Piqua CC turns to Bobby Jones Links

Designed by Donald Ross and later Jack Kidwell, the Dayton track is the second-oldest course in Ohio.

Bobby Jones Links is now managing Piqua Country Club, a classic Midwest property?with a player-friendly 18-hole golf course in Dayton, Ohio.

The original six holes were designed and built in 1896 — just eight years after the first golf course opened in the United States. Donald Ross redesigned those holes in 1920 and added three more. The course was later renovated and enhanced, including the addition of nine holes designed by Jack Kidwell.

Piqua is the oldest golf course in Dayton and the second-oldest in Ohio.

“We courted several other management companies and what led us to BJL was the attention to detail and their team’s plan to orient their management strategy specifically toward our biggest needs,” board president Chris Francis said. “Piqua has a tremendous?history and great opportunity to welcome in more local young families who want to be a part of a historic golf course in superb conditions as well as the swimming pool and other excellent amenities here.”

“Our team’s initial focus will be on enhancing the value proposition of being a member and highlighting all of the amenities, the legacy it has, and the benefits of membership,” BJL chief development officer Doug Hellman said. “We don't take a one-size-fits-all approach. It's not the services that we provide, but rather how we deliver them. Every club is unique. Piqua is in a smallish market, and it’s an older club with a lot of traditions that have to be preserved. But at the same time, this board is very forward-thinking, and they know they have the responsibility to members to think forward and create the relaxed, comfortable, welcoming, and inclusive club that the next generation of members wants to join. We want to consistently pay great attention to detail, hospitality and ambassadorship to make Piqua Country Club the ideal home away from home for members.

“The club has been primarily recognized for its fantastic Donald Ross-designed golf course; however, our goal is to activate all its amenities to breathe new life into the club to make it one of the top lifestyle clubs in the market.”???

Tree-lined bentgrass fairways, small undulating greens and large mature oak trees are just a few characteristics of the classic layout whose history spans almost 13 decades. Elevated tee boxes offer visually stunning views of the rolling terrain and manicured fairways. With five sets of tees, the course is very player-friendly for golfers new to the game, but still quite challenging for low-handicap golfers.