Crag Burn

Crag Burn is an early ‘70s design from Robert Trent Jones near the city of Buffalo, which dedicates a healthy number of bunkers and ponds to challenging the accessibility of its greens.

No. 11’s fairway bunker is the largest sand hazard on the course, but the grass mounds that form a smiley face in the hazard seem like they should encourage those trying to hug the corner of the dogleg. Unfortunately, that “smile” is a frown when looked at from the tee. If, however, you are able to carry the wall of bunkers at the front of the green and find a birdie putt, you will certainly share a grin with the hazard when looking backwards.

Other holes back in the woodlands portion of the course — including Nos. 2, 5, 6, 7, and 14 — will challenge the approaching golfer with ponds...unfortunately there will not be a sympathetic bunker face to greet success or failure in these endeavors.

The club’s earliest founders (predating the golf course by almost 40 years) included Dorothy Knox, whose family is still one of the most prominent in Buffalo today. The family crest features the colors blue and gold, which remains the scheme for Crag Burn today. It’s also evident in the colors of the Buffalo Sabres NHL hockey team, which is owned by the Knox family.