Golfweek saw little reason to tinker with its annual list of New York's top public-access courses, a decision that comes as good news for last year's four Long Island representatives. When the publication announced the 2011 edition of its Best Courses You Can Play listing last week, Bethpage Black and Red, Montauk Downs and Tallgrass found themselves once again sitting comfortably at the head of the class.
Not that the Black Course had any reason to sweat. The king of all municipal courses is #1 in New York State for the fifth year in a row (at least) and picked up a #21 ranking in Golfweek's separate Classic Courses list.
Meanwhile, its next-door neighbor, the Red Course, and fellow NYS muni Montauk Downs -- like upstate favorites at Leatherstocking, Saratoga and Turning Stone -- both remain fixtures in the Golfweek rankings. But for the second consecutive year the two powerhouse munis find themselves ranked behind Tallgrass Golf Course. After two seasons outside the top tier, Tallgrass reappeared with new management, a new moniker and a #8 ranking in 2010. The Shoreham course -- #9 on the 2011 list -- was leapfrogged by Pound Ridge but still sits one spot ahead of #10 Bethpage Red. Montauk Downs jumped from #14 to #12.
This remains a heralded Long Island quartet. In May, Bethpage Black grabbed the #1 ranking in Golfweek's Best Municipal Courses list, followed later by Red at #17. The Bethpage facility overall was named one of America's "Most Important Courses" by Golf Digest in its November 2010 issue and was also voted "Best Golf Course" by Long Island Press readers earlier this year. Montauk Downs, ranked #33 in Golfweek's 2010 muni list, was featured by Golf Digest last winter in the mag's "Long Drives" travel section. Tallgrass designer Gil Hanse was named Architect of the Year in 2009 by Golf Magazine.
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