Carnegie Abbey at The Carnegie Abbey Club

Carnegie Abbey occupies a distinctive site in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, on land that once belonged to a Benedictine monastery. The course was designed by British architect Donald Steel and opened in the late 1990s. Steel, known for his work on links courses in the United Kingdom and his restoration projects at classic venues, brought a traditional design sensibility to this New England property. The layout incorporates the rolling terrain and mature trees characteristic of the region, with the routing shaped by the existing topography rather than extensive earthmoving.

The course plays across varied ground that includes open meadowland and wooded sections, creating a mix of playing corridors and strategic challenges. Steel's design philosophy emphasizes ground game options and natural contours, with greens that feature subtle movement and surrounds that reward creative short game play. The property's history adds atmospheric character, with remnants of the abbey's stone walls and structures visible from several holes.

Carnegie Abbey serves as a private club and has developed a reputation within Rhode Island golf circles for its conditioning and member culture. The course provides a contrast to the more resort-oriented layouts found elsewhere in coastal New England, offering a quieter, more traditional club experience. Its design reflects Steel's preference for understated elegance over dramatic features, making it a course that reveals its qualities through repeated play rather than immediate visual impact.