A Historic Move: The Clubhouse, Streetcar and Ross

 

A Historic Move: The Clubhouse, Streetcar and Ross

The original Hyde Park clubhouse, located on what is now Marburg Avenue, just west of the second tee, was a central hub for members. However, on March 23, 1911, tragedy struck when the clubhouse burned down. Rather than merely rebuilding, the board saw an opportunity to enhance the club’s accessibility and future potential. They decided to relocate the clubhouse closer to Erie Avenue a larger plot of land and  where the streetcar line served the community, making it easier for both members and staff to commute. The move of the HP clubhouse paved the way for an eventual 55-acre purchase of land by the club. 

This strategic move not only improved access but also freed up valuable land for a larger clubhouse and potential expansion of the golf course, allowing for future development and improvements to the playing experience. Originally designed as a 9-hole course, Hyde Park underwent significant expansion following the land acquisition, growing into the 18-hole layout that HP members enjoy today.  The redesigned golf course was guided by Donald Ross's architectural expertise, and helped shape Hyde Park into a premier golf destination in Cincinnati.

The decision to align the club’s location with Cincinnati’s growing streetcar system exemplified forward-thinking planning and a commitment to progress while maintaining the club’s rich heritage.

Streetcar line tracks passing by entrance of the club

Aerial view of HP front entrance 

Interesting Facts: Cincinnati's streetcar system operated from 1859 until April 29, 1951, spanning over 90 years. The first streetcar line was introduced in 1859 using horse-drawn cars, and by 1889, electric streetcars became the dominant mode of transportation. At its peak, the system covered 222 miles of track.

The Teeing Grounds

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Blending Tradition with Modern Improvements

This week's update focuses on the tee portion of the restoration. As we restore the tees, our goal is to honor the classic design principles of Donald Ross while incorporating modern techniques to improve playability and aesthetics. Ross’s original tee designs emphasized strategic shot-making, offering players a variety of angles and challenges—a philosophy Tyler is excited  to bring back to life. Ross liked to have tees that were a short walk from the green. Some tees were set diagonally to the line of play, while others featured L-shaped designs. He also incorporated multiple tee boxes adjacent to each each other, some spaced as far as 50 yards apart.

Hole 5- Multiple tees, adjacent to each other, oriented diagonal with a short walk from the 4th

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33 New Tees and Enhanced Playability

During the restoration, the construction of 33 new tees will occur throughout the course. The remaining tees will be laser leveled and equipped with improved drainage systems to ensure optimal playing conditions in all weather. 

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The Importance of Multiple Tees on a Hole

In many cases, Tyler is  introducing 4-5 teeing options per hole. This variety offers numerous benefits:

• Enhanced Strategy: Multiple tees allow players to approach each hole from different angles, adding new layers of strategy and excitement.

• Catering to All Skill Levels: Whether you're a seasoned golfer or new to the game, having varied tee options ensures everyone can enjoy the course at your comfort level.

• Pacing and Enjoyment: More tee choices can help maintain a steady pace of play, making rounds more enjoyable for all members.

  

  Runway tees at Cherokee in Knoxville 

  
  

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Agronomic Enhancements for Longevity

In line with our commitment to top-tier course conditions, all tees will be resurfaced with 777 Bentgrass. This advanced grass variety is known for its durability, smooth texture, excellent resistance to disease, and superior divot recovery, ensuring that our tees remain in peak condition year-round.

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If you have any questions or feedback about the restoration, please feel free to reach out to me at grounds@hydeparkcc.com.

Best regards,

Pat O’Brien
Grounds Superintendent
Hyde Park Golf & Country Club

Ross Riddles: Decoding the Art of Donald Ross Bunkers

On July 14th the golf course will undergo a transformative restoration, designed to enhance the beauty, infrastructure and playability of the course. This project will focus on reinstating the timeless strategy and artistry of Donald Ross’s bunkering design, honoring classic golf architecture while accommodating the modern game.

