Wilmington Country Club’s South Course delivers modern championship muscle with classic private-club pedigree. After a sweeping Andrew Green renovation, it’s easily Delaware’s premier test and a course every serious golfer in the region should covet. Not quite a national pilgrimage, but a true gem for those who gain access.
The South Course at Wilmington Country Club is a consummate championship parkland layout originally crafted by Robert Trent Jones Sr., then reborn for the modern era through Andrew Green’s visionary 2021 renovation. The renovation stretched the course beyond 7,500 yards, introduced more visually and strategically impactful bunkers, and rebuilt or lengthened greens and tees to restore challenge, especially after tornado damage. Expect classically broad fairways, demanding angles, a highly polished member-friendly environment on most days, and the flexibility to morph into a true PGA Tour-caliber beast when the pressure ramps up.
Robert Trent Jones Sr. is a titan of championship architecture, while Andrew Green’s renovation brought fresh vision and strategy for today’s elite game—a rare collaborative lineage.
A tough, long opener puts immediate pressure on your tee ball and approach, setting the tenor for a championship round. The hole rewards placement and precision right from the start, with a fairway that demands confidence.
Favor position over max distance—play to the strong side of the fairway for your preferred approach angle.
Miss the fairway and you risk a long, testy approach from heavy rough or bunkers.
Immaculate fairways, tour-grade greens, and sharp bunker edges across a tree-lined, parkland terrain. Expect world-class polish from tee to green.
Orderly and deliberate, with thoughtfully spaced member play and tournament-level preparation during events.
Traditional, prestigious private-club experience—expect seriousness, camaraderie, and old-world amenities.
Championship length and demanding setups require confident driving, precise iron play, and a sharp short game.
Surfaces are fast, pure, and full of strategic contours—practice lag putting and approach angles before the round.
While walkable, long stretches and broad corridors mean comfortable, supportive shoes are key to a pleasant loop.
Daily setups can make several holes dramatically tougher—check before you go and devise a game plan.
Club founded as successor to Delaware Field Club
Original course hosts U.S. Women’s Amateur
South Course opens (Robert Trent Jones Sr.)
Hosts U.S. Junior Amateur
Hosts U.S. Amateur
Hosts U.S. Mid-Amateur
Major Andrew Green course renovation completed
South Course hosts BMW Championship (PGA Tour Playoffs)
In 2022, Wilmington Country Club made history as the first Delaware venue ever to host a PGA Tour event when the BMW Championship came to town. The South Course drew raves from the world’s best for its tough, modernized test and pristine surfaces.
When a tornado ripped through the property, it didn’t just damage trees. The club seized the moment for Andrew Green to rebuild the 14th green, lengthen holes, and renovate bunkers, leaving the course tougher and more strategic than ever.
Wilmington’s guest logs feature not just major champions but presidents—including Joe Biden, a longtime Delaware resident who’s played here. Legends like Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus have also competed on the South’s storied fairways.
Decades before the PGA Tour arrived, Wilmington Country Club’s South Course was a proving ground for elite amateurs. It has held the U.S. Amateur, Junior Amateurs, and Palmer Cup, etching its championship legacy across generations.
The 2022 BMW Championship was Delaware’s first-ever PGA Tour event.
Thanks to a tornado, the par-5 14th green was rebuilt and moved 60 yards for the BMW prep.
Wilmington Country Club has hosted six USGA national championships, including the U.S. Amateur and Palmer Cup.
Presidents, major champions, and top amateurs have all competed here—including Joe Biden as a playing guest.
Championship-caliber architecture, consistently ranked among Maryland’s best; open to the public.
Resort access, strong design, and excellent conditioning—arguably Delaware’s elite public-resort play.
Highly exclusive, architecturally significant Donald Ross course with major tournament pedigree.
Classic A.W. Tillinghast design, major restoration, consistently acclaimed regionally.
Feeder public play in Philly suburbs—solid for extending your trip with affordable rounds.
Stay in Wilmington proper for easy club access, dining, and efficient drives to regional championship options.
Courses with the most similar DNA profile — matched by deviation shape across all eight playing characteristics.
Why it matches: There is real overlap here. TPC Sawgrass Dye’s Valley Course offers similarly polished playing surfaces, making it a compelling counterpart to Wilmington Country Club.
Why it matches: TPC Louisiana is a natural next stop after Wilmington Country Club: it asks for the same disciplined decision-making and offers similarly polished playing surfaces.
Why it matches: If Wilmington Country Club is your kind of course, Double Eagle Club is worth a look because it puts the same premium on presentation.
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