Golf Club Foundation & Course History
Golf Course History
Jeffersonville Golf Club is an 18-Hole, par 70 public courses, owned and operated by West Norriton Township. Opened in 1931, Jeffersonville was designed by legendary architect Donald J. Ross. West Norriton Township purchased the golf course in 1972. The course is currently ranked in the top 10 public golf courses in Pennsylvania.
Prior to becoming a golf course, the land was used for horse racing in the late 1800s and early 1900s. The races featured a half-mile, oval track that was located where the 11th and 16th holes currently stand.
By 1908, the track evolved into the Montgomery Riding Academy but discontinued the live racing. Anson B. Evans purchased the land in 1919 and the track was closed in the late 1920s. Evans hired Donald Ross to convert the property into an 18-hole golf course, which opened a few years later. The Evans family continued to operate the golf course until West Norriton Township purchased the property in 1972.
Restoration of the Golf Course
In 2000, the course was restored and modernized by Ron Pritchard, a locally-based architect who specializes in restoring the works of this design master.
Some of the highlights of this restoration are:
- Installation of a modern underground irrigation system
- Re-addition of over 40 of the original bunkers
- Rebuilding the tee boxes on each hole
- Re-routing plan leading to stronger finishing holes
In recent years, the hard work of course Superintendent Rich Shilling and his team — along with Director of Golf Mike Housley — have helped the golf course take additional steps forward.
Hosting Events
Jeffersonville has played host to many prestigious tournaments and championships over the years, including the U.S.G.A United States Amateur Public Links Championships Sectional Qualifier on two occasions, which showcases the region’s best players. Other tournaments included: A Junior Tour Championship, Montgomery County Amateur Championship, and multiple Philadelphia Public links Championships, highlighting the top players in the Philadelphia area. In recent years, No Laying Up and The Golfer’s Journal have hosted special events.
Amenities
Jeffersonville Golf Club features a fully stocked pro shop, along with six Trackman Golf Simulators, a halfway house, a full-service restaurant and bar, and a banquet facility. If you want it, we have it!
The pro shop offers balls, hats, shirts and much more apparel. Custom club orders can also be made through the pro shop, which offers competitive pricing and outstanding service. Players can also arrange for lessons, fittings (full bag to golf ball) or anything in between.
Jeffersonville Golf Club Foundation
The Jeffersonville Golf Club Foundation is based on the belief that municipal golf is integral to providing positive social and civic experiences to the patrons, employees and all persons who have the opportunity to engage with the sport of golf. Our focus through this Foundation will be on scholarships, educational programming and community programming. The revenue from this historic golf course will be invested into educational programming, community programming, and scholarships. This model will create exciting educational opportunities all while cultivating community cohesiveness.
Our mission of education is to use golf as a tool to reach the most diverse audience possible, including youth, minorities, seniors, and those with mental and physical challenges. For example, we will develop programs that use golf as a tool to stimulate the mind in individuals with differing levels of Alzheimer’s and dementia. Our cooperative programs and workshops will give our community youth the opportunity to not only learn and excel in the game of golf but also to take in the many opportunities available to them throughout the golf industry. Our work is also currently extending to our local school system with our partnership with the Norristown Area School District.
The Foundation’s Scholarship program will support area students that worked at Jeffersonville through either the Co-Op Program or through seasonal employment. The funds must be used to support students with their tuition, fees, books, and housing.
Community Focus: The Foundation is committed to ensuring that the Jeffersonville Golf Club remains prestigious and prosperous yet open and accommodating to the local community. With the members of the Foundation composed of community members, we find it paramount to continue and build upon this course’s history. We believe there are many areas that we can expand our presence and create a facility that attracts visitors as well as promotes community involvement.
We will also create a focus around sustainability and have created a goal to become Audubon Certified in the first five years.
Scholarships: Our scholarship program is designed to support students and individuals passionate about golf and its related components, such as turf management, sports science, business operations, or golf course design. Our scholarships aims to encourage education, promote industry engagement, and support aspiring professionals in golf-related fields.
Additional information about program eligibility, focus areas, financial support, application processes, will be updated as they become available.
Co-Op Program
Jeffersonville Golf Club is excited to offer high school students the opportunity to participate in our Co-op Program. Through this program individuals gain hands-on experience, develop valuable skills, and prepare for your future career in one of three exciting areas. Students who participate in the program will also be eligible for scholarships through the Jeffersonville Golf Foundation, as scholarships become available. Learning opportunities include:
- Golf Course Maintenance
- Turf management and landscaping
- Operating and maintaining equipment like mowers and blowers
- Irrigation and water management techniques
- Identifying and managing pests, weeds, and turf diseases
- Team collaboration and leadership opportunities
- Golf Course and Restaurant Management
- Customer service and guest engagement
- Event planning and coordination
- Financial skills like budgeting and inventory management
- Marketing and promotional strategies
- Leadership and team-building in a fast-paced environment
- Culinary Arts (Cooking)
- Food preparation techniques and safety protocols
- Menu planning and ingredient sourcing
- Mastering various cooking techniques, from grilling to baking
- Time management and efficiency during service
- Creativity in presentation and dish innovation
Program Benefits:
- Hands-on, real-world experience.
- Mentorship from industry professionals.
- A strong foundation for future careers in golf, hospitality, or culinary arts. • Networking opportunities in a dynamic and supportive environment.
How to Apply: The program is open to high school students interested in exploring these career paths. To apply, speak with your school’s career counselor or contact us directly at rshilling@jeffersonvillegolfclub.org.