To bring Tyler’s vision to life, we have partnered with McDonald & Sons, one of the premier golf course construction contractors in the industry. Their reputation for high-quality craftsmanship and attention to detail ensures that every aspect of this restoration will meet the highest standards.

What to Expect:

Our restoration will carefully integrate Ross's distinctive bunkering style, known for its strategic placement, natural appearance, and subtle challenge. 

Strategic Positioning
Bunkers will be thoughtfully placed to challenge players of all skill levels, encouraging strategic shot-making and rewarding precision. As Donald Ross famously said, “There is no such thing as a misplaced bunker. Regardless of where the bunker may be, it is the business of the player to avoid it.”

Natural Aesthetics
The bunkers will blend seamlessly with the course’s natural landscape, creating a visually stunning environment that reflects Ross’s minimalist yet effective design philosophy.

Enhanced Playability
While staying true to Ross’s vision, modern adjustments will ensure that the course remains enjoyable and fair, accommodating today’s equipment and playing styles.

Bunker Shape, Size & Grass Details:

Tyler Rae and his associate Jim Ryan Jr. will restore the bunkers to reflect Ross’s signature style, characterized by:

• Irregular, Free-Form Shapes: Natural edges with irregular shapes that seamlessly blend into the surrounding landscape.

• Varied Sizes: A mix of large, sprawling bunkers and smaller precision-demanding bunkers. Average size: 1,200 sq ft, with some stretching 15-20 yards along fairways and greenside bunkers varying from 5 to 15 yards in diameter.

• Flat Bottoms with Steep Faces: Flat, playable bottoms with steep, grass-faced edges.

• Concave Bunker Floors: Gentle inward slopes ensuring balls roll away from edges, offering fairer lies.

• Zoysia Grass Faces: Dense, durable texture with a clean appearance, providing resilience and highlighting the edges.

• Strategic Depth Variation: Depths will range from 2 to 5 feet, varying based on location and strategic purpose.

  

  Concave Bunker Floor

Infrastructure Improvements:

Significant infrastructure improvements will ensure long-term durability and functionality:

• 17,000 Lineal Feet of Drainage: A comprehensive system to maintain optimal playability and prevent water accumulation, keeping bunkers dry even after heavy rainfall.

•  New Sand: Each bunker will be filled with 5-6 inches of compacted, high-quality sand to enhance playability, consistency, and drainage.

  

  General Observations & Characteristics:

Ross’s bunkering philosophy was as much about visual drama as strategic challenge. This restoration will bring several of his signature characteristics to life:

• Visible Sand: Bunkers will serve as visual focal points, increasing both aesthetic appeal and psychological pressure.

• Terrain-Dependent Shapes: Guided by natural terrain, many bunkers will be cut into existing slopes, seamlessly integrating into the landscape.

• Unique Mounding Features: Some bunkers will feature mounds in the middle, flanked by sand on both sides, adding unique strategic challenges.

  

  Barton Hills CC Ann Arbor, MI (Photo-Tyer Rae)

We Want to Hear from You!

Thank you for your feedback and questions. Please feel free to email me at grounds@hydeparkcc.com.

Best regards,

Pat O'Brien
Grounds Superintendent
Hyde Park Golf and Country Club

The Heart of the Restoration-The Putting Greens

Dear Hyde Park Members,

I’m excited to showcase some updates to the course with the upcoming restoration, focusing on the heart of every hole—the putting greens. Partnering with renowned golf course architect Tyler Rae, we aim to honor the original vision of Donald Ross while enhancing playability and strategy for today’s golfer.

Honoring Donald Ross’s Legacy

Donald Ross, one of golf’s most revered architects, designed greens that were both challenging and rewarding. Ross utilized grid paper in the 1920s—marked in many instances 10-foot increments—to create greens with wide fronts, allowing for a variety of shot-making options. His designs are known for their irregular shapes, subtle slopes, plateaus, and depressions, all contributing to a natural and progressive movement across the green surface.

