|
Applebrook Golf Club
Architect: Gil Hanse Year: 1993 100 Line Rd, Malvern, PA 19355 Phone: (610) 647-7660 Course Access: Private https://www.applebrookgolfclub.com/ |
Applebrook Golf Club
Applebrook Golf Club, located in Malvern, Pennsylvania, is a private golf course with deep historical roots and a reputation for excellence in design and playability. Below is a detailed historical report covering its origins, development, design, notable events, and significance in the golfing world.
Origins and Historical Context of the Land
The land that Applebrook Golf Club occupies was originally part of a larger tract known as Applebrook Farm, situated just outside the historic village of Goshenville in Chester County. This area has a rich history dating back to the late 17th century. In 1680, the land was deeded to Robert Williams by William Penn, making it one of the earliest Penn Land Grants in Chester County. Williams, the first settler in Goshen, established a homestead around 1702, which still stands on East Boot Road and has been owned by Shirley Fox since 1971.
The property changed hands in 1715 when it was acquired by Samuel Garrett, whose family retained ownership until 1900. A fieldstone house built by Garrett descendants was later renovated to serve as a meeting place for the Chester County Chamber of Business and Industry, while a dairy barn on the property was repurposed as Applebrook’s Greens Maintenance Facility. The name "Applebrook" is believed to have originated with Samuel Horner, who purchased the property in 1913, as noted by the East Goshen Historic Commission.
The land also played a role in the Revolutionary War. On September 16-17, 1777, following the Battle of Brandywine, British General William Howe, along with Generals Lord Cornwallis and James Grant, marched 13,000 soldiers through Goshenville. Cornwallis and his troops encamped in the village, just north of the schoolhouse, leading to a skirmish with Continental forces near what is now the southern end of Hershey’s Mill development. This clash resulted in the deaths of twelve Americans, two Hessian soldiers, and at least one British soldier, marking one of three skirmishes that day before the torrential rains of the "Battle of the Clouds."
Founding and Development
Fast forward to the late 20th century, Applebrook Associates was founded in June 1999, with operations beginning as Applebrook Golf Club on October 8 of that year. The founding members, including Henry S. Belber II, Anthony A. Nichols, Hal Davis, William R. Burns, O. John Fuchs, Gary Daniels, and Glen Davis, formed the club’s first board of governors. They acquired the land from a bank and set out to create a golf-only private club, hiring local architect Gil Hanse to design the course.
Hanse, then early in his solo career after working with Tom Doak at Renaissance Golf Design, began designing Applebrook in 1999, and the course opened in 2001. This project marked Hanse’s second solo design, following his work on Inniscrone Golf Club. Applebrook became Hanse’s home course, given his base in Malvern, just 40 minutes northwest of downtown Philadelphia. The timing of Applebrook’s development coincided with a broader shift in golf architecture during the late 1990s and early 2000s, where there was a move away from overly manicured, resort-style courses toward more naturalistic, strategic designs that emphasized walking and a pure golf experience.
Design and Layout
Applebrook Golf Club is a par-71 layout stretching 6,815 yards from the back tees, with a course rating of 73.7 and a slope of 139 on Bent grass. Hanse’s design honors the traditions of classic Philadelphia golf architecture, drawing inspiration from the region’s golf-rich history. The course maximizes the natural features of the former farmland, incorporating rolling terrain, varying directions, and a balance of challenges for players of all skill levels.
The layout includes four par-5s, five par-3s, and a range of par-4s from 310 to 466 yards, with par-3s varying from 121 to 224 yards. Two of the par-5s are reachable for longer hitters, while the other two are more demanding. Key holes include the par-5 first, which offers a birdie opportunity but punishes over-aggression with water and fescue hazards, and the par-5 10th, which provides a scenic downhill tee shot with a creek to navigate. The par-3 11th tests wedge play with a narrow, bunker-guarded green, while the par-4 18th finishes with a stunning uphill approach to a green with a redan-like shoulder, allowing for creative shot-making.
