Golf on Long Island

Winter Golf On Long Island: 2018-19 Edition

The winter of 2018-19 has arrived with buckets of rain that will keep Long Island's offseason golfers away from the course for a saturated day or two, though it could always be worse.  Drop the temperature by 20 degrees or so and turn that rain into snow and you have a dreaded December blizzard potent enough to wipe a winter golf season right off the calendar. 

Scrutinizing the snow forecasts is as common to local winter golfers as frost delays, hand warmers and jamming tees (unsuccessfully) into frozen turf.  For those who can bear the brisk breezes, the wide-open fairways and green-fee discounts are worth the slight discomfort. 

Winter golf on Long Island isn't for everyone -- most Long Island golfers call it a season long before Thanksgiving -- but it's nothing to sneeze at (the sneezing might begin a day or two later, though).  Ground conditions usually hold up until the first prolonged snow cover, and the empty tee sheets mean you can play in peace or bring a newcomer to the course to get a first taste of live play with no pressure from trailing groups.  Rounds are cheaper, too.

The winter scene is slightly different this year.  With the PGA Championship coming up at Bethpage State Park in May, only one course -- the Blue -- will remain open full time over the winter.  The Yellow Course, typically Bethpage's other winter option, is undergoing PGA-related preparation that will keep it either closed or shortened to nine holes. 

See also: Winter Golf on Long Island overview

Elsewhere, the handful of seasonal golf courses have already closed or are preparing to shut down for the winter.  Most of them will reopen in March.  The rest keep the tees open year-round.  To keep winter golfers up to date on playing options around the area, Golf On Long Island will periodically post available discount rates and specials through the offseason.  At some courses, winter rates can be as low as two bucks a hole.  Some include lunch.  Check back for updated specials throughout the winter.

In addition, as Long Island golf courses very slowly begin to dip their toes in the social-media pool, a few have made life a little easier for winter customers.  Munis like Bethpage (@BethpageGolf on Twitter) and Sunken Meadow State Park (@TheMeadowsPGA on Facebook) regularly post updates on frost delays, opening times and course conditions.  Other public courses send rate updates and open tee times by e-mail blast.  

For a full primer on offseason golf, check out the Winter Golf on Long Island page, which will feature some of this season's special rates in addition to offers from previous years.

No updates on planned Topgolf facility in Holtsville

One year to the day since the Brookhaven Town Board voted unanimously to approve zoning changes that would allow Long Island to land New York's first Topgolf facility, there is no indication that the popular driving range and entertainment venue will arrive here anytime in the near future.

Topgolf, known for its growing chain of modern, neon-lit golf, dining and nightlife centers popular across the Midwest and South, is planning to extend its reach into New York with a new facility to be built on an industrial site near the Long Island Expressway in Holtsville.  Last December, the town board in Brookhaven voted 6-0 to change the site's zoning to "commercial recreation" and approve special permits, per Newsday.

However, with the project quietly awaiting additional town approvals, a representative at Dallas-based Topgolf confirmed there is no news or timetable to share regarding the proposed Holtsville location.  The Topgolf website currently lists 15 new locations "coming soon" around the country and internationally, but none in New York.  Brookhaven Town has not responded to an inquiry on the Holtsville facility.

For now, the closest Topgolf venue to Long Island is in Edison, New Jersey (pictured).  Unlike regular driving ranges, Topgolf features microchipped golf balls and arcade-style target areas for computer-scored games and contests, as well as dining and lounge-style amenities that appeal to non-golfers.  Climate-controlled hitting bays are rented by the hour and typically include televisions, WiFi and access to food and drinks.  Standard range features like lessons and clinics are also included.  Some in the golf industry have credited Topgolf with helping introduce millennials and other non-golfers to the sport.

[Photo courtesy of Topgolf]

Brentwood, Holbrook, Cherry Creek Woods closed for the season

The Town of Islip municipal courses at Brentwood Country Club and Holbrook Country Club have closed for the season.  The courses typically reopen in mid-March, weather permitting.

The Woods Course at Cherry Creek in Riverhead has also shut down for the winter.  Look for the course to reopen in late March.  Meanwhile, across the street, Cherry Creek's Links Course will remain open through the winter as the weather allows.

Check back in late February for GOLI's updated list of 2019 course reopening dates.

Bethpage in Winter: One course open, walk-ups only

The 2019 PGA Championship at Bethpage Black is five months away but its presence is already impacting the way golfers utilize the park golf courses this winter season.

Only the Blue Course will be open for play for at least the early portion of the 2018-19 winter season, according to a statement posted on the New York State Parks website.  The Yellow Course, typically the other of Bethpage's two courses to remain open through the offseason, will be open "if needed," and for nine holes only.

Bethpage's Andrew Wilson says the temporary closure of the Yellow Course is related to the PGA's installation of access roads and gravel pads on areas of the course, which is set to begin this week.  Once this work is complete, the construction of tournament tents, gates and other facilities will shut down a number of holes on the Yellow, leaving only half the course available for winter play, if necessary.

In addition, all golf at Bethpage this winter will be walk-up only.  The NYS Parks website is no longer accepting reservations, and the phone service for park tee times was previously discontinued.

Bethpage's Andrew Wilson chats about the 2019 PGA on "Around the Met" podcast

Bethpage State Park's director of agronomy Andrew Wilson joined A.J. Voelpel on the Metropolitan Golf Association's "Around the Met" podcast earlier this month to discuss the park and its preparation for next May's PGA Championship.

Wilson and Voelpel chatted about ideal winter conditions leading up to the event, which will tee off in May for the first time rather than its traditional August slot.  They also discussed recent tweaks to the Black Course, how the PGA will impact Bethpage's other courses and more about the crew's efforts around the park.  Listen to the podcast on SoundCloud at the Met Golf website.

Wilson has also contributed annual updates on conditions and park renovations here for Golf On Long Island.  For a refresher on changes and renovations made ahead of this past playing season, see Wilson's 2018 Bethpage update.

You can also view photos of ongoing renovations by visiting Wilson's and Bethpage Golf's Twitter pages at @Greensideup17 and @BethpageGolf.