Dellwood Country Club in New York, now renamed Paramount, in honour of club founder, and movie mogul, Adolph Zukor, has hired golf architect Jim Urbina to restore the course in accordance with the principles of original designer AW Tillinghast.

Urbina, the long-time right hand man of Tom Doak, went out on his own last year, after the completion of the Old Macdonald course at Bandon Dunes, which he and Doak co-designed. He says he fell in love with the course, which has new owners, when he visited for the first time last August.

“You talk about a hidden gem, this course wasn’t listed in any book!” he said. “But when it’s done, Paramount is going to open people’s eyes. Over time, courses don’t expand. Tees, greens, bunkers, fairways – everything gets smaller. I want to bring back the expanse, the broad views and beauty that original owner Adolph Zukor and AW Tillinghast once saw.”

Since its acquired by a private family in 2009, Paramount has already changed dramatically from the old Dellwood facility. Nearly US$5 million has been invested in renovating the clubhouse, grounds, pool area, and 12 tennis courts. A nine-bedroom cottage for members and guests has been modernised and a fitness centre added.

The golf course has been changed over the decades by the effects of nature and 90 years of play: Urbina and the new owners are dedicated to bringing the course back to Tillinghast’s original vision. The restoration will be accomplished in segments, starting this spring, and the course will remain open for play during the process.

“As part of our passion for this project, we wanted to bring all the elements together under one name that reflected everything Dellwood has been and the greatness we see in its future,” said Jeff Mandelbaum, a representative of the owners. “As we phase in the new name, we’ll also be phasing in more projects that exhibit our excitement for the property.”