Golf Club Atlas
GolfClubAtlas.com => Golf Course Architecture => Topic started by: Michael Chadwick on November 30, 2021, 12:48:45 AM
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Alphabetical Index:
Annandale / Watson, O'Neil - 1906 / Watson - 1919 / Bell, Croke - 1923 (OP)
Bel-Air / Thomas, Bell, Neville - 1927 (Reply 11)
Cal Club / Macan, Locke - 1920 / Mackenzie, Hunter - 1927 (OP)
California Country Club / Watson - 1921 / Bell - ? (after 1928) (Reply 23)
Clover Field Municipal Golf Links / Merritt - 1927 NLE (Reply 31)
Cypress Point / MacKenzie, Hunter - 1928 (OP)
Del Paso / Black - 1916 / Fowler - 1921 (Reply 15)
El Caballero / Bell - 1928 (Reply 4)
Fox Hills - 1927 Thomas/Bell (Reply 8)
Griffith Park / Thomas - 1923 (OP)
Haggin Oaks / MacKenzie - 1932 (Reply 15)
Hillcrest CC / Watson - 1922 (Reply 12)
Hollywood CC / Watson - 1919 (?) NLE (Reply 28)
La Cumbre / 1917 Bendelow, Bryce - 1917 / Thomas, Bell - 1925 (OP)
Lake Merced / Locke - 1922 / MacKenzie - 1929 (OP)
Lake Norconian Club / Dunn - 1928 (Reply 18)
Lakeside / Behr - 1924 (OP)
Los Angeles (North) - 1921 Fowler, 1927 Thomas/Bell (Reply 20)
Midwick / Watson - 1913 / Bell - 1929 NLE (Reply 22)
Montebello Park / Behr - 1928 (Reply 4)
Orinda / Watson - 1924 (Reply 32)
Palos Verdes GC / Bell, Thomas - 1924 (Reply 34)
Pasadena Golf Club / O'Neil, Croke, Bell - 1920 NLE (Reply 9)
Pasatiempo / Mackenzie - 1929 (OP)
Pebble Beach / Neville, Grant - 1919 / Fowler - 1920 / Mackenzie - 1927 / Egan, Hunter - 1929 (Reply 4)
Rancho / Fowler - 1921 (Reply 12)
Rancho Santa Fe / Behr - 1929 (Reply 4)
Redlands / Hornby, with consultation from MacKenzie - 1927 (date of 18 hole grass course opening, previous versions/locations date to 1897) (Reply 33)
Riviera / Thomas, Bell - 1926 (OP)
Royal Palms / Bell - 1925 (NLE) (Reply 4)
San Francisco / Tillinghast - 1920 / Bell - 1930 (OP)
San Gabriel / 1907 / Macbeth - 1912 / Watson - 1920 / Bell - 1930 (OP)
Sharp Park / Mackenzie - 1929 (OP)
Stanford / Bell, Thomas - 1930 (OP)
Sunset Fields #1 / Bell - 1927 NLE (Reply 26)
Sunset Fields #2 / Bell - 1928 NLE (Reply 26)
Valley Club of Montecito / Mackenzie, Hunter - 1929 (Reply 35)
Victoria / Heath - 1903 / Fovargue - 1918 / Behr - 1924 (Reply 4)
Westwood Hills / Behr - Date Unknown NLE (Reply 30)Wilshire / Macbeth - 1919 (OP)
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Thank you to Bret Lawrence in a different thread for tipping me to UCSB Library’s interactive trove of historic state aerials. Though the initial interest was Lakeside, we might as well cover as much of the state as possible.
My plan over time is to check for aerials of every course mentioned in the “California 1930” thread and post what’s available. Course date(s) and architect(s) are copied from there, so don’t pin mistakes on me, just indolence: https://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,35387.msg718612.html#msg718612 (https://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,35387.msg718612.html#msg718612).
For courses that still exist, Google Maps screenshots will be used to complement historic images. There will inevitably be some overlap with what’s featured on http://www.golfcoursehistories.com (http://www.golfcoursehistories.com/).
Lakeside / Behr - 1924
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51712650167_264e516c6e_c.jpg)
1927
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51714154144_27da2f97f6_c.jpg)
Cypress Point / MacKenzie, Hunter - 1928
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51714508411_cf5d1d760b_c.jpg)
1939
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51715171169_64bf4a1681_c.jpg)
Pasatiempo / Mackenzie - 1929
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51714773188_38f65abc65_c.jpg)
1940
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51714772843_eae3532b87_c.jpg)
Riviera / Thomas, Bell - 1926
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51714509941_621d7a24d4_c.jpg)
1928
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51714774453_f1cd6c2fbc_c.jpg)
San Francisco / Tillinghast - 1920 / Bell - 1930
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51713719437_3b060a4c09_c.jpg)
1941
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51714508641_1f361d1064_c.jpg)
Stanford / Bell, Thomas - 1930
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51715380035_314481a4cc_c.jpg)
1930
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51714774803_b8c1c5c657_c.jpg)
Cal Club / Macan, Locke - 1920 / Mackenzie, Hunter - 1927
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51713719652_0a385794f6_c.jpg)
1941
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51715172069_fb306c72b3_c.jpg)
San Gabriel / 1907 / Macbeth - 1912 / Watson - 1920 / Bell - 1930
San Gabriel is strangely not mentioned on the 1930 thread, though it claims to be the oldest club in Southern California occupying the same land. Work completed by Todd Eckenrode bears a close resemblance to the 1938 aerial. The land was initially part of Mission San Gabriel. A surprising amount of mature oak trees were kept on property in ‘38.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51714774488_95ec7b086d_c.jpg)
1938
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51713721187_4abbbddf42_c.jpg)
Lake Merced / Locke - 1922 / MacKenzie - 1929
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51714508381_7b8f39e008_c.jpg)
1941
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51715377975_5ce5d767b3_c.jpg)
Fortunately this will look much different in 2023!
