French Encampment Roots
Long before golf, the property served as the campsite of French General Rochambeau and his troops in 1781, en route to meet George Washington. Sunningdale’s land is history-laden far beyond the fairways.
Golf Course Review & Scouting Report
Sunningdale Country Club
Scarsdale, New York
Established
1918
Architect
Seth J. Raynor (original), advisory by Charles Blair Macdonald; Walter Travis (early modification); A.W. Tillinghast (closing holes); Mike DeVries (2016–17 restoration)
Access
Private
Par
Par 71
Length
5,190 – 6,820 yds
The verdict
A Raynor Classic Restored
Sunningdale envelops you in historic charm and strategic golf, where every hole rewards shot-making over brute force. If you’re passionate about Golden Age design, its blend of Raynor, Travis, and Tillinghast touches is a treat. While not a national pilgrimage, this is one of New York’s finest and a must-play for architecture hunters in the region.
Course DNA
Difficulty
74
Scenery74
Conditioning87
Shot Variety81
Walkability80
Green Complexity86
Wow Factor77
Design Quality89
Don't miss
Ask a member to show you the commemorative marker for Rochambeau’s 1781 French encampment tucked just off the course—a piece of hidden American history.
At a glance
Quick facts
193-acre property
Rich, gently rolling Westchester land
Recent restoration
Mike DeVries completed restoration in 2016–17
Three Golden Age architects
Raynor, Travis, and Tillinghast each with a hand
Four true par 3s
All four clock in at or above 160 yards from the Black tees
Historic land
French Revolutionary forces camped here in 1781
Private, member-centric culture
Exclusive access for members and their guests
Home to classic bunkering
Restored Raynor/Travis features shape play
The design
The architecture
Sunningdale’s DNA is Golden Age to its core: Seth Raynor's engineered lines and template holes, Travis’s crisp refinements, and Tillinghast's flourish in the home stretch all preserved in a 2016–17 DeVries-led restoration. The routing exploits classic, rolling Westchester topography, rewarding precision and intent at every turn. Architecture geeks will relish the interplay of bold Raynor greens, cross-bunkering, and smart sightlines—this is a club that wears its heritage on every contour.
Seth Raynor’s original vision, refined by the greats and lovingly brought back to life, defines Sunningdale’s identity from first tee to last putt.
Defining features
- Restored Raynor-style greens and surrounds
- Strategic bunker placement back in play
- Travis-built tees and green additions for greater variety
- Tillinghast-inspired closing sequence with new par-3 12th
- Preserved classic templates and risk/reward opportunities
- Pristine conditioning enhances strategic intent
Hole by hole
Signature holes
Hole 1
Opening Gauntlet
PAR
5
YARDAGE
495
The opener sets the tone with a reachable par 5 featuring classic risk/reward options off the tee and a sloping Raynor green that tests your long game focus. It's an invitation to get aggressive but punishes wayward shots with cross-bunkers and subtle movement.
Play it smart
Long hitters can attack in two, but conservative play to the elbow leaves a comfortable wedge. Approach placement is critical for any hope of two-putting this undulating green.
Where it bites
Miss wide left and you’re likely blocked out or in sand; the green complex quickly turns a birdie look into a scrambling par.
Course management
Shots to think about
Approach to a Raynor green with steep fall-offs
Err short or center; missing long can be costly.
Decision on the par-5 7th
Assess the bunkering closely before going for it in two—lay up if you can’t fully commit.
Club selection on the 210-yard par 3s
Check pin position and wind—leaving an uphill putt is critical for a par save.
Fairway position on the 18th
Aim for a conservative tee shot to ensure a clean look—penalties lurk both right and left.
Reading tiered greens after restoration
Take your time; subtle slopes restored by DeVries add deception and break.
Punching out from tree lines
Play safe—pitch or bump along the ground rather than risking a limb hit.
Short wedge approach after a layup
Favor spin and control over aggression; many greens repel over-confident shots.
On the day
What to expect
Conditions
Excellent private-club conditioning with firm, fast fairways and receptive Raynor greens restored to their intended boldness.
Pace
Member-driven, generally efficient pace; occasional member events can slow play but bottlenecks are rare.
Vibe
Refined, traditional, and architecture-centric with a quiet appreciation for history and design.
Dress code
Conservative country club attire is required; collared shirts, slacks or Bermuda shorts, and hats worn forward.
Before you tee off
Your game plan
01
Emphasize precision off the tee
Bring your best positional play—finesse and target selection are paramount here over raw length.
02
Sharpen your lag putting
The restored Raynor greens have return slopes and plateaus; expect challenging first putts.
03
Brush up on Golden Age design features
Familiarity with Raynor's template holes and design philosophy will deepen your experience and help you pick the right lines.
The lore
How it came to be
- 1913
Club founded and plays initial 9-hole course in Mount Vernon
- 1916
Land purchased in Scarsdale for permanent club
- 1918
Seth Raynor design opens in Scarsdale
Stories & legends
What makes it special
Architectural Hat Trick
Few courses can claim the stamp of three Golden Age masters, but Sunningdale marries Raynor's routing with Travis' refinement and Tillinghast’s drama in its closing stretch—a living master class for architecture nerds.
Restoration Resurrection
Mike DeVries’s 2016–17 restoration brought back Raynor’s trademark features, restoring lost boldness to greens and bunkering, transforming the course back to its strategic Golden Age roots.
For the group chat
Fun facts
1
French and American troops camped on club grounds in 1781 en route to Yorktown.
2
At least three legendary architects contributed to the course’s current layout.
3
Recent restoration revived buried Raynor bunkers and green contours lost over decades.
4
Sunningdale’s private status and intimate club culture ensure no crowds, ever.
5
Raynor’s influence is visible on nearly every green site and fairway cross-bunker.
Build the trip
If you're building a Westchester/Fairfield golf trip
CourseAccessWhy it's on the listTrip
Bethpage State Park Black Course
Public
World-renowned U.S. Open venue, Open to all
Winged Foot Golf Club
Private
Iconic tournament pedigree and Hudson Valley beauty
Quaker Ridge Golf Club
Private
A neighboring Golden Age architectural gem
The Country Club of Fairfield
Private
Links-flavored Connecticut classic, if access possible
Sleepy Hollow Country Club
Private
Hudson River views and Macdonald/Raynor roots
White Plains, New York for best access to the region’s top clubs, restaurants, and lodging.
Course DNA
If You Like Sunningdale Country Club
Courses with the most similar DNA profile — matched by deviation shape across all eight playing characteristics.
Strong DNA Match8.6
Holston Hills Country Club
Knoxville, TennesseeWhy it matches: What links these two? A comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character — a familiar feeling, expressed in Holston Hills Country Club's own setting.
Strong DNA Match8.3
Black Sheep Golf Club
Sugar Grove, IllinoisWhy it matches: Black Sheep Golf Club is a natural next stop after Sunningdale Country Club: it a comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character.
Strong DNA Match7.8
Topeka Country Club
Topeka, KansasWhy it matches: There is real overlap here. Topeka Country Club a comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character, making it a compelling counterpart to Sunningdale Country Club.
The architect's other work
More from Seth J. Raynor
Fishers Island Club
Fishers Island, NYCoastal masterpiece, famed Raynor template holes
Shinnecock Hills Golf Club (restoration)
Southampton, NYCo-credited with Macdonald for routing
Camargo Club
Cincinnati, OHNoted for bold Raynor green sites
The Creek
Locust Valley, NYDramatic landing zones, Raynor boldness
Community Sentiment
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