Staples Golf Design has recently completed renovations at two historic golf courses in the Northeast, Arcola Country Club in Paramus, New Jersey, and Garden City Country Club in Garden City, New York, taking Staples Golf to a new region of the country while bringing renewed life to these Golden Age classics.
Led by Andy Staples, owner and principal architect of Staples Golf Design, the projects focused on restoring the architectural character and strategic intent of each course while making thoughtful improvements to playability, infrastructure, and long-term maintenance. Golf course construction firm LaBar Golf was the general contractor on both projects.
“I’m incredibly honored to have worked with these two historic clubs,” said Andy Staples. “I believe the renovations exceeded their members’ goals and have them well positioned for the next 20 years.”
Arcola Country Club
Arcola Country Club dates to 1909 and was designed by H.H. Barker, with involvement by Walter Travis. The Paramus club has a significant competitive history, most notably serving as a co-host of the 2022 U.S. Amateur alongside neighboring Ridgewood Country Club.
Over the years, Arcola evolved through several renovations, including significant changes associated with the expansion of Route 4 and the Garden State Parkway. The work done by Staples Golf Design sought to instill a more unified character back to the property, bringing together a respect for the club’s Golden Age history and original design intent.
The renovation included a comprehensive bunker refresh, reconstruction of greens on Holes 1, 4, 9, 11, and 16, tee and fairway adjustments, and an impactful rerouting of Holes 1 and 9 to improve circulation and playability while maximizing the club’s view of the New York skyline. The par-4 16th hole was also entirely reimagined, creating a green inspired by Barker’s design philosophy and realigning the existing creek for a true risk-reward hole to begin the closing stretch.
“What Andy did for our Club is just phenomenal,” said Tim Casper, President of Arcola. “The members have been absolutely thrilled with the upgrades, and this project now reinforces our standing as one of the best courses in New Jersey.”
About Staples Golf
Founded in 2002, Staples Golf is a nationally renowned golf course architecture firm based in Scottsdale, AZ. Andy Staples is the architect of record for Belle Meade Country Club in Nashville, the historic 1916 Willie Park, Jr. designed Meadowbrook County Club in Northville, MI, and Phoenix Country Club in his home state of Arizona.
Staples Golf implements sustainable, efficient designs and management practices on golf courses throughout the U.S. and is known for its classically-inspired design approach.
Visit www.staplesgolfdesign.com for more details.