In the restoration, these characteristics will be brought back to life, particularly on Greens 3, 14, and 15, which will be restored to Ross’s original drawings. These greens will regain their distinctive shapes and contours with over 12,000 square feet of green expansions across 15 holes- offering both tradition and an exciting challenge for players. You may enjoy to learn more about Donald Ross and his timeless designs; a few of the resources that I have enjoyed have included:

Donald Ross Society

Brad Becken

Bradley Klein 

Ross's 3rd at HP

Enhanced Strategy and Playability

With the expansion of 15 greens, we’ll be introducing new hole locations, adding diversity and strategy to your round. The widened fronts will promote creative shot-making, while the restored contours will demand thoughtful putting. This blend of classic design and modern strategy is sure to enrich your playing experience.

Tyer Rae and Jim Ryan Jr. Rendering-Hole 15

Agronomic Improvements for Superior Play

All of the greens will be regrassed with 007XL Bentgrass, a cutting-edge variety known for its exceptional smoothness, density, and resilience. Super bentgrasses like 007XL offer superior disease resistance, heat tolerance, and playability, ensuring the greens stay in pristine condition throughout the season.

Additionally, the 20 yards in front of each green will be seeded with 007XL bentgrass to enhance the ground game. This will provide tighter lies and smoother approaches, allowing for a wider range of shot options—perfect for those who love to play the ball along the ground.

Looking Ahead

This restoration represents a unique opportunity to blend the timeless artistry of Donald Ross with modern agronomic advancements. We’re confident that these improvements will elevate the golf experience, offering a course that challenges and is fun to play.

Thank-you for your continued support as we embark on this exciting project. I’ll keep you updated on the progress and look forward to seeing you on the course soon! Please pass along feedback or questions to grounds@hydeparkcc.com.

Best regards,

Pat O’Brien

Grounds Superintendent

Rooted in Success: Highlighting Our Turfgrass Intern! 🌱🌟 Abe Tebbe

Dear Hyde Park Members,

Hello, my name is Abe Tebbe. I grew up in Greensburg, Indiana, which is about an hour west of Cincinnati. I am currently a sophomore at Purdue University, where I am studying Turf Management and Science in hopes of one day becoming a golf course superintendent. I am looking forward to spending the summer at Hyde Park and learning from Pat and the staff. I am especially excited to work on and learn all aspects of the restoration project in July.

Growing up, I enjoyed playing golf, which led me to pursue a career in turf management and aspire to become a superintendent. I have had two previous work experiences in the golf industry. The first was during the summer of 2023, when I worked at Hillcrest Country Club in Batesville, IN, under Jacob Walston, a former intern at Hyde Park. Last summer, I worked at Otter Creek Golf Course in Columbus, IN, where I had the honor of preparing for and working the LPGA Epson Tour Otter Creek Championship.

I also have experience in sports turf management. While at school, I work for the Purdue sports crew, where I gain hands-on experience with football, baseball, softball, and soccer field maintenance. I look forward to bringing what I have learned to Hyde Park, where I can contribute to maintaining a top-tier course while continuing to grow and develop my skills.

Outside of work, I love playing sports, especially golf. I also enjoy basketball, tennis, and pickleball at the Co-Rec. I am a big Purdue basketball fan but enjoy watching all types of sports. When I’m not watching or playing sports, I enjoy spending time with my family, especially during summer cookouts.

I am excited to meet all of you and spend the summer at Hyde Park!

Sincerely,

Abe Tebbe

Purdue Turfgrass Intern

Reclaiming the Classics: Hyde Park’s Fairway Renaissance

Dear Members,

We’re excited to share updates on the upcoming restoration at Hyde Park led by Tyler Rae, he will bring the timeless design principles of Donald Ross back to life. One of the key elements in this restoration is the reintroduction of wide fairways, a hallmark of Ross’s Golden Age architecture, which enhances both the strategic and aesthetic qualities of the course.

