Golf on Long Island

Suffolk County Legislature mulling fee increases at municipal golf courses

[UPDATE:  Fee increases were approved by the Suffolk County Legislature on December 1.]

A round of golf at Suffolk County's four municipal courses might be a bit pricier next season if the county legislature approves a resolution intended to help close a budget gap, the Riverhead News-Review reported last week.

Weekend resident green fees at Timber Point, Bergen Point, West Sayville and Indian Island will increase from $30 to $32 as part of the previously approved 2016 county budget, according to the report.  The legislature must still approve the individual fee hikes by vote, which will take place on December 1.  If approved, fee increases will go into effect on January 1, 2016.

Also included in the fee changes is the cost of a Suffolk County Green Key, which enables golfers to make tee-time reservations and receive resident discounts.  Green Keys would also increase $2 in the new budget.

The fee changes, which also affect rates for beach parking and camping access, are expected to bring in more than $750,000 in added revenue for the county.  A representative for County Executive Steve Bellone said the resolution is expected to pass.

Hearty Thanksgiving menu includes a host of holiday golf events and specials

[Looking for this year's info?  Click here to see the 2016 Thanksgiving holiday slate.]

For some people, Thanksgiving doesn't begin until the start of the Macy's Parade, while others might not recognize Turkey Day until opening kickoff in Detroit. 

Meanwhile, for a small portion of frost-resistant Long Island golfers, the holiday begins upon shotgun tee-off at one of the local golf courses hosting Thanksgiving events.  Concerns about missing the opening round of appetizers or the first few turnovers by the Lions are unnecessary -- the focus for these holiday outings is on morning golf at an efficient pace.  Most courses throw in breakfast and hot drinks as part of the early tee time.

Last week we highlighted Mill Pond's annual Thanksgiving Turkey Shootout, a popular event that typically sells out.  Click the link for full info.

Brentwood Country Club will send everyone out with an 8:00 a.m. shotgun start.  $42 for 18 holes and cart.  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, with shotgun start following at 9:00.  Call (631) 369-6500 to reserve.

Spring Lake Golf Club will hold a scramble event that tees off at 8:00.  Golf, cart and breakfast for $55 per golfer.  Breakfast will be served starting at 7:00.  Call (631) 924-5115 for a spot.

Pine Hills Country Club is pitching discounted rates on Thanksgiving, and will follow with a Black Friday Shotgun on November 27.  The Friday event tees off at 9:00 and will include cart, raffles and a sleeve of Srixon golf balls for $45.  Call (631) 878-7103 to sign up.

Pine Ridge Golf Club has scheduled a shotgun start for 9:00.  Golf, cart and range balls will cost $59, with the opportunity to win prizes on the course.  Call (631) 331-7930 to register.

Stonebridge Golf Links is offering a $45 rate with cart.  Shotgun tee time is 8:30.

Harbor Links will hold its seventh annual holiday Turkey Shoot, scheduled for a 9:00 tee time.  Golf, cart and breakfast is $55 for Town of North Hempstead residents; $65 for non-residents.  Call (516) 767-4816.

Pine Hills upgrading irrigation system this offseason

Manorville's Pine Hills Golf and Country Club will use the winter months to complete irrigation projects around the course, according to an e-mail sent this week.

Pine Hills announced that it is currently in the final stages of the installation of a drainage system designed to improve and maintain green conditions.  In the coming months, the club will install a new irrigation system around the entire course. 

"The system will be the heart of our beautiful facility that will allow for proper water distribution throughout the course," the e-mail said.

The par-73 layout north of Sunrise Highway in Manorville is the third longest public course on Long Island, behind only Bethpage Black and Cherry Creek Links.  For more info, check out the Pine Hills flyover.

Mill Pond Golf Course offering Veterans Day deal

Mill Pond Golf Course is working hard this November to entice local players still swinging their clubs in the cool weather to head over to Medford for some holiday golf.

In addition to its annual Turkey Shootout early on Thanksgiving morning, Mill Pond is offering a Veterans Day "Comeback Coupon" to all players on Wednesday, November 11.  Players who come out on Veterans Day will receive a voucher for a free greens fee covering any weekday round through April 2016.  Book a tee time online at the Mill Pond website or call (631) 732-8249.

For more on the Thanksgiving Turkey Shootout, see the GOLI overview.

Bethpage Black and Red closing dates

There's just over a week to go in Bethpage Black's 2015 golf season.  The famed course at Bethpage State Park will close for the year on Sunday, November 15. 

Next door, the Red Course will remain open until the end of the month before heading into winter hibernation on Sunday, November 29.

Both courses will reopen in April 2016.

"Long Island Golf" book discussions this month in Great Neck and Valley Stream

Golf On Long Island's Phil Carlucci will be discussing and signing copies of "Images of America: Long Island Golf" at book events this month in Great Neck and Valley Stream. 

The Great Neck book signing will take place at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, November 12 at the Parkville Branch (10 Campbell St., New Hyde Park) of the Great Neck Library.  The Valley Stream event, part of the village's Historical Society lecture series, will be held at the Community Center in Hendrickson Park at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 18.

Events include brief discussions about golf history in the local area.  Copies of "Long Island Golf" can be purchased at each event for $20.