Springdale Golf Club in Princeton Undergoing Renovations

The semiprivate, membership-leased Springdale Golf Club in Princeton, N.J., began renovations to the course this summer under the direction of The Roger Rulewich Group. Springdale is the home golf course for the Princeton University golf team and is available for play by students and alumni.

The original course, founded in 1895 by alumni, faculty and undergrads, was a nine-hole track listed by the USGA as one of the first 100 clubs established in the nation. A new 18-hole course designed by Gerald Lambert in 1915 replaced the original nine, and architect William Flynn redid some of the features of the reconstituted course in 1928. The current layout is a par-71 track measuring 6,380 yards from the tips, where it earns a course rating of 70.8 and a slope of 128.

Springdale enlisted the services of The Roger Rulewich Group to implement a renovation plan of the golf course and practice facilities. The membership recently completed a new clubhouse that occupies land used by the old driving range. A new driving range, designed by David Tanner, is now situated next to the new clubhouse.

Rulewich was hired to design and build a new practice and short game area. It will include three greens surrounded by 15,000 square feet of fairway; an 8,400-square-foot putting green; a 5,600-square-foot chipping green; and 2,500-square-foot bunker green.

Charlie Beach, Springdale's Board President, is pleased with the club’s changes and additions. The work began this summer, with more slated for next year.

Additional recommendations from Rulewich could result in changes to the routing and length and the course. Also involved are a new green and an irrigation system. The board is now considering these changes and hopes to have a decision by spring 2007.

“The changes being done and proposed will not only improve the look and layout, but also the quality of play. Most importantly it will provide a better and more enjoyable round of golf for all levels of ability,” said Beach.

“Bringing the layout and design up to a level that will allow the course to be played with current day equipment and offer a better overall golf experience,” added Rulewich.