Montclair Golf Club: Ross Design Meets 300 Feet of Elevation

A Championship Venue With Serious Elevation

When I first started looking into Montclair Golf Club ahead of the USGA Women's Mid-Amateur, the statistic that jumped off the page was 300 feet. That's the elevation change from the clubhouse — which sits at the property's highest point — down through Donald Ross's sprawling 27-hole design. For context, that's more vertical drop than you'll find at many ski resorts, and it plays a massive role in how this course challenges golfers.

Montclair, located in West Orange, New Jersey, just hosted its third national championship, adding to its 1973 Women's Amateur and 1985 Men's Amateur pedigree. But what makes this venue interesting from a course design and playability standpoint goes well beyond its tournament history.

The Donald Ross Factor

Ross arrived at Montclair in 1920 to craft 27 holes on terrain that most architects would consider both a blessing and a logistical nightmare. The original 18-hole layout by Tom Bendelow sat in the Montclair community proper, but the move to West Orange gave Ross a canvas with dramatic elevation shifts that allowed for some genuinely creative routing.

The three Ross nines — designated 1st, 2nd, and 3rd — showcase the Scotsman's ability to use natural topography rather than fight against it. Uphill approach shots, downhill tee shots with expansive views, and greens that play differently depending on which direction you're coming from — it's classic Ross problem-solving.

In 1928, Charles "Steam Shovel" Banks added a fourth nine, giving the club 36 holes total. Banks earned his nickname for his willingness to move earth, and his contribution provided additional variety to the property.

The 2nd and 3rd Nines for Championship Play

For the Women's Mid-Amateur, the club used a combination of the 2nd and 3rd nines, playing to 6,578 yards with a par of 70. The numbers tell part of the story: a 72.6 course rating and 131 slope rating indicate this isn't a layout that gives anything away easily.

That slope rating is particularly notable. Anything over 130 suggests a course that punishes errant shots significantly more than it rewards good ones. Combined with the elevation changes, players face the kind of uneven lies and elevated green complexes that demand precise distance control.

Brian Schneider's Restoration Work

Here's where the story gets interesting for anyone who follows course architecture trends. Over the decades, Montclair's playing characteristics drifted from Ross's original vision as thousands of trees overtook the property. Turf quality suffered, sight lines disappeared, and the strategic options Ross had built into his design became obscured.

Brian Schneider completed restoration work in 2025, and from what I understand, the project focused heavily on tree removal and recovering Ross's intended playing corridors. This kind of work is becoming increasingly common at historic courses — clubs are realizing that mature tree growth, while aesthetically appealing to some, often compromises both turf health and strategic variety.

The timing meant the Women's Mid-Amateur was essentially a coming-out party for the restored layout, giving competitors and observers a look at Ross's design philosophy in its intended form.

What Elevation Means for Equipment and Strategy

For the equipment-minded among us, playing a course with 300 feet of elevation change creates some interesting calculations. Downhill shots play longer in carry but shorter in total distance due to reduced roll-out on steeper landing areas. Uphill approaches require extra club — sometimes significantly more than you'd expect.

Modern launch monitors and rangefinders with slope adjustment help, but nothing fully prepares you for the visual confusion of a 150-yard shot that plays like 170 because you're firing up a steep slope into an elevated green. Ross was known for tucking his greens into natural features, and at Montclair, that often means putting surfaces that reject anything less than precise distance control.

Club History at a Glance

Founded: 1893 (13th oldest club in the United States)
Original architect: Tom Bendelow
Donald Ross design: 1920 (27 holes)
Charles Banks addition: 1928 (9 holes)
Recent restoration: Brian Schneider (2025)
National championships hosted: 3 (1973, 1985, 2026)

Takeaway

Montclair Golf Club represents exactly the kind of restoration success story that course architecture enthusiasts love to see. A century-old Donald Ross design, brought back to its strategic roots through thoughtful tree removal and maintenance improvements, now showcasing itself on a national stage. The 300 feet of elevation change makes it a unique test — one where shot-shaping, distance control, and course management matter far more than raw power. If you ever get the chance to play it, bring an extra club and leave your ego in the bag.