Trump National - Westchester

The Trump National Golf Club Westchester began its life around a century ago as the 6,300-yard Devereaux Emmett design, the Briarcliffs Country Club, but its identity has changed dramatically since being purchased by its namesake during 1996. Trump has worked with Tom Fazio at a number of his other properties and in this case he tapped the famed architect’s brother Jim Fazio to handle the design.

The result was a championship course capable of holding its own against increasing distance in the game, stretching to 7,300 yards from the back tees. The club managed to find the extra distance by placing seven of the holes on a new length of property that stretches south from the original plot. These holes are noted for water hazards, as the present ponds create creeks that flow alongside holes such as Nos. 2 and 5.

The other side of the course makes up for a relative lack of water hazards by enforcing accuracy with plentiful bunkering. No. 11 has a metaphorical Rockettes line (up from Manhattan) of bunkers leading up to its green, issuing kicks to the teeth of any golfer who strays right.