Golf on Long Island

Closed: Skydrive Golf Center in Farmingdale

Skydrive Golf Center, the two-story driving range and mini-golf course across Route 110 from Republic Airport in Farmingdale, is permanently closed.  The facility shut down at the close of business on July 28, its entrance now partially shuttered with signs thanking customers for their longtime support.

The loss of Skydrive leaves area golfers to look for open stalls at the small range to the north at SUNY Farmingdale or the no-driver range at Bethpage State Park.  The closest multi-level, heated facility is Heartland Golf Park in Edgewood.

Skydrive is at least the third major driving range to close since 2012.  Oakdale Golf Center and Island Green Golf Center in Selden previously closed for development.

Newsday: Crab Meadow opens offshoot of Mac's Steakhouse

It's not often that golf-course news pops up in a food column, but earlier this week, Newsday announced via its "Feed Me" blog that a branch of one of Huntington's most popular restaurants is now open at Crab Meadow Golf Course in Northport.

Mac's at the Meadow, an offshoot of Mac's Steakhouse on Gerard Street in Huntington Village, runs the Crab Meadow snack bar and dining room formerly known as The View, a change that came about as part of the Town of Huntington's replacement of Integrity Golf as course operator.  Mac's will serve basic grill fare -- breakfast sandwiches, burgers, hot dogs, etc. -- from its snack bar, with an expanded menu available in the dining room. 

The main dining room will also be open for dinner on Thursdays and Fridays, which will include lobster night and live music.  It will host private events on most other dates.

Huntington Town assumed control of its two municipal courses -- Crab Meadow and Dix Hills Park -- late last year after it terminated its license agreement with Florida-based course operator Integrity Golf, which, according to the town, failed to make promised capital improvements and timely payments.  The town then hired Gelucci Brands LLC of Huntington -- operated by Mark Gelish, owner of Mac's Steakhouse -- to run its food service through December 2021.

The Mac's at the Meadow snack bar is open daily from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., and the grill is open daily from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. followed by dinner service on Thursdays and Fridays.

Birdies and crabs at Pine Ridge on August 5

Nothing says summer on Long Island like golf under the afternoon sun and cracking into some shellfish, and Pine Ridge Golf Club is putting the two together with a special Crabfest event next month.

Tee time at the Coram course is 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 5, with 18 holes to be followed by a crab dinner.  Registration is $70 and includes range balls and the chance to win prizes.  If you're just in it for the crabs, dinner-party tickets are $30 each.

Register for the event at the Pine Ridge website.  And for more on Pine Ridge, check out the course flyover.

Hempstead partners with Bunkers in Baghdad to donate lost balls to troops

Go ahead and top a drive into the reeds at Lido Golf Club or slice one into a shrub at Merrick Road Park Golf Course -- this summer, some good will come from your worst shots.

No, they won't magically help on the scorecard, but they will benefit American troops stationed overseas thanks to a Town of Hempstead initiative announced at Lido earlier this week.  All golf balls recovered at the two town courses will be donated to Bunkers in Baghdad, a charity that supplies golf equipment to troops as a recreational diversion while active overseas.

“Both of our beautiful Hempstead Town golf courses receive a large amount of play, so much so that our employees are constantly finding stray golf balls while tending to the courses,” said town supervisor Anthony Santino in a press release. “‘Bunkers in Baghdad’ offers a gratifying way to deal with our surplus of golf balls while also giving us the extra opportunity to continuously support our troops.”

Golfers who are more accurate with their drives and approaches can still get involved in the cause by donating balls and equipment the old-fashioned way.  Donations can be dropped off at the Lido course, according to Newsday.

Golf with the Islanders in September at annual Children's Foundation outing

Two icons of Long Island sports -- Bethpage State Park and the New York Islanders (well, they practice on Long Island, at least) -- will once again come together this September for the benefit of local children.

The hockey club will host its tenth annual Islanders Children's Foundation Golf Outing at Bethpage on Tuesday, September 12.  No matter their team allegiance, golfers can play alongside Islander players, coaches and alumni on Bethpage's Red and Blue courses in an event that raises more than $100,000 each year.

Every foursome will be joined by an Islander.  Included in the $750 entry fee ($2,900 for a foursome) are gourmet-style meals before and after play and a post-round reception featuring memorabilia auctions and opportunities to win unique Islander experiences.  The event begins at 10 a.m.

Since its inception in 2003, the Islanders Children's Foundation has raised more than $11 million for various efforts to support children in the Long Island community.  For more information, visit the ICF website.

To register the event or for information on sponsorship, see the event brochure on the Islanders website or contact Ann Rina at (516) 501-6870.

Summer specials through August at Brentwood and Holbrook

Brentwood Country Club and Holbrook Country Club are helping you keep a few extra dollars in your pocket for cold summertime beverages with their usual specials on late-morning and afternoon golf through July and August.

Full rounds with cart and reservation included are $42 anytime after 11 a.m. at either Town of Islip course.  Those who choose to pass up the cart in favor of a stroll down the fairways can do so for $24 after noon or $20 after 3 p.m. 

Brentwood CC will also remain open on several Mondays through the summer (typically closed for outings).  The course is tentatively open to the public on July 17, 24 and 31, and August 21 and 28.

Contact Brentwood and Holbrook directly for schedule updates and additional info on discount rates.

Free junior golf, "Play 9" event at Spring Lake

Junior golfers 14 and under can play for free this July and August at Spring Lake Golf Club in Middle Island.

The summer special is offered on Wednesdays and Thursdays for nine holes on the club's Sandpiper Course, one free junior per paying adult.  Cart fees are not included.

Spring Lake is also hosting its second "Play 9" event of the season on Sunday, July 9.  The $50 Nine & Dine special includes a tee time between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m., along with cart, lunch and a free beer or wine.

Call Spring Lake at (631) 924-5115 for more information.

July closing dates at Bethpage Black & Red

The Black and Red courses at Bethpage State Park will be closed on select dates in July while hosting local tournaments.

Bethpage Black is scheduled to close to the public on Thursday, July 13 for the New York State Open Pro-Am, and again from Monday, July 17 to Friday, July 21 for the New York State Open (including rain dates).

Bethpage Red will close from Tuesday, July 11 to Thursday, July 13 for the LIGA Women's Amateur tournament.

Regular Monday maintenance days will be rescheduled on the Black Course, which will remain open on July 3 and July 24, and close instead on Wednesday, July 5 and Tuesday, July 25.

Contact the park at (516) 249-0701 for updates.