Sharp Park / Mackenzie - 1929
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51714508196_c1330a8f70_c.jpg)
1941
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51714772488_93ba4a629a_c.jpg)
La Cumbre / 1917 Bendelow, Bryce - 1917 / Thomas, Bell - 1925
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51714772228_c103052cdf_c.jpg)
1929
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51715377550_06bed71beb_c.jpg)
Griffith Park / Thomas - 1923
I’d like to know more about this. Was it always two courses?
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51715172189_379b8e1133_c.jpg)
1927
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51714509186_217fb58911_c.jpg)
Annandale / 1906 Watson, O'Neil - 1906 / Watson - 1919 / Bell, Croke - 1923
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51715409005_5b418830f7_c.jpg)
1934
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51715378890_e348b25e8e_c.jpg)
Wilshire / Macbeth - 1919
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51713720487_1d5237d1de_c.jpg)
1938
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51714509611_6c2baf6d40_c.jpg)
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San Gabriel / 1907 / Macbeth - 1912 / Watson - 1920 / Bell - 1930[/size]San Gabriel is strangely not mentioned on the 1930 thread, though it claims to be the oldest club in Southern California occupying the same land.[/color]
David Ober may know for sure, but I'm pretty sure that Victoria Club in Riverside makes the same claim. I seem to recall Redlands may be older, but moved at some point. Back when I was in school and Vic was our home course, "1903" was all over a lot of the merchandise.
And on another San Gabriel note, the house at the corner of Francisco and Hermosa, just east of the first green, is where my mom grew up. Driven by there a million times, but never played it. I grew up about 2 miles away.
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Really cool stuff here Michael...thanks!
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Michael,
Terrific stuff. Can you post the link to the UCSB site?
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Kalen, of course: https://mil.library.ucsb.edu/ap_indexes/FrameFinder/ (https://mil.library.ucsb.edu/ap_indexes/FrameFinder/)
Bill, interesting intel about Victoria. I don't actually see the claim made on San Gabriel's website (though I thought I did once in the past), but it's made here in SCGA's magazine on behalf of the club: http://www.foremagazine.com/classic-course/enchanted-valley/
A few more to add:
Royal Palms / Bell - 1925 (NLE)
Very familiar with this terrain in San Pedro/Palos Verdes. Can only imagine how good this course once was! What a pity.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51715649351_5da543e115_c.jpg)
1927
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51715912493_7af65b5a49_c.jpg)
Some bones still appear to exist as part of a 9-hole course associated with the Palos Verdes Shores Mobile Home Community.
Rancho Santa Fe / Behr - 1929
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51716522565_d0205657a9_c.jpg)
1939
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51716318254_daf087644b_c.jpg)
El Caballero / Bell - 1928
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51714865287_beab4a1f1b_c.jpg)
1928
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51716529670_4ff163d94f_c.jpg)
Montebello Park / Behr - 1928
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51715929368_27157e10d1_c.jpg)
1928
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51715666161_e3a8f9f840_c.jpg)
Pebble Beach / Neville, Grant - 1919 / Fowler - 1920 / Mackenzie - 1927 / Egan, Hunter - 1929
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51715932178_b5899d3076_c.jpg)
1941
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51715668891_0d0e8d923f_c.jpg)
Victoria / Heath - 1903 / Fovargue - 1918 / Behr - 1924
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51714875332_0cbe33235b_c.jpg)
1931
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51716539250_b87a964fb4_c.jpg)
Will search for more NLE courses in time as well. Is there a good list of CA NLE somewhere?
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Here's a list of NLE's that would have been around during the time the aerials were taken (not a complete list):
Atascadero CC (Atascadero)
Athens Golf Links (Los Angeles)
Baywood CC aka Laurolawn CC (Hayward)
Biona G&CC (Los Angeles)
Brae Mar Public GC (Par 3) (Santa Monica)
Capuchino G&CC (Millbrae)
Charlie Chaplin Estate GC (Beverly Hills)
Coronado GC (Coronado)
Dana Point Yacht & CC Temporary Course (Los Angeles)
Del Mar CC (Del Mar)
East Bay CC (Hayward)
El Merrie Del CC (Sunlands)
El Mirador Hotel GC (Palm Springs)
El Sereno CC (Los Angeles)
Encino CC (Encino)
Flintridge CC (Pasadena)
Fox Hills GC (Culver City)
Golfers' CC (Calabasas)
Hillview GC (San Jose)
Hollywood CC (Los Angeles)
Hotel Green GC (Pasadena)
Hotel Raymond GC (Pasadena)
Idyllwild CC (Idyllwild)
Inglewood CC (Inglewood)
Lake Elsinore GC (Lake Elsinore)
Lake Norconian Club (Norco)
Lomita GC (Los Gatos)
Los Turas Lake Club (Los Angeles)
Midwick CC (Los Angeles)
Monterrey Bay G&CC (Sequel)
Mountain Meadows G&CC (Los Angeles)
Oak Knoll CC (Oakland)
Parkridge CC (Corona)
Pasadena GC (Pasadena)
Pasa Robles GC (Pasa Robles)
Peter Pan CC (Big Bear Lake)
Portrero G&CC (Los Angeles)
Rancho CC (Los Angeles)
Sacramento CC (Sacramento)
San Gorgino CC (Banning)
San Joaquin GC aka Stockton Municipal GC (Stockton)
Santa Barbara CC (Santa Barbara)
Santa Monica Municipal GC aka Clover Field (Santa Monica)
Saticoy Regional GC aka Ventura County CC (Saticoy)
Sepulveda CC (Los Angeles)
St. Andrews GC (Laguna Niquel)
Sunset Fields GC (Los Angeles)
Tulare County G&CC (Strathmore)
Urban GC (Los Angeles)
Valley Park G&CC aka Whitley Park CC (Los Angeles)
Westward Ho Club of California (Los Angeles)
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You might find some additional NLE's in this old thread:
https://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,54866.msg1269420.html#msg1269420
Look for Tommy's post listing them out by architect.
