Pennsylvania’s golf landscape is defined by its history. From the Golden-Age artistry of Ross and Tillinghast to the rugged modernism of today’s top courses, it represents both legacy and evolution.
Renovating within that heritage takes care — and a deep understanding of the land, soils, and expectations unique to the Northeast.
Jeff Lawrence, ASGCA, and his team at Lawrence Golf Design have guided several high-profile renovations across the Mid-Atlantic, including The ACE Club in Philadelphia. Their work reflects a singular balance: modern playability without sacrificing architectural integrity.
“Every Pennsylvania course has its own story,” says Lawrence. “Our job is to strengthen it — not rewrite it.”
Many Pennsylvania courses are routed through rolling, glacially carved terrain — natural contours that shaped the strategy of the game. When Lawrence Golf Design was commissioned to lead the bunker renovation and hole redesign at The ACE Club, the goal was to elevate strategic intent, not replace it.
Through detailed topographic analysis and on-site mapping, the team restored natural drainage corridors and reshaped fairway bunkers to re-establish risk-reward decisions off the tee. The result was a layout that plays faster, looks sharper, and aligns with the original design philosophy — while accommodating modern ball flight and maintenance standards.
“Strategic bunkering isn’t about difficulty,” Lawrence explains. “It’s about engagement. It’s about giving players a reason to think.”
Pennsylvania’s climate presents a dual challenge: hot, humid summers followed by cold, freeze-thaw winters.
These cycles test every surface — greens, bunkers, and drainage systems.
At The ACE Club, Lawrence Golf Design employed layered drainage systems using angular sand and lined bunker bases to prevent contamination and reduce maintenance. Green complexes were re-engineered for better percolation, reducing the impact of frost heave and spring saturation.
“The Mid-Atlantic has one of the toughest maintenance environments in golf,” says Lawrence. “Good design must anticipate it, not just respond to it.”
As part of the Philadelphia renovation, Lawrence Golf Design implemented a turf conversion program that balanced performance with sustainability. Cool-season bentgrass was retained where it offered superior texture and color, while high-traffic zones were transitioned to more resilient varieties with improved heat and disease resistance.
The project also addressed surface transitions — refining collars, surrounds, and approach zones to ensure smooth maintenance integration between turf types.
The hallmark of Lawrence Golf Design’s Pennsylvania work is visual sophistication paired with functional precision.
At The ACE Club, bunker faces were reshaped using a combination of rolled-edge and flashed sand styles to blend seamlessly into the existing topography.
This hybrid approach maintained visual drama from elevated tees while ensuring faster recovery after rain.
The result: a course that looks bold but plays fair, with maintenance demands aligned to real-world conditions.
Pennsylvania’s rolling terrain makes drainage both a blessing and a curse.
Lawrence Golf Design incorporates subsurface drainage with surface grading to manage both velocity and volume — preventing erosion on steep fairways while ensuring even percolation on flats.
At The ACE Club, the team utilized collector basins and sub-drains tied to new green and bunker systems, enabling efficient moisture management even during heavy spring rain.
These systems reduce annual maintenance costs and protect newly renovated features from washout.
A critical aspect of modern renovation is understanding how far equipment has evolved.
In Pennsylvania, where many Golden-Age courses were designed around shorter ball flights, Lawrence balances classic shot values with modern distances.
“We can’t move every green,” he says. “But we can reshape tee angles, reclaim lost fairway corridors, and restore depth perception that brings every club back into play.”
This approach, employed during Lawrence Golf Design’s hole redesign at The ACE Club, preserved the course’s heritage while subtly modernizing its rhythm — a crucial factor for both private-member satisfaction and competitive relevance.
While Pennsylvania spans diverse microclimates, several constants define the region’s renovation philosophy:
Lawrence Golf Design’s work reflects these realities through adaptable master planning, ensuring each course evolves sustainably — not just aesthetically.
Other Northeast projects, such as the renovation at Hudson National Golf Club just over the state line, reinforced the same principles: control water, manage scale, and let the land dictate design.
Renovation success often hinges on how the process is communicated.
Lawrence Golf Design partners closely with club boards and superintendents to share phased timelines, renderings, and visuals that keep members engaged.
This approach proved essential during The ACE Club’s construction period — where a clear communication plan ensured members understood not just what was happening, but why. The result was buy-in, patience, and ultimately pride.
As new technologies — from GPS grading to hydromodular bunker liners — become industry standards, Pennsylvania clubs face a unique opportunity: preserve their heritage while embracing performance-driven modern design.
Lawrence Golf Design’s regional experience positions the firm to lead that transformation — combining historical sensitivity with modern data, and environmental stewardship with creative flair.
“Our work is about respect,” says Lawrence. “For the architect who came before, for the superintendent who maintains it, and for the golfer who calls it home.”
Renovating in Pennsylvania requires more than technical skill — it requires humility, history, and foresight.
By restoring character, optimizing performance, and planning for sustainability, Lawrence Golf Design continues to shape the next chapter of the state’s proud golfing tradition.