William S. Flynn
William Flynn (1890-1944) was a prominent golf course architect during the early part of the 20th century. He is best known for designing Shinnecock Hills Golf Club on Long Island and Cherry Hills Country Club in Denver, Colorado. Flynn was also responsible for the redesign of the East Course at Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, Pennsylvania, which has hosted several major golf championships.
Flynn's design philosophy emphasized the importance of natural terrain and strategic bunkering to create challenging and aesthetically pleasing golf courses. He often incorporated the use of cross bunkering, which is a series of smaller bunkers that intersect to create a more visually interesting and strategic hazard.
One of Flynn's most notable projects was the design of the Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, which is widely considered one of the best golf courses in the world. The course features a classic links-style design, with wide fairways, undulating greens, and strategically placed bunkers. The course has hosted the U.S. Open five times and is scheduled to host the event again in 2026.
Flynn's work at Cherry Hills Country Club is also highly regarded. The course features a challenging layout that has hosted several major championships, including the U.S. Open and the PGA Championship. The course is known for its strategic bunkering and challenging greens, which require a high level of skill and strategy to navigate.
In addition to his work at Shinnecock Hills and Cherry Hills, Flynn designed or redesigned numerous other golf courses throughout the United States. Some of his other notable projects include the Cascades Course at The Homestead in Virginia, the Country Club of Scranton in Pennsylvania, and the Indian Creek Country Club in Florida.
Flynn's legacy as a golf course architect continues to be celebrated today. His courses are known for their strategic design, natural beauty, and challenging play. Many of his courses are ranked among the best in the world, and they continue to challenge and inspire golfers of all skill levels.
Flynn's design philosophy emphasized the importance of natural terrain and strategic bunkering to create challenging and aesthetically pleasing golf courses. He often incorporated the use of cross bunkering, which is a series of smaller bunkers that intersect to create a more visually interesting and strategic hazard.
One of Flynn's most notable projects was the design of the Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, which is widely considered one of the best golf courses in the world. The course features a classic links-style design, with wide fairways, undulating greens, and strategically placed bunkers. The course has hosted the U.S. Open five times and is scheduled to host the event again in 2026.
Flynn's work at Cherry Hills Country Club is also highly regarded. The course features a challenging layout that has hosted several major championships, including the U.S. Open and the PGA Championship. The course is known for its strategic bunkering and challenging greens, which require a high level of skill and strategy to navigate.
In addition to his work at Shinnecock Hills and Cherry Hills, Flynn designed or redesigned numerous other golf courses throughout the United States. Some of his other notable projects include the Cascades Course at The Homestead in Virginia, the Country Club of Scranton in Pennsylvania, and the Indian Creek Country Club in Florida.
Flynn's legacy as a golf course architect continues to be celebrated today. His courses are known for their strategic design, natural beauty, and challenging play. Many of his courses are ranked among the best in the world, and they continue to challenge and inspire golfers of all skill levels.
