Restoration

     Lewis Keller, an excellent amateur golfer, had met and become friends with Sam Snead in the early 1950's. At Snead's urging, Keller considered purchasing a summer home in the White Sulphur Springs area. Aware of the historical significance of Oakhurst and that it was for sale, Snead suggested that Keller visit Oakhurst and meet Cary Montague. Thus, in 1959, Lewis Keller purchased Oakhurst.

     The Keller family would use the property for many years as a summer home and to breed thoroughbred horses, however the land was otherwise undisturbed. Because of his love for golf, Keller had always dreamed of restoring the old Oakhurst Links. Finally, in 1992 a visit from golf writer Dick Taylor spurred his resolve . At the time he was working on a development project with noted golf course architect Bob Cupp, who provided both inspirational encouragement and technical advice. Bob Cupp offered to restore the golf course.

     Working from old records passed down to him from Montague and the limited contemporaneous writings available, Keller and Cupp began digging around the estate. The property had been untouched. Cupp and Keller were able to locate the site of the original tees and greens, and had records of the historic course's routing. What resulted from this "labor of love," was a course of 2,235 yards restored to its 19th century condition. The modern golfer must recall, however, that golf in the 1880's was played with a "gutta percha" ball - twenty years before the longer, wound "Haskell" ball. In 1884, a drive of 150 or 160 yards was considered quite good.

     

Keller's restoration didn't stop at the course itself. To "restore" the experience of the 19th century game, he contacted club makers in St. Andrews, Scotland to produce the 1880's replica golf clubs and balls which players at Oakhurst use today.

     
On October 20, 1994, the course was re-opened for play, with Sam Snead and Karsten Solheim hitting the first commemorative shots and press from around the world in attendance. In 1998, the first annual National Hickory Championship was played at Oakhurst, attracting a field of 42 players from around the United States and Canada. In 2002 Oakhurst The Birth and Rebirth of America s First Golf Course was published in hardcover (Walker & Co., New York) chronicling the complete history of Oakhurst with the forward being written by Sam Snead.