Seth Raynor
Name:
Seth Jagger RaynorCountry:
USALived:
[1874-1926]. Born on May 7, 1874 in Manorville, Long Island, NY. Died on Jan 23, 1926 in West Palm Beach, FL, aged 51.Original/Home Club:
Occupation:
Golf course architectTurned Pro:
n/aWebsite:
https://www.sethraynorsociety.orgRaynor designed over 100 golf courses during his career. His best known work includes, but is not limited to (* = with Charles B. Macdonald):
UNITED STATES:
Blue Mound, WI (1924, current layout) / Camargo, OH (1925) / Chicago GC, IL (1923, modifications) / Creek Club, NY (1923*) / CC of Fairfield, CT (1920) / Fishers Island, NY (1926, with Charles Banks) / Fox Chapel, PA (1923) / Greenbrier, WV (1924, Greenbrier course) / Lookout Mountain, GA (1923, completed by Charles Banks) / Monterey Peninsula, CA (1925*, Dunes course) / North Palm Beach, FL (1926) / Shinnecock Hills, NY (1901, redesign*) / Shoreacres, IL (1916); Waialae CC, HI (1927, with Charles Banks) / Yale University, CT (1923, with advice from C.B. Macdonald) / Yeamans Hall, SC (1925).
CARIBBEAN:
Mid Ocean Club, Bermuda (1921*).
During his relatively short career Raynor designed over 100 golf courses, but wrote very little about any of them or about golf architecture in general. He learned his craft from Charles Blair Macdonald, the first great golf course architect born in North America.
After studying civil engineering at Princeton University, Raynor worked in this field for almost 10 years. Aged 33, he was hired by Charles Blair Macdonald to survey the land on which the National Golf Links of America would be laid out. This project began a close working relationship, which lasted up until Raynor's early death in 1926.
Raynor's first solo design did not come until 1914, when he was already 38. In 1915 Macdonald handed his design business to Raynor, whose own career then began to flourish. His layouts were opening at a rapid pace, mostly up and down the eastern seaboard, but also as far away as Hawaii with Waialae CC. In the 12 years from 1914 Raynor designed over 100 courses, before contracting pneumonia on a visit to Florida. He was aged just 51 when he died.
Sony Open in Hawaii: played at Waialae Country Club near Honolulu, the Sony Open takes over the spotlight from The Sentry as the PGA Tour’s calendar-year opening event (Jan 15-18). The Sentry (not being played in 2026) was formerly known as the Tournament of Champions, with a field typically restricted to golfers who won a PGA Tour event in the previous calendar year.
Dubai Desert Classic: the DP World Tour’s first Rolex Series event of 2026, is contested for the 37th time (Jan 22-25). First won by Englishman Mark James in 1989, it now boasts a four-time winner, Rory McIlroy. Played on the Emirates Golf Club’s Majlis course, this once desert-surrounded course is the long-time flagship for Golf in Dubai.
Our visit last month included two rounds at Golf de Chantilly, one of France’s most prestigious clubs.
It offers two superb layouts: Le Vineuil, a five-star championship course with a rich history, and Longères, an excellent four-star course that provides a strong and enjoyable test.
The wider Paris region offers plenty more. Courses such as Fontainebleau, Golf de Saint-Germain, and several other top-rated layouts make this area one of Europe’s most rewarding golf destinations, offering a mix of woodland, heathland, and parkland designs.
The Dutch: "It's no' just a game", as they say in Scotland, and that's certainly true at The Dutch. With 5-star services throughout, a lavishly comfortable Loch Lomond-inspired clubhouse, and a superbly designed and presented golf course, one could not ask for more from this top-end private club.
Join us at The Dutch from August 21–24 for the Festival of Golf, featuring the HotelPlanner Tour. Experience four days of top-tier sport, live music, incredible food, and unexpected surprises. Explore the grounds, connect with others, embrace new challenges, and dive into an unforgettable celebration. Click here to buy tickets.
Here at Prince’s Golf Club you'll find 27 excellent holes of links golf. Just over the fence and sharing similar terrain is Royal St George’s; but Prince’s is far from overshadowed by its venerable neighbour. The three nine-hole loops at Prince's, laid out over gently undulating terrain, are sure to bring a smile of satisfaction to all lovers of links golf.
Stay&Play at Prince's: excellent onsite Lodge accommodation available
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