The Donald Ross course at what was formerly known as Torresdale-Frankford Country Club has been extensively restored after its purchase last year by the Union League of Philadelphia. The renovated clubhouse at the property in northeast Philadelphia will be reopened this summer.

 

The Union League Golf Club at Torresdale in Philadelphia celebrated the reopening of its golf course on May 28, following an extensive restoration. The restoration began last August, and the course was closed October 2, 2014 to facilitate the process.

The course at the Union League Golf Club at Torresdale, formerly known as Torresdale-Frankford Country Club, was designed by the legendary Donald Ross in 1921. The private club was purchased in 2014 by The Union League of Philadelphia (Union League Golf Club at Torresdale, formerly known as Torresdale-Frankford Country Club (http://clubandresortbusiness.com/2014/10/03/improvements-full-swing-union-league-golf-club-torresdale/).

Renowned golf course architect Stephen Kay, of Stephen Kay & Doug Smith Golf Course Design, was commissioned to restore the club’s golf course, and noted golf course architectural critic Brad Klein served as a consultant on the project. Klein is a highly respected authority on Donald Ross and the author of “Discovering Donald Ross.”

In addition to the golf course restoration, an extensive clubhouse renovation, which will be completed during the summer, is also underway.

The initial reopening of the golf course was for full golf members, with the course reopening to the entire membership on June 2.

“The feedback from the members who took part in the re-opening and played over the subsequent days has been overwhelmingly positive,” said Sean Palmer, the club’s Director of Golf. “The course looks fantastic, and the layout, at 6,700 yards from the back tees, is both challenging and visually stunning.

“Thanks to the commitment of the Union League, Torresdale is ready to stake its claim as one of the premier private clubs in the Greater Philadelphia region, a region renowned for the quality of its private golf clubs,” Palmer added.

“We are very proud of having restored the grandeur to this Donald Ross-designed gem and excited about the opportunity to have our members experience it,” said Jeff McFadden, General Manager of the Union League of Philadelphia. “We are grateful to everyone who has played a role in this process and look forward to the completion of the clubhouse renovation in late summer. This truly marks a new era in the history and evolution of this venerable golf club.”