We Ended With Threes

(I wrote the short article below for the membership of my club. I enjoyed writing it so much that I thought I would share it with you)

The history of Belleair Country Club is rich and captivating, offering members a unique connection to the golden age of golf. Our two courses are steeped in tradition, having witnessed countless historic moments over the years. Today, let’s take a closer look at a particularly fascinating aspect of our heritage—two remarkable par threes.

Designed by the legendary golf architect Donald Ross, the West Course was envisioned as our championship layout, and thanks to the masterful restoration by Fry-Straka Design, its prestige has been fully revived. However, the East Course, originally known as Course #2, holds an equally intriguing place in golf history. Notably, it was the shortest 18-hole course Ross ever designed, measuring just 5,763 yards upon completion. With a par of 68 and an extraordinary six par threes, the East Course was a testament to Ross’s ingenuity and creativity.

One of its most distinctive features of the original East Course was its conclusion: back-to-back par threes. This rare and memorable finish not only challenged players, but also underscored the uniqueness of Donald Ross’ design.

While the original 18th hole now rests beneath our parking lot and cart barn, we are excited to bring a piece of history back to life with the restored version of the original 17th hole, which will serve as the new 18th hole on the East Course. From its elevated tee boxes, players will face a picturesque yet challenging shot down the hill, over the creek, and onto a beautifully restored par three—capturing the spirit of Donald Ross’s original design.

Ending on a par three may seem unusual, but it’s not rare as you might think. In fact, two renowned courses ranked in the Top 100—Garden City Golf Club and Pasatiempo—also conclude with par threes. However, what truly set our original East Course apart was its remarkable finish with back-to-back par threes, a feature almost unheard of outside of par three courses. Our newly restored par three 18th and it’s distinctive ending will not only offer a unique challenge but will pay tribute to the course’s storied past, preserving its legacy while enhancing its character for future generations of golfers.

Vintage Scorecard

The General Manager for Belleair CC, Ed Shaughnessy, recently acquired a pair of vintage scorecards, one of which dates before the 1970s. This pre-1970 scorecard offers a fascinating glimpse into Belleair’s golfing past, capturing a moment in time before the club’s second renovation of the East Course in the mid-1970s. That renovation aimed to add distance and increase par, resulting in the removal of these unique back-to-back par threes that once concluded the round.

Shown below are images of the pre-renovation scorecard, which provide an exceptional time capsule of Belleair’s East Course, very close to how it was originally designed by Donald Ross. This scorecard not only documents the course’s layout but also serves to preserve the spirit of Ross’s vision, offering our members and golf history enthusiasts a rare opportunity to step back in time and appreciate the legacy of this historic design.

Below is a close-up of the back to back par three 17th and 18th holes.

The 17th hole was a 180 yard par three and the 18th hole would have been a very difficult 230 yard par three.

Addendum:

Donald Ross’ 17th at Belleair must have made an impression on Ross himself. Years later he used a similar design at Allegheny Country Club in 1933.

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Yours in Golf History,

Connor T.