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There are a couple of California related maps in this thread that might help you locate some of the listed course:
https://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,62664.msg1518679.html#msg1518679
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Thank you, Sven, this is incredibly helpful. Plenty to keep me occupied.
Fox Hills / Thomas, Bell - 1927 NLE
Looks unbelievable! The 1934 images are clearer, but the photographer made the poor choice not to frame the entire property in a single shot.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51714974712_d271fc1332_c.jpg)
1934, majority of property
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51716639815_e52c3e28db_c.jpg)
1934, northwest corner missing in previous photo
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51715772581_661e517b47_c.jpg)
1928
This area is now fully developed in Ladera Heights, adjacent to the 405 FWY and bisected by La Cienega Blvd.
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Pasadena Golf Club / O'Neil, Croke, Bell - 1920 NLE
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51716519336_165692c960_c.jpg)
1928. Striking amount of sand and incorporation of native desert/scrub.
From the William Bell Society: “in the foothills above Altadena, the 6,291-yard Pasadena Golf Club opened in 1920. Originally intended to be the cornerstone of a luxurious 54-hole development (two-time PGA Champion Leo Diegel was the club’s professional), the course was designed by Chicago professionals George O’Neil and Jack Croke and drew somewhat attenuated comparisons to New Jersey’s famed Pine Valley, largely due to its irrigated fairways being surrounded by native desert. Known for its ravine-crossing 110-yard 5th hole, the layout withstood the Depression better than most but fared less well against the epic rains that deluged the region in 1938, causing damage beyond repair. The Altadena Golf Course, a less-ambitious nineholer, occupies part of the site today.” https://williambellsociety.wordpress.com/2013/10/28/william-p-bell-and-southern-californias-lost-courses/ (https://williambellsociety.wordpress.com/2013/10/28/william-p-bell-and-southern-californias-lost-courses/)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51715718712_0558e21a27_c.jpg)
Ouch
More information provided by the Golf Historical Society: http://www.golfhistoricalsociety.org/ghswordpress/tag/pasadena-golf/ (http://www.golfhistoricalsociety.org/ghswordpress/tag/pasadena-golf/)
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Thank you, Sven, this is incredibly helpful. Plenty to keep me occupied.
Fox Hills / Thomas, Bell - 1927 NLE
Looks unbelievable! The 1934 images are clearer, but the photographer made the poor choice not to frame the entire property in a single shot.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51714974712_d271fc1332_c.jpg)
1934, majority of property
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51716639815_e52c3e28db_c.jpg)
1934, northwest corner missing in previous photo
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51715772581_661e517b47_c.jpg)
1928
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/ag323/bretjlawrence/IMG_2030.JPG) (https://app.photobucket.com/u/bretjlawrence/a/a262d2bd-f3be-467b-a9cd-2816e5d7d000/p/32b423eb-6307-4042-b6bc-2f658935f95d)
August 1, 1927
This area is now fully developed in Ladera Heights, adjacent to the 405 FWY and bisected by La Cienega Blvd.
I included an aerial from the Fox Hills/Baldwin Hills site dated August 1, 1927. You can see the land prior to the second course being built. These two aerials are dated 5 months apart.
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Bel Air / Thomas, Bell, Neville - 1927
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51716601616_e1ea6ef29a_c.jpg)
1927
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51717261029_25ea9de352_c.jpg)
1927 and 2021 aren't looking too different thanks to Doak, Iverson, Goalby, and Conant!
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Rancho / Fowler - 1921 and Hillcrest CC / Watson - 1922
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51715927232_41ffa7fb29_c.jpg)
1927
Which course was more highly regarded at the time? Wouldn't surprise me if it were Rancho.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51717595470_a0e8478539_c.jpg)
Sadly, there's no contest now, especially after what Kyle Phillips and his team achieved at Hillcrest.
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Wow, those are some pretty major changes at Rancho Park with the encroachment of the par-3 course, the driving range, the park/baseball fields, and tennis courts. Any clue how many of the current holes are original or close to it?
Loving the thread, btw.
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I can't seem to get the 1933 b&w photo of Haggin Oaks golf course in Sacramento built by MacKenzie. Can someone please help me out.
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Mark, it looks like there aren't any original holes. A few similar playing corridors, but the direction of play seems to have been reversed, which makes me think original greens are lost under a few teeing areas nowadays.
Tim, thanks for the request:
Haggin Oaks / MacKenzie - 1932
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51717357761_6b02299ab0_c.jpg)
1937
And a few shots of its neighbor:
Del Paso / Black - 1916 / Fowler - 1921
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51718226515_c4e3294471_c.jpg)
1937
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51717617878_15e2c65e78_c.jpg)
1945
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51718026119_a77eedb39f_c.jpg)
Fairly shocked that Del Paso was renovated by Kyle Phillips in 2006, given its current day contrast to the historic images. The club seems to have wasted an opportunity with a skilled architect.
