Project

Rolling Green Golf Club

Scope

William Flynn Restoration

Location

Springfield, Pennsylvania, USA

Rolling Green Golf Club has a rich history and remains, to this day, one of Philadelphia’s most distinct hidden golf gems.  Acquisition of the property to create a golf course dates back to the early 1920s, but the golf course was formally designed and built by renowned golf architect William S. Flynn in 1925.  The course opened for play with rave reviews the following year, in 1926.

In early 2018, Rhebb & Johns were retained as consulting architects and began guiding the restoration and course improvement efforts at Rolling Green Golf Club. After extensive research and study of the original course design, the duo developed an evidence-based, long-range Restoration Master Plan for the club to consider.  The plan centered on faithfully restoring the 1926 design, its features, original playing characteristics, and bold personality.  The Club also requested forward-thinking recommendations to enhance and improve every aspect of the property and its related facilities.

In late 2018, the club initiated an exploratory one-hole construction pilot program, and the 6th hole, a challenging par 3, was successfully restored and opened for play in early 2019. Ongoing tree management and grassing work occurred during the pandemic and continued into 2021.

In early 2021, following the completion of the tree management work and some course conditioning work, Rolling Green management decided to withdraw from the restoration efforts and hold off on future work.

What they’re saying about Rolling Green

In all, Rolling Green is now closer to the version Flynn intended. This is a remarkable example of how much of an effect tree removal can have on bringing a course back to its classic design tenets. At any rate, Keith Rhebb and Riley Johns went about the tree removal the right way. I was treated to the splendor of the newly adjusted course in extravagant glory.

Chris MavrosGolfadelphia