Golf on Long Island

Street Names: The Ghosts of Long Island Golf's Past, Part 4 -- Sayville Golf Club

Street names can give clues about a community's past.  That's especially true with golf courses.  When Long Island streets are tagged with golf-related terms, it often means that buried beneath sidewalks and front lawns are the remains of a long-forgotten (or fondly remembered) course.

This series of posts will look back at courses that have been gone for decades, some close to a century, and whose presence is only marked by what developers scratched on road maps and signs.  To see other courses in the "Street Names: The Ghosts of Long Island Golf's Past" series, click the links at the bottom of the post.

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Like the previous entry in this street-name series, a relatively unknown course ill-prepared to pull its way through the Depression era left its mark on the local map with a Fairway Drive.  The only difference between the Valley Stream Country Club and this feature's Sayville Golf Club is that the Sayville neighborhood that replaced the golf grounds is left with two Fairways instead of one.

Sayville Golf Club debuted in 1903 during an era of course-building that served members of new and established country clubs as well as hotel guests and city dwellers.  Sayville was more of the latter -- it was one of several areas on Long Island's south shore known as a resort destination, and it would also develop into a popular community for summer residents from Brooklyn.  The course itself was built on a small parcel along Great South Bay, with nine holes covering around 30 acres along Candee Avenue. 

Previews included the type of exaggeration standard for the era.  "It is said that the turf comes as near to the typical Scotch soil as any to be found on Long Island," said a July 1903 write-up in the Brooklyn Daily Eagle.  Charter members paid $10 for the season and non-members could play for 50 cents, according to the 2015 book Sayville and West Sayville: Pictured Through the Years.

It wasn't until July 1922 that a clubhouse was built on the property, offering the services of a country club in addition to golf.  Prior to that, a second course opened on a piece of farmland north of the original course on Montauk Highway and shared space with a tennis club.  Throughout the 1920s, the various clubs starred as lively social gathering spots serving well-known families from the local area and parts of the city.

But as the common story goes, the Depression set in and bent many of Long Island's less prominent clubs until they broke.  Sayville was sold in 1935 to a developer who planned a neighborhood of "Elizabethan and New England-style" homes, per the Eagle.  In the golf course's place sat about a half-dozen new residential roads, two of which -- Fairway Drive East and Fairway Drive West -- live on today sized and spaced like parallel par-4s.

SEE OTHER STREET-NAME POSTS:
Part 1: Cedar Point/Meadowlawn/Westwood -- North Woodmere
Part 2: The Lido Club -- Lido Beach
Part 3: Valley Stream Country Club -- Valley Stream

Newspaper images courtesy of Brooklyn Daily Eagle via Newspapers.com

2018-19 Winter Rates Roundup I

The first weekend of 2019 is about to arrive toting temperatures somewhere in the 40s along with a little early rain.  Sounds like favorable winter golf conditions to us.

Golf On Long Island loves winter golf, and you should too, if only for the chance to play quality courses with limited crowds for a discount price.  Below is a sampling of this offseason's 18-hole rates at area courses.  For full details about rates and course conditions, contact the course pro shops or visit their websites.  Note that these do not represent discounted rates at all courses.

For offseason rates from previous years and a primer on winter golf in general, refer to Winter Golf on Long Island: 2018-19 Edition and our Winter Golf on Long Island overview.

• Cherry Creek Links:  $25 to walk and $35 to ride on weekdays; $35 to walk, $45 to ride on weekends and holidays (nine-hole rates also available)
• Rock Hill:  $32 to walk and $45 to ride on weekdays; $42 to walk, $55 to ride on weekends; all days $35 to ride after 2 p.m.
• Spring Lake: $44 to walk, $56 to ride weekday mornings, $38/$46 in the afternoon; $48 to walk, $65 to ride weekends until 11 a.m., $38/$50 after (nine-hole rates also available)

Winter Golf On Long Island: 2018-19 Edition

The winter of 2018-19 has arrived with buckets of rain that will keep Long Island's offseason golfers away from the course for a saturated day or two, though it could always be worse.  Drop the temperature by 20 degrees or so and turn that rain into snow and you have a dreaded December blizzard potent enough to wipe a winter golf season right off the calendar. 

Scrutinizing the snow forecasts is as common to local winter golfers as frost delays, hand warmers and jamming tees (unsuccessfully) into frozen turf.  For those who can bear the brisk breezes, the wide-open fairways and green-fee discounts are worth the slight discomfort. 