Hanse’s design philosophy at Applebrook emphasizes playability with options. Wide fairways encourage aggressive tee shots, but accuracy is rewarded due to over 40 greenside bunkers and water hazards on nearly half the holes. The course avoids dictating a single style of play, allowing both skilled players and average golfers to enjoy the round. The ninth and 18th holes feature a distinctive sandy “quarry” area, offering panoramic views of the course. Applebrook was designed with walking in mind, supported by one of the finest caddie programs in the Northeast, and includes an 8-acre practice area with a 40,000-square-foot turfgrass driving range tee.
Facilities and Clubhouse
Applebrook’s clubhouse, designed to resemble a traditional Chester County farmhouse, creates a cozy, home-like atmosphere rather than a typical country club setting. It features well-appointed locker rooms, a fully stocked pro shop, and a dining area serving modern American cuisine with a Mediterranean twist. An outdoor patio offers stunning views of Chester County sunsets, making it a popular spot for members to relax. In 2018, the club opened an 1800-square-foot indoor/outdoor Performance Center, enhancing its practice facilities.
Accolades and Events
Applebrook has consistently been recognized for its quality. Golf Digest ranked it in Pennsylvania’s top 25 from 2005 to 2022, with its highest state ranking at 12th in 2023-2024 and 14th in 2019-2020. Suburban Life Magazine called it “one of the most compelling courses around,” citing its natural beauty, water hazards, bunkers, and fast fairways. The course has hosted notable events, including the GAP Patterson Cup in 2019 and the Silvercrest Cup, a two-day tournament established in 2022 featuring professional and amateur golfers with a purse exceeding $35,000.
Legacy and Reflection
Applebrook Golf Club stands as a testament to Gil Hanse’s early brilliance as a designer, showcasing his ability to blend natural terrain with strategic playability. Its establishment in 2001 came at a pivotal moment in golf architecture, aligning with a trend toward more rugged, naturalistic courses that prioritize the essence of the game. Hanse’s work at Applebrook foreshadowed his later success with projects like the Olympic Course in Rio, cementing his reputation as a leading architect.
The club’s focus on golf purity—no distractions like tennis courts or pools—has resonated with traditionalists, and its ranking among Pennsylvania’s best courses underscores its quality. However, its high membership costs and exclusivity make it inaccessible to the average golfer, raising questions about the inclusivity of such spaces in modern golf culture. Still, for those who can afford it, Applebrook offers an unparalleled experience, blending history, design, and natural beauty into a course that remains a joy to play round after round.
Origins and Historical Context of the Land
The land that Applebrook Golf Club occupies was originally part of a larger tract known as Applebrook Farm, situated just outside the historic village of Goshenville in Chester County. This area has a rich history dating back to the late 17th century. In 1680, the land was deeded to Robert Williams by William Penn, making it one of the earliest Penn Land Grants in Chester County. Williams, the first settler in Goshen, established a homestead around 1702, which still stands on East Boot Road and has been owned by Shirley Fox since 1971.
The property changed hands in 1715 when it was acquired by Samuel Garrett, whose family retained ownership until 1900. A fieldstone house built by Garrett descendants was later renovated to serve as a meeting place for the Chester County Chamber of Business and Industry, while a dairy barn on the property was repurposed as Applebrook’s Greens Maintenance Facility. The name "Applebrook" is believed to have originated with Samuel Horner, who purchased the property in 1913, as noted by the East Goshen Historic Commission.
The land also played a role in the Revolutionary War. On September 16-17, 1777, following the Battle of Brandywine, British General William Howe, along with Generals Lord Cornwallis and James Grant, marched 13,000 soldiers through Goshenville. Cornwallis and his troops encamped in the village, just north of the schoolhouse, leading to a skirmish with Continental forces near what is now the southern end of Hershey’s Mill development. This clash resulted in the deaths of twelve Americans, two Hessian soldiers, and at least one British soldier, marking one of three skirmishes that day before the torrential rains of the "Battle of the Clouds."
Founding and Development
Fast forward to the late 20th century, Applebrook Associates was founded in June 1999, with operations beginning as Applebrook Golf Club on October 8 of that year. The founding members, including Henry S. Belber II, Anthony A. Nichols, Hal Davis, William R. Burns, O. John Fuchs, Gary Daniels, and Glen Davis, formed the club’s first board of governors. They acquired the land from a bank and set out to create a golf-only private club, hiring local architect Gil Hanse to design the course.
