Riverhead's Sandy Pond Golf Course is taking a rare winter break this offseason, and when it reopens in March, it will do so with a new name, a modernized logo and an ownership group looking to blend the old with the new. Brian Stark, one of the new controlling owners of the rebranded Sandy Pond Links, plans to restore some of the features he recalls from his youth, when the small par-3 course on Roanoke Avenue was in its infancy.
And the way he sees it, one of the most effective ways to bring the course back to its roots is by reaching down and pulling them up.
"We've been in the ponds, removing the reeds from the ground instead of just cutting them back, so the water is clear like it used to be," says Stark, who worked at Sandy Pond while growing up nearby in the late '70s. "When I was a kid, the third hole had a clear pond, and there were sand dunes and a big green up on the hill."
The 2023 season will be one of change at the course, including in the layout itself, the facilities and the amenities, but it will retain the quaint East End vibe it's been known for since it opened a half-century ago.
Previous owners Ken Weinstein and Chris Wahlers "built a great clientele," Stark says, since they took over operation of the course in 2012. "They brought in leagues and outings, they have a few members. There is a real religious following here."
On the course, much of the focus will be on expanding the greens to their original size. "We're going to bring back the contours of the original greens," Stark says. "You can still see areas where the contours were lost, and how the greens have shrunk significantly over time. They used to have more character and pin positions."
Stark, one of the original owners of the neighboring Long Island National Golf Club, also wants to reintroduce some of the course's original sand-dune features. Sandy Pond was built out of an old sand quarry, after all.
The orientation of the course will change too, with the ninth hole flipping to the top of the scorecard as Sandy Pond Links' new opener. (The other eight holes will move down a slot.) That modification is being made to accommodate a new clubhouse to be built on the north side of the property near the current ninth tee. Plans there include a simulator, an outdoor patio and beer and wine service. Food trucks, a common sight at wineries and breweries in the Riverhead area, could eventually be part of the offerings as well.
Most noticeable on that end of the property will be the addition of a miniature golf course, which is currently pending approval by the Town of Riverhead. Stark hopes it will be ready by the fall.
Even though the course's longtime shack (and its famous green-fee dropbox) will eventually become part of Sandy Pond's past, the new owners don't expect the facility to lose any of its charm.
"Complaints about golf always revolve around three things -- it's too hard, it takes too long and it's expensive," Stark says. "Sandy Pond is none of those."
[PICTURED: Sandy Pond, as seen in 2014, following upgrades under previous ownership.]
Some people wake up a little groggy on New Year's Day and spend the morning in pajamas, clutching a cup of coffee. Others wake up a little groggy, see the sun shining on a 45-degree day, and spend the rest of the morning on the golf course, clutching irons and hand warmers.
Golf on a January morning might seem like a bizarre concept to those in the pajama group, but for the ones scanning the 24-hour forecast on their weather apps as the ball gets set to drop on New Year's Eve, it's just another day in Long Island's winter golf season.
There's no official start date to winter golf season -- some might say Thanksgiving, others might argue it begins with the first frost delay. By late December all of Long Island's seasonal golf courses are closed, leaving the year-round courses with Christmas through mid-March all to themselves. From a player perspective, if you can handle cold, biting wind and ground conditions that get soggier and sloppier as the offseason progresses, there's no reason to stay home and let your golf clubs and new holiday-gift gear collect dust.
So far the 2022-23 winter has been OK despite the cold snap that temporarily froze everything shut. We've seen blizzards wreck offseasons before Christmas, so a snow-free Long Island into the new year is always a win.
Some things have changed about winter golf in recent seasons. Golf On Long Island used to post notable winter-rate specials that were available at local courses, but there's no longer any need. The days of heavy discounts -- or even moderate price breaks -- appear to be gone. Courses now keep their winter rates much closer to peak prices than the $35-45 rounds with cart (and sometimes a free breakfast or lunch) from just a few years ago.
Note that some courses are still offering trimmed-down pandemic-era amenities, so check in advance if you want your winter round to include food and drink options or access to the pro shop.
There's also more competition from modern indoor facilities like X-Golf in Commack, Birdies in Patchogue and the semi-enclosed TopGolf in Holtsville. All offer enjoyable high-tech golf experiences combined with the social attraction (and warmth) of a sports bar and grill. Another X-Golf is on the way this year in Westbury, and Simplay remains an indoor stalwart in Hauppauge.
Golf On Long Island posts relevant course information as necessary throughout the offseason. Be sure to follow local courses on social media for the latest on weather closures, frost delays and more.
[This information was updated on December 24, 2022.]
We've made it to December, and while many on Long Island have already packed away their golf clubs for 2022, the area's cold-resistant players are still out looking for tee times. The selection is about to get smaller though, because December is closing month on Long Island.