Winter golf on Long Island isn't for everyone -- most Long Island golfers call it a season long before Thanksgiving -- but it's nothing to sneeze at (the sneezing might begin a day or two later, though).  Ground conditions usually hold up until the first prolonged snow cover, and the empty tee sheets mean you can play in peace or bring a newcomer to the course to get a first taste of live play with no pressure from trailing groups.  Rounds are cheaper, too.

The winter scene is slightly different this year.  With the PGA Championship coming up at Bethpage State Park in May, only one course -- the Blue -- will remain open full time over the winter.  The Yellow Course, typically Bethpage's other winter option, is undergoing PGA-related preparation that will keep it either closed or shortened to nine holes. 

See also: Winter Golf on Long Island overview

Elsewhere, the handful of seasonal golf courses have already closed or are preparing to shut down for the winter.  Most of them will reopen in March.  The rest keep the tees open year-round.  To keep winter golfers up to date on playing options around the area, Golf On Long Island will periodically post available discount rates and specials through the offseason.  At some courses, winter rates can be as low as two bucks a hole.  Some include lunch.  Check back for updated specials throughout the winter.

In addition, as Long Island golf courses very slowly begin to dip their toes in the social-media pool, a few have made life a little easier for winter customers.  Munis like Bethpage (@BethpageGolf on Twitter) and Sunken Meadow State Park (@TheMeadowsPGA on Facebook) regularly post updates on frost delays, opening times and course conditions.  Other public courses send rate updates and open tee times by e-mail blast.  

For a full primer on offseason golf, check out the Winter Golf on Long Island page, which will feature some of this season's special rates in addition to offers from previous years.

No updates on planned Topgolf facility in Holtsville

One year to the day since the Brookhaven Town Board voted unanimously to approve zoning changes that would allow Long Island to land New York's first Topgolf facility, there is no indication that the popular driving range and entertainment venue will arrive here anytime in the near future.

Topgolf, known for its growing chain of modern, neon-lit golf, dining and nightlife centers popular across the Midwest and South, is planning to extend its reach into New York with a new facility to be built on an industrial site near the Long Island Expressway in Holtsville.  Last December, the town board in Brookhaven voted 6-0 to change the site's zoning to "commercial recreation" and approve special permits, per Newsday.

However, with the project quietly awaiting additional town approvals, a representative at Dallas-based Topgolf confirmed there is no news or timetable to share regarding the proposed Holtsville location.  The Topgolf website currently lists 15 new locations "coming soon" around the country and internationally, but none in New York.  Brookhaven Town has not responded to an inquiry on the Holtsville facility.

For now, the closest Topgolf venue to Long Island is in Edison, New Jersey (pictured).  Unlike regular driving ranges, Topgolf features microchipped golf balls and arcade-style target areas for computer-scored games and contests, as well as dining and lounge-style amenities that appeal to non-golfers.  Climate-controlled hitting bays are rented by the hour and typically include televisions, WiFi and access to food and drinks.  Standard range features like lessons and clinics are also included.  Some in the golf industry have credited Topgolf with helping introduce millennials and other non-golfers to the sport.

[Photo courtesy of Topgolf]

Brentwood, Holbrook, Cherry Creek Woods closed for the season

The Town of Islip municipal courses at Brentwood Country Club and Holbrook Country Club have closed for the season.  The courses typically reopen in mid-March, weather permitting.

The Woods Course at Cherry Creek in Riverhead has also shut down for the winter.  Look for the course to reopen in late March.  Meanwhile, across the street, Cherry Creek's Links Course will remain open through the winter as the weather allows.

Check back in late February for GOLI's updated list of 2019 course reopening dates.

Bethpage in Winter: One course open, walk-ups only

The 2019 PGA Championship at Bethpage Black is five months away but its presence is already impacting the way golfers utilize the park golf courses this winter season.

Only the Blue Course will be open for play for at least the early portion of the 2018-19 winter season, according to a statement posted on the New York State Parks website.  The Yellow Course, typically the other of Bethpage's two courses to remain open through the offseason, will be open "if needed," and for nine holes only.

Bethpage's Andrew Wilson says the temporary closure of the Yellow Course is related to the PGA's installation of access roads and gravel pads on areas of the course, which is set to begin this week.  Once this work is complete, the construction of tournament tents, gates and other facilities will shut down a number of holes on the Yellow, leaving only half the course available for winter play, if necessary.

In addition, all golf at Bethpage this winter will be walk-up only.  The NYS Parks website is no longer accepting reservations, and the phone service for park tee times was previously discontinued.

Bethpage's Andrew Wilson chats about the 2019 PGA on "Around the Met" podcast

Bethpage State Park's director of agronomy Andrew Wilson joined A.J. Voelpel on the Metropolitan Golf Association's "Around the Met" podcast earlier this month to discuss the park and its preparation for next May's PGA Championship.

