Golf on Long Island

Riverhead Chamber offering discounts on eight East End rounds

East End golfers can save a pretty penny on a handful of Riverhead-area rounds this season thanks to an annual promotion by the Riverhead Chamber of Commerce. 

The Riverhead Chamber is once again offering its seasonal Golf Book, good for eight rounds total at two participating courses.  The discount package is available for $240, or $30 per round.

This year's participating courses are Middle Island Country Club in Middle Island -- home of the Spruce, Dogwood and Oak nines --  and Island's End Golf & Country Club in Greenport.  The prepaid offer covers up to four rounds at each course, with cart included, and is valid weekdays after 9 a.m. at Island's End and 11 a.m. at Middle Island.

Golfers can purchase the 2020 Golf Book online at the Chamber of Commerce website, or buy them in person at several Riverhead businesses.  Refer to the Chamber website for information on where the cards are available for pickup.  

For more information, call the Riverhead Chamber office at (631) 727-7600.  And for more information on this year's participating courses, click on the above links.

Winter Golf on Long Island: 2019-2020 Edition

It doesn't matter what the calendar says -- when weekend temperatures are hovering around 60 degrees and the sun is shining, it's a weekend to think about golf.

And not just golf on TV as the pros get tan in Hawaii and California.  It's time for playing golf, at least for those who haven't buried the clubs for the offseason behind Thanksgiving decorations and Christmas ornaments.

Winter golf season is a little uncomfortable and not entirely pleasant, but if you don't mind dressing in layers and spilling coffee down your windbreaker, it's also a great time to play local courses in relative peace and quiet, at a discounted price.  Ground conditions tend to hold up until the first prolonged snow cover, and ample tee times allow for pressure-free rounds that are ideal for newcomers and junior players.  And if you happen to catch a 60-degree Saturday or Sunday, it's like a belated Christmas gift -- except for the wait to get on the first tee.

Bethpage is back to normal this winter now that the PGA Championship has come and gone.  The Blue Course will be open through the offseason as well as the Yellow, which was closed for part of last winter to make way for PGA prep.  The other Bethpage courses will reopen closer to April.

See also: Winter Golf on Long Island overview

The handful of seasonal golf courses around the Island closed in December and typically reopen for play in March.  The rest keep the tees open year-round.  Some post updates on things like frost delays, rate specials and weather closures on Facebook or Twitter -- for others, you probably need to call ahead to check on conditions.

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.

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.

Timber Point closed for the season

The sudden arrival of mid-winter weather has pushed Timber Point Golf Course into an early offseason hibernation.  The Suffolk muni typically holds out until the end of the calendar year, but the course announced it is officially closed until spring due to this week's snow and frigid temps.

Timber Point usually reopens by mid-March.  Be sure to check GOLI in late winter for our list of course opening dates.

Winter course closings begin this weekend

December arrives this weekend and with it comes the first wave of Long Island course closings for the 2019-20 offseason.

Bethpage Red will close for the season at the close of play on Sunday, December 1, as will the Green Course, which typically remains open as needed during the winter.  Bethpage Blue and Yellow will be open for play through the winter, weather permitting.

December 1 is also the last day to play the Woods Course at Cherry Creek in Riverhead.

On Monday, December 2, The Golf Club at Middle Bay in Oceanside will close for the season.

Already shut down for the winter are Bethpage Black, which typically closes in mid-November, and Great Rock in Wading River.  The latter closed abruptly last month amid rumors of a sale.

Stay tuned over the coming weeks for more winter closures.

Holiday menu filled with Long Island golf outings this Thanksgiving season

Thanksgiving is all about spending time with family and friends while picking away at a hearty spread of goodies, but only the winter golfer is aware that Thanksgiving is also known for spending time with family and friends while hacking away at frosty fairways in one of many holiday golf outings. 

Turkey Day is essentially "last call" for Long Island golf before the offseason of lengthy frost delays, icy tee boxes and spiked hot chocolates kicks in.  Golf comes with all the trimmings on Thanksgiving -- tournaments, prizes, open bars and sometimes an actual turkey.   

The 2019 Thanksgiving slate is another holiday buffet.  All outings are designed to get you home to the family with enough time to sneak appetizers.  Listed below are many of this year's outings, presented in alphabetical order (all outings are on Thanksgiving unless otherwise noted):

Brentwood Country Club is a typically early riser on Thanksgiving.  Shotgun tee time is scheduled for 7:30 a.m.  Rates are $42 for 18 holes and cart.  Complimentary roll and coffee included.  Call (631) 436-6060 to reserve a spot.

