Country Club of St Albans

Tavern Creek at the Country Club of St. Albans occupies rolling terrain west of St. Louis, designed by Michael Hurdzan and Dana Fry and opened in the late 1990s. The course takes its name from a creek that winds through the property, influencing several holes and providing both strategic interest and natural drainage through the layout. Hurdzan and Fry, frequent collaborators known for their environmental sensitivity and strategic design, routed the course to work with the existing topography rather than impose dramatic earthmoving on the site. The design features elevation changes typical of the Missouri River valley region, with holes playing through wooded corridors and across more open meadow areas. Tavern Creek itself comes into play on multiple occasions, requiring carries or creating hazards alongside fairways and greens. The architectural style emphasizes playability for members while incorporating risk-reward options through angled greens, strategic bunkering, and varied approach angles that reward thoughtful course management. The Country Club of St. Albans serves as a private club for the western St. Louis suburbs, with Tavern Creek functioning as the primary championship layout. The course hosts member competitions and regional amateur events, providing a test that balances challenge with enjoyment for a range of skill levels. The Hurdzan-Fry partnership brought their characteristic attention to turf conditions and maintenance practices, designing features that could be sustained over time within the club's operational framework.