Ruth Park Golf Course: A Historic Landmark in St. Louis Golf
Nestled in the heart of University City, Missouri, Ruth Park Golf Course stands as a testament to the rich history of golf in the St. Louis area. This 9-hole facility, complete with a driving range, welcomes golfers of all skill levels throughout the year. Its origins trace back to 1931, with a design crafted by the renowned Scotsman Robert Foulis, a name synonymous with early golf course architecture in the region.
Origins and Design
Robert Foulis's influence on St. Louis golf is undeniable. Before embarking on his design career, Foulis honed his skills as an assistant at the legendary St. Andrews in Scotland. Upon arriving in the United States, he left his mark on several local courses, including the original Forest Park Golf Course and Normandie Golf Club, the latter holding the distinction of being the oldest public course west of the Mississippi River.
Ruth Park Golf Course embodies Foulis's design philosophy, characterized by a strategic use of the natural landscape. The course's slightly hilly terrain adds an element of challenge and visual interest. Wide fairways provide a sense of openness, while the small greens demand precision and accuracy. Tree-lined fairways on the second, sixth, and seventh holes further enhance the course's aesthetic appeal and strategic complexity. Several holes have out of bounds to the right off the tee.
A Course in Evolution
Ruth Park Golf Course has seen its share of changes over the years. Recent efforts have focused on improving the fairways, with a transition to completely Zoysia fairways and bent grass greens.
Robert Foulis: A Legacy in Golf Course Design
Robert Foulis, the architect behind Ruth Park Golf Course, was a prominent figure in the early development of golf in the St. Louis area. His designs reflect a deep understanding of the game and a commitment to creating challenging and enjoyable courses for golfers of all levels. Foulis's work at Ruth Park, Forest Park, and Normandie Golf Club solidified his legacy as a master of his craft.
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Normandie Golf Club: A Neighbor with a Storied Past
Normandie Golf Club, designed by Robert Foulis, shares a lengthy golf history. Established in 1901, Normandie Golf Club is one of the oldest public courses west of the Mississippi still operating on its original site. While it maintained its status as a private club for over eight decades, it transitioned to a public facility in 1984. The course holds a significant place in sports history as the host of the 1908 Western Open-the first professional golf tournament ever held in the St. Louis area. Open champion Willie Anderson. After decades of decline, the club entered a transformative era in 2021. Under the “Normandie Reimagined” initiative, the Metropolitan Golf Foundation acquired the land from the University of Missouri-St. Louis.
Normandie shares its lengthy golf history with two private courses nearby: Glen Echo Country Club and Norwood Hills that were also built around rail lines in the county in the early 20th century.
Glen Echo, which also is located in the city of Normandy, holds a special place in the record books: In 1904, Glen Echo hosted the golf competition for the Olympic Games. Healey says the courses were built on farmland owned by descendants of French-born John Baptiste Charles Lucas who named it Normandy, after his homeland.
The Allure of Golf in Normandy
If you look at a map of the Normandy area, three large splotches of green space stand out amid the patchwork of small municipalities that make up this chunk of north St. Louis County. They’re golf courses, and they date back to the early 1900s. Kevin Windham has been wondering why they’re there. He recently posed this question to St. Louis Public Radio’s Curious Louis feature: “There are at least three golf courses in Normandy, Mo. Why are there so many golf courses in an area that is so socioeconomically disadvantaged?”
Healey says the courses were built on farmland owned by descendants of French-born John Baptiste Charles Lucas who named it Normandy, after his homeland. “There were no public courses at the time,’’ Healey said. “Basically, it was affluent men and women who wanted to take up the game, mostly because they had learned it in their college days on the East Coast. Golf came to St. Louis because young men who went to school in the East came back here and started playing the game on open fields. They eventually developed the golf clubs.”
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Golf courses need lots of open space, and there was plenty to be found in the county. The land was also accessible. Every early golf course - from before 1900 even up to 1905 or '06 - was built near transportation that was accessible, and usually it was rail lines. In 1900, there were fewer than 50 cars licensed in the city. So, you had to rely on public transportation: stage coaches, carriages, trolleys and so on. A photo taken on opening day at Glen Echo shows people arriving at the clubhouse on a stagecoach. Glen Echo also had its own train station.
Longtime Missouri legislator Wayne Goode, who grew up in Pasadena Hills, said the Normandy area has long been known for its golf courses - and for its cemeteries - which the landlocked city of St. Louis also didn’t have room for. The little municipalities would later spring up around them. The city of Normandy, for example, didn’t incorporate until the mid-1940s.
In the early 1900s, builders started building subdivisions in the Normandy area. And this started the trend toward subdivisions incorporating into small cities, which still occurs and no place in greater numbers than in the Normandy area. About half of Bel-Nor’s 403 acres is covered by the Normandie golf course and Lake Charles Park Cemetery, which dates to 1922. The village incorporated in 1937.
As wealthy St. Louisans migrated westward out of the city, some of the clubs in north county closed or relocated to be closer to their members. The land was then redeveloped. One example is the UMSL campus in Normandy.
A Community Asset
Ruth Park Golf Course is more than just a place to play golf; it's a valuable community asset. Its accessible location and affordable rates make it a popular destination for local residents and visitors alike. The course provides a welcoming environment for golfers of all ages and abilities, fostering a sense of camaraderie and promoting the enjoyment of the game.
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Conclusion
Ruth Park Golf Course stands as a symbol of St. Louis's rich golfing heritage. From its origins as a Robert Foulis design to its current status as a beloved community asset, the course has played a significant role in the area's sporting landscape. Whether you're a seasoned golfer or a beginner, Ruth Park offers a unique and rewarding experience that captures the essence of the game.
Additional Golf Courses in the St. Louis Area
The St. Louis area boasts a diverse array of golf courses, catering to a wide range of preferences and skill levels. Here are a few notable examples:
Arlington Greens (Granite City, Illinois): Designed by Robert Harris, this course offers 7,200 yards of golf with a par of 72.
Pomme Creek Golf Course (Arnold, MO): This challenging 18-hole course offers affordable greens fees and is conveniently located near St. Louis and Southwestern Illinois.
Berry Hill Golf Course (Bridgeton): A well-regarded 9-hole course known for its excellent conditions.
Eagle Springs Golf Club: Offers both an 18-hole championship course and a 9-hole Par 3 course, along with a Footgolf course and practice facilities.
Eagles Bluff Golf Course (Clarksville): Known for its terrific views and challenging play.
Florissant Golf Club (Florissant): This course has undergone significant improvements since being purchased by the City of Florissant in 1997.
Fore Honor Golf and Event Center: A non-profit course honoring those who serve and protect.
Golf At Lockhaven (Godfrey, Illinois): Features a Robert B. Harris-designed course with a banquet facility.
Mystic Oak Golf Course: A public course with 18 holes, long fairways, water hazards, and a restaurant.
Oak Valley Golf Course & Resort: Offers a golf course, banquet hall, driving range, water park, RV park, cabins, and more.
The Orchards Golf Club (Belleville, Illinois): Designed by former Masters winner Bob Goalby.
Rend Lake Golf Course: Features bent grass greens, Zoysia fairways, water hazards, and a driving range.
Spencer T. Olin Community Golf Course: Offers scenic views and challenging play with contoured greens and water hazards.
Terre Du Lac Country Club: Features an 18-hole Skyview course and a 9-hole Valley course.
The Woodlands Golf Club: Known for its challenging layout and excellent greens.
Yorktown Golf Course (Shiloh, Illinois): An 18-hole, lighted Par 3 course designed by Bob Goalby and Pete Dye.
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