Cherry Creek Links is offering golf, cart, range balls and hot breakfast for $55.  Shotgun start is scheduled for 8:00 a.m. on Thanksgiving morning, with raffles and contests as part of the festivities.  Call (631) 369-6500 to reserve a spot.

Harbor Links will host its 13th annual holiday Turkey Shoot.  Registration and breakfast begin at 8:00 a.m., followed by a 9:00 shotgun tee time.  Golf, cart and breakfast are $65 for Town of North Hempstead residents; $75 for non-residents.  Call (516) 767-4816.

Mill Pond (pictured above) will host its 13th annual Thanksgiving Turkey Shootout at 8:00 a.m.  The event almost always sells out fast.  Click the preceding link for full info

Pine Hills Golf & Country Club saves its annual holiday outing for Black Friday, November 29.  Shotgun tee time is 9:30 a.m.  The $65 entry fee includes cart, range, raffles, contests and a sleeve of golf balls.  Call (631) 878-7103 to sign up.

Spring Lake Golf Club will again host its annual holiday scramble, which includes hot breakfast and 18 holes.  Cost is $56 per player.  Call (631) 924-5115 for a spot.

Pine Hills preparing for annual Black Friday Turkey Shoot golf outing

Pine Hills Golf & Country Club wants you on the fairways come Black Friday, not in the malls or shopping online. 

The Manorville course is holding its fifth annual Black Friday Turkey Shoot on Friday, November 29, with shotgun start scheduled for 9:30 a.m.  The outing includes cart, warm-up on the range, and a sleeve of balls, plus a shot at raffle prizes and scoring contests.  Rate is $65 per player ($15 deposit required).  Check-in begins at 8:30.  Sign up in the Pine Hills pro shop or call (631) 878-7103.

Winter rates are currently in effect at Pine Hills.  For more on the course, check out the Pine Hills flyover.

Thanksgiving Turkey Shootout on the schedule at Cherry Creek Links

The Links Course at Cherry Creek in Riverhead will hold its annual holiday outing on Thanksgiving morning, November 28.  Shotgun tee time is 8:00 a.m.

The outing includes cart, range balls and a hot breakfast before play.  Entry fee is $55 with potential prizes for raffles and contests.  Visit the pro shop to register or call (631) 369-6500.

For more on Cherry Creek Links, home of Long Island's only par-6, check out the course flyover.

Annual Turkey Shoot golf outing tees off at Harbor Links on Thanksgiving

Harbor Links will host its 13th annual Turkey Shoot holiday outing on Thanksgiving morning, November 28.

Shotgun start is scheduled for 9:00 a.m.  Entry fee for Town of North Hempstead residents is $65 with cart and breakfast included; $75 for non-residents.  Call (516) 767-4816 to sign up.

Winter rates are now in effect on the Harbor Links Championship Course.  Resident rates are $75 on weekend mornings, $65 on weekdays and $32 for twilight rounds (after 12 noon).  Add $10 to all rates for non-residents.

For more on Harbor Links, check out the Championship Course and Executive Course flyovers.

Pine Ridge hosting "Friendsgiving" golf and dinner party on November 16

Pine Ridge Golf Club has created a Thanksgiving golf tradition all its own in recent years -- well, pre-Thanksgiving tradition, that is.

The Coram course's annual "Friendsgiving" golf outing returns this Saturday, November 16, bringing players together for 18 holes and a festive party.  The $65 entry fee covers an 11:00 a.m. shotgun start with cart and pre-round range balls, followed by dinner with beer, wine and live music.  Raffles and prizes will be offered as well. 

Reservations can be booked at the Pine Ridge website.  (Party-only guests can attend for $35.)

For more on Pine Ridge, check out the course flyover.

Mill Pond set to host 13th annual Thanksgiving Turkey Shootout

After last year's event was canceled due to inclement weather, Mill Pond Golf Course in Medford is prepping once again for its 13th annual Turkey Shootout on Thanksgiving Day, November 28.  Tee time is set for a bright and early 8:00 a.m. 

The often sold-out Thanksgiving tradition is a four-person team scramble this year, with a continental breakfast, in-round beer/soda, contests and raffles included on top of cart and range balls.  Entry fee is $74 per player (payment is due at registration).  Sign up at the Mill Pond pro shop or call (631) 732-8249. 

For more on Mill Pond, check out the course flyover.