The SOCIETY Newsletter #88

A Case for Philanthropy in Golf

Golf in America is experiencing a golden revival—at least at the private club level. Across the country, elite clubs are investing millions to restore the Golden Age masterpieces of MacKenzie, Ross, Raynor, and Flynn. These restorations have elevated the game for members fortunate enough to belong, ensuring that architectural treasures remain vibrant for another century.

But while private clubs thrive, public golf tells a different story. Few municipalities have invested meaningfully in their courses, and when they do—like the Cobbs Creek restoration in Philadelphia—it often requires a rare public-private partnership (PPP). The result is that the very places where most golfers first learn the game continue to lag behind, both in resources and in relevance.

It raises a critical question: is it time for golf to embrace philanthropy, not for return on investment, but for the future of the game itself? We donate generously to the arts, to education, to countless charities—all worthy causes. Yet, outside of paying dues and green fees, what have we truly given back to golf?

The irony is that nearly 80% of private club members began their journey on public fairways. If that number holds true, then investing in public golf is not only altruistic, but also a direct investment in the next generation of private club members. Without accessible, inspiring public facilities, golf’s pipeline narrows, its culture shrinks, and its future weakens.

Imagine an altruistic fund dedicated to restoring great public courses—bringing back the architecture, the challenge, and the magic of the game’s past for everyone, not just the privileged few. Take Timber Point on Long Island: a 1920s design once spoken of in the same breath as Shinnecock, NGLA, and Lido. Today, you can play it for $50–70, but you’ll never glimpse its original majesty, stripped away by decades of neglect and alteration. With the right vision and resources, Timber Point could once again stand as a beacon of what public golf can be.

Golf has given us community, competition, and joy. Perhaps now is the time to ask whether we, as stewards of the game, are willing to give something back—not for ROI, but for legacy.

Investing in Public Golf: A Case for Philanthropy

As I mentioned above, renovations and restorations are expensive undertakings. The challenge with spending millions on a public golf course is that municipalities—often the owners—typically demand a return on that investment. Too often, that means raising green fees, which limits access for the very golfers who have been loyal to those courses for years.

Few cities view this expenditure as an altruistic investment. I would argue they should. Golf, when made accessible, is an investment in the health and vitality of a community—particularly when local courses encourage walking rather than relying on carts. Unfortunately, too many towns and cities fail to recognize golf as a public service.

So what if we, as golfers and philanthropists, could create a restoration fund? Where would the money go? While there are hundreds—if not thousands—of worthy courses across the United States, two stand out as exceptional candidates for restoration.

The Great White Whale: Timber Point

Once spoken of in the same breath as The Lido, Timber Point was a dazzling canvas of sand, water, and sweeping vistas. It was an inspiring place, where the landscape itself seemed to lift the spirits of even the most melancholy golfer.

The good news is that Timber Point still has something rare among public golf courses—oceanfront property. Today, it remains a good course, but with its natural setting, it could be transformed into something truly great. Imagine a public course on the ocean that rivals the very best in New York—a course that delivers a private-club experience to the general public.

With the right philanthropic model, this transformation could be achieved without pricing out the local community. Local and state golfers could continue to play at affordable rates, while out-of-state visitors might pay a premium, creating a sustainable balance. Timber Point represents one of the most compelling opportunities for public golf restoration in America.

It’s hard to find a better public course in this country that is more worthy of our money for restoration but I will mention another.

MacKenzie’s Public Course on the Pacific: Sharp Park

How do you follow Timber Point? With a course designed by none other than Dr. Alister MacKenzie, the genius behind Augusta National, Cypress Point, and Royal Melbourne. In 1931, MacKenzie created Sharp Park Golf Course on the shores of the Pacific Ocean, a bold design that blended world-class architecture with public accessibility.

The course has faced enormous challenges. Some holes have been lost to storm surges over the decades, perhaps permanently. Environmental lawsuits have threatened its very existence, arguing that golf is incompatible with the surrounding habitat. Despite this, a dedicated group of advocates continues to fight for its restoration—not necessarily to recreate the past in full, but to reimagine Sharp Park as the best possible version of itself.

Restoring Timber Point and Sharp Park would be transformative—not just for the game of golf, but for the principle of public golf. These courses represent the rarest of opportunities: to combine history, architecture, natural beauty, and accessibility in a way that benefits both golfers and the broader community.

Join the Society of Golf Historians

Consider joining the Society of Golf Historians. We have several levels of membership which include a traditional membership which is $100/year or $1200 for a lifetime & a founding membership which is $500/year or $5500 for a lifetime.

Both memberships give you a first look at our events and merchandise- in addition the founding member gets a first right of refusal on any large event and additional discounts on those events.

Our first big event is our Annual Meeting at Belleair Country Club in January - join us and be a part of making golf history.

If you are interested send me an email at [email protected].

Happy Anniversaries

This week we celebrate several history anniversaries. This week was a busy week in golf history!!!

September 15th:

1870 - Young Tom Morris won his third Open in a row thus becoming the owner of the Challenge Belt and effectively suspending the Open.

1899 - Willie Smith won the 1899 US Open at Baltusrol after winning the Western Open the week before.

September 16th:

1864 - Old Tom Morris claimed his third Open in five years of its existence.

1869 - Young Tom Morris won his second consecutive Open by 11 shots and recorded the first ever hole in one in a major.

September 17th:

1897 - Willie Smith claims the third U.S. Open.

September 18th:

1863 - Willie Park claimed his second Open title with a two shot victory over Old Tom Morris.

September 20th:

1913 - A relatively unknown 20 year old amateur golfer knocks of Harry Vardon and Ted Ray for the championship in the 1913 US Open!

THANK YOU!!!

Thank you for taking the time to read our SOCIETY Newsletter. I am curious what you think - would an altruistic fund dedicated to restoring public golf work? If so, what courses would you like to see restored. If you are on Twitter find me at @shistorians and join the conversation.

Until next time-

Yours in Golf History,

Connor T.