Lawrence Van Ettern, designer of the original golf course.

The original Knollwood course, as already noted, was an 18-hole affair that was ready for the 1895 season. It was laid out and constructed by member Lawrence Van Etten, a prominent civil engineer responsible for planning many of the residential communities in and around New Rochelle, also for saving and restoring the home of Thomas Paine in New Rochelle. He later designed a course for the Deal Country Club in New Jersey and the original Wykagyl course at that club's present site in New Rochelle. Van Etten was perhaps the best golfer among the early members, winner of the first Thanksgiving Tournament in 1895 "at scratch." That is, he gave strokes to everyone else.

According to club lore, Van Etten was helped by a Scottish professional who happened to be visiting St. Andrew's in Yonkers at the time. Harpe's Official Golf Guide of 1899 identifies this man for us, stating that Willie Park "designed" the Knollwood course. Park first came to this country during the summer of 1895 to lay a series of exhibition matches (including at least one at St. Andrew's) and lay out some golf courses. He visited Knollwood during 1895, consulted with Van Etten, and recommended some changes in the golf course. His contribution is corroborated by a note in the June 1896 issue of Outing magazine stating that Knollwood had a "new" 18-hole golf course for the 1896 season.

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