Golf on Long Island

2018 public golf course reopenings on Long Island

February almost always teases golfers with a tiny taste of spring, and when it does, it has a tendency to sock them with a blizzard just as they were getting their clubs regripped for the new season.  But when the snow holds off, course openings are just around the corner.

Long Island's seasonal golf courses are just a few weeks away from reopening for play.  It used to be that March meant temporary tees and greens -- aiming for a small chalked circle under long shadows 50 yards short of the green will forever be linked with soggy pre-spring rounds.  But now almost all courses kick right into gear from day one, and by mid-April golf on Long Island is usually up to full speed.

The following is a list of tentative 2018 opening dates for Long Island's seasonal golf courses.  (Year-round courses reopen as soon as weather allows and are not included in this list.)  Opening dates range from the middle of March through the first half of April.  Courses will be added or updated as information becomes available.  Be sure to check back through February and March for the latest info.

*All dates listed below are subject to change.  Call the courses directly for updated dates and times.

GOLF COURSE REOPENINGS:

• Timber Point -- March 17 (Red/White)
  
• Bethpage Green -- March 17
• Woods Course at Cherry Creek -- March 28
• Bergen Point -- March 29
  
• Harbor Links Championship/Executive -- March 30
  
• Bethpage Red -- March 30
• Brentwood CC -- April 3
  
• Holbrook CC -- April 4
• Town of Oyster Bay GC -- April 10
  
• Glen Cove -- April 13
• Bethpage Black -- April 14
• The Golf Club at Middle Bay -- April 13 (tentative)
• Eisenhower Red -- April 18
  

The following courses typically open in early to mid March:

• Sumpwams Creek Par-3
• Christopher Morley Park

 The following courses typically open by the first week of April:

• Bay Park
• Poxabogue

[This post was updated on April 18, 2018.]

2017-18 Winter Rates Roundup II

Warm week ahead -- how about some winter rates?

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.

• Mill Pond:  $51 to ride, $40 to walk on weekdays before 12 p.m., $41/$30 after 12 p.m.; $53 before 12 p.m. (riding only) and $42/$31 (after 12 p.m.) on weekends (all fees lower with Town of Brookhaven resident cards)
• Pine Hills:  $35 to walk and $45 to ride on weekday mornings, $29/$39 after 12 noon; $49 to walk, $59 to ride on weekend mornings, $39/$49 after 12 noon

See also:
2017-18 Winter Rates Roundup I

No Long Island Golf Show scheduled in 2018

The on-again/off-again relationship between the occasionally annual Long Island Golf Show and Long Island golfers is, well, off again.

Florida-based North Coast Golf and Travel Shows, which brought the local expo back to life last March as the "Long Island Golf & Travel Show," is no longer operating the event.  Golfing Magazine, one of the 2017 show's sponsors, confirmed there will be no event in 2018.

The 2017 show at Suffolk Community College in Brentwood included demo areas, driving and putting challenges, instruction and golf-related entertainment, plus a wide variety of vendors and exhibitors selling equipment and promoting golf destinations.  It was the first local golf expo since 2011, when the Long Island Golf Show featured appearances by Michael Breed and John Daly.  The Results Group, a Syracuse-based event company, canceled subsequent shows citing lack of local interest.