Golf on Long Island

Off-Course Destination: Pickle N Par, Melville

Two years after the long-running Skydrive Golf Center was torn down in Farmingdale, the busy Route 110 corridor near the Nassau-Suffolk line regained another golf facility, all thanks to one Long Islander's passion for ... pickleball.

Yes, pickleball, the hybrid of badminton, tennis and ping pong introduced to thousands of teenagers each year by way of high school phys-ed teachers, shares the spotlight at Pickle N Par, Long Island's newest indoor golf venue.  Unlike Skydrive, whose landmark range nets towered over Route 110 near Republic Airport, Pickle N Par is tucked away in a modern, newly constructed sports-and-fitness building just up the road in Melville.

Pickle N Par manager Andrew Ritter was one of those Long Island high school students who briefly flirted with pickleball in gym class.  A decade after playing the sport at Glen Cove High School, he picked it up again in 2015 at a local community center, learned more about its intricacies and techniques, and eventually became certified as an IPTPA instructor.

The way Ritter sees it, the two elements of Pickle N Par are a natural fit.  "Pickleball and golf are multi-generational," Ritter says.  "And they are two of the most social sports we have."

Unlike other sports, where players might be able to come and go without really interacting with teammates or opponents, Ritter says there's a social element that naturally emerges during and after pickleball matches, the same way it does between shots in an 18-hole round of golf.  Ritter thinks this will attract people to Pickle N Par, not to mention its central location among bustling Long Island commercial centers and office parks.

The facility currently features two Full Swing golf simulators with space for a third.  Players can choose from 85 golf courses -- including nearby Bethpage Black (approach shot on Black #1 pictured left) -- and customize their rounds for weather and ground conditions, scoring formats and more.  Full Swing's "Showdown Golf" also offers a variety of golf games, challenges and competitions that Ritter sees as a potential hit for kids' birthday parties and work functions.  Professional golf instruction will also be offered.

Hourly rates for the golf simulators range from $45-50, with a $5 surcharge added for non-members (membership is $95 annually).  All rates include access to a putting green and ping-pong tables.  Each simulator bay has a TV tuned to sports.

In addition, members and non-members can book reservations on the Pickle N Par website and through the Court Reserve app.  (Members have access to a longer booking window.)

As a courtesy to GOLI readers, Pickle N Par will waive non-member surcharges through the end of October for visitors who mention this Golf On Long Island profile.

Pickle N Par is located at 515 Broadhollow Road (Route 110), Suite 500 in Melville (entrance and parking lot off Baylis Road).  For more information, visit the company website or call (631) 777-PICK.

Long Island Press announces nominees for "Best Golf Course" in 2020 survey

Bethpage State Park rarely loses any kind of Long Island golf popularity contest -- in fact, it's won nothing but gold in the "Best of Long Island" reader survey conducted each year by the Long Island Press.  Still, this fall, more than a dozen public courses and private clubs have an opportunity to knock Bethpage off its perch in the 2020 "Best Golf Course" category, which is officially open for online voting.  Also open for voting are "Best Driving Range" and "Best Golf Store."

The 2020 nominees for "Best Golf Course" -- as determined by Press readers -- include 12 public courses and five private clubs.  Voting is open at the Long Island Press website until December 15.

This year's public-course nominees are:

• Bethpage State Park
• Brentwood Country Club
• Eisenhower Park
• Harbor Links
• Lido GC
• Middle Bay
• Rock Hill
• Stonebridge Golf Links
• Swan Lake
• Timber Point
• Town of Oyster Bay GC
• Willow Creek

In the "Best Golf Store" category, Babylon's Unique Golf Shop has been just as dominant as Bethpage, sweeping the contest since its inception.  This year it will compete with 14 other stores around the Island, including independent shops, national retailers and even one -- Golfsmith -- that's out of business.  (The Press has been notoriously slow in vetting its list of potential nominees.)  Country Fair in Medford is vying for a three-peat in the "Best Driving Range" survey, though it will need to beat out former champions Heartland Golf Park and Eisenhower Park, among nine others.

Winners of the 2020 survey will be announced in January.

Topgolf inches closer to first Long Island location with latest board approval

After listening to arguments last month in support of and opposed to a proposed Topgolf facility beside the Long Island Expressway in Holtsville, the Town of Brookhaven planning board followed up this week by voting 6-0 in favor of granting site-plan approval for the company's first New York location.

