- Aug 26, 2004
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In 1924, a 700-acre tract of swamp and woodland was given to Yale by Mrs. Ray Tompkins in memory of her husband. Under the supervision of Charles Blair Macdonald, the renowned golf course architect, champion golfer, and co-founder of the USGA, plans were made for an 18-hole golf course. With a budget of $400,000, Macdonald, in collaboration with Seth Raynor and Charles Banks, designed a masterpiece.
Today, the Yale Golf Course is recognized as one of the finest examples of early American golf course design. Large deeply bunkered greens and narrow rolling fairways are the core of Yale's penalizing character.
In 1988, Golf Magazine ranked Yale as 71st among the 100 most difficult courses in the world. Many recognize the layout as the best collegiate course in the nation. Two of the holes- the 432-yard par-4 fourth and the 238-yard par-3 ninth - have been ranked among the 100 most difficult holes.
The Yale course has been the site of every significant state championship, two USGA Junior National events, the 1991 NCAA Eastern Regional championships, the 1991 ECAC Men's Championship, and the 1992 ECAC Women's Championship. During the NCAA tourney, only 21 subpar rounds were recorded of the 360 played during the three days. The course has also been the home of the Nike Connecticut Open.
The Prospect Hill Golf House: The clubhouse, a gift of the Prospect Hill Foundation, was dedicated on September 29th, 1984. Herb Newman, the architect, designed a contemporary structure that blends with the surrounding forest land.
Within the building, vaulted ceilings and expansive windows offer magnificent views of the course and seasonal foliage. A large dining room over-looking the third and fourth holes is the focal point of the clubhouse. A sun-lit garden patio and a deck adjoin the main dining room. The unique hexagonal conference room, with a table to match, offers a tranquil place for meetings. These rooms are home to Widdy's, a restaurant that serves gourmet food and fine wines in this serene setting.
A full-service pro shop, manned by a P.G.A. staff and stocked with the latest golf fashions, high tech-equipment, rentals and repairs stands ready to help golfers through their day.
Today, the Yale Golf Course is recognized as one of the finest examples of early American golf course design. Large deeply bunkered greens and narrow rolling fairways are the core of Yale's penalizing character.
The Yale course has been the site of every significant state championship, two USGA Junior National events, the 1991 NCAA Eastern Regional championships, the 1991 ECAC Men's Championship, and the 1992 ECAC Women's Championship. During the NCAA tourney, only 21 subpar rounds were recorded of the 360 played during the three days. The course has also been the home of the Nike Connecticut Open.
The Prospect Hill Golf House: The clubhouse, a gift of the Prospect Hill Foundation, was dedicated on September 29th, 1984. Herb Newman, the architect, designed a contemporary structure that blends with the surrounding forest land.
Within the building, vaulted ceilings and expansive windows offer magnificent views of the course and seasonal foliage. A large dining room over-looking the third and fourth holes is the focal point of the clubhouse. A sun-lit garden patio and a deck adjoin the main dining room. The unique hexagonal conference room, with a table to match, offers a tranquil place for meetings. These rooms are home to Widdy's, a restaurant that serves gourmet food and fine wines in this serene setting.
A full-service pro shop, manned by a P.G.A. staff and stocked with the latest golf fashions, high tech-equipment, rentals and repairs stands ready to help golfers through their day.