Hanse, then early in his solo career after working with Tom Doak at Renaissance Golf Design, began designing Applebrook in 1999, and the course opened in 2001. This project marked Hanse’s second solo design, following his work on Inniscrone Golf Club. Applebrook became Hanse’s home course, given his base in Malvern, just 40 minutes northwest of downtown Philadelphia. The timing of Applebrook’s development coincided with a broader shift in golf architecture during the late 1990s and early 2000s, where there was a move away from overly manicured, resort-style courses toward more naturalistic, strategic designs that emphasized walking and a pure golf experience.
Design and Layout
Applebrook Golf Club is a par-71 layout stretching 6,815 yards from the back tees, with a course rating of 73.7 and a slope of 139 on Bent grass. Hanse’s design honors the traditions of classic Philadelphia golf architecture, drawing inspiration from the region’s golf-rich history. The course maximizes the natural features of the former farmland, incorporating rolling terrain, varying directions, and a balance of challenges for players of all skill levels.
The layout includes four par-5s, five par-3s, and a range of par-4s from 310 to 466 yards, with par-3s varying from 121 to 224 yards. Two of the par-5s are reachable for longer hitters, while the other two are more demanding. Key holes include the par-5 first, which offers a birdie opportunity but punishes over-aggression with water and fescue hazards, and the par-5 10th, which provides a scenic downhill tee shot with a creek to navigate. The par-3 11th tests wedge play with a narrow, bunker-guarded green, while the par-4 18th finishes with a stunning uphill approach to a green with a redan-like shoulder, allowing for creative shot-making.
Hanse’s design philosophy at Applebrook emphasizes playability with options. Wide fairways encourage aggressive tee shots, but accuracy is rewarded due to over 40 greenside bunkers and water hazards on nearly half the holes. The course avoids dictating a single style of play, allowing both skilled players and average golfers to enjoy the round. The ninth and 18th holes feature a distinctive sandy “quarry” area, offering panoramic views of the course. Applebrook was designed with walking in mind, supported by one of the finest caddie programs in the Northeast, and includes an 8-acre practice area with a 40,000-square-foot turfgrass driving range tee.
Facilities and Clubhouse
Applebrook’s clubhouse, designed to resemble a traditional Chester County farmhouse, creates a cozy, home-like atmosphere rather than a typical country club setting. It features well-appointed locker rooms, a fully stocked pro shop, and a dining area serving modern American cuisine with a Mediterranean twist. An outdoor patio offers stunning views of Chester County sunsets, making it a popular spot for members to relax. In 2018, the club opened an 1800-square-foot indoor/outdoor Performance Center, enhancing its practice facilities.
Accolades and Events
Applebrook has consistently been recognized for its quality. Golf Digest ranked it in Pennsylvania’s top 25 from 2005 to 2022, with its highest state ranking at 12th in 2023-2024 and 14th in 2019-2020. Suburban Life Magazine called it “one of the most compelling courses around,” citing its natural beauty, water hazards, bunkers, and fast fairways. The course has hosted notable events, including the GAP Patterson Cup in 2019 and the Silvercrest Cup, a two-day tournament established in 2022 featuring professional and amateur golfers with a purse exceeding $35,000.
Legacy and Reflection
Applebrook Golf Club stands as a testament to Gil Hanse’s early brilliance as a designer, showcasing his ability to blend natural terrain with strategic playability. Its establishment in 2001 came at a pivotal moment in golf architecture, aligning with a trend toward more rugged, naturalistic courses that prioritize the essence of the game. Hanse’s work at Applebrook foreshadowed his later success with projects like the Olympic Course in Rio, cementing his reputation as a leading architect.
The club’s focus on golf purity—no distractions like tennis courts or pools—has resonated with traditionalists, and its ranking among Pennsylvania’s best courses underscores its quality. However, its high membership costs and exclusivity make it inaccessible to the average golfer, raising questions about the inclusivity of such spaces in modern golf culture. Still, for those who can afford it, Applebrook offers an unparalleled experience, blending history, design, and natural beauty into a course that remains a joy to play round after round.