The approval requires that Topgolf plant additional trees and install 6-foot-high fencing along parts of the property that border residential neighborhoods, among other measures, according to Newsday and town documents.  Topgolf must also get building permits from the town before it can begin construction at the site, which sits west of Nicolls Road at exit 62 of the LIE.

Though there is no opening date at the moment, with this latest Brookhaven approval, Topgolf's efforts to expand into New York are essentially sitting in the middle of the fairway, wedge in hand.

Brookhaven Councilman Kevin LaValle, who represents Holtsville on the town board, said Topgolf is "a very positive business" that would provide an economic boost to the area.

“I think what’s been put in place with the buffers ... really will help to mitigate the concerns,” LaValle said Tuesday in a telephone interview. "The response that I’ve had from people who live around here and people I know from college, everybody says it’s an amazing experience.” -- Carl MacGowan, Newsday, 9/18/19

Mixing dining, nightlife and technology with the traditional elements of a driving range, Topgolf facilities allow players to hit microchipped golf balls toward arcade-style target areas for computer-scored games and contests.  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.  Currently, the closest Topgolf facility to Long Island is located in Edison, New Jersey (pictured).

For more, see previous GOLI posts on the proposed Topgolf:

Plans in place to bring Long Island's first Topgolf location to Holtsville (12/23/2017)
No updates on planned Topgolf facility in Holtsville (12/20/2018)
Holtsville residents tee off on plans for Long Island's first Topgolf facility (8/21/19)

[Photo courtesy of Topgolf]

Holtsville residents tee off on plans for Long Island's first Topgolf facility

Ground has yet to be broken in Holtsville for what would be Long Island's first Topgolf facility, but representatives from the Dallas-based company have already received a traditional Long Island welcome from area residents who spoke out against the development at a Brookhaven Town public hearing on Monday.

Citing loud music, lights and the potential for increased traffic and drunk driving in the area, Holtsville residents asked the board to oppose the new facility, which would be located north of the Long Island Expressway at exit 62, according to Newsday.  Topgolf is known nationwide for its driving ranges that mix high-tech features, modern amenities, dining and nightlife.

Topgolf officials argued that the $25 million facility would create up to 500 jobs and comply with all town laws, though residents were skeptical of the range's use of music and lights late into the night.

Opponents of the project threw up their hands in apparent exasperation during the hearing as Topgolf officials tried to assure them that their lifestyles would not be disrupted by the business.

Mike Quilty described a recent vacation trip with his wife Mary during which they saw a Topgolf site with blaring music and bright lights.

"When we saw the Topgolf in South Carolina, I said, Oh, my God, it is in your face," Quilty said. "I said, wow, this is going to be in my neighborhood? I can't believe this."

Other residents expressed concern about Topgolf customers driving drunk as they leave the facility, which would be open until 2 a.m. on weekends. -- Carl MacGowan, Newsday, 8/20/2019

Back in December 2017, the Brookhaven Town board unanimously approved special permits and zoning changes to make way for Long Island's first Topgolf.  At the time, proponents cited Topgolf's entertainment value while residents complained that disruption from the site could devalue their homes. 

Unlike standard 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.  Currently, the closest Topgolf facility to Long Island is located in Edison, New Jersey (pictured).

Brookhaven's planning board deferred a decision until its next meeting on September 16.

For more, see previous GOLI posts on the proposed Topgolf:

Plans in place to bring Long Island's first Topgolf location to Holtsville (12/23/2017)
No updates on planned Topgolf facility in Holtsville (12/20/2018)

[Photo courtesy of Topgolf]

2019 Summer Golf Camps on Long Island

Young and old will join together this week to watch the game's greats compete at The Masters, and for many prospective junior golfers, the action at Augusta might serve as inspiration to pick up a golf club for the first time.  For those youngsters already with a few rounds under their belts, it might serve as a boost to work on improving their game and taking it to new heights.

The best way to do that, of course, is with some professional guidance, and having a qualified teaching pro help put the building blocks in place, especially at an early age, is vital to a lifetime of memorable on-course experiences.