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I worked at Altadena GC, the former Pasadena GC, for a number of years in and after college back in the '90s (and it's sister course, Eaton Canyon GC). Someone put together a course history and I wish I remembered more of it, but I'm sure it's encapsulated in the GHS link. I do remember the bit about the land being purchased for the location of Westmont College, but they were not allowed to build there and had settle for slumming it in Santa Barbara.
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Michael -
Thanks for posting these photos. I've spent some time looking at the old aerials, but I certainly have not lined them all up with current day.
With respect to El Caballero, the original Bell course is unfortunately NLE. It was founded by Edgar Rice Burroughs (of Tarzan fame) in the 1920s and occupied adjacent (but different) land than the current course. The original course used the Burroughs estate as the clubhouse. I have a few ground level photos somewhere that I will try to figure out how to post. It hosted the 1927 LA Open, but went under during the Great Depression. The course is featured in one of Dan Wexler's lost links books. I don't remember if it was Missing Links or Lost Links.
The current course was laid out in 1957 and then redone / upgraded by Robert Trent Jones, Sr in the 1960s. The current course is a bit east of the original course. It just reopened recently after a renovation / restoration by Rees Jones - but it is a wholly different course than the original Bell design.
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Lake Norconian / Dunn - 1928 NLE
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51717801131_fc33c1a0ff_c.jpg)
1931
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51718057313_7fc4dc9177_c.jpg)
1931, showing southwest corner of property
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51718669755_d4f6645b7a_c.jpg)
1938
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51716999102_2b720d6b8c_c.jpg)
More information on Dunn can be found here: https://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,13078.0/nowap.html
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Michael -
Thanks for posting these photos. I've spent some time looking at the old aerials, but I certainly have not lined them all up with current day.
With respect to El Caballero, the original Bell course is unfortunately NLE. It was founded by Edgar Wright Burroughs (of Tarzan fame) in the 1920s and occupied adjacent (but different) land than the current course. The original course used the Burroughs estate as the clubhouse. I have a few ground level photos somewhere that I will try to figure out how to post. It hosted the 1927 LA Open, but went under during the Great Depression. The course is featured in one of Dan Wexler's lost links books. I don't remember if it was Missing Links or Lost Links.
The current course was laid out in 1957 and then redone / upgraded by Robert Trent Jones, Sr in the 1960s. The current course is a bit east of the original course. It just reopened recently after a renovation / restoration by Rees Jones - but it is a wholly different course than the original Bell design.
Dan, thanks, I probably should've noted NLE, but chose not to given the club's continued name. Is there not any overlap of land at all? I would've thought the eastern side of the original course may be on the same terrain the club owns today.
Please message or email me if you need assistance with your photos. I'd love to see them. The original El Cab looks like one of LA's most significant design losses. Thanks.
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I'd like people in the know to chime in on this next one:
LACC North / Fowler - 1921 / Thomas, Bell - 1927
The 1927 aerial is dated Aug. 1. Was the renovation not completed yet? I cannot see today's 11th hole among others, for instance, though it appears in the 1940 aerial.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51718600659_2697942656_c.jpg)
1927
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51717139057_d30e8c3c70_c.jpg)
1940
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51718814130_d9315e60f9_c.jpg)
Would love to hear more from someone more familiarized with the club's history.
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LACC North / Fowler - 1921 / Thomas, Bell - 1927
The 1927 aerial is dated Aug. 1. Was the renovation not completed yet? I cannot see today's 11th hole among others, for instance, though it appears in the 1940 aerial.
The renovation by Thomas and Bell was still very much underway in 1928. The plans to abandon the old 11th and create the new hole were being discussed in the papers in February of that year.
Feb. 2, 1928 Los Angeles Evening Express -
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/cc435/snilsen7/Los_Angeles_CC_-_Los_Angeles_Evening_Express_Feb._2_1928_(1).jpg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds) (https://photobucket.com/u/snilsen7/a/acf16c8f-790e-4e37-bce1-74b1fd7e6a8b/p/c33c77bb-d8e7-489b-81bb-2b8d6d8f7b94)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/cc435/snilsen7/Los_Angeles_CC_-_Los_Angeles_Evening_Express_Feb._2_1928_(2).jpg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds) (https://photobucket.com/u/snilsen7/a/acf16c8f-790e-4e37-bce1-74b1fd7e6a8b/p/8c0437f6-f8ea-4215-af9c-37e73352235b)
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Terrific, thank you, Sven.
Another mournful NLE, one Robert Hunter considered to be among the country's best:
Midwick / Watson - 1913 / Bell - 1929 NLE
Per Tommy N. this design is a Watson, not a Macbeth. Bell's bunkering begins to appear in the interval between the 1927 and 1928 aerials. Also adding in the "Water Distribution System" plan posted by Sven on a different thread that shows routing.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51718320326_06fd0ee632_c.jpg)
1927. The 14th hole with the island green (left center) surrounded by bunkering looks like a wonderful straight par 4
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51718980099_c9a588ea86_c.jpg)
1928. Bell's beautiful bunkering bears close resemblance to MacKenzie. Noticeable on holes 1, 2, 5, 6, and 9
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51719192635_c7aa68709c_c.jpg)
Putting green complex north of 18 green
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51719192145_b95c91ef0d_c.jpg)
Routing
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51717516917_9dc8a25983_c.jpg)
Site
Additional info: https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-07-19-me-14670-story.html (https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-07-19-me-14670-story.html)
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California Country Club / Watson - 1921 / Bell - ? (after 1928) NLE
This club was located just south of Rancho and Hillcrest in Cheviot Hills. More information can be found here: https://www.cheviothillshistory.org/california-country-club
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51717980752_8aca200932_c.jpg)
1927
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51717980717_eb80bdfbc0_c.jpg)
1928
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51719041303_c039909895_c.jpg)
1938. Bell bunkering has appeared in the intervening years
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51717980632_53a6560f0c_c.jpg)
Site
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Michael -
Thanks for posting these photos. I've spent some time looking at the old aerials, but I certainly have not lined them all up with current day.