List of William Flynn Designs
1. Atlantic City Country Club (CC of Atlantic City): 1923 d27 (Blue nine NLE)
2. Bala Golf Club: 1922 (A34) d9 r9
3. Beaver Dam Golf Club: 1927 AKA Prince Georges Country Club (NLE)
4. Boca Raton Resort Club-North Course: 1929 (158) (NLE)
5. Boca Raton Resort Club-South Course: 1929 (157) (NLE)
6. Brinton Lake Club: 1923 (114) AKA Concord Country Club
7. Cascades Golf Club: 1923-1935 (119)
8. Cherry Hills Country Club: 1923
9. Cleveland Heights Golf and Country Club: 1925
10. The Country Club-Pepper Pike: 1930 (154)
11. Country Club of Harrisburg: 1917
12. Country Club of Virginia-James River Course: 1928
13. Doylestown Country Club: 1916 d9
14. Eagles Mere Country Club: 1917 d12 r6
15. Eagles Mere Country Club: 1924 (127)
16. East Potomac Public Golf Club
17. Elyria Country Club: 1925
18. Floranada South: 1926 (NLE) (143)
19. Glen View Club: 1922 (109)
20. Heartwellville Country Club (Kilcare GC): 1911 (NLE)
21. Huntingdon Valley Country Club: 1927 d27
22. Indian Creek Country Club: 1930 (155)
23. Indian Spring: 1945 (NLE)
24. The Kittansett Club: 1923
25. Lancaster Country Club: 1920
26. Lehigh Country Club: 1928
27. Manor Country Club: 1927
28. Manufacturers Golf and Country Club: 1925
29. Marble Hall (AKA Green Valley): 1924 (125, A46)
30. McCall Field (Philadelphia Electric): 1923
31. Merion Golf Club West Course: 1913 (co-design under H. Wilson)
32. Mill Road Farm: 1926 (NLE)
33. Monroe Country Club: 1922 d9 (107)
34. Normandy Shores Golf Club: 1936(172)
35. Opa Locka: 1926 (NLE)
36. Pepper Pike Club: 1924 (113)
37. Philadelphia Country Club: 1927 (132)
38. Pine Meadow Golf Course: 1926
39. Plymouth Country Club (PA): 1925
40. Plymouth Country Club (NC): 1937 d9
41. Pocantico Hills Golf Club: 1937 (169)
42. Pocono Manor: 1920 d10
43. Rock Creek Park Golf Club: 1923/1927
44. Rolling Green Golf Club: 1926
45. Seaview Country Club (Pines): 1931 d9
46. Sewell’s Point (Norfolk CC): 1924
47. Shinnecock Hills Golf Club: 1931 (156)
48. Springdale Golf Club: 1928
49. Town and Country (AKA Woodmont): 1921 (NLE)
50. The US Naval Academy Golf Club: 1944 d9 r9
51. Woodcrest Country Club: 1930
52. Yorktown Country Club-Riverview Course: 1923 (NLE)
Golf Courses Redesigned By William S. Flynn
1. The Burning Tree Club
2. Columbia Country Club: 1921, 1923
3. The Country Club—Brookline: 1927 (148) d11 r16
4. The Creek Club: 1927
5. Denver Country Club: 1923
6. Friendship Golf Club: 192-
7. Women's National (Glen Head CC): 1926-1927
8. Gulph Mills Golf Club: 1932 a17
9. The Old Course, Homestead Resort: 1925 (141)
10. Merion Golf Club-East Course: 1912-1943
11. North Hills CC: 1922
12. Philadelphia Cricket Club: 1928 r9
13. Philmont Country Club (North Course) unknown, possibly nothing
14. Pine Valley Golf Club: 1918, 1921, 1929 c,a
15. Springhaven Club: 1929 (I 10) d9r9
16. Sunnehanna Country Club: 1937 (173)
17. Sunnybrook Golf Club (NLE/Flourtown CC)
18. The Tuxedo Club: unconfirmed
19. Washington Golf and Country Club: 1917 a; 1919-1922 r
20. Westchester Country Club (South and West)
21. Whitemarsh Valley Country Club
Golf Courses Constructed by H. C. Toomey and W. S. Flynn
1. The Burning Tree Club: 1924
2. Westchester-Biltmore: 1920-1922
Golf Courses Designed by William S. Flynn (not constructed)
1. Country Club of York: 1925 (138)
2. Miami Beach Polo Club: 1931 (167)
3. Ritz Carlton North: 1925 (133)
4. Ritz Carlton South: 1925 (132)
5. Private course for Robert Cassatt: 1929 (162)
6. Private course for J.F. Manne: 1929 (160)
7. Private course for Dr. G. Woodard: 1930 (166)
