in the past,” said Bob Miller, head golf professional at Knollwood Country Club for the past 32 years. “The intent of the restoration was to adapt the design concepts of Raynor and Banks to the modern game currently being played by Knollwood members. We’re thrilled with the outcome and look forward to showing the course off to members and guests this summer.”