With respect to El Caballero, the original Bell course is unfortunately NLE. It was founded by Edgar Wright Burroughs (of Tarzan fame) in the 1920s and occupied adjacent (but different) land than the current course. The original course used the Burroughs estate as the clubhouse. I have a few ground level photos somewhere that I will try to figure out how to post. It hosted the 1927 LA Open, but went under during the Great Depression. The course is featured in one of Dan Wexler's lost links books. I don't remember if it was Missing Links or Lost Links.
The current course was laid out in 1957 and then redone / upgraded by Robert Trent Jones, Sr in the 1960s. The current course is a bit east of the original course. It just reopened recently after a renovation / restoration by Rees Jones - but it is a wholly different course than the original Bell design.
Here are some ground level photos of the original El Cab from 1929. Unfortunately, I don't remember what holes. I am always struck by the scale of the greens, slopes and bunkers.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51718749856_e344d89108_c.jpg)
I believe the below photo is taken from the tee of #1, a 355 yd par 4.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51718749861_b439342f62_o.jpg)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51718749876_4d95ccca8b_o.jpg)
Below is an oblique aerial of the new El Cab from about 1960, before RTJ, Sr came in and redid the golf course. The original El Cab shared some land, but wandered into the canyons on the right side of the picture where the trees have been cleared and buildings are starting to pop up.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51719006333_6b28caa3d9_c.jpg)
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You do see more trees in the current photos. My thinking is that the trees may be necessary to frame the holes and even protect golfers from errant shots since the fairways are close to one another.
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Dan, amazing photos, thanks for sharing.
Two additions:
Sunset Fields #1 / Bell - 1927 NLE
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51719177572_3548fdb03d_c.jpg)
1927
Sunset Fields #2 / Bell - 1928 NLE
The second course appears in an aerial taken a year later, on land further west of the first course.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51719177662_405cbe5e6d_c.jpg)
1928
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51719981606_39dfaab9d9_c.jpg)
Site in Baldwin Village, bordered by MLK Jr. Blvd to the north, La Brea to the west, and Crenshaw to the east
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Did the original California Country Club move to the current location along the 605 just north of the 60, or was it a completely different club?
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Bill, I think they were two different clubs. California CC in Cheviot Hills changed hands (and names) at least three times, before closing for good in 1951. California CC in Whittier opened in 1956. Shared are name and architect's surname.
Hollywood CC / Watson - 1921 NLE
I've come across conflicting accounts of Hollywood, although past posts by Tommy N. and Sven are in alignment with the aerials below. But there is a Dean Knuth essay that claims Hollywood was built in 1898, and that Watson "designed the Hollywood Country Club near Studio City, California, shortly after his arrival in Los Angeles, but it was quickly built over by developers." Page 8, essay: https://www.sandiegocountryclub.org/Files/Library/WILLIAMWATSONBIOOCT142020.PDF (https://www.sandiegocountryclub.org/Files/Library/WILLIAMWATSONBIOOCT142020.PDF)
Hollywood Country Club - Hollywood, CA 1919, 18 holes and added 9 holes in 1921Watson definitely added 9 holes to the project in 1921, and reworked the existing 9 holes at that time. I have not seen anything linking Watson to the initial work in 1919, although reports indicated the involvement of a number of professionals and architects.
William Watson
•Hollywood Country Club (Now houses and Harvard-Westlake Private School)
Hollywood CC Oct. 3, 1919 Los Angeles Evening Citizen News - (https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/cc435/snilsen7/Hollywood_Plan_Los_Angeles_Evening_Citizen_News_Oct._3_1919.jpg) (https://app.photobucket.com/u/snilsen7/a/acf16c8f-790e-4e37-bce1-74b1fd7e6a8b/p/51e2ecf8-49b3-4da6-a0e2-fb1bfaf70964)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51721647845_d51bdcf229_c.jpg)
1927. Orientation is rotated to match with routing. Running N/S is Ventura Blvd.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51720770991_03dae60dab_c.jpg)
Situated south (east in photo) of Ventura Blvd. on both sides of what is now Coldwater Canyon.
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Thanks for posting the aerial of Hollywood CC. I was going to do that later tonight as I’m interested to hear more about the club. The holes in the tight canyon at the top of your picture (east side of course) look very interesting as they almost look crossover like. That’s where I have always heard about the club being, but I’m no expert.
I was also interested in the old Encino CC. I’ve found a picture of the clubhouse, but none of the course. I’ll try to post something, but it looks like the course was only 9 holes. Founded in 1924 and bankrupt by 1929, I think.
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Westwood Hills / Behr - Date Unknown, NLE
Max Behr
•Westwood Hills Pay As You Play Golf Course (18 holes of Max Behr that is now the Nakatomi Bank Building, (from the movie Die Hard) Beverly Hills High School, Creative Artists Agency's "Death Star" (name for the building) etc. in Century City.)
