Welcome to Rittswood Gold Club, located just 16 miles north of
Pittsburgh off of Rt. 8 in Valencia, PA. This 275 acre 18 hole
public golf course, was once a cattle and chicken farm owned and
worked by Arch Ritts Sr.
and his two sons Skip and William. In 1963,
a family decision was made to change direction and transform the family farm into an 18 hole golf course. The family hired course
designers Jim Harrison and Fred Garbin, and in 1964 work began on "Rittswood
Golf Club."
The Ritts family was committed to designing and building a quality golf course, and were determined not to cut any corners in the process. Their vision into the future, despite the initial financial burdens, produced a lovely, challenging course with character. Rittswood opened for business in 1966.
In 1984, Skip Ritts bought out his brother William, and operated the course together with his wife Edna and three daughters. Rittswood became a pioneer for western PA pulic golf courses, as it was the first course to have a woman starter, Mrs. Edna Ritts. It was also the first course to allow women to play on weekends, and to own a riding greensmower.
The course is still owned by the Ritts family, and is operated by Jennifer Ritts McManus, the General Manager. She is assisted by her husband John and a loyal crew consisting mostly of retirees. Jennifer can also be seen mowing the fairways, and is actively involved in the day to day operations and maintenance of the course.
Uniquely positioned in the beautiful rolling hills of western PA, Rittswood has always treated it's players to a quiet, secluded atmosphere away from housing and noisy highways. In recent years, the management at Rittswood has focused their energies on elevating the quality of the turf in all areas, especially the greens, and the golfers have taken notice. As one player recently said, "Rittswood is a nice challenging layout, for all levels of players. The condition of the course is as good as any public course in western PA. This course is a hidden gem."
and his two sons Skip and William. In 1963,
a family decision was made to change direction and transform the family farm into an 18 hole golf course. The family hired course
designers Jim Harrison and Fred Garbin, and in 1964 work began on "Rittswood
Golf Club."The Ritts family was committed to designing and building a quality golf course, and were determined not to cut any corners in the process. Their vision into the future, despite the initial financial burdens, produced a lovely, challenging course with character. Rittswood opened for business in 1966.
In 1984, Skip Ritts bought out his brother William, and operated the course together with his wife Edna and three daughters. Rittswood became a pioneer for western PA pulic golf courses, as it was the first course to have a woman starter, Mrs. Edna Ritts. It was also the first course to allow women to play on weekends, and to own a riding greensmower.
The course is still owned by the Ritts family, and is operated by Jennifer Ritts McManus, the General Manager. She is assisted by her husband John and a loyal crew consisting mostly of retirees. Jennifer can also be seen mowing the fairways, and is actively involved in the day to day operations and maintenance of the course.
Uniquely positioned in the beautiful rolling hills of western PA, Rittswood has always treated it's players to a quiet, secluded atmosphere away from housing and noisy highways. In recent years, the management at Rittswood has focused their energies on elevating the quality of the turf in all areas, especially the greens, and the golfers have taken notice. As one player recently said, "Rittswood is a nice challenging layout, for all levels of players. The condition of the course is as good as any public course in western PA. This course is a hidden gem."
