Genesee Valley Golf Course (North Course)

Overview: Rochester’s Genesee Valley Park is home to the North Course, a public parkland routing of 18 holes. Known locally as the Old Course, it was built in 1899 and now reaches 6,444 yards at par 71 from the blue tees. The layout combines open parkland, mature trees, subtle elevation changes and the river-valley setting near downtown and the airport. Its range of tee lengths makes the historic course usable for many golfers without losing the character of one of Rochester’s oldest golf properties.

History: The North Course is the older half of Genesee Valley’s 36-hole facility and stands among America’s longest-running public golf sites. Monroe County describes it as built in 1899, with the South or New Course added later to create a second 18-hole layout. The course has continued to serve Rochester golfers through changes in equipment, turf and park management, while retaining its role as the historic anchor of Genesee Valley. Current sources do not establish a reliable original architect, so the profile avoids attaching an uncertain name.

Did You Know? Genesee Valley’s location is unusually convenient for a historic course. The North Course is only a few miles from both Rochester’s airport and downtown, placing a 1899 public layout close to the city’s main travel routes.