North of Rancho was Westwood Pay-As-You-Play Golf Course which then became Westwood Hills. (Max Behr)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51720823247_ba7d6433f5_c.jpg)
1927. Photo refers to a portion of property as Wolfskill Oil Field, but golf holes are visible
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51721632801_3f7ab8739c_c.jpg)
1928 overview, showing LACC above, Rancho & Hillcrest below
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51721884593_224c957f17_c.jpg)
1928 close up
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51722508430_d7c787fef2_c.jpg)
1938. Golf holes still visible but development appears to have begun on what was once the course
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51721633111_ef0e41d96d_c.jpg)
NLE by the time of this 1947 image. Also note Rancho in the midst of ruination, and California CC at bottom
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51722541995_7aba064682_c.jpg)
Century City
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Clover Field Municipal Golf Links / Merritt - 1927 NLE
Per Sven, this course may have been previously misidentified as a Watson.
William Watson•Clover Field Golf Course (18 holes located on what is now houses and Santa Monica Airport)
Clover Field Golf Course - Santa Monica, CA 1923 (First laid out by Watson, fully opened in 1928 and George Merritt then was credited). Name changed to Santa Monica GC.I have not seen anything that links Watson to the project.Here are the two articles discussing Merritt's involvement.April 9, 1927 Los Angeles Times -(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/cc435/snilsen7/Santa_Monica_Municipal_(Clover_Field)_-_Los_Angeles_Times_April_9,_1927.png?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds) (https://app.photobucket.com/u/snilsen7/a/acf16c8f-790e-4e37-bce1-74b1fd7e6a8b/p/7df9f01e-2dd9-493f-bc6e-5e8b2b257753)
July 24, 1927 Los Angeles Times -(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/cc435/snilsen7/Santa_Monica_Municipal_(Clover_Field)_-_Los_Angeles_Times_July_24,_1927.png?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds) (https://app.photobucket.com/u/snilsen7/a/acf16c8f-790e-4e37-bce1-74b1fd7e6a8b/p/94fc6c1a-9dc1-4319-9fab-7f1094e69d80)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51722738705_d9b77a4297_c.jpg)
1927
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51721864591_60ddafb861_c.jpg)
1928
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51722521484_011c3ae77f_c.jpg)
1940
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51721054632_2e0ecdd311_c.jpg)
NLE by 1947
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51721054582_e5d7df393b_c.jpg)
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Orinda / Watson - 1924
East Bay CC - Oakland, CA 1923April 9, 1926 Berkeley Daily Gazette -
(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc435/snilsen7/East%20Bay%20CC%20-%20Berkeley%20Daily%20Gazette%20Apr.%209%201926_zps6aqvnu3y.jpg)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51722616009_aecc739102_c.jpg)
1928
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51721150177_a959362425_c.jpg)
1940
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51722833315_0cd0566d9e_c.jpg)
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Redlands / Hornby, with consultation from MacKenzie - 1927 (date of 18 hole grass course opening, previous versions/locations date to 1897)
Mike DeVries claims Norman Macbeth was involved, although there's no mention of that on the club's website. Additional context surrounding MacKenzie's involvement below as well.
I help out The Alister Mackenzie Society with research and the whole Redlands involvement by Mackenzie has some question marks against it in our eyes. Here is what we have (which isn't much). Sean Tully of our little research group may care to pipe in. DSH is Doak Scott Haddock "The Life and Work of Dr Alister Mackenzie" while C&W is Cornish and Whitten "The Architects of Golf". Anyone who might have some actual documentary evidence one way or another would be welcome to post it.Listed in DSH as a 1930 revision with Robert Hunter. Hawtree and C&W list as a revision with no date. Club website: "On February 24, 1926, an additional 55 acres of land was purchased from H.H. Ford and Isaac Ford. The project of preparing the new greens, fairways and bunkers was completed under the prime direction of Club member Raymond Hornby with the counsel of Alister Mackenzie of Leeds, England. Mr. Mackenzie had previously aided in the design for such famous courses as Cypress Point, Pasatiempo in Santa Cruz and the Valley Club in Santa Barbara. There were 32 sand traps on the first 9 holes and 42 on the back 9. The full 18-hole course was opened for play on November 26, 1927; 6130 yards in length, par 70." Opening date inconsistent with date in DSH. Question marks on this.
I have consulted with Redlands for the past 7 years or so. I did a Long Range Plan for the club and they had a water issue, due to receiving potable water at pressure from the city for many years but is now on a non-potable supply that is not at pressure, so we had to develop a pond to hold the water and pump from that. The result of that was an impact to holes 14-16 (old routing) and we altered the routing numbering when building the pond to the current sequence.As to the design credit, there was a 9-hole course going back prior to 1900 -- not sure of the designer. Norman MacBeth was hired for the redesign in the mid-20's. As far as I can tell, MacKenzie and MacBeth knew each other from England and MacKenzie was going through LA on his way to Australia, wrote his friend about his travel plans (I have no evidence of this, but speculating as to the relationship and friendliness those days), and Norman told him about his project in Redlands. I believe Alister was on the site for a couple days and critiqued Norman's plans. The course reflects some of Alister's ideas, but they are not executed very well (for instance, the boomerang green on #17 doesn't allow you to putt around the corner) so I think Alister gave some advice to Norman but it is really MacBeth's design.
