PBI-Gordon promotes duo
Westchester Hills Golf Club in White Plains, New York, recently completed a $3.5 million golf course renovation by architect Rees Jones.
Golf course renovations, which began last October, touched on multiple areas of the course to add functionality and visual aesthetics. Greens, fairways and chipping areas were all expanded, new tees were added and all bunkers were renovated. Jones’ enhancements to the original 1913 Peter Clark design specifically include 50,000 added square feet of chipping expansions, 30,000 added square feet of fairway expansions, and 20,000 added square feet of greens expansion, along with XGD drainage in all greens; upgraded bunkers renovated with new sand and Capillary Concrete drainage; 10 acres of new sod throughout the course; and a new irrigation system that includes 12 miles of pipe, 1,250 sprinkler heads and 54 quick connects.
The project started with the addition of a new practice putting green area designed by Jones. The 6,700-square foot practice green is surrounded by fire pits and farm fencing, a nod to the club’s Gedney Farms history.
Perhaps not coincidentally, the club has added 186 new members over the last 20 months.
“The membership at Westchester Hills is thrilled to see the completed result at our club,” club president Mark Stagg said. “With so much going on at the club, including a pool renovation, elevated dining experiences and significant membership growth, the course redesign is the finishing touch to achieving member satisfaction for years to come.”
“The Open Doctor” was excited to unveil the finished product. The new features transformed the bones of the golf course and improved the everyday golf experience with influence from Jones’ notable designs worldwide.
“Our design was to liven a classic-style golf course while upgrading the course’s playability and maintenance standards,” Jones said. “The members … strive for excellence and we are proud to be included in their success. We fully expect the golf course’s new features to take the Hills golf experience to a new level in the private club community.”
To date, Jones has worked on seven U.S. Open venues (selected to host 14 championships), nine PGA Championship venues (hosting 11 championships), six Ryder Cup venues, two Walker Cup courses and one Presidents Cup. Among his most notable original designs or redesigns are Atlanta Athletic Club (Georgia), Atlantic Golf Club (New York), Baltusrol Golf Club, Lower and Upper Course (New Jersey), Bethpage State Park, Black Course (New York), Congressional Country Club, Blue Course (Maryland), Nantucket Golf Club (Massachusetts), Torrey Pines Golf Course, South Course (California) and East Lake Golf Club (Georgia).
Westchester Hills is managed by Troon Privé, the private club operating division of Troon, the world’s largest golf management company.