While Jeffersonville Golf Club has a long history in golf, horse racing was initially center stage for the property in the late 1800s and early 1900s. The races on the land were on a half-mile oval track where the 11th and 16th holes stand today. Although live racing was stopped by 1908, the property still served as the Montgomery Riding Academy.
Moving ahead 11 years, Anson B. Evans, a Norristown citizen, purchased the 135-acre parcel of land and shut down the track in the late 1920s. Several years later, Evans hired none other than Donald Ross to create an 18-hole golf course, which opened in 1931. Ross, whose masterpieces include Pinehurst #2, Seminole, Oakland Hills, and local gems Aronimink, Gulph Mills, Kennett Square, and LuLu Country Club, designed over 400 courses in the United States and Canada and was regarded as one of the finest golf course architects of his generation.
Although Evans passed away in 1945, his wife and daughter continued to operate the golf course until 1972, when the West Norriton Municipal Authority purchased the property for $131,000. The land was leased to the West Norriton Township for 35 years, and upon fulfillment of the lease, the Township gained full ownership of the course. Township resident Bob Deemer was a driving force in getting the Township to move forward, as he had written a letter to Rick Troncelliti, who at the time was the West Norriton Township president.
By 2000, the course needed significant renovation, so the township hired Ross restorer Ron Pritchard. Pritchard is a resident of nearby Lansdale who has refreshed many of the architect’s courses, including Aronimink and LuLu.
The plan was extensive, as Pritchard and Jeffersonville rebuilt every tee box, added 40 of the original bunkers, removed trees, installed a modern underground irrigation system, and formulated a re-routing plan that led to stronger finishing holes. The irrigation update was a huge plan component, as the course struggled to maintain decent playing conditions. “I’ve been fortunate to see it through all of its fazes,” said Jeffersonville Golf Club professional Billy Mullen. “I started working there when I was 16, and at that time, there was no irrigation system. It was like playing a British Open, with hard pan and dirt everywhere. That’s when Superintendent Rich Schilling came aboard, and he transformed it into what it is today.”
Not only did the township pour money into the course, but it also built a new clubhouse, which enabled the hosting of golf events, weddings, and outdoor events. Also added were an indoor practice facility downstairs of the clubhouse and a restaurant and bar with a repositioned maintenance area.
To accomplish all of the work, the club needed help, and it came the way of state Representative Joe Webster. “The Jeffersonville Golf Club has been a focal point of our region for half a century,” Webster said. “To keep building more memories at this wonderful facility and propel it into the next half century, renovations needed to occur. This $2 million grant funding aims to accomplish this initiative by making this historic golf club a modern establishment that will remain a premier destination in our area for generations to come.”
To say that Pritchard hit the mark with his restoration would be an understatement. With over 40,000 rounds played yearly, Jeffersonville Golf Club is a must-visit for all levels of play – that is if you can get a tee time. Only residents are allowed memberships, and the online tee time process is tough to negotiate as times are scooped up fast. “It’s amazing how many people we get to play here that are members of private clubs,” added Mullen. “They come to play because of how good it is.”
Memorable Holes at Jeffersonville Golf Club
Hold on to your hat, as the first hole is not your average opener at a public golf course. Measuring 449 yards from the back markers, this sharp dogleg left, uphill par four features several bunkers guarding the left side of the fairway and a handful of traps down the right. A nice high draw around the corner is ideal, setting up a medium iron to an undulating green. Par here will go along way.
The so-called easiest hole on the course comes your way at No. 4, a 135-yard par-three. Bunkers on either side of the long, narrow putting surface await the errant shot, but a well-struck iron can yield a birdie.
After four fairly easy holes, the player is greeted with the longest hole on the course, the 576-yard, par-five sixth. With a dogleg to the right, try to cut off as much as possible to leave yourself a reasonable shot at going for the green in two. Although a bunker guards the corner, it should be little trouble to clear. Several bunkers protect the lay-up area short of the green, so stay clear to set up a short pitch to a very long, sloping green. This can be a birdie opportunity as long as you execute correctly.
The par-three eighth is one of, if not the hardest, on the course. Stretching 195 yards and playing into the wind, your tee ball must be precise to a small green that slopes hard from back to front. Let’s not forget the water that lurks short of the putting surface. One-shotter’s are generally the easiest holes on the course…not the eighth.
One of the easier holes on the course is the par-4 10th. Only 350 yards in length, this hole can be had, as the fairway is fairly wide and devoid of sand. The landing area slopes from left to right, which will set up a nice angle to the uphill green. The putting surface slopes from back to front, but it is one of the largest on the course, so take advantage of it.
The downhill par-four 13th is a favorite. At 430 yards from the tips, this gem is one of three par-fours over 400 yards. Bending slightly to the left, the tee shot must avoid the two bunkers down the left side, thus setting up a short-to-medium iron to the green. Most tee shots will leave a downhill hill lie over a creek bed and up to a severely sloping putting surface with sand left and right. Par here is a great score.
The final hole at Jeffersonville is a double-dogleg par-five of 545 yards. Generally speaking, par- fives are usually birdie holes. Not so much here, as No. 18 requires a precise tee ball over the cross bunker down the left. The player is now faced with a difficult layup, as water protects the left side, three bunkers, and a tall oak guard on the right. Even with a solid second, your third shot will be uphill to the most challenging green on the course, which slopes so hard from back to front that you’ll have a tough time keeping your ball on the surface. Chipping areas surround the green, not to mention a bunker on the left. If you don’t play your chip correctly, you’re looking at three putts or worse.
FINAL WORD: I must admit, until recently, I was not familiar with Jeffersonville Golf Club. It’s a shame it’s taken me so long to play this outstanding golf course. There are so many wonderful golf courses in the Philadelphia area, such as Merion, Philadelphia Cricket Club, Aronimink, and Philadelphia Country Club. However, those are private golf courses; unless you’re a member, you have very little chance of getting on to experience those venues.
As far as public courses in Philadelphia, there’s Glen Mills, Wyncote, Makefield Highlands and Broad Run. However, in my estimation, Jeffersonville Golf Club is at the top of the list.
Let’s start with the course’s conditions, which are as good as those of the private venues mentioned. The putting surfaces are as smooth as silk with plenty of contours, the fairways have plenty of movement, and the teeing grounds are perfectly situated.
Talk about a challenge! Well, despite the yardage of 6,400 from the tips, the course is extremely challenging from all tee boxes, and don’t forget—it’s a par-70!
Lastly, amenities: banquet facilities, a full-service restaurant and bar, a fully stocked pro shop with top-of-the-line items, a halfway house, and much, much more. The downside is a lack of a driving range, but guess what? They have six Trackman Golf Simulators at your disposal.
The bottom line, I’ll be back again and again. Jeffersonville Golf Club is a must-play!