P-Thanks for posting your photos of Redlands I have not been there yet and did not expect all of that movement, so I got a kick out of looking at the pics. I have done some limited research on the course trying to see where the credit for the course lies and if MacKenzie was involved in any way. Through mostly internet research, I have not come across any mention of AM's involvement. When we first started looking a little deeper into AM body of work we started with "The Life and Work of Alister MacKenzie" and worked from there. As Mike D. mentioned there is a connection with Macbeth, but there is also another player in the story of the club. In an article from November 6, 1927 the club gives a lot of praise to the work of Raymond Hornby who also happens to be a member. They give him credit for laying out the additional nine holes and also superintending the construction.Would love to see what the course looked like from the late 20's to get a better idea for who had their hands in the remodeling of the course.Tully
1900 Harpers -(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/cc435/snilsen7/Casa_Loma_-_Harpers_1900.png?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds) (https://app.photobucket.com/u/snilsen7/a/acf16c8f-790e-4e37-bce1-74b1fd7e6a8b/p/66dd6200-fb7f-4b04-86cb-e02949b2fa67)(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/cc435/snilsen7/Redlands_-_Harpers_1900.png?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds) (https://app.photobucket.com/u/snilsen7/a/acf16c8f-790e-4e37-bce1-74b1fd7e6a8b/p/8f5b5a58-6b83-4e50-97d3-4620d98994d1)
At Redlands in Los Angeles MacKenzie and Hunter added 10 new holes and remodelled 8 holes in 1926-27.
At Redlands CC in S. Cal., Norman Macbeth has a marginal one on the 17th (it doesn't shoot balls around as well as it should) -- MacK advised him there to some extent prior to CD.
March 1926 - to southern Cal consulted on Redlands CC (from AM's Cypress Point Club book)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51722079821_c9c2cd1540_c.jpg)
1938, earliest available unfortunately
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51722735839_3b64ebe081_c.jpg)
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Palos Verdes GC / Bell, Thomas - 1924
Sven has a post of Olmsted plans, but for some reason images won't transfer in the quote box: https://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,43053.msg1619380.html#msg1619380
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51722993644_ee5e0e3f54_c.jpg)
1927
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51722993569_f8e1d6ddb9_c.jpg)
1928
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51721528387_a083427e14_c.jpg)
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Valley Club of Montecito / MacKenzie, Hunter - 1929
Overview: https://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,38925.0.html
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51724993285_a41fa3116a_c.jpg)
February 1929, in the midst of construction. A few green sites and bunkers visible
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51724764884_33140137a9_c.jpg)
1930. From L-R: 18, 16, 15, 1. Unfortunately no other photos of the course from this flight
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51724766074_4cc3f47b36_c.jpg)
1938
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51723303827_a8ed91ee3e_c.jpg)
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Potrero Country Club aka Inglewood / Watson - 1919 (?) / Bell - 1925 NLE
Have come across on this site and others two different spellings: Potrero and Portrero. Per a 1932 LA Map the spelling is Potrero.
Watson is credited in Dean Knuth's essay, although Sven referenced a newspaper article possibly amending Watson's involvement or date. Unfortunately the image isn't appearing on any of my browsers, so I'm unsure if it's a confirmation or refutation: https://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,69386.msg1667663.html#msg1667663 (https://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,69386.msg1667663.html#msg1667663)
Daily Breeze article with additional context, although no mention of architects. Opening date is claimed to be 1925. http://blogs.dailybreeze.com/history/2017/03/03/whatever-happened-to-the-inglewood-golf-course/ (http://blogs.dailybreeze.com/history/2017/03/03/whatever-happened-to-the-inglewood-golf-course/)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51732162264_ef2fdccfb0_c.jpg)
1927
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51732162169_030dc84c18_c.jpg)
1940
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51731758488_12fe365682.jpg)
Image reproduced from Daily Breeze
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51732161644_c5ef8c699c_c.jpg)
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Rio Hondo / Dunn - 1925
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51731906046_379b8b47a4_c.jpg)
1928
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51732030256_444b896ab4_c.jpg)
1932
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51732559029_dbb82335dc_c.jpg)
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Bill, I think they were two different clubs. California CC in Cheviot Hills changed hands (and names) at least three times, before closing for good in 1951. California CC in Whittier opened in 1956. Shared are name and architect's surname.
Hollywood CC / Watson - 1921 NLE
I've come across conflicting accounts of Hollywood, although past posts by Tommy N. and Sven are in alignment with the aerials below. But there is a Dean Knuth essay that claims Hollywood was built in 1898, and that Watson "designed the Hollywood Country Club near Studio City, California, shortly after his arrival in Los Angeles, but it was quickly built over by developers." Page 8, essay: https://www.sandiegocountryclub.org/Files/Library/WILLIAMWATSONBIOOCT142020.PDF (https://www.sandiegocountryclub.org/Files/Library/WILLIAMWATSONBIOOCT142020.PDF)
Hollywood Country Club - Hollywood, CA 1919, 18 holes and added 9 holes in 1921Watson definitely added 9 holes to the project in 1921, and reworked the existing 9 holes at that time. I have not seen anything linking Watson to the initial work in 1919, although reports indicated the involvement of a number of professionals and architects.
William Watson
•Hollywood Country Club (Now houses and Harvard-Westlake Private School)
Hollywood CC Oct. 3, 1919 Los Angeles Evening Citizen News - (https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/cc435/snilsen7/Hollywood_Plan_Los_Angeles_Evening_Citizen_News_Oct._3_1919.jpg) (https://app.photobucket.com/u/snilsen7/a/acf16c8f-790e-4e37-bce1-74b1fd7e6a8b/p/51e2ecf8-49b3-4da6-a0e2-fb1bfaf70964)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51721647845_d51bdcf229_c.jpg)
1927. Orientation is rotated to match with routing. Running N/S is Ventura Blvd.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51720770991_03dae60dab_c.jpg)
Situated south (east in photo) of Ventura Blvd. on both sides of what is now Coldwater Canyon.
