Fox Chapel Golf Club is considered a classic Seth Raynor & Charles Banks’ design. In 1923, Seth Raynor was commissioned to layout and design a golf course for the membership to enjoy, be challenged and want to play every day. Seth Raynor developed a reputation as a premier golf course designer following his work at Fishers Island, National Golf Links of America, Piping Rock and Chicago Golf Club. In traditional fashion, Raynor followed his mentor, Charles Blair MacDonald, by making a golf course that replicated the best golf holes from Europe.
Click here to view the 2020 resoration of our beautiful Seth Raynor course.
Charles Blair MacDonald felt that taking the best holes from Scotland and the rest of Europe, the home of golf, he could create a golf course masterpiece. His masterpiece became National Golf Links of America, in Long Island, New York. MacDonald hired Seth Raynor to be the surveyor of the course, as MacDonald knew what, how and why the course should be laid out; Raynor was needed as the engineer of the projects. As soon as National Golf Links was completed, MacDonald no longer designed and Raynor became the architect.
Raynor became a sought after architect and designed over 75 courses. Unfortunately, he passed away before he could finish Fox Chapel Golf Club and his protégé Charles Bank completed the remaining holes on the course. Fox Chapel Golf Club is a combination of open fairways with strategically placed bunkers and pushed up green complexes. The most unique aspect of the course remains the challenging and difficult putting surfaces. Through years, bunkers have been taken out and replaced with trees planted to distinguish holes. In 2000, a microburst took out the majority of Osage orange trees that were originally planted to keep cattle from leaving its area on the farm which was the original purpose of the land before becoming a golf course. There is still a barn, a historical landmark, on the property next to the 13th Tee.
In 2001, Brian Silva, course architect was commissioned to restore the golf course to its original layout by Seth Raynor. Mr. Silva most notably redesigned the bunker complexes which has become the most notable aspect of the golf course. The bunkering on the course is noted for its vertical greenside faces, with steep inclines and rectangular positioning. The restoration project is not completed, the bunker reconditioning was an initial phase of the project and there is not an established timetable for the remainder of the project. Mr. Silva completed the bunker project in preparation for the 2002 Curtis Cup, won by the United States.
Along with the 2002 Curtis Cup, Fox Chapel Golf Club has hosted a number of golf tournaments during its illustrious history. In 1997 and 2011, the Club hosted the Lesley Cup, the longest running Team Amateur Tournament in the country. In 1985, the Women’s US Amateur was contested at the Club along with the 1968 US Senior Amateur. Traditionally, the club prides itself in hosting amateur events such as the Pennsylvania Amateur and Open; US Open Women’s Qualifier; Curley Semple Cup, 1st President’s Memorial; Women’s WPGA Four Ball Stroke Play and Western PA Amateur and Open.
In 2012, Fox Chapel Golf Club was selected to host a major championship, the 30th Constellation SENIOR PLAYERS Championship, June 26 – July 1. This is the first time the Club has hosted a professional tournament. The overwhelming approval of the players warranted The Championship's return in 2013 and 2014.
The instructional program includes all levels of players with private instruction, group instruction and on course skill management. The staff is fully capable of gearing each individual’s game to the ultimate goal, shooting a lower score.
Clinics begin in the spring, run through the summer and finish in the fall with bi weekly follow-ups. The spring and summer have short game instruction specially the short game Sundays.
Individual lessons are through JC Video Instruction and Flight Scope launch monitor systems. Members are custom fit for the lesson as well as their equipment. The Pro Shop consistently carries at least four to five different major manufactures such as Titleist, Ping, Mizuno and Callaway.
The Membership has the unique opportunity to play at their convenience and make tee times in person, phone or online with mobile devices or late night at their home. Members walk with caddies, golf cars or carry their own bags on a daily basis.