St Davids

Donald Ross’s Aronimink is often held as one of the crown jewels alongside the many creations of the “Philadelphia School” of golf course architecture in the crown of what may be America’s best golf city. Historians would be wise not to forget that Ross blessed the city with other routes as well, with St. David’s Golf Club being among them.

The property was actually one of the original six members of the Golf Association of Philadelphia, however it reached its full potential when Ross arrived during 1925 to design the current layout, with that course opening during 1927 after the acquisition of further property.

Its renown may have been hampered by the unavailability for expansion as technology improved, however the course remains a testing use of 6,600 yards, with numerous long par fours. The membership has been sure to maintain its prize over the years, as Brian Silva led a bunker renovation during the ‘90s and Ron Prichard has since conducted a full restoration.

As a note to Philadelphia school fanatics: No. 9 was originally a short par four, however local architect A.W. Tillinghast made the recommendation it be shortened to a long par three.