St. Louis Country Club

Clayton, Missouri

Private Club · 18 Holes · Par 71 · 6,697 yds · Members Only · 4.7

A Charles Blair Macdonald and Seth Raynor collaboration, St. Louis Country Club is an architectural treasure featuring classic template holes. The layout hosted the 1947 U.S. Open and brings Golden Age design principles to the rolling hills of Clayton with Redan, Biarritz, and Eden holes.

History & Heritage

St. Louis Country Club was founded in 1892 with the current 18-hole layout designed by Charles Blair Macdonald and Seth Raynor in 1914 — one of golf\'s most celebrated Golden Age collaborations. The course hosted the 1947 U.S. Open, famously won by Lew Worsham over Sam Snead by a single stroke in a dramatic 18-hole playoff.

The layout features Macdonald and Raynor\'s famous template holes: a celebrated Biarritz (225-yard par 3 with distinctive deep center swale), a Reverse Redan (185-yard 16th — unique among M/R designs), and other classic British-inspired designs. Golf Digest ranks it among America\'s Second 100 Greatest.

Signature Holes

Hole 2 Par 3 · 225 yards

A celebrated Biarritz template — a 225-yard par 3 with a long green featuring the distinctive deep swale through the center. One of the most studied examples of the template by golf architecture enthusiasts worldwide.

Hole 16 Par 3 · 185 yards

A Reverse Redan — unique among Macdonald/Raynor designs which typically feature left-to-right Redans. The reversed orientation makes this a rare architectural curiosity as well as a demanding par 3.

What to Expect

A Golden Age par-71 showcasing Macdonald and Raynor\'s template philosophy — strategic, thought-provoking holes referencing the great holes of Britain. Precise iron play and ground-game options are rewarded. Green complexes with slopes, shelves, and contours create natural pin positions.

Strictly private — an architectural treasure in Clayton, Missouri.

Playing Tips

Study the template holes before playing. Understanding a Redan green (angled away) or Biarritz swale helps pick the right club and aim point.

The ground game is encouraged on approaches. Bump-and-run shots are viable and often smarter.

Putting surfaces have old-school contours that break more than they appear.

Highlights

✓ Macdonald-Raynor template hole design
✓ 1947 U.S. Open host
✓ Golden Age architectural treasure

Frequently Asked Questions

What are template holes?

Macdonald and Raynor recreated famous British holes: Biarritz (deep-swale par 3), Redan (angled-away green), Eden, Short, etc. St. Louis CC features some of the finest examples.

What happened at the 1947 US Open?

Lew Worsham beat Sam Snead by one stroke in an 18-hole playoff — Worsham holed a short putt on the 18th after a measurement dispute. One of the most dramatic finishes in Open history.

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