By the middle of December, the Island's seasonal public golf courses lock up for the final time and hang a "See You In March" sign on the clubhouse door. So if you have the urge to take on Gibraltar at Timber Point or drive the greens on Brentwood's short par-4s, get those swings in now while you still can.
Or you can just sit back, relax and pick your spots at the Island's many courses that stay open year-round.
The following golf courses are preparing to close for the season this month:
Some courses have already closed for 2022, including:
Check back daily for the latest closing dates. And for more information on Long Island's winter season, stay tuned for our annual Winter Golf On Long Island primer.
It took a few years, but the long-discussed transformation is complete. The former Calverton Links golf course is now part of the solar industry.
For nearly a decade since the course abruptly closed for good in 2013, past players could still see the old front nine resting in plain view alongside Edwards Avenue in Calverton. Its future loomed right across the street, where solar panels eventually took over a former sod farm. Today the course itself is buried under a new solar farm installed earlier this year.
That makes two former East End courses that are now home to hundreds of thousands of solar panels. The transformation of Gil Hanse's popular Tallgrass Golf Course was extensively covered on this site during the years-long lead-up to its closure in 2017.
Amid the debate over Tallgrass's then-proposed future in solar, one opponent of the plan said she did not want her hometown of Shoreham to become "the solar capital of the world." Calverton residents voiced similar concerns in the recent past, though the building continued. Now visitors taking the Edwards Avenue route to get to North Fork farms and vineyards first pass through fields of Calverton solar panels before reaching the area's open space and scenery.
What's become of Long Island's other closed golf courses? You can find out in this updated post from last spring.
[PICTURED: The par-3 11th at Calverton Links, just a few months before its closure.]
Get the hot chocolate and hand warmers ready -- it's time to start preparing for Thanksgiving golf outings.
Local players know Thanksgiving is essentially "last call" for Long Island golf season -- the leaves are down, frost delays are longer, the layers of golf gear thicker. Thanksgiving is one final opportunity for golf with all the trimmings, including a hot meal, prizes, occasional open bars and more.
Golf On Long Island will update the 2022 Thanksgiving slate of scrambles and shotgun starts as information is made available. All outings are designed to get you home to the family with enough time to carve the turkey. Listed below are many of this year's special holiday events (all are on Thanksgiving, November 24, unless otherwise noted). These outings tend to sell out very quickly, so it's best to book early.
Brentwood Country Club is typically the earliest riser on Thanksgiving morning. Shotgun tee time is scheduled for 7:30 a.m. Rate is $54 for 18 holes and cart. Call (631) 436-6060 to reserve a spot.
Cherry Creek is offering 18 holes on the Links Course with cart, range balls, hot breakfast, raffles and contests for $70 per player. Shotgun tee time is 8:30 a.m. Call (631) 369-6500 to register.
Harbor Links will host its 16th annual holiday Turkey Shoot. Registration and breakfast begin at 8:00 a.m., followed by a 9:00 shotgun tee time. Golf, cart and breakfast are $65 for Town of North Hempstead residents; $75 for non-residents. Call (516) 767-4816 to sign up.
Island's End's holiday begins with a 9:00 a.m. shotgun start. Entry fee covers golf and cart. Call the course at (631) 477-0777 to register.
Mill Pond (pictured) will host its 15th annual Thanksgiving Turkey Shootout, teeing off at 8:00 a.m. Format is four-person team scramble, and the $79 entry fee includes cart, range balls, hot breakfast and a drink. The event almost always sells out fast; book in person or by calling (631) 732-8249.
Pine Hills Golf & Country Club continues to hold its holiday outing on Black Friday (November 25). This year's event includes cart, range, light breakfast and prizes for $85. Part of the entry fee will be donated to Toys For Tots. Shotgun start is 9:30 a.m. Call (631) 878-7103 to sign up.
Spring Lake Golf Club will host its annual Turkey Shotgun, which includes breakfast and 18 holes. Tee time is 8:00 a.m. Cost is $75 per player. Call (631) 924-5115 for a spot.
Swan Lake's holiday outing begins with 7:00 a.m. breakfast and an 8:30 shotgun start. Beverages and BBQ will be available until 1:00. Entry fee is $60 and covers golf and cart only (food and drinks not included in fee). Call (631) 369-1818 to sign up.
Willow Creek's shotgun start is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. The $69 entry fee includes golf and cart. Call (631) 474-9200 to register.
Wind Watch is hosting a holiday shotgun scheduled to tee off at 8:30/9:00 a.m. (time to be determined based on forecast). Golf and cart are $69 per player. Call (631) 232-9850 to register.
Check back through November for updated information.
The countdown has begun at Bethpage Black. Long Island's top public golf course will close for the season at the conclusion of play on Sunday, November 13. It will reopen for the 2023 season in mid April.
Meanwhile, the Black's two neighboring courses are also preparing for winter hibernation, though they will remain open a little bit longer. The Red and Green courses will close on Sunday, November 27.