On Long Island, in addition to the many outlets the casual or advanced golfer can turn to for instruction, summer golf programs for junior players -- some open to kids as young as 5 -- are designed to transform the youngster, whether new to the sport or experienced, into a skilled golfer for life.

Many public courses in Nassau and Suffolk feature summer camp programs that school young players in golf's key fundamentals, the various types of swings and strokes, as well as rules, etiquette and course safety.  Kids work closely with teaching pros on the course, in the range and around practice greens and bunkers; in some cases, the pros working with your young golfer have been recognized nationally for their work as junior instructors.  Campers leave each session with skills and knowledge in place for years of enjoyment on the course.

The following is a general overview of 2019 summer golf camps available and open for registration at various public courses around Long Island.  For more information, follow the links below to the course websites and junior camp pages. 

(Please note this list only includes camp programs hosted at public golf courses.  This does not include golf programs held at general summer camps or any type of private instruction.)

Bethpage State Park (Farmingdale):  Bethpage's Junior Golf Development Program is open to players of all skill levels.  Juniors are split into five teams based on age, ability and experience, and participate in a combination of practice, fitness training and on-course play, including tournaments.  Amount of practice and live play varies by team.  Full-day and half-day programs meet five days a week for an entire month.  Weekly sessions are also available.  Register for full day/monthly ($750), half day/monthly ($500) and weekly sessions ($400) at the Bethpage website or call (516) 249-4040 for more details.

Cedars Golf Club (Cutchogue):  The Cutchogue course offers two separate four-week sessions with start dates of July 8 and August 5.  Campers meet Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, with times varied by age group.  Juniors age 10 and under benefit from group instruction and on-course play, and also receive prizes, pizza lunches and a ten-round Cedars Junior Pass.  Those in the 11-to-15 group receive 30 minutes of private instruction each week in addition to on-course play, group work and a full-season Junior Pass.  Cost is $570 per four-week session (10 and under); $600 per four-week session (11 and over).  Extended instruction is available for additional cost.  Call (631) 734-6363 or e-mail ken@cedarsgolfclub.com to register or for full details.

Cherry Creek (Riverhead):  Cherry Creek is offering three camp sessions beginning July 16 for juniors age 7 to 16.  Each session covers swing basics, skills, course etiquette and more.  Instruction takes place at both the Links and Woods courses.  Camps meet Tuesday and Wednesday from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. and Thursday from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.  Cost is $200 per session.  Contact the Woods pro shop at (631) 506-0777 or e-mail head pro Michael Springer at mikespringer1@yahoo.com for info.

Eisenhower Park (East Meadow): PGA Junior Golf operates a series of camps for all ability levels, including advanced camps for competitive juniors.  The program includes full-day camps for players age 11 to 17, modified full-day camps for experienced players age 8 to 12, and half-day camps for beginners and intermediates age 7 to 11.  There is also a special 90-minute session for "Wee Ones" age 5 to 8.  All regular camps include hours of hands-on instruction led by certified PGA professionals.  Full-day camps include on-course play and teaching.  Weekly sessions for all programs begin July 8.  Visit the PGA Junior Golf Camp site for full information on pricing, session dates and available discounts.

Glen Cove Golf Club:  Weekly sessions for kids age 6 to 16 begin on June 17 and are offered through the end of August.  Camps meet Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and cover the full swing, pitching, chipping, putting, rules and etiquette.  Cost is $400 per weekly session.  Call (516) 671-0033 or visit the Glen Cove camp site for additional details.

Great Rock Golf Club (Wading River):  Two separate four-day sessions (Monday to Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.) for golfers age 6 to 15 will be available July 8-11 and July 29-August 1.  Each session covers swing fundamentals, chipping, pitching, rules and etiquette, as well as on-course training and strategy.  Cost is $299 with lunch and a Thursday pizza party and awards ceremony included.  Call (631) 886-2700 for information and registration.

Harbor Links Golf Course (Port Washington):  Harbor Links offers a wide variety of programs led by teachers all named U.S. Kids Golf Certified Instructors.  Camps begin the week of June 24, with sessions available through August.  Weekly programs for kids age 6 to 9 run Tuesday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and include games and drills that help develop important skills and fundamentals, in addition to a skills competition and gift packet.  Separate programs for teens age 10 to 16 are split into four-hour AM and PM sessions and run Monday to Friday.  These cover the full swing, short game, course management, rules and etiquette, and conclude with a two-day "Junior Scramble" team tournament.  Rates vary based on age group and time of sign-up.  For all program information, schedules and registration forms, visit the Harbor Links website.