8. Yorktown Country Club, Lakeview Course: 1923
2. Bala Golf Club: 1922 (A34) d9 r9
3. Beaver Dam Golf Club: 1927 AKA Prince Georges Country Club (NLE)
4. Boca Raton Resort Club-North Course: 1929 (158) (NLE)
5. Boca Raton Resort Club-South Course: 1929 (157) (NLE)
6. Brinton Lake Club: 1923 (114) AKA Concord Country Club
7. Cascades Golf Club: 1923-1935 (119)
8. Cherry Hills Country Club: 1923
9. Cleveland Heights Golf and Country Club: 1925
10. The Country Club-Pepper Pike: 1930 (154)
11. Country Club of Harrisburg: 1917
12. Country Club of Virginia-James River Course: 1928
13. Doylestown Country Club: 1916 d9
14. Eagles Mere Country Club: 1917 d12 r6
15. Eagles Mere Country Club: 1924 (127)
16. East Potomac Public Golf Club
17. Elyria Country Club: 1925
18. Floranada South: 1926 (NLE) (143)
19. Glen View Club: 1922 (109)
20. Heartwellville Country Club (Kilcare GC): 1911 (NLE)
21. Huntingdon Valley Country Club: 1927 d27
22. Indian Creek Country Club: 1930 (155)
23. Indian Spring: 1945 (NLE)
24. The Kittansett Club: 1923
25. Lancaster Country Club: 1920
26. Lehigh Country Club: 1928
27. Manor Country Club: 1927
28. Manufacturers Golf and Country Club: 1925
29. Marble Hall (AKA Green Valley): 1924 (125, A46)
30. McCall Field (Philadelphia Electric): 1923
31. Merion Golf Club West Course: 1913 (co-design under H. Wilson)
32. Mill Road Farm: 1926 (NLE)
33. Monroe Country Club: 1922 d9 (107)
34. Normandy Shores Golf Club: 1936(172)
35. Opa Locka: 1926 (NLE)
36. Pepper Pike Club: 1924 (113)
37. Philadelphia Country Club: 1927 (132)
38. Pine Meadow Golf Course: 1926
39. Plymouth Country Club (PA): 1925
40. Plymouth Country Club (NC): 1937 d9
41. Pocantico Hills Golf Club: 1937 (169)
42. Pocono Manor: 1920 d10
43. Rock Creek Park Golf Club: 1923/1927
44. Rolling Green Golf Club: 1926
45. Seaview Country Club (Pines): 1931 d9
46. Sewell’s Point (Norfolk CC): 1924
47. Shinnecock Hills Golf Club: 1931 (156)
48. Springdale Golf Club: 1928
49. Town and Country (AKA Woodmont): 1921 (NLE)
50. The US Naval Academy Golf Club: 1944 d9 r9
51. Woodcrest Country Club: 1930
52. Yorktown Country Club-Riverview Course: 1923 (NLE)
Golf Courses Redesigned By William S. Flynn
1. The Burning Tree Club
2. Columbia Country Club: 1921, 1923
3. The Country Club—Brookline: 1927 (148) d11 r16
4. The Creek Club: 1927
5. Denver Country Club: 1923
6. Friendship Golf Club: 192-
7. Women's National (Glen Head CC): 1926-1927
8. Gulph Mills Golf Club: 1932 a17
9. The Old Course, Homestead Resort: 1925 (141)
10. Merion Golf Club-East Course: 1912-1943
11. North Hills CC: 1922
12. Philadelphia Cricket Club: 1928 r9
13. Philmont Country Club (North Course) unknown, possibly nothing
14. Pine Valley Golf Club: 1918, 1921, 1929 c,a
15. Springhaven Club: 1929 (I 10) d9r9
16. Sunnehanna Country Club: 1937 (173)
17. Sunnybrook Golf Club (NLE/Flourtown CC)
18. The Tuxedo Club: unconfirmed
19. Washington Golf and Country Club: 1917 a; 1919-1922 r
20. Westchester Country Club (South and West)
21. Whitemarsh Valley Country Club
Golf Courses Constructed by H. C. Toomey and W. S. Flynn
1. The Burning Tree Club: 1924
2. Westchester-Biltmore: 1920-1922
Golf Courses Designed by William S. Flynn (not constructed)
1. Country Club of York: 1925 (138)
2. Miami Beach Polo Club: 1931 (167)
3. Ritz Carlton North: 1925 (133)
4. Ritz Carlton South: 1925 (132)
5. Private course for Robert Cassatt: 1929 (162)
6. Private course for J.F. Manne: 1929 (160)
7. Private course for Dr. G. Woodard: 1930 (166)
8. Yorktown Country Club, Lakeview Course: 1923