May 29, 2026, 2:00 p.m. ET
Architect Brian Silva has completed a comprehensive renovation of Old Westbury Golf & Country Club in New York. He rebuilt all 27 greens on the course plus the practice green, as well as executing an extensive list of other upgrades to the club on Long Island some 25 miles east of New York City.
The private Old Westbury course was originally designed by William Mitchell and opened in 1962. Its three nines – Woods, Bluegrass and Overlook – featured push-up greens, many of which had minimal drainage. The greens were also severely sloped, limiting hole locations on surfaces with modern putting speeds. Silva rebuilt each green to USGA specifications, and the greens are now at fairway height instead of being pushed up. The putting surfaces were covered with 007XL bent grass, which was developed by Dr. Richard Hurley, formerly of Rutgers University.
Silva also rebuilt all the tees and bunkers including the Better Billy Bunker system, and he reduced the total number of bunkers from more than 100 to nearer 70. He tweaked some fairways to create more interest and variety, and some areas of greenside rough were replaced with fairway heights for chipping areas. A new irrigation system including 30 miles of pipes and other upgrades also was installed. Silva – working with course superintendent Tom McAvoy and main contractor NMP Golf Construction along with a host of subcontractors – managed to complete the entire construction job in three months while coming in $2 million under budget.
“This renovation presented an opportunity to improve fundamental infrastructure and strengthen the strategic character of the golf course without losing the spirit of the original design,” Silva said in a media release announcing completion of the project. “The result is a course that should perform better, play better and serve the membership exceptionally well for years to come.”
Silva said the renovated course delivers flexibility in course setup and gives members more shotmaking options. The new surfaces and supporting infrastructure systems allow the club to improve conditioning throughout the golf season.
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“Our objective was to create a more playable and strategic golf course while preserving the championship quality and character that have long defined Old Westbury,” Mark Rosen, the club’s board president, said in the media release. “With this renovation now complete, our members can enjoy a golf experience that reflects both the traditions of the club and the standards expected of a premier modern facility.”
Jason Lusk is Golfweek’s travel and golf course architecture editor, as well as the magazine’s creative director. He has written for and designed Golfweek for more than two decades.