Long Island's winter golfers will still have the Blue and Yellow courses to enjoy this offseason. Both courses stay open year-round as long as the weather permits.
Closing dates are subject to change depending on the weather. In 2020, Bethpage decided to keep the Black Course open for an extra week thanks to favorable November weather, so fans hoping for bonus golf should start rooting for sunny skies and warm temps. If the weather fails to cooperate, you can play the Black, Red and Green again in April.
Call the park at (516) 249-0700 for updates on course availability during the offseason.
The Rock came back to Wading River, and in a surprise move earlier this month, the club turned heel.
Just two months after its long-awaited reopening, The Rock Golf Club has slammed the door shut on the public players that it wooed back with promises of an all-inclusive member-for-a-day experience and elevated perks. The course is fully private and will remain so beyond this season. Golf director Bill Mackedon confirmed the course is no longer open to the public.
Prospective members can join The Rock for a $25,000 initiation fee and $10,000 in annual dues starting in 2023.
The decision to make it a members-only facility, Mackedon told Golf On Long Island, was made after its July reopening. Back in June, with the course preparing to welcome golfers again for the first time since October 2019, Mackedon said the club's goal was to provide a memorable experience "for the person who might only be able to get out and play a few times during the season, where everyone feels like they belong."
That spirit of belonging and inclusivity only lasted until Labor Day, however. Then, players who called to book tee times were instead told the club was available only to members.
Given the optics and timing of such a drastic change of course, it seems more likely that public players -- some of whom spent several hundreds of dollars to play The Rock during its abbreviated summer season -- were simply used as beta testers before a planned decision to turn private. Some players told Golf On Long Island they felt duped, especially since the course had been dropping hints of its return for well over a year.
In May 2021, new owner Chris Vene told the Riverhead News-Review that the concept for the rejuvenated course would be a club-level experience for those without the time to play a lot of golf or the means to afford membership costs. "So you go to Great Rock and you're a member for the day," Vene said.
The majority of those who played the course this summer and were surveyed by Golf On Long Island praised its greens, which have long been the strength of The Rock's layout. But many also agreed that the rest of the course remains in need of significant improvements, especially its bunkers and uneven tee boxes. Others pointed to ongoing irrigation issues and limited amenities. Recalling the problems that plagued Great Rock in its final seasons, some players suggested the course needs to take more time to address its underlying turf and maintenance issues. "They need to close for another year," said one player who logged multiple rounds there even after the course turned private. "It's basically a glorified municipal course right now."
Bill Scherer said he enjoyed his four rounds at The Rock this summer (at $75 per) and was glad it reopened since it's so close to his home in neighboring Shoreham. "It plays the way it used to," he said. "I was disappointed when they told me I could no longer play."
The restaurant, Pulcinella's On The Green, remains open to the public.
For more on Great Rock's closure, sale and subsequent reopening as The Rock, see GOLI's write-up from this past June.
[PICTURED: The Rock's downhill ninth prior to the course's 2022 opening.]
The Long Island Golf Junkies players group will hold its second annual "Putt for Pink" golf outing on Monday, October 3 at Port Jefferson Country Club, with donations benefiting the fight against breast cancer. Shotgun start is scheduled for 11:00 a.m.
Entry fee is $105 per golfer and covers 18 holes with cart. It is an individual stroke play event with contests for closest to the pin and longest drive. Spots can be reserved for singles and groups by submitting a donation via the LIGJ website. (Payment for the golf outing will be made separately.) Visit the LIGJ website for full registration details.
The Long Island Golf Junkies group is one of the largest and most active players groups in the region. It hosts several formal outings, casual rounds and social meet-ups each season at both public courses and private clubs.
Interested local golfers can become members via the Long Island Golf Junkies Facebook group.
[This schedule was updated on September 22, 2022.]
September is aeration month at Long Island golf courses, and maintenance dates are good to know for local players planning their late-summer and fall rounds.
The following public golf courses will be closed for play (unless otherwise noted) while undergoing fairway and/or greens aeration. All dates below have been confirmed with representatives or posted online by the course.
Check back for updates on the courses currently listed as TBA, and for other modifications, as aeration dates are subject to change due to weather and other factors:
Some golf courses have already aerated, so be aware that conditions might not be optimal.
For courses not listed, contact them directly for the latest maintenance schedule.
[This schedule was updated on September 22, 2022.]
The Black Course at Bethpage State Park is set to host the Metropolitan Golf Association's 107th Met Open, which tees off with its first of three 18-hole rounds on Tuesday, August 23. This is the fourth time Bethpage Black is hosting the famed local tournament.
The MGA Met Open features 18-hole rounds on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Bethpage Black will be closed for the duration of the tournament, including a Monday maintenance day. It is slated to reopen for public play on Friday, August 26th, unless that is used as a rain date.
For the latest information on course availability, contact the park office at (516) 249-0700.
