DONALD ROSS

America’s most prolific architect, Donald Ross had a limited role in the golf course landscape of Montgomery County.

As mentioned, he designed the original Sunnybrook Golf Club course – which now has been reduced to a 9-hole facility, known as Flourtown Country Club.

Of his 400 golf course designs, the final one to receive full recognition is Jeffersonville Golf Club. Strange circumstances led to its late discovery.

On a property that once was a horse racing track, Anson B. Evans sought out Donald Ross to build a golf course. Ross was in the process of building the famed Aronimink Golf Club in nearby Newtown Square. As often was the case, Ross would dispatch a work crew to construct another golf course in the area.

Jeffersonville opened in 1931 and was operated by the Evans family until 1972, when it was purchased by West Norriton

Township. Under each owner, the property was sadly neglected and a ghost of a golf course existed. There was no mention of its Ross heritage.

Then, at the start of this century, thanks to an effort by West Norriton Township Supervisor Rick Troncelliti, a move was started to give Jeffersonville new life. During that effort, papers were discovered leading to the Ross original design.

After a major renovation by local architect Ron Prichard, Jeffersonville reopened as the 400th accredited Ross creation. Today it is a popular municipal golf course.