Garrett “Garry” Renn: The Architect Behind the Course
Since opening in 1965, Wedgwood Country Club has been part of the South Jersey golf
landscape, welcoming generations of golfers to its 18-hole course in Turnersville, New Jersey.
The course reflects a tradition of golf-course design that values strategy, thoughtful use of the
land, and a challenge that rewards skill as much as power.
Wedgwood’s original architect is identified in golf-course directories as Garrett J. Renn, also
known as Garry Renn—a golf professional, course superintendent, and designer whose career
was closely connected to the Philadelphia region.
A Career Built Around the Game
Renn’s professional background extended beyond golf-course design. By 1962, he was
overseeing Philadelphia’s public golf courses, which operated under the general supervision of
the Fairmount Park Commission and the city’s Department of Recreation. His responsibilities
included the management of a substantial municipal golf operation serving thousands of players.
An October 1962 article in Golfdom magazine documented the scale of that operation under
Renn’s leadership. Philadelphia’s five public 18-hole courses recorded more than 233,000 rounds
in 1961 and generated approximately $378,000 in green-fee revenue. The article also described
Renn’s experience as a former private-club golf professional and superintendent.
This combination of professional golf experience and golf course operations gave Renn a
practical perspective on the game—not only how a course should challenge players, but also how
it should function as a place for people to play and enjoy golf.
A Practical Philosophy of Golf-Course Design
Renn’s approach to golf was reflected in his professional writing and presentations. In a
discussion titled “Speeding Play,” he addressed the relationship between course design, playing
difficulty, maintenance, and the overall golfing experience.
His ideas emphasized that a course could present a meaningful test without becoming
unnecessarily difficult or slowing play. He discussed strategic hazards, playable rough,
appropriately sized tees, and maintenance practices that supported efficient course operations.
That philosophy offers an interesting lens through which to appreciate Wedgwood. A successful
golf course must appeal to players of different abilities while preserving the strategic decisions
and challenges that make the game rewarding. The balance between playability and thoughtful
shotmaking remains an important part of traditional golf-course design.
A Regional Golf-Course Designer
Renn is credited with the design of several golf courses in the Philadelphia and South Jersey
region. Among those associated with his work are Little Mill Country Club in Marlton, New
Jersey, and Latona Country Club in the Buena area of New Jersey.
Little Mill’s original 18-hole course opened in 1968 and is credited to Renn. His regional work
places him among the golf professionals involved in shaping the area’s public and private golf
landscape during a period when the game was expanding throughout suburban communities.
His professional career is also associated with the history of Cobbs Creek Golf Club in
Philadelphia, where municipal golf operations and course development played an important role
in introducing generations of players to the game.
Wedgwood’s Place in South Jersey Golf
Wedgwood opened during a period of growth for golf in South Jersey. Its location in Turnersville
is located within reach of golfers from Gloucester County, Camden County, and the greater
Philadelphia area.
Over the decades, the course has provided a setting for everyday rounds, leagues, tournaments,
outings, and friendly competition. Its 18-hole layout has become part of the local golf tradition,
serving experienced players seeking a challenge as well as golfers continuing to develop their
game.
Understanding Wedgwood’s history also means recognizing the professionals who helped shape
its original design. Garrett “Garry” Renn’s background in golf-course management and his work
in the region provide a valuable connection between Wedgwood and the broader history of
Philadelphia-area golf.
An Untimely Passing
Garrett “Garry” Renn’s career was cut short in 1968, when he reportedly died in an automobile
accident. He passed away while still contributing to the development of golf in the Philadelphia
and South Jersey regions.
Although his life ended prematurely, the courses and professional contributions associated with
his name remain part of the region’s golfing heritage. Wedgwood’s connection to Renn is a
reminder of the people whose vision and expertise helped shape the golf courses that generations
of players have come to enjoy.
Preserving the Tradition, Looking to the Future
The history of a golf club is more than a record of its opening date. It is a story of the people who
shaped the course, the golfers who played it, and the community that grew around it.
As Wedgwood Country Club continues its story, the work attributed to Garrett “Garry” Renn
remains an important part of its heritage. The club’s history provides a foundation for the
future—honoring the traditions of the game while continuing to create memorable experienc
