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-(Architect, A.W. Tillinghast)-
A.W. Tillinghast, also know as "Tillie", was a leading figure in shaping golf's first 50 years in America.
He considered himself to be the "Dean of American Golf Course Architects". His design principals formed
the foundation for the development of the modern golf course and fueled the growth in popularity of the
sport in North America. Some of his golf courses are Baltusrol, Quaker Ridge, San Francisco, Somerset Hills and
Winged Foot, to name a few.
For the first 30 years of his life, he engaged in a variety of activities of the well bred, one of which was
golf. He frequently traveled to St. Andrews to take lessons from the old great Tom Morris and competed with
moderate success in the U.S. Amateur between 1905 and 1915.
In 1907, he laid out his first course, Shawnee-on-Delaware, in Pennsylvania, at the request of a wealthy
family friend. Tillie had found his calling and with great pop and panache, laid out and detailed magnificent
golf courses during golf's golden age of the 1920's.
Tillie was a prolific writer and speaker and for a timed served as the editor of Golf Illustrated magazine.
The depression destroyed his chance to create more golf courses and he died in poverty in his daughter's home
in Toledo Ohio.
While many of Tillinghast's courses disappeared entirely during the depression or have been severely altered
by time, others remain so well distinguished that they are treasures of the game. Tillie's intentions were
clearly known as he spoke and wrote his feelings about design. Tillie knew every hole must be unique, yet remain
sound and rhythm.
Golf courses cannot be designed by committee. Tillie's eccentric behavior and bombastic way with the wealthy
allowed his true talent to shine through. Most of his holes are gorgeously balanced, beautifully bunkered,
and yet blended into the whole of the golf course. Tillie's work is to be studied and treasured. To
summarize, Tille wrote,
"Produce something which will provide a true test of the game, and then consider
every conceivable way to make it as beautiful as possible."
Berkshire Hills C.C. is the only course in Massachusetts to be designed and built by A.W. Tillinghast. We at
Berkshire Hills C.C. truly appreciate the work and the beauty of his design.
[reference: Golfweb Library & "The Course Beautiful" by A.W. Tillinghast]
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