“A man who can putt is a match for anyone.” Willie Park Jr.
Designed by Willie Park, Jr., Moon Brook is a private country club near Jamestown, NY, that has been challenging golfers for over 100 years. The 18-hole course offers both enjoyment and trials during 6,821 yards of golf. The course rating is 71.8 and the slope rating is 131.
Moon Brook: Come for The Greens
The greens at Moon Brook were designed by Park Jr., with 11 untouched despite the passage of time. These greens are considered by some to be among the best in the world.
The greens are difficult to read, with golfers sure they break one way only to experience the opposite. The nuance to the Park Jr. greens mean that they can appear almost flattened when set against the fairways. This unpredictability is credited to Park Jr.’s design. Some golfers note they can experience a different course each time they play - depending on the day’s conditions.
The course also provides impressive views and pristine fairways. Reviews from visitors advise iron approach shots should be well-planned and going long over any green should be avoided.
More on Moon Brook’s Golf Experience:
For a fellow golfer’s perspective, check out this blog describing a day at Moon Brook:
Golfing with Shawn
Park’s Course Design Beginnings
William “Willie” Park Jr. was a second-generation professional golfer from Scotland. He won the Open Championship twice, back-to-back, and gained recognition after designing the Old Course for the Sunningdale Golf Club near London, England, where he chose ground formerly considered unsuitable (heathland) based on what was underneath - sand.
Park was known for elevating the standard for inland golf course architecture. He understood the importance of sand in course design and made its incorporation a priority. Park is known for setting the standards that future course designers followed, having created courses that included bold hazards, large greens, and rolling fairways.
Park designed more than 170 golf courses, located in:
- The British Isles
- Europe
- Canada
- The USA
The courses were designed on challenging terrain and provided golfers with both enjoyment and sufficient difficulty to make the outing memorable.
Park is considered to be the first professional golfer to write a book, titled “The Game of Golf.” The book was published in 1896 and was far more in-depth in regard to the essence of play, which elevated it above all previously written works on the game. Park discussed the links and their impact on the game, described clubs and ball types, and outlined the proper stroke for numerous shots.
The book also included a chapter discussing golf course architecture - which is considered one of the first pieces of literature written on the topic. The book was well-received and remains available to golf enthusiasts today.
Park also wrote a second book, “The Art of Putting,” that was published in 1920. This book contained tips and techniques that made it valuable at the time and it remains so today. The book is considered a great gift for golf enthusiasts and a collector’s item.
Park’s philosophy on course design focused on several major tenets, including:
- The adaptive nature of golf and the fact that original courses were adapted as needed
- Course design requires not only skill and judgment but also extensive knowledge of the game
- Positioning for holes, hazards, and teeing grounds must be based on knowledge of play
The Park Family & Golf
Park’s father, William Park Sr., is credited with the creation of the first designed golf course, a 12-hole course in Aberdeen that was created in 1852. Park Sr. was a professional golfer as well, and he had won the first Open Championship in 1860 - four years before Park Jr. was born.
Known as “Old Willie,” Park Sr. would become a four-time Open Champion during his lifetime. The Park family also made golf balls and golf clubs in order to survive, as being a professional golfer at the time was not a career that provided sufficient financial support.
Park’s uncle, Mungo Park, was the 1874 Open Champion and taught Park during his first job (at age 16) as an assistant greenkeeper and club professional at Tyneside Golf Club.
Park’s daughter, Doris, was also a golfer.
Is Moon Brook Calling Your Name?
If you’re considering adding a trip to Moon Brook to your calendar, take a look at Moon Brook’s Master Plan.
You can also check out our Facebook for info on upcoming events.