Stars aligned in recent years to free Long Island's original Lido Club from grainy black-and-white photos and resurrect it halfway across the country at Wisconsin's Sand Valley. Now it seems they might be positioning themselves again to inspire another Golden Age rebirth, one that stays right here on the Island's south shore.
The restoration of Timber Point, for decades a far-off fantasy confined mostly to circles of golf historians and design enthusiasts, is making its way toward reality. Peter Ganley, assistant to Suffolk County Parks Commissioner John Giannott, is leading an effort that would bring the course a century back in time to golf's architectural Golden Age, when Timber Point was a sand-swept 18-hole course designed by Charles Alison. Golf writer Daniel Wexler once wrote that Timber Point would be a top-25 American golf course if it still existed in its original form.
Specific details on designers, project costs and timelines are unavailable or confidential at the moment, but the next step in what has been a positive process to date, according to Ganley, is a meeting with Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine and other political officials. The plan is to raise enough money from foundations and private sources to limit the costs taken on by Suffolk County.
"We don't want to use county money," Ganley says. "The intent is to keep Timber Point an affordable golf course."
A full restoration of the course includes revitalization of the site's natural wetlands, which were filled in when the course was remodeled in the 1970s, a decision that would never be permitted today by New York State's Department of Environmental Conservation, Ganley says. The DEC has been "exceptionally understanding" so far regarding plans for the property, he says, adding that the restored wetlands would alleviate water concerns and decrease pesticide use.
Ganley envisions a restored Timber Point as a world-class, championship-level public golf destination that is Suffolk County's version of Bethpage Black. "Timber Point is so intriguing because of what it once was," he says. Of the course's 18 original holes, 12 remain in place on the current Blue and Red courses, including the famed "Gibraltar" par-3 and the subsequent bayfront par-4s. The course would be brought back to its 1920s design and likely its sandier-on-the-edges layout, lengthened in spots to accommodate the modern game. Yardage from the tips will potentially be in the vicinity of 7,500 yards. Off the course, upgrades to the historic clubhouse, marinas and other facilities are planned. Added perks like a par-3 short course are also under consideration.
For years, historians and golf-architecture followers have weighed the potential of a Timber Point restoration. Designers have walked the grounds and drawn up detailed building plans. In 2021, The Fried Egg listed Timber Point as one of America's "sweet 16 of golf courses we'd love to see restored to their original glory."
"So maybe Timber Point’s best move would be to shed nine holes and restore as many of the rest as possible. After all, there’s certainly a demand for great accessible golf on Long Island," wrote The Fried Egg's Andy Johnson.
Timber Point has been a 27-hole facility since the early 1970s, when Suffolk County took control of the once-exclusive private club and hired William Mitchell to build an additional nine holes. Under the proposed redesign, the biggest change to the existing layout would be the elimination of Mitchell's White Course. In its place, restored native wetlands and several reoriented holes would connect the interior and waterfront portions of the course. During the course's early-1900s prime, players emerged from Timber Point's wooded front nine onto a sprawling sandscape with Great South Bay in the distance. The tenth played toward the bay, and #11, a wind-aided par-4 with multiple fairways, brought players back to the current "Harbor" hole — #2 on the Blue Course. Ganley says the revival of Alison's 10th and 11th holes would be "special."
"County Executive Romaine wants to create a masterpiece — that's the plan," Ganley says. "It will be a nice giveback by Suffolk County to the public."
[PICTURED: TOP TWO — The famed Gibraltar par-3 today and as it appeared in the early 20th century, when Timber Point was more of a sandy links than a parkland course. BOTTOM TWO — Modern and early views of the Harbor par-3, currently #2 on the Blue Course.]
Lots of questions remain to be answered. This big redesign should be posed as a referendum and submitted to Suffolk County voters for their review and approval.
Posted by: john usher | October 04, 2024 at 12:19 PM