The 36-hole facility, which is part of the not-for-profit Chautauqua Institution, features the Donald Ross-designed Lake Course, which opened in 1924, and the Xen Hassenplug-designed Hill Course, which opened in 1994. Both golf courses need infrastructure and playability updates.
Chautauqua (N.Y.) Golf Club is working with an architect to develop improvement plans for its Lake and Hill golf courses. Donald Ross designed the Lake Course in 1924 and Xen Hassenplug designed the Hill Course in 1994 at the 36-hole facility.
“The goal with the Lake course is to follow Donald Ross’ design philosophy and principles,” architect Chris Wilczynski said. “I want to look at this through his lens. Would he restore the course to its original foundation or would he update the course based upon today’s golfer and their needs and desires?”
Both golf courses at Chautaqua have several needs regarding infrastructure, playability and beauty. The plans will be developed over the next six months in collaboration with a master plan committee.
The Golf Club is part of The Chautauqua Institution, a not-for-profit, 750-acre educational center nestled beside Chautauqua Lake. During a nine-week season each year, more than 100,000 people attend scheduled public events and over 8,000 students enroll annually in the Chautauqua Summer Schools, which offer courses in art, music, dance, theater, writing skills and a wide variety of other special interests.
The Institution was founded in 1874 as the Chautauqua Lake Sunday School Assembly, as an educational experiment in vacation learning. The Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle was created in 1878 to provide the skills and essential knowledge of a college education to those who had neither the time or the money to attend college.
The first round of golf was played at Chautauqua Golf Club on July 18, 1914 and since then 14 World Golf Hall of Famers, including Sam Snead, Ben Hogan, Walter Hagen and gene Sarazen have played the course. Countless statesmen, performers and celebrities, including former President Bill Clinton also have played at the club, while attending The Chautauqua Institution.
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