Crag Burn delivers a demanding, strategic Robert Trent Jones Sr. layout now brilliantly restored by Tyler Rae to its original vision. Sweeping fairways, sculpted bunkers, and expanded, creative greens combine into a parkland challenge that rewards shot-makers and celebrates classic championship character.
Crag Burn’s design pulses with Robert Trent Jones Sr.’s signature: broad, rolling corridors, strong strategic bunkering, and a blend of open and treelined holes that demand thoughtful, committed golf. Tyler Rae’s restoration elevated the course by returning shrunk greens to their dramatic original contours, sharpening bunker identities, and imbuing each hole with the architect’s intended challenge. The routing smoothly transitions through former polo fields and natural meadows, giving players a classic championship challenge where position, angles, and recovery skills are endlessly tested.
Robert Trent Jones Sr., an American master of strategic, championship layouts, left a subtle yet stern test at Crag Burn, brought to new life thanks to Tyler Rae’s meticulous restoration of features first imagined in 1972.
Stretching to 607 yards from the Black tees, the second hole is the longest and perhaps most honest par 5 at Crag Burn. Position off the tee is crucial, and even power hitters face the true three-shot dilemma with well-placed bunkers menacing each layup.
Accurate placement sets up manageable third; aggressive second shots risk deep bunkering and awkward angles.
Errant tee or layup shots find thick rough or sand, leaving no chance for birdie—or even par.
Superb, tournament-standard maintenance; fast, smooth greens and sharp fairways thanks to extensive restoration.
Member-clocked pace of play—expect well-timed rounds aligned with private club standards.
Traditional private-club atmosphere with understated estate charm and a focus on excellence.
Private-club standard: collared shirts, tailored shorts or slacks, soft-spike shoes; check with the club prior to play.
You’ll face several par 3s north of 200 yards—make sure your hybrids and long irons are ready for bold tee shots and approach demands.
Restored greens are larger and more undulating than before—plan your approach angles and expect slick, varied putts.
Expanded, reshaped bunkers are a defensive highlight; rehearse tough greenside shots to save those pars.
The course is walkable for those who appreciate exercise, but bring comfortable shoes—private club service means carts are available if needed.
Frank H. Goodyear Jr. estate and polo grounds founded on site
Crag Burn Golf Club opens, original RTJ Sr. design
First Bert Nash Memorial amateur event held
Hosts 97th NYS Men’s Amateur Championship
Long before it was a golf club, the Crag Burn site was a famed polo estate, where the Goodyears' horses galloped amid rolling meadows. Stone stables and an iconic water tower still hint at these golden-age roots, adding a stately sense of place to every round.
Tyler Rae’s restoration project painstakingly returned Crag Burn’s bunkers to their original shapes and strategic boldness. Where time had softened their impact, sharp edges and dramatic placement are back—presenting classic risk-and-reward drama for golfers on every approach.
Started in the club’s inaugural year, this scratch better-ball event has drawn top amateurs from across the country to Western New York. The championship pedigree and competitive tradition continue to define Crag Burn’s identity decades later.
With five par 5s on the card, Crag Burn tests nerves, distance, and strategy in equal measure. Each offers a different flavor—from three-shot monsters to tempting risk-reward—for a round where no lead ever feels safe.
Clubhouse is an original Goodyear family estate building reused for golf operations.
Old water tower and stables still stand on property—visible reminders of the site's polo past.
The Bert Nash Memorial, founded in 1972, has become one of upstate New York’s most respected amateur events.
After years of shrinking, nearly all greens were expanded and recontoured to their original RTJ dimensions in the 2025–26 restoration.
Crag Burn’s scorecard features five par 5s—a rarity in championship parkland design.
Best public option for championship-scale challenge near Buffalo
Well-conditioned, accessible daily-fee alternative close to East Aurora
Modern, high-quality public course within an hour’s drive
Quirky, scenic resort test if heading south from Buffalo
Stay in East Aurora or South Buffalo suburbs for easiest access to Crag Burn and public courses.
Courses with the most similar DNA profile — matched by deviation shape across all eight playing characteristics.
Why it matches: What links these two? Puts the same premium on presentation — a familiar feeling, expressed in Poppy Hills Golf Course's own setting.
Why it matches: There is real overlap here. Atlantic Golf Club offers similarly polished playing surfaces, making it a compelling counterpart to Crag Burn Golf Club.
Why it matches: If Crag Burn Golf Club is your kind of course, Whitemarsh Valley Country Club is worth a look because it a comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character.
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