The Importance of Wide Fairways in Donald Ross Design

Wide fairways aren’t just about giving players more room off the tee—they’re about bringing strategy and choice back into every round. Donald Ross believed that golf should be a thinking person’s game, where every shot matters and angles are critical. Here’s why wide fairways are central to this philosophy:

Holes 5 and 6 New Fairway Lines

Access to Challenging Pin Positions:

• Ross designed greens with distinct slopes and protective bunkers that make certain hole locations tough to approach unless you’re coming from the right angle. By widening the fairways and expanding the footprint by 7 acres, the average width will increase by 18 yards, Tyler is giving players the opportunity to position their tee shots thoughtfully to attack these challenging pins.

Rewarding Bold Play:

• With wider fairways, risk-reward decisions become more prominent. A tucked pin might be easier to access if you take on a riskier line off the tee, flirting with hazards or fine fescue to set up the perfect angle. Conversely, playing it safe might leave a more difficult approach.

Embracing Natural Slopes and Contours:

• Ross was known for his use of subtle contours that affect both fairways and greens. The restored fairways at Hyde Park will highlight these natural features, making shot placement and angle of approach even more critical for scoring.

Balancing Risk and Reward for All Skill Levels:

• The restoration aims to make the course enjoyable for all golfers. Wide fairways make it more playable for higher handicappers, while the strategic angles and elevated complex green sites challenge low-handicap players to think carefully about every shot.

The Outstanding Topography of Hyde Park

One of the unique aspects of Hyde Park Golf & Country Club is its outstanding topography. The natural rolling hills, ravines, elevation changes, and scenic vistas are being thoughtfully incorporated into the restoration, enhancing the strategic elements of the course. These topographical features not only create visually stunning holes but also introduce natural challenges that require precise shot-making and thoughtful navigation. Donald Ross’s design philosophy harmonizes beautifully with the land, making Hyde Park a standout example of classic golf architecture.

Hole #15

Hole #7

Bold Topography Highlighted

What This Means for You

As the restoration progresses, you’ll notice fairways opening up, giving you more options off the tee. But remember, wider fairways don’t necessarily mean easier golf—they mean smarter golf. Success at Hyde Park will come from thoughtful play, considering both risk and reward as you navigate the course.

Sincerely,

Pat O'Brien 

Grounds Superintendent 

Hyde Park Golf and Country Club

Turf Travels: Liam’s Journey to Hyde Park

Welcome Our Turfgrass Intern: Liam Bregan

Liam Bregan

Dear Members,

We are thrilled to introduce Liam Bregan, who joins us from the Ohio Intern Program, who will be joining the Hyde Park Golf & Country Club team this April as a Turfgrass Intern for the season. Liam hails from a small town in England called Frinton-On-Sea, where he began his Greenkeeping career as an apprentice. His passion for turf management quickly grew, setting him on a path that has led him to work at some of the world’s top facilities.

Since leaving his home course, Liam has gained invaluable experience working at The London Stadium (West Ham United), Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and Training Ground, and most recently, Kauri Cliffs Golf Course in New Zealand. As a dedicated Tottenham fan, working at the club’s stadium and training facility was a dream come true (apologies to any Arsenal supporters out there!). Now, he is eager to bring his knowledge and skills to Hyde Park, embracing the opportunity to learn from Pat O'Brien Grounds Superintendent and the team during this exciting phase of restoration.

Liam arrives at a pivotal time for the club, as we continue the course restoration project. He is excited to contribute, gain hands-on experience with large-scale course management, and bring fresh ideas from his past experiences. His enthusiasm for learning and dedication to turf management will undoubtedly make him a valuable addition to our team.

Outside of work, Liam has a passion for travel. Over the past few years, he has explored much of Europe, indulging in its diverse cuisine—he confirms it’s much better than English food! While he enjoys playing golf when time allows, he admits that he’s better suited to maintaining courses rather than playing them!

