Rhode Island’s Premier Golf Golf Course

Donald Ross designed and constructed a number of world class golf courses in Rhode Island. Those located in Rhode Island include Wannamoisett, Warwick, Metacomet, Rhode Island Country Club and Triggs Memorial. However, Triggs is the only true public Donald Ross in Rhode Island.

Triggs Memorial Golf Course was conceived by Ross in the early 1930’s and opened in the spring of 1932. As is typical of many Ross designs, Triggs Memorial is considered an exceptional layout featuring long difficult par 4’s, “reachable” par 5’s, and spectacular par 3’s. The design follows the natural contours of the site with moderate and relatively gentle changes in elevation and small strategically bunkered greens. Ross brilliantly used the existing topography to create a masterpiece of character peppered with illusions that affect strategy and course management.

FCG Associates took over the course in the spring of 1990. At that time, the condition of the course had deteriorated considerably as was the case with a number of the old “mini’s”. Since FCG took over the course they steadily worked toward condition improvement as well as restoration of Triggs to its original Ross design made possible by way of the original plans. Contours of greens and fairways, tees and most of the bunkers were replaced or reconstructed during years of development.

As was the case with most of Ross’s Rhode Island designs, the course layout follows the natural form of the land with relatively small strategically bunkered greens. The front nine at Triggs is fairly flat with much larger changes in elevation on the back nine. Triggs begins with three long and difficult par 4’s and finishes with two of the same. Triggs is noted for its difficult par 4’s, relatively short par 5’s and four demanding par 3’s.

Triggs Memorial Golf Course is located in the heart of the Providence west side (Mount Pleasent neighborhood) in what is now a densely populated area. Originally, the course was built on the 140 acre Obadiah Brown Farm. An elementary school, high school and Rhode Island College stand on it’s borders today.