The Denison University Board of Trustees has announced that the college will accept a gift of the Granville Golf Course from the Granville Golf Course Co. and its six shareholders. “We are very grateful for this gift and the opportunity to retain this beautiful and historic golf course in our village,” said Seth Patton, Denison’s vice president for finance and management. “We are committed to maintaining the property as a golf course, which provides economic benefits to the community and enhances the beauty of Granville.” Patton added, “The Granville Golf Course already is home to our men’s and women’s golf teams, and we look forward to deepening our relationship with this important landmark.”
After due diligence, the college has contracted with Davey Golf, a division of Davey Tree Expert Company, to engage in the day-to-day management of the facility. Davey Golf manages a number of public and private golf courses across the country. “They have the resources, which include a highly trained staff and the latest technology and equipment, to maintain and enhance the Granville Golf Course,” says Patton. Columbus Hospitality Management, managers of the Granville Inn, will partner with Davey Golf for food and beverage services at the course.
The Granville Golf Course will remain on the village tax rolls and open to the public, just as in the past. The Granville Township’s conservation easement does not affect the course’s function as a public golf course.
“The Granville Golf Course partners are delighted to put the course in the hands of Denison University,” said Bob Kent, a shareholder in the Granville Golf Course Co. “We all have enjoyed close ties with the university over many years and are quite confident that they will be outstanding stewards of one of the jewels of Granville.”
The Granville Golf Course was built in 1924 by John Sutphin Jones, who commissioned famed course designer Donald Ross to architect the course. Born in Scotland, Ross designed such American courses as Pinehurst in North Carolina, and Aronimink near Philadelphia. The course exemplifies his philosophy of using the natural rolling, wooded terrain to create settings for each hole, with elevated and undulating greens, and artfully placed sand bunkers.