Please join us in welcoming Liam to Hyde Park Golf & Country Club. He looks forward to meeting everyone and fully immersing himself in American culture.

Best regards,

Pat O'Brien

Grounds Superintendent 

A Nod to Ross-Hummocks and Grass Hollows

The Return of Hummocks at Hyde Park!

Example of Hummocks (mounds)

For those less familiar, hummocks are small mounds or undulations that add both aesthetic charm and strategic depth to a golf course. As part of our upcoming restoration efforts led by Tyler Rae, we are reintroducing these classic design elements to enhance the playability, challenge and beauty of Hyde Park.

A Nod to Donald Ross

The restoration draws inspiration from the legendary architect Donald Ross, who masterfully used natural landforms like hummocks and grass hollows to challenge players and create visual intrigue. In Ross’s original design notes, he specifically mentioned the dimensions and placement of these features to maximize both strategy and beauty. By bringing back these classic features, we’re honoring Ross’s timeless design principles while updating the course for today’s game.

Strategic Impact on Your Game

Hummocks and grass hollows aren’t just for looks! They introduce thoughtful strategic elements to each hole. Players will need to consider new shot placements, as the mounds and hollows can influence ball roll and stance. Navigating around these features will test your creativity and add an exciting dimension to your rounds.

Where You’ll See Them

A total of 11 holes will feature some variation of hummocks, with each offering a unique challenge. These hummocks are designed to reflect the dimensions outlined by Donald Ross in his original plans:

• Height: Varying from 4 to 9 feet tall, offering subtle to dramatic elevation changes.
• Width: Spanning 15 to 40 feet, providing a variety of challenges depending on location 
• Length: Some stretch upwards of 30 yards long, creating a bold visual and strategic statement on certain holes.

In addition, grass hollows will be used to create natural depressions that reward precision and penalize errant shots, exactly as Ross intended.

Shapes, Sizes, and Grass Types

You’ll notice a variety of shapes and sizes of hummocks and grass hollows throughout the course—from gentle ripples to more pronounced mounds and dips. The grass types on these features will add to their visual and strategic diversity:

• Some hummocks will be covered with fine fescue, giving them a more rugged, natural look reminiscent of traditional links-style courses.

• Others will feature short rough grass, providing a cleaner, more manicured appearance that contrasts beautifully with the surrounding fairways.

This careful selection of grass types ensures both optimal playability and a visually dynamic course.

Your feedback is always welcome—feel free to reach out with any questions or comments at grounds@hydeparkcc.com.

Best regards,

Pat O’Brien, 

Grounds Superintendent

Turf Challenges with Winter Play

Turf Challenges with Winter Play

As we navigate the winter season, we’d like to update you on the unique challenges that colder weather brings to our course, particularly regarding turf health and playability.

Freeze and Thaw Effects on Greens

The freeze-thaw cycles typical of our region can create significant stress on our greens. When the ground freezes and then quickly thaws, the surface becomes soft while the underlying soil remains frozen. This discrepancy increases the risk of root shear, where foot and cart traffic can cause the turfgrass roots to tear, leading to thinning and damage on putting surfaces.

Zoysia Winter Injury

Zoysia grass, while hardy, is susceptible to winter injury during extended cold periods or sudden temperature fluctuations. This can lead to delayed spring green-up or bare patches, particularly in low-lying or shaded areas. 

Managing Cart Traffic

Cart traffic can exacerbate turf stress during winter, especially when the soil is soft from thawing or after precipitation. To minimize damage all carts will be on the path until the Zoysia greens up. Please check for updates via email or at the Golf Shop for the latest course status, including any closures or modified rules.

Stay Informed & Share Your Feedback

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we manage these seasonal challenges. If you have any questions or feedback, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at grounds@hydeparkcc.com. 

Thank you, and we look forward to seeing you on the course soon!

Pat O'Brien

Grounds Superintendent