The Mill Pond Golf Course in Medford will look exactly the same to Long Island golfers when the winter breaks this season, but for those who settle comfortably into routine, it will have a significantly different feel. Management used the down time earlier this offseason to break in the course's new 18-hole configuration.
Golfers will now begin their rounds from a more traditional tee -- the one right behind the clubhouse. The former #10 is now Mill Pond's opening hole, and what used to be the back nine is now the front. Previously, a round at Mill Pond started on the south side of Mill Road and golfers did not return to the clubhouse side of the course until the par-3 eighth.
Today, the new back nine begins with the holes formerly known as #8 and #9 before players head through the Mill Road tunnel to complete their round on the old starting seven.
Confused? Thankfully management has already posted an updated scorecard.
Golf On Long Island correspondent Rob Dimino feels the new configuration makes for a better finish.
"The old 18th (now #9) was a pretty nondescript closing hole," he says. "I like the idea of finishing with a par-5."
Seasoned Mill Pond veteran Jeff Hulbert of Lynbrook is looking forward to a little more early success on the new course layout. "I always thought the back nine was much easier than the front so with this configuration it will be more favorable to a strong start," he says.
Share your thoughts on the new Mill Pond configuration either by e-mail or in the comments section below.
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