A.W. Tillinghast

A.W. Tillinghast ranks as one of America's greatest golf architects. The most prominent member of the "Philadelphia School" of golf course design, Tillinghast tracks reject the style of template holes that contemporary greats (like Seth Raynor) often employed; rather he tried to make each hole entirely unique. Tillinghast courses reward precise play while still allowing safe havens for less talented golfers -- most holes have a safe play and a risky play. The risky play requires a precise shot, but is rewarded with an excellent chance to make birdie; while the safe play usually means the next shot is going to be much more difficult to execute. Sloping fairways, angled greens, and deep front greenside bunkers typify Tillinghast layouts. He only designed two hickory era golf courses in Connecticut, but Manchester Country Club -- which is open to the public -- was redesigned by Tillinghast in 1935.