Wilson and Voelpel chatted about ideal winter conditions leading up to the event, which will tee off in May for the first time rather than its traditional August slot.  They also discussed recent tweaks to the Black Course, how the PGA will impact Bethpage's other courses and more about the crew's efforts around the park.  Listen to the podcast on SoundCloud at the Met Golf website.

Wilson has also contributed annual updates on conditions and park renovations here for Golf On Long Island.  For a refresher on changes and renovations made ahead of this past playing season, see Wilson's 2018 Bethpage update.

You can also view photos of ongoing renovations by visiting Wilson's and Bethpage Golf's Twitter pages at @Greensideup17 and @BethpageGolf.

Buffet of holiday golf events planned around Long Island this Thanksgiving

Only a handful of golfers, outside the most frost-hardy Long Island players, associate Thanksgiving -- the holiday of turkey and football -- with November golf -- the sport of turtlenecks and foot-warmers.

However, golf comes with all the trimmings on Thanksgiving -- tournaments, prizes, open bars and sometimes an actual turkey.  It's the last call of the Long Island golf season before the winter players set their sight on frozen fairways and the rest head indoors until The Masters.  

The 2018 Thanksgiving slate is another smorgasbord of holiday tournaments, shotgun starts and other outings.  All are designed to get you home to the family with enough time to sneak appetizers.  Some tee off before or after Turkey Day.  Listed below are most of this year's outings, presented in alphabetical order (all outings are on Thanksgiving unless otherwise noted):

Brentwood Country Club is a typically early riser on Thanksgiving.  Shotgun tee time is scheduled for 7:30 a.m.  Rates are $42 for 18 holes and cart ($38 for seniors).  Complimentary roll and coffee included.  Call (631) 436-6060 to reserve a spot.

Cherry Creek Links is offering golf, cart and continental breakfast for $50.  Breakfast will be served at 8:00 a.m., with shotgun start following at 9:00.  Call (631) 369-6500 to reserve.

Harbor Links will host its 12th 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.

Mill Pond (pictured above) will kick off its 12th annual Thanksgiving Turkey Shootout at 8 a.m.  The event almost always sells out fast.  Click the preceding link for full info.  [UPDATE: This event has been canceled due to weather.]

Pine Hills Golf & Country Club saves its annual holiday outing for Black Friday, November 23.  Shotgun tee time is 9:30 a.m.  The $65 entry fee includes cart, range, raffles, contests and a sleeve of golf balls.  Call (631) 878-7103 to sign up.

Pine Ridge Golf Club will celebrate Thanksgiving early with a golf and dinner party on Saturday, November 17.  For $65, golfers enjoy 18 holes with range access, followed by a holiday dinner and party with beer, wine, raffles and prizes.  Tee time is 11 a.m.  Register online at the Pine Ridge website.

Spring Lake Golf Club will again host its annual holiday scramble, which includes a hot breakfast buffet at 7 a.m. and an 8:00 tee time.  Call (631) 924-5115 for a spot.

Timber Point Golf Course is hosting a nine-hole scramble complete with prizes for "nearest to the pilgrim" (pin) and "longest turkey" (driving contest).  Bagels, coffee and juice are included along with cart and range balls for $55 per player.  Tee time is 9:30 a.m.  Register by Tuesday, November 20 either online or at the Timber Point pro shop.

Pine Hills planning its annual post-Thanksgiving holiday outing

Pine Hills Golf & Country Club will host a November holiday outing next week, though it's not the holiday you're expecting.  The Manorville course welcomes those who choose to avoid mall madness in favor of post-holiday golf to its annual Black Friday Turkey Shoot, slated to tee off at 9:30 a.m. on November 23.

The event includes cart, warm-up on the range, a sleeve of balls, raffle tickets and entry into several contests.  Rate is $65 per player.  Check-in begins at 8:30.  Sign up in the Pine Hills pro shop or call (631) 878-7103.

Winter rates at Pine Hills go into effect on Monday, November 19.  For more on the course, check out the Pine Hills flyover.

Thanksgiving Day shotgun on the slate at Cherry Creek Links

The Links Course at Cherry Creek in Riverhead will hold its annual holiday shotgun outing this Thanksgiving morning, November 22.  Tee time is 9:00 a.m.

The outing includes cart, range balls and a pre-round continental breakfast starting at 8:00.  Entry fee is $50.  Visit the pro shop to register or call (631) 369-6500.

For more on Cherry Creek Links, home of Long Island's only par-6, check out the course flyover.