Baltusrol Designated National Historic Landmark
Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield has been designated as one of nine new national historic landmarks, it was announced Sept. 30 by U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell and National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis.
The nine new historic national landmarks range from the oldest operating streetcar system in America to the home of an arctic explorer. The sites join 2,544 other sites across the country recognized as places that possess exceptional value and quality in illustrating or interpreting the heritage of the United States.
Baltusrol is just the fourth golf course, joining Merion Golf Club, Oakmont Country Club and Pinehurst as the only courses to achieve landmark status.
U.S. D.O.I. OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT
Founded in 1895, Baltusrol Golf Club comprises arguably the most important and influential design of leading early-20th-century golf course architect Albert W. Tillinghast (1874 – 1942), one of the first American golf architects to integrate a golf course into nature. Baltsurol has hosted at least one major national championships in every decade of the 20th and 21st centuries, including five U.S. Opens, two U.S. Women’s Opens, and one PGA championship. Baltsurol will also host the 2016 PGA championship.
“On behalf of the members of Baltusrol Golf Club, we are honored to be designated a National Historic Landmark. Our membership recognizes the importance of this designation and that it is bestowed only after a thorough, exhaustive analysis by the Department of the Interior's National Park Service Landmarks Program. Baltusrol's Dual Courses, completed in 1922 and known as the Lower and Upper Courses, are truly historic accomplishments and important designs of Golden Age golf course architect A.W. Tillinghast,” stated Baltusrol president Joseph Tato.
“We recognize that with this designation comes responsibility. Over the years, our membership has worked to maintain and preserve the design integrity of our Tillinghast courses. One of our Club's responsibilities is the stewardship of our golf courses and Clubhouse consistent with Baltusrol's distinct place in American golf history. We also recognize our responsibility to maintain appropriate environmental standards, so that our courses will be preserved and enjoyed by future generations,” Tato added.
“We thank the National Park Service and the Department of the Interior which understood the importance of maintaining our historic site for future generations.”
“These nine sites add to a nationwide network of unique, historic places that represent the complex journey that we have taken as a nation,” said Secretary Jewell. “By designating these new national landmarks we ensure that America’s history of innovation, vision and diversity are celebrated today and for future generations.”
The National Historic Landmarks Program, established in 1935, is administered by the National Park Service on behalf of the Secretary of the Interior. The agency works with preservation officials, private property owners, and other partners interested in nominating properties for National Historic Landmark designation. Completed nominations are reviewed by the National Park System Advisory Board, which makes recommendations for designation to the Secretary of the Interior. If selected, property ownership remains the same but each site receives a designation letter, and is eligible for technical preservation advice. The National Historic Landmarks Program is one of more than a dozen programs administered by the National Park Service that provide states and local communities technical assistance, recognition, and funding to help preserve our nation’s shared history and create close-to-home recreation opportunities.
