This is the last in a series of posts by The Scrambler (Kevin Lynch) who appears to have lost the will or ability to post under his own name. Putting that trivial element aside, the Scrambler is nothing if not a top-shelf bloodhound. His sleuthing first appeared this spring (http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,55850.0.html on golf club atlas.
Post-Park History / Remaining Mysteries
I’m still in search of information about the club after the original 9 holes in 1921.
The original article referred to the current course using 70 of 200 available acres. Why weren’t the remaining 9 holes constructed earlier? Park died in 1925, so they may have been delayed by his untimely death.
They certainly had plenty of land left over, between the northern portion of the property, as well as the area closer to Sheridan Drive (currently 17/18/driving range). I suspect they were probably in the process of raising money to complete the final 9. According to the UB Archive History, they raised money to complete the Tudor-Style Clubhouse in 1928, so the back 9 was probably the next big move until the Crash bankrupted the predecessor clubs.
I’m wondering if they also owned the land where the current Audubon Par 3 course is located (since it was directly due north of the old 6th / 7th holes). If they originally had a rectangular lot, it would make sense the land was theirs.
Perhaps the old owners sold a portion to the Town of Amherst before 1945 or the new club sold it to raise some additional funds for the expansion to 18 holes. I’ve seen mixed dates when the Par 3 course opened (1942 or 1963). If it’s the former, the prior owners probably sold it off before Westwood was formed in 1945. Looking at a 1958 aerial, it appears that there are some greensites visible, so it may have been built the same time as the Audubon 18-hole course across Maple Ave (1942).
Other questions include:
– When was Geoff Cornish involved in the redesign of the course and what was the extent of his work?
– How did Orrin Edward Smith get credited with the design of the course? Was he possibly brought in after Park’s death? Did he have a hand in the expansion in 1945?
Any additional insight or history would be greatly appreciated.
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Just noticed this under Cornish’s Biography –
Westwood CC – “Lakes – 1959”
I looked at the 1958 / 1966 / 2006 aerials and it appears that Cornish added lakes to the Northern part of the property to the right of #12 (and completely reshaped the green) and also added a lake to the right of #6.
Subsequent to that work, it looks like ponds were added to the right of 18 (and green moved back 20 or so yards) and right of #13 (and green also shifted back ~20 yards). I’m not sure who would have performed that work. Did our friend Scott Witter ever do anything for them?
I also noted this in Cornish’ bio – “CC of Buffalo (Pond & Trees – 1965)” . Oh, thanks for that improvement to Ross’ work. I looked at the 1963 vs 1966 aerials and didn’t see any new ponds. The only pond I can think of that was added (not on 1966) was the pond to the right of #17.
