Sunningdale Country Club

Architects: Seth Raynor, Walter Travis, AW Tillinghast & others
Renovation: Mike DeVries

Set within the rolling countryside of Westchester County, Sunningdale occupies great ground but had lost its character and detail. In 2006, Mike was retained to author a long-term course improvement plan for the renovation of this fine course. The directive from the club was to “make the best use of this really cool land”.

The site is dominated by two broad ridges, one at the clubhouse and one in the middle of the front nine with an old stone water tower base that stands guard over the property. The holes are arranged creatively to work up, down, along, and astride these ridges in a myriad of ways that are constantly changing and fresh. The land is undulating but not too severe and the rhythm of the routing makes for a very pleasant walking course.

Most of the greens had been flattened after WWII and were in need of interest. Mike rebuilt them to modern specifications providing them with contour and character consistent with Golden Age courses. Re-routing the last three holes has led to a rousing finish with a long par 5 16th to a green on a ridge, a short bunker-less par 3 17th, and a stiff par 4 18th that rewards creative, measured play.