Indian Island Country Club (Riverhead):  Indian Island's 18th annual golf camp consists of week-long sessions that include lessons, lunch, prizes, golf gear, skills contests and on-course competition.  Camps are open to boys and girls of all skill levels between the ages of 7 and 16.  Fees are $525 per week, per camper, with family, returnee and multi-week discounts available.  Week-long sessions begin June 24 and continue through the end of August.  See the Indian Island camp brochure for all details.

Island's End Golf & Country Club (Greenport):  Junior clinics are offered on select days in the summer, open to boys and girls age 5 and up.  Camp info will be available later in the spring.  Visit the Island's End website for more information.

Long Island Golf Camps / Mike Reilly Golf Academy (Massapequa, Babylon, Hauppauge):  Long Island Golf Camps runs programs at three public courses -- Peninsula Golf Club (Massapequa), Sumpwams Creek/E. Donald Conroy Golf Course (Babylon) and Wind Watch Golf & Country Club (Hauppauge).  The Peninsula and Wind Watch camps are week-long, full-day programs (9:00/9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.) with sessions beginning in late June.  They include instruction on different aspects of the swing, on-course play and daily lunch.  Babylon camps run Monday to Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; afternoon sessions might be available based on demand.  Instruction takes place on the course and in the short-game area.  Enrollment is $595 for Peninsula, $625 for Wind Watch and $269 for Babylon.  For schedules and registration, and for information on a fourth camp program held at the private Colonial Springs Golf Club in East Farmingdale, visit the Long Island Golf Camps website.

Middle Bay (Oceanside):  Six full-week sessions begin on July 8.  Camps meet from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday to Friday and include instruction on the course, practice green, in the driving range and the short-game area.  Snack, beverages and lunch are also included.  Family and multiple-week discounts are available.  Call (516) 766-1880 for pricing and additional details.

Mill Pond (Medford):  Camps are available in 3-day and 5-day sessions.  Shorter programs are geared more toward beginners with a focus on swing fundamentals, rules and etiquette.  Juniors with some playing experience will also receive instruction on course management.  Week-long programs are designed for experienced juniors, with on-course instruction and play held at Rolling Oaks Golf Course in Miller Place.  High school development camps are also available for experienced golfers age 12 to 17 looking to advance their game on a competitive level.  Discounts for Town of Brookhaven residents are offered.  Visit the Mill Pond website or call (631) 732-8249 for info on registration, pricing, schedules and program format.

Pine Ridge Golf Club (Coram):  Full-week sessions are available for beginners and intermediate players.  Camps are full-day and focus on fundamentals to build the foundation of a proper swing, with on-course play included.  The $299 camp fee covers daily lunch and a goodie bag.  Visit the Pine Ridge website for session dates and online registration.

Poxabogue Golf Center (Sagaponack):  A total of ten sessions run from the week of June 24 to the week of August 26.  Sessions are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 12 noon, and are open to boys and girls from age 7 to 16.  Campers will learn basics of the full swing, short game, course management, rules and etiquette, and will receive golf gear, snacks and giveaways.  Cost is $529 per session, with family and multi-week discounts available.  Visit the Poxabogue website for info and registration.

Smithtown Landing Country Club (Smithtown):  Smithtown Landing hosts camp programs led by PGA professional and Hall of Famer Michael Hebron.  Instruction covers grip, swing, putting, chipping, pitching, rules and etiquette.  Beginning July 1, separate programs meet once a week on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.  A three-day camp (June 26-28) and four-day camp (August 6-9) are also available.  Call (631) 979-6534 or visit the Smithtown Landing site for 2019 pricing, schedules and registration forms.

Spring Lake Golf Club (Middle Island):  Spring Lake is running weekly junior clinics in lieu of formal camp programs in 2019.  Juniors will meet each Saturday from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. for group instruction.  Contact Spring Lake pro Cristy Jurgens at (631) 924-5115 for info.

