RESTORING AND REIMAGINING A.W. TILLINGHAST'S BELMONT GOLF COURSE
RESTORING AND REIMAGINING A.W. TILLINGHAST'S BELMONT GOLF COURSE
Where the History of American Golf meets the Future of American Golf
DESIGNED AND PLAYED BY LEGENDS
Known originally as Hermitage Country Club, Belmont was designed in 1917 by renowned Golden Age golf architect A.W. Tillinghast. A decade later, equally revered architect Donald Ross made his own design contributions to the course. Belmont played host to both the 1945 Richmond Invitational, won by Ben Hogan, and the 1949 PGA Championship, won by Virginian Sam Snead. Today, Belmont remains the only course in Virginia that has hosted a major championship and one of only two Tillinghast courses nationwide that has hosted a major and is still open for public play — the other is Bethpage Black.
DECADES AS A BELOVED MUNICIPAL COURSE
In 1977, Henrico County purchased Belmont from Hermitage Country Club in order to provide its residents an affordable public golf course. For years, Belmont served this purpose well. Annual rounds peaked at 55,000 in 1992 and you do not have to look far in Richmond to find golfers with fond memories of playing the course during that era. In recent years, however, the course unfortunately suffered from problems that widely plague municipal golf including shrunken greens, overgrown trees, and unplayable bunkers. Lack of practice facilities also limited Belmont’s appeal and use.
SAVED BY PASSIONATE SUPPORTERS
Following nearly 20 straight years in which Belmont lost money, Henrico County explored alternative non-golf development plans for the property. The community’s response was clear and compelling…it wanted Belmont to remain a golf course. The County listened and, in 2019 through a formal RFP process, sought a third-party partner to operate Belmont as a golf facility. In addition to possessing golf operations expertise, the ideal partner would share Henrico’s vision for seeing Belmont used by a larger portion of the local population, including youth and community organizations in particular.
REIMAGINED BY FIRST TEE
The First Tee of Greater Richmond, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, has operated other local municipally-owned golf facilities for more than two decades. Recognizing how well Belmont fit its vision and strategic plan, First Tee presented Henrico County with an innovative proposal for restoring and reimagining Belmont to make it a place where the history of American Golf (Tilly, Ross, Hogan, Snead) meets the future of golf (more inclusive, more welcoming, more fun). First Tee was selected as Henrico’s partner and its 20+ year Belmont lease began in January 2020.
"Everybody's got 18-holes. The USGA, the PGA Tour, and the PGA of America [need to] legitimize 12-hole golf." - Jack Nicklaus
The First Tee of Greater Richmond exists to strengthen the character of our community, and that is our aim for Belmont. Following a thoughtful and extensive renovation, “The New Belmont” will be a community-focused, inclusive and affordable public golf facility for all ages and skill levels. It will prominently showcase restored original Tillinghast holes, routing, and features — celebrating the brilliance of golf’s Golden Age of architecture. It will also provide new entry points and playing options for those who are new to golf or do not have four hours to invest in an 18-hole round. The New Belmont will join other recent and upcoming innovative public golf course projects — including Bobby Jones Golf Course in Atlanta, Sweetens Cove in Tennessee, and the National Links Trust in Washington D.C. — in helping to usher in a new, more welcoming and inclusive era in golf.
THE NEW BELMONT WILL BE
Affordable, inclusive, and community-focused
For everyone, from seasoned players to first-time golfers
Where the history of American golf meets the future of American golf
Home to youth development programs, school matches, and community leagues
A well designed and maintained first-rate golf course and practice facility
A prized, showcase asset for the community
An extensive restoration and renovation is underway at Belmont, led by Love Golf Design and MacCurrach Golf Construction under the direction of First Tee of Greater Richmond. A May 2021 reopening is planned.
The project’s scope includes restoring 12 of the full-length holes in Tillinghast’s original routing and adding new features to the rest of the property that will make Belmont more welcoming and usable for golfers of all ages and skill levels — including participants in First Tee’s evidence-based youth development programs. We are completely reconstructing all greens and bunkers using the latest materials and methods. We are also taking the opportunity to install entirely new, property-wide irrigation and drainage systems that will enable consistently impressive turf and bunker conditions. Once the renovation is complete, the New Belmont will offer patrons the following:
CHAMPIONSHIP CALIBER 12-HOLE COURSE
The eight par-4s, two par-3s, and two par-5s that comprised the final 12 holes of A.W. Tillinghast’s original 1917 routing…restored to their original glory by Davis Love III and team. A well-designed, well-conditioned, big-time course.
