Robert Walker
Robert Walker
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Robert Walker
Crag Burn Golf Club
East Aurora, NY•Private
Awards
Panelists Score
Crag Burn Golf Club
1231 N Davis Rd
East Aurora, NY 14052-9487
United States
Overview
The Robert Trent Jones-designed golf course at Crag Burn Golf Club opened in 1972. The course is built over gentle sloping terrain, set on a former estate featuring sprawling fairways lined by tall fescue and inviting putting surfaces surrounded by bunkers and flowing creeks. The course is set up as two distinct nines with the front nine constructed in a parkland-style and the back nine fashioned after Scottish links courses. The immediate course property is devoid of houses and includes stretches of woodland holes, which add to the visual aesthetic and tranquil setting.
About
Golf Digest Panelists
Ratings from our panel of 1,900 course-ranking panelists
100 Greatest / Best In State Scores
Shot Options
Character
Challenge
Layout Variety
Fun
Aesthetics
Conditioning
Reviews
Review
“A strong early 70's Robert Trent Jones layout that uses the both the open fields and wooded sections of the land to great effect. The course flows seemlessly across the topography and the bunker complexes are some of the best I have encounteredin the Northeast. Three of the par 3's require negotiating water abutting the green complexes while bunkers gaurd the other side. The greens have interesting with subtle breaks and hollows to keep golfers on their toes. The par 2nd 5th is a solid risk reward hole with water stretching diagonally from right to left in front of the green for those trying to reach in two. The Par 4 18th is a slight dogleg left with water gaurding the right side and bunkers if you bail out left. Somewhat of a theme at the course which puts an emphasis on precision. Tyler Rae did a fantastic job with the renovation there - he restored a good bit of the putting greens that were lost providing more pin positions and the bunker works is exquisite. They sit lower among the fariways and are shaped in such a way that you can recover from an errant shot. A very good modern design in the Buffalo region."
Read More2026
Review
“Crag Burn is an exceptional course for its era. Character and aesthetics are particularly strong. Strong layout variety including length of par 5s and 3s from back tees. Interesting mix of hole shapes and shot options. From the back tees for the typical low handicap the course is quite challenging particularly given prevailing winds so close to Lake Erie. The renovation was very thoughtful and significantly enhanced the entire experience. New placement of bunkers create strategic pinch points particularly for longer hitters and are generally deeper / more punitive. Expanded and select reshaping of green areas provides more pin placement options and returns green sizes closer to original size. Overall an impressive layout and golf experience among the top courses in the area."
Read More2026
Review
“Tyler Rae renovation of Robert Trent Jones Sr design. Front 9 parkland design through trees. Back 9 linksy design through grassland and water features. Rae did a wonderful job of restoring bunkers to original Jones shapes. Also the size and shape of greens were restored back to original 1969 plans. Grand old water tower overlooks holes 9 through 18, and is actually in play as it sits in the knee of the dogleg on hole 9."
Read More2026
Review
“Tyler Rae renovation of Robert Trent Jones Sr design. Front 9 parkland design through trees. Back 9 linksy design through grassland and water features. Rae did a wonderful job of restoring bunkers to original Jones shapes. Also the size and shape of greens were restored back to original 1969 plans. Grand old water tower overlooks holes 9 through 18, and is actually in play as it sits in the knee of the dogleg on hole 9."
Read More2026
Review
“Robert Trent Jones design in East Aurora with recent renovations (2025) by Tyler Rae. The new bunkering is much more pronounced, adding difficulty throughout. Most of the front and back nines play very differently, with one playing through the trees and the other mostly in the open. There are great risk/reward opportunities on hole #3, a short par 4, and the finishing par 5's at holes #14 and #16. A few of the par 3's lack variety, as water cuts in from the left side and they play very similarly. The long fescue and links feel add to the challenge but can take away from the fun. The fairways and greens are receptive and in great condition. Crag Burn is strongest in Challenge and Conditioning."
Read More2026
Review
“One of the pre-eminent clubs in Western NY, Crag Burn is a 1960s design from Robert Trent Jones. The course features a very interesting property, with the first 7 holes playing through swampy forest and the final 11 holes playing in open, almost links-like fashion with plenty of fescue. The course is demanding with lengthy holes, plenty of hazards, and stout par threes. The set of par fives provides great shot options for the golfer, as as least three of them are risk/reward and reachable in two."
Read More2024
Review
“Robert Trent Jones design in East Aurora with recent renovations (2025) by Tyler Rae. The new bunkering is much more pronounced, adding difficulty throughout. Most of the front and back nines play very differently, with one playing through the trees and the other mostly in the open. There are great risk/reward opportunities on hole #3, a short par 4, and the finishing par 5's at holes #14 and #16. A few of the par 3's lack variety, as water cuts in from the left side and they play very similarly. The long fescue and links feel add to the challenge but can take away from the fun. The fairways and greens are receptive and in great condition. Crag Burn is strongest in Challenge and Conditioning."
Read More2022
Review
“Wonderful golf course just outside of Buffalo. This course has it all - excellent conditions, layout and a beautiful clubhouse. A course you'd enjoy playing every day."
Read More2021
Review
“Great links course. Very difficult."
Read More2018
