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Bidermann
Architect: Devereux Emmet / Dick Wilson Year: 1922 / 1965 601 Adams Dam Rd, Wilmington, DE 19807 Phone: (302) 655-3336 Course Access: Private www.vicmead.com |
Bidermann Golf CLub
Bidermann Golf Club was originally the 9-hole private course of Henry Francis du Pont at his home estate of Winterthur. Du Pont, the club’s only member, hired architect Devereux Emmet to build him a course on his property. In 1963, du Pont was approached by his cousin and Bidermann’s founding member, George Weymouth, who believed that there was a need for a small, intimate club devoted solely to golf. Du Pont had enough land to complete a 15-hole course, but needed more property to finish a full 18-hole course and to have a place for a locker room and dining. So, he turned to his cousin, close friend and avid golfer Emily du Pont, who was able to provide the remaining property to complete the course and surrounding facility.
Bidermann officially opened on July 4, 1965 in Wilmington, Del. In the beginning, there was only one club rule: “ball must be lifted from any flower bed and dropped no nearer hole without penalty.” This remained the only club rule because Weymouth was insistent that given the size and quality of the membership, rules were unnecessary.
Architect Dick Wilson designed the course on a 300-acre site. In the golf realm, Wilson, an understudy of the iconic Bill Flynn and Howard Toomey, was considered one of the best architects of the post-World War II era. He designed 74 golf courses, including Cog Hill G&CC’s Dubsdread Course in Lemont, Ill. and Pine Green GC in Boynton Beach, Fla., a track that Ben Hogan once called “the best I have ever seen.”
Bidermann offers a traditional style course, with native grasslands separating each golf hole. It was renovated and restored in 2006. In 1977, Bidermann GC merged with Vicmead Hunt Club to provide a full-service country club. In addition to an 18-hole golf course, its features include a driving range, putting green, chipping green, long range practice green, men’s and women’s locker rooms, pro shop and a farmhouse with terrace dining.
Bidermann officially opened on July 4, 1965 in Wilmington, Del. In the beginning, there was only one club rule: “ball must be lifted from any flower bed and dropped no nearer hole without penalty.” This remained the only club rule because Weymouth was insistent that given the size and quality of the membership, rules were unnecessary.
Architect Dick Wilson designed the course on a 300-acre site. In the golf realm, Wilson, an understudy of the iconic Bill Flynn and Howard Toomey, was considered one of the best architects of the post-World War II era. He designed 74 golf courses, including Cog Hill G&CC’s Dubsdread Course in Lemont, Ill. and Pine Green GC in Boynton Beach, Fla., a track that Ben Hogan once called “the best I have ever seen.”
Bidermann offers a traditional style course, with native grasslands separating each golf hole. It was renovated and restored in 2006. In 1977, Bidermann GC merged with Vicmead Hunt Club to provide a full-service country club. In addition to an 18-hole golf course, its features include a driving range, putting green, chipping green, long range practice green, men’s and women’s locker rooms, pro shop and a farmhouse with terrace dining.
Course Photos
COURSE REVIEW BY: CHRIS MAVROS, GOLFADELPHIA
It only happens a few times a season, but this was one of those complete games of a day where everything unfolds seamlessly. It starts with getting out of the house and ends with me relaxing at the end of the day, likely with a draw of bourbon. An early summer weekend morning, those few decidedly summer yet quiet weeks leading up to the Fourth of July, the rest of the house remained in their slumber as I edged out with the clubs. I was prepared to slog on the Blue Route down to 95 but instead, the direction lady told me to stay on Route 1, where I took a turn near Glen Mills that raised an eyebrow. No matter, she seemed confident in guiding me through the hilly woods and farmlands, all of which unfurled its beauty under the rising sun. Covered bridges and streams, it felt like I was driving into a Norman Rockwell painting. Before I knew it, I was turning into an unassuming drive that led to a loose collection of countryside farmhouses. It was quiet and unperturbed. Tranquility settled in me as I opened the car door.
And so began the day at Bidermann. In the hills of North Delaware above Wilmington, the club enjoys a very low profile without insisting on it all that much. There seems to be an unwritten acknowledgment instead, a pact those who visit or belong make, to maintain that bucolic serenity for those that follow. It’s a place to experience, not talk about. This is likely why I had not heard too much about it. This only added to the excitement brimming underneath my nonchalant, cool character that comes so easy to me. Hopefully the sarcasm translates here..... Click Here To Read Hole By Hole
And so began the day at Bidermann. In the hills of North Delaware above Wilmington, the club enjoys a very low profile without insisting on it all that much. There seems to be an unwritten acknowledgment instead, a pact those who visit or belong make, to maintain that bucolic serenity for those that follow. It’s a place to experience, not talk about. This is likely why I had not heard too much about it. This only added to the excitement brimming underneath my nonchalant, cool character that comes so easy to me. Hopefully the sarcasm translates here..... Click Here To Read Hole By Hole