6-HOLE SHORT COURSE
Inspired by classic Tillinghast Par-3s from around the country, with holes ranging from approximately 60 to 170 yards. The perfect place to warm up, cool down, sneak in some quick golf, or just sharpen your scoring game.
EXPANSIVE PUTTING COURSE
A massive 35,000 sq. ft. putting course similar to those at St. Andrews, Bandon Dunes, and Pinehurst that is free for all to enjoy. A relaxed golf hangout.
PREMIER PRACTICE FACILITIES
A grass-teed driving range that incorporates original Tillinghast greens as targets plus a wedge range, short game area, and practice green. The ideal venue for learning the game or improving in every aspect of it.
About Love Golf Design
Led by World Golf Hall of Famer and 21-time PGA Tour Winner Davis Love III
Notable new designs and renovations by the team include Atlantic Dunes, Olde Farm, Harbour Town, the Ocean Course at Kiawah, and the Plantation Course at Sea Island
About MacCurrach Golf Construction
Restoration and renovation projects include Seminole, Shinnecock, Inverness, Harbour Town, Bay Hill, and TPC Sawgrass
New builds include all three courses at Streamsong (designed by Coore & Crenshaw, Hanse, and Doak) and numerous other courses designed by leading architects including Pete Dye, Tom Fazio, and Bobby Weed
“Our thought is to restore the bold bunkering and green contours that were always part of A.W. Tillinghast's designs. So, our work will be part archaeology and part creativity.”
- Scot Sherman, Lead Architect for Love Golf Design
INNOVATIVE SITE PLAN
The final 12 holes of Belmont’s original A.W. Tillinghast layout will comprise The New Belmont’s championship caliber 12-hole course. The remainder of the property will be home to the new six-hole short course, putting course, driving range, wedge range, and short game area. These new features will enable the property to host both First Tee’s youth development programs and other community-focused organizations.
RESTORING TILLINGHAST
Love Golf Design is carefully restoring A.W.Tillinghast’s original greens and bunkers on the 12-hole course. Their work includes restoring greens back to their original size and shape while maintaining (via meticulous GPS mapping) the contours and slopes first crafted in 1917. The team is also restoring the Tillie bunkers that are still in existence today and, more importantly, is recreating several original bunkers that disappeared over the decades.
INSPIRED BY TILLINGHAST
In redesigning the greens that are not Tilly originals, and in designing the new golf elements at Belmont, Love Golf Design is leaning heavily other work by Tillinghast and his Golden Age peers. Images of Winged Foot, Five Farms, and Pasatiempo (among many other classics) are frequently on LGD’s screens as they walk Belmont.
WORK IS WELL UNDERWAY
Construction on The New Belmont began in early May 2020. Primary construction and grassing is expected to be complete by November 2020. We look forward to a targeted May 2021 grand reopening.
WAYS TO GET INVOLVED
This project would not be possible without First Tee of Greater Richmond's supporters. Donors’ generous commitments will be recognized at Belmont Golf Course through the following naming opportunities:
DONOR RECOGNITION
Donor contributions will fund this ambitious project. All donors making a minimum gift of $1,000 or more, paid over a maximum of two years, will be recognized at Belmont Golf Course. Other naming opportunities are available to recognize generous contributions to this project.
For more information, please contact Brent Schneider, CEO of First Tee: brent@thefirstteerva.org or 804-378-2188
- SCHEDULE A TOUR
Thank you for your interest in a behind the scenes look at First Tee of Greater Richmond's progress at The New Belmont Golf Course.
Tours will take place Tuesdays from 12pm to 4pm and Fridays from 8am to 12pm and will last no longer than 1.5 hours.
*All scheduling is based upon availability.
CONTACT US
For more information, please contact Brent Schneider, CEO of First Tee: brent@thefirstteerva.org or 804-378-2188
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