I found a ground level photo of Hollywood Country Club as well as an oblique aerial of what is likely the east part of the property. I still can't figure out how the golfer gets out of that narrow canyon on the left side of the picture.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51738315726_258dbd4929_o.jpg)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51739198520_ddcc63822b_b.jpg)
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Thanks for posting the aerial of Hollywood CC. I was going to do that later tonight as I’m interested to hear more about the club. The holes in the tight canyon at the top of your picture (east side of course) look very interesting as they almost look crossover like. That’s where I have always heard about the club being, but I’m no expert.
I was also interested in the old Encino CC. I’ve found a picture of the clubhouse, but none of the course. I’ll try to post something, but it looks like the course was only 9 holes. Founded in 1924 and bankrupt by 1929, I think.
Not very good photos of it, but I was able to locate a few of Encino Country Club, which was in the hills south of Ventura Blvd on what is now Hayvenhurst Ave.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51738310721_47e1ca74e4_o.jpg)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51738310756_3c6bcec8c0_o.jpg)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51739198490_30e8296866_o.jpg)
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Michael, in the California 1930 thread, Pete cites 1938 for Bell's Balboa Park in San Diego. About 10 years ago, I saw 1921 for Balboa, but I don't swear by it and can't remember the source. The Bell routing (see reply 414 in Ed's compilation of routing maps, plans and architectural drawings) does not have a date. The original course, the private San Diego CC, opened in 1897 in City Park (later renamed Balboa). It was located in the present-day Prado area, a short distance from today's course. San Diego CC later moved south to Chula Vista. I am not adept at aerials, but will try again eventually. Perhaps you'll beat me to City/Balboa.
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Great photos, Dan, thanks for posting.
Greg,
Per this San Diego Union-Tribune article, a 9 hole course did open in 1919, but not until 1933 was Bell's 18-hole grassed layout completed: https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sports/golf/story/2019-04-04/san-diego-golf-balboa-park-100-anniversary (https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sports/golf/story/2019-04-04/san-diego-golf-balboa-park-100-anniversary)
Unfortunately, 1941 is the earliest Balboa aerial in UCSB's database. Similar goes for San Diego CC--no aerial until 1953.
Balboa Park Municipal / Bell - 1933
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51743328163_df7a2ed873_c.jpg)
1941
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51743089751_a76b2902cd_c.jpg)
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For the life of me, I can't remember where I got this, so apologies if I got it from someone here. This may even be the routing Greg is referring to.
(https://imgur.com/Yn3hWiV)
https://imgur.com/Yn3hWiV
https://imgur.com/Yn3hWiV(https://i.imgur.com/Yn3hWiV.jpg)
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San Gabriel...claims to be the oldest club in Southern California occupying the same land.
..., but I'm pretty sure that Victoria Club in Riverside makes the same claim. I seem to recall Redlands may be older, but moved at some point. Back when I was in school and Vic was our home course, "1903" was all over a lot of the merchandise.
Hi Bill,
It's tough to know exactly but I think either Redlands or Catalina Island wins the "oldest course at current location" argument in SoCal. The first Redlands clubhouse opened in Dec 1897 and was located on Mariposa and Country Club, near the current 13th tee. Holes ran north-south across the current back 9 holes.
Catalina probably gets the "first golf in SoCal" award with a 3-hole course in 1892. I haven't been able to find anything that tells us where those original holes were.
Riverside likely had the first 9-hole course in 1892, in the hills next to the current UC Riverside campus- four locations later, they'd become Victoria Club, opening as a 9-holer in Oct, 1903. San Gabriel was founded in 1904. I always thought they claimed to be the first 18 hole course in SoCal, or the oldest 18 at current location. Side note: as a Victoria member, I'm really looking forward to visiting SGCC in our upcoming team play matches...Always a great place to play.
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Hacienda Golf Club / William Watson 1920 initial 9, 1923 complete 18
Played for the first time today and came away more impressed than I anticipated. I'd guess it's a solid Doak Score 5. What surprised me poking around online afterwards was to see that the routing has remained intact over time, rare in Southern California, but in the 1960s the back nine's severity, particularly landforms along the running La Mirada Creek and barranca, was unfortunately re-engineered to be much softer with less elevation change. On the old aerial I can count about 11 walking bridges! Also note how few bunkers are visible in Watson's original design. Watson's routing, while quirky at times, did not at any point feel contrived, and I have to imagine the layout of the course in its first decade could've been 2 or 3 points higher on the Doak scale.
Link to higher res aerial: https://mil.library.ucsb.edu/ap_images/c-1183/c-1183_a-49.tif (https://mil.library.ucsb.edu/ap_images/c-1183/c-1183_a-49.tif)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52756642984_65cf4ed1db_c.jpg)
1930
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52756803460_2bc15c5194_c.jpg)
Today
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Seeing an aerial like Hacienda makes me wonder what a course like that would look (and play) like Orinda where cart paths have been removed from most holes (more on the way). Even though the course is clay-based. So many courses are narrow unnecessarily with paths down a side of the fairway.
If Orinda can do it (elevation changes throughout, and horrible clay soils), so can virtually every other course. Even though this winter has been off-the-charts wet, I think the tally of days when carts have not been allowed stands at three...and the course has been open every day except one due to high winds.