Philadelphia Cricket Club’s Golf Programming and Facilities
The Philadelphia Cricket Club (PCC)—the oldest country club in the U.S.—was founded in 1854 to provide a venue for its members to socialize and play cricket. Members soon began enjoying other sporting activities and during its 168-year history, the club has hosted countless notable matches and championships in cricket, golf, tennis, swimming and squash. Although its 1,700 members participate in a variety of activities, golf remains a central component of its culture.
Today, PCC members enjoy three distinct golf courses—each built in a different century—located among the club’s three properties. The nine-hole St. Martins course, which was built in 1895 and hosted the 1907 and 1910 U.S. Open Championships, recently underwent a period-correct restoration. Opened in 1922, the 18-hole Wissahickon course, designed by legendary PCC member A. W. Tillinghast, is an acknowledged masterpiece. It has recently undergone a complete renovation and restoration with architect Keith Foster. Finally, the 18-hole Militia Hill Course, designed by Dr. Michael Hurdzan and Dana Fry, opened in 2002 and is one of the finest modern designs of its kind and regarded as a top course in Philadelphia.
READY TO HOST AGAIN
Following 80 years of keeping a relatively low public profile, in 2010, the membership set out to strategically prepare the venue to host major golf events once again. After an ambitious capital campaign, the Wissahickon course underwent its award-winning restoration in 2013-2014 that spurred a lot of excitement. They hosted the 48th PGA Professional National Championship in 2015, the PGA TOUR’s 2016 Constellation Senior Players Championship, the 2019 Men’s BIG 10 Championship and the 2021 Pennsylvania Open. In 2024, the club will host the USGA’s U.S. Amateur Four-Ball Championship, its first USGA championship since 1910. Jim Smith, Jr., director of golf/COO, reflects on the club’s decision to invest in the golf facilities to give members an enhanced golf experience and access to both traditional and modern design:
“The motivation is primarily altruistic, but obviously there are benefits to being regarded as a top-tier venue for tournament play. It’s bigger than us or any one facility … it’s about giving back to the game and paying homage to the traditions and history of something so central to our members’ lives. The benefits are the prestige and pride that come with hosting. Of course, it needs to make sense financially as well, and we were in a good position from that perspective. “The restoration sought to widen and restore the diminished vistas and original features of the designs. And the beauty of the result is physical, for sure, but also that members can enjoy the courses time and again, and tournament players will be challenged as well. While our last major capital investment program finished in 2014, we invest seven-plus figures annually and recently released a long-range plan that will take the club to new heights in the next 15 years, ensuring a first-class experience for our members.”
GOLF FOR ALL
In addition to the three courses, the club provides its members with access to an award-winning golf practice facility from dawn until dusk throughout the golf season. Its two-tiered range includes short game, irons-only and instruction areas to complement dozens of grass bays. Members enjoy a comprehensive competition schedule for men, women and children of all ages and abilities. The Philadelphia Cricket Club is one of the four founding members of the Golf Association of Philadelphia and fields men’s and women’s teams in interclub competition, while juniors compete in the Colonial League, among other programs. Internally, the club hosts gross/net club championships, men’s league, women’s league, better ball tournaments, as well as social competitions such as two member/guest tournaments and numerous “Stag and Doe Days.” PCC’s five full-time PGA Teaching Professionals provide members with the best instruction experience possible, including private lessons, clinics and group instructions for all ages.
MASTERING THE BALANCE
The PCC golf program is styled with the idea that there should be ample opportunity for golfers of all levels to have a great experience. Smith says, “We’re not a club trying to fill the tee times to boost revenue. We recognize that our 700 golfers are not homogenous, so we basically ensure there’s a combination of serious instruction and fun instruction, serious tournaments and fun tournaments … as well as things to draw the junior golfers and entire families. “It can be a delicate balance to offer programming for everyone while also ensuring members can walk up to the course and play a round of golf. So, our core mission is to create a programming schedule that has something for everyone and then just consistently give them the best experience possible.” There is much to weigh in golf operations: There is a delicate balance to achieving a successful number of rounds played without oversaturation, designing for championships and not alienating amateurs, keeping a low profile and remaining relevant and, conversely, elevating your profile without sacrificing member satisfaction, and investing in a vision for the golf course while respecting its storied history and origins. These are the things Philadelphia Cricket Club has achieved, and Smith makes it sound so simple.
When asked 16 years ago how the board should measure his performance, Smith responded, “That’s easy! If more people want to play golf here, then I’m doing my job.” He concludes, saying “The bottom line is this: Offer an excellent experience to everyone who comes to the club and everything else will take care of itself. The membership stays strong when members and guests feel heard and seen and brag about the club, the service and how they felt when they were there. And that drives us every day.”