Stonewall Golf Club
Stonewall is a private 36-hole club in the rolling farmland of northern Chester County, and one of the early American showcases of architect Tom Doak. The Old Course, a par 70 opened in 1993, made his name in the region; the North Course followed in 2003. Both reward the player who can think.
Photo: J Knoble via Google.
The verdict
Stonewall is a connoisseur's club, the kind of place that golf architecture enthusiasts make a point of seeing. The original Old Course, which Tom Doak completed in 1993, was one of his first American designs and remains a touchstone of his minimalist philosophy: a compact par 70 routed with imagination across the rumpled hills of northern Chester County, asking constant questions of strategy rather than overwhelming with length. It helped establish Doak as one of the most important architects of his generation.
The North Course, opened in 2003, gave the club a second 18 and a different character on rolling parkland nearby. Together they make Stonewall a 36-hole destination for those fortunate enough to gain access. It is a private members club, not a course a visitor can simply book, but for understanding modern American architecture and the work that announced Doak, it is essential, and the surrounding countryside near French Creek is a beautiful corner of Pennsylvania golf.
Stonewall at a glance
- Opened
- 1993 (Old)
- Designer
- Tom Doak
- Type
- Private, 36 holes
- Par
- 70 (Old)
- Courses
- Old and North
- Access
- Members and guests
Designer, opening years and par verified June 2026 from leading course databases and the architect's own catalog. Both courses at Stonewall are Tom Doak designs: the Old Course, a par 70, opened in 1993 as one of his early American works, and the North Course opened in 2003. The club is in Elverson, in northern Chester County, Pennsylvania. Stonewall is private and not open to public play, so there is no public green fee; access is by membership or as the guest of a member. Club policies can change, so always confirm access directly before planning a visit.
The holes worth the trip
The Old Course is the headline, and it is a study in restraint. Rather than force length, Doak used the natural fall of the land to create angles and options, so a player who picks the right line and the right miss is rewarded again and again, while the one who simply hits hard finds trouble. At a par 70 it is short by modern standards, but the variety of the par 4s and the cunning of the green complexes make it play far bigger than the card. It is widely regarded as one of the most interesting Doak routings in the East.
The greens are the heart of the design: bold but fair, full of subtle internal contour that puts a premium on approach position and a deft touch with the putter. Around them, the short-grass surrounds invite the creative recovery rather than the standard flop, which is exactly the kind of decision-making Doak's work is built to provoke. Few courses ask a thoughtful player more questions per acre.
The North Course complements the Old with a rolling, more expansive parkland feel, giving members real contrast across the 36 holes. Conditioning at the club is excellent, the setting in the Chester County hills is serene, and for students of architecture, a round at Stonewall is a chance to see firsthand the ideas that reshaped American course design over the last three decades.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Private members club; not open to public play. Rounds are by membership or as the accompanied guest of a member |
| Green fee | No public green fee; the club does not sell public tee times. Guest play is arranged through a member |
| Courses | Two 18-hole Tom Doak designs, the Old Course (par 70, 1993) and the North Course (2003) |
| On the day | Caddie and walking culture in keeping with a classic members club; observe member etiquette and dress code |
| Getting there | Elverson, in northern Chester County, about an hour northwest of Philadelphia, near French Creek State Park |
| Best months | Roughly April to November, with late spring and early fall the prime conditions in southeastern Pennsylvania |
Access details verified June 2026. Stonewall is a private club; policies can change, so always confirm directly before planning a visit. See our United States green fees guide for the wider picture on access and costs.
Where to stay nearby
The Chester County countryside around Elverson is dotted with country inns and the larger hotels of nearby West Chester and King of Prussia, with Philadelphia an easy hour to the southeast for a city base. The setting near French Creek State Park suits a quieter, scenic trip built around the region's celebrated golf.
For a Philadelphia-area golf trip, Stonewall sits among the finest clubs in the country, in the company of Merion, Aronimink and Saucon Valley. Most are private, so access is the planning challenge; we help golfers build a trip around the courses and experiences they can arrange.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts near Chester County and Philadelphia.
Build a Philadelphia-area golf trip
Stonewall is private, but the Philadelphia region is full of remarkable golf. Tell us what you would love to play and roughly when and who is traveling, and one concierge builds a trip around the courses and experiences we can arrange, with no obligation.
Stonewall questions
Who designed Stonewall and when did it open?
Both courses at Stonewall are Tom Doak designs. The original Old Course opened in 1993, one of Doak's early American works, and the North Course opened in 2003, in Elverson, Pennsylvania.
What is the par of the Old Course at Stonewall?
The Old Course at Stonewall plays as a par 70, a compact, strategic Doak routing across the rolling Chester County farmland. The North Course is the second 18 on the property.
Can visitors play Stonewall?
No. Stonewall is a private members club and is not open to public play. Access is by membership or as the guest of a member, so there is no public green fee.
Where is Stonewall Golf Club?
Stonewall is in Elverson, Pennsylvania, in northern Chester County, about an hour northwest of Philadelphia in the countryside near French Creek.
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Designer, opening years and par verified June 2026; private-access status verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.