Page 59 - 2021 Western Amateur Championship at Glen View Club Program Book

WGA_Program_2021_V5_SoriaAlt__ 6/30/2021 4:00 PM Page 57
History of Glen View Club

plus abundant ravines, washes, and 1898. By then, John Duncan and Harry A mere three years later, in 1913, the
gullies, the property afforded a wealth Turpie, two more Scotsmen, had legendary duo of Harry Colt and Donald
of desirable hazards. If the surface and accepted permanent positions as golf Ross were hired to renovate the course’s
riverbanks could be adequately cleared professionals at the club, so it is believed bunkering. The
and sodded, awaiting the club’s new they also contributed to the completion pair was spending
membership was a golf course filled of the inward nine. significant time in
with natural challenges and Of note, the routing of the second nine Chicago designing
incomparable vistas.” and overseeing the
incorporated the original log cabin of
Records of what roles various individuals the Dewes family — which still stands golf course
played in the development of the golf between the 16th and 17th fairways, construction for
course during the spring of 1897 were on the property’s highest natural point. Old Elm Club,
lost in a fire that destroyed the original Still standing among the grove of trees in Highland Park.
clubhouse in 1920. What is known is behind the 16th green, is the more Donald Ross Harry Colt, an
that significant outside assistance was stately brick house the Dewes family Englishman, was
provided by two transplanted Scotsmen. built in the late 1830’s. Some 400 yards responsible for
Herbert Tweedie relocated to Chicago in southeast of the residence, they 300 golf courses
1887 and helped introduce golf to the established a family cemetery, which throughout the
area as one of C.B. Macdonald’s inner today can be found behind the dense world, including
circle. He played a part in the routing shrubbery adjacent to the advanced Burning Tree in
and design of at least seven other area tees on the 16th hole. the U.S. (working
clubs. Also contributing was Richard A tribute to this 19th century brain with Alister
Leslie, who at the time served as golf MacKenzie) and
professional for Washington Park Golf trust is that the course routing is Sunnydale in
essentially the same today — especially
Club, on Chicago’s southside. A year when one considers the series of Harry Colt England — plus
later, he would be fully employed by legendary golf architects who would the redesigns of
Glen View Club. Scotland’s famed Muirfield links and
lend their talents to the members of
The overall grounds, with its roads, Glen View over the next century- Northern Ireland’s Royal County Down.
bridges, clubhouse, and various and-a-quarter. Donald Ross, another Scottish
outbuildings were laid out by noted In 1910, the club transplant, was responsible for over
landscape architect and member, O.C. 330 courses across North America —
Simonds, who was responsible for the retained another including Pinehurst #2, Seminole,
relocated Scotsman,
design of Lincoln Park, Graceland Oak Hill, and Oakland Hills.
Cemetery, and many of Chicago’s most Tom Bendelow, the Their work resulted in the significant
architect of more
recognized landmarks. Though Simonds reformation of many Glen View green
was not an expert in the game of golf, than 600 U.S. golf complexes and those changes are
courses, including
he surely played a major role in the largely in place today.
lay-out of the golf course. East Lake Golf
Club (working with To again keep pace with an ever-
The routing and design of the Tom Bendelow Donald Ross) and changing game, in 1922, Glen View
opening nine holes were most likely Medinah #3. He hired a fast-rising architect from
a collaboration between Messrs. was challenged with toughening the Philadelphia, William Flynn. Flynn is
Tweedie, Leslie, and Simonds. holes, to keep pace with the game’s probably best known for his work at
The construction was completed in increasing talent and improving Shinnecock Hills Golf Club and Cherry
a mere three months, in time for equipment. Significant changes he Hills Country Club, along with his
early summer competitions. The made to bunkering and mounding contributions to Merion Golf Club.
complications of working around the would give way to evolving features The plan he submitted was consulted
river delayed the completion of the brought by subsequent architects. over the next six years as continuous
second nine holes until the next year, modifications were made to the

2021 Western Amateur Championship History of Glen View Club l 57