Stonebridge Golf Links (Hauppauge):  Starting July 15, full- and half-day programs are available for beginners through intermediate players.  Half-day sessions (9 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.) are geared to beginners age 6 to 10 and focus on fundamentals, rules, etiquette and course/club basics.  Full-day camps (9 a.m. to 3 p.m.) help experienced players age 10 and up improve on skills and knowledge through on-course play and instruction.  Cost is $215 for half day and $379 for full day.  All campers receive a Nike backpack and glove.  Discounts available for siblings and multiple sessions.  Call (631) 724-7500 or visit the Stonebridge website for session schedules and registration info.

Sunken Meadow (Kings Park):  PGA Junior Golf operates half-day camps for players of all skill levels from age 7 to 16.  Beginners and intermediate players are split into groups and receive hands-on instruction led by certified PGA professionals.  Weekly sessions meet Tuesday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon, beginning July 9.  Cost is $299 per session.  Visit the PGA Junior Golf Camp site for full information.

Town of Oyster Bay Golf Course (Woodbury):  Full-day camps for boys and girls age 10 to 16, and half-day camps for boys and girls age 6 to 10, are available starting the week of June 25.  Camps meet Tuesday through Friday.  Teaching pros cover chipping, putting, rules and etiquette, and instruction takes place on and off the course.  Full-day camp is $600; half-day camp is $425.  Referral discounts are available.  Call (516) 364-3600 or visit TOB's Lucas Golf Center website for information and registration.

West Sayville Golf Course (West Sayville):  West Sayville is offering seven week-long programs (Tuesday to Saturday, four hours per day) beginning the week of July 9.  Campers receive instruction on and off the course, with lessons concentrating on all aspects of the swing, including grip, stance and alignment.  Cost is $425 per session, with multi-week discounts available.  Visit the West Sayville website for a registration form and schedule information.

Simplay hosting an indoor "Networking with Golf" outing this Friday

Simplay, the indoor golf and sports facility in Hauppauge, will host a "Networking with Golf" event this Friday, January 25, complete with a simulator scramble for up to 40 golfers.

The unique indoor scramble will tee off at 2:30 p.m. after registration and lunch.  Beer, wine and soda will be served throughout the golf portion of the event.  Following the scramble, participants can stick around for an awards ceremony and extended networking session that includes card games, cigars and more.

Entry fee is $95 per person.  Sign up online or call (631) 617-6363.

Simplay features eight simulators with more than 80 golf courses (including Bethpage Black) as well as other sports like soccer, baseball and hockey.  The Hauppauge facility also offers private simulator rooms, a full bar and snack menu.  For more info, visit the Simplay website.

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]

Public golf options near Shinnecock Hills

Shinnecock Hills is the capital of the golf universe this week, and there are plenty of agonizing East End traffic reports to prove it.  And while vaunted Long Island clubs like National, Sebonack, Maidstone and others are picking up some of Shinnecock's spotlight rather than the likes of Pine Hills and Poxabogue, let's just say those places don't exactly welcome walk-ups.

So where does that leave the public golfer who happens to be staying in the Hamptons or the Riverhead area this week for the U.S. Open?  Here are some friendly outlets, from closest to farthest from the epicenter:

EAST OF SHINNECOCK

Right there in the middle of the Sunrise Highway soup is the Southampton Golf Range, a family-owned throwback with a driving range, mini golf and batting cages.  It's located about a mile east of Shinnecock and offering extended hours during Open week.  Bonus points for media members -- it's directly across the street from media parking, so keep your bags in the trunk (it's open until midnight).

Poxabogue Golf Center is a quaint par-30 that's been a fixture in the Bridgehampton area for more than 50 years.  Its suitable for all skill levels and features one of the biggest practice ranges on the Island.  It also attracts a fair share of celebs for a little public nine-holer.

Also nine holes, the Sag Harbor State Golf Course is the least known of Long Island's NYS munis, though it's been around for nearly a century.

Keep heading east, almost until you can't go any farther, and you'll find one of the most popular NYS munis at Montauk Downs.  Nothing can replicate Shinnecock, but with the ocean to the south and bays to the north, the swirling winds at Montauk are similar.

Shelter Island Country Club -- aka "Goat Hill" -- is nearly as old as Shinnecock.  A ferry to Shelter Island plus nine holes make for a nice Open Week afternoon.

On the North Fork, Cedars Golf Club is another pleasant nine-holer tucked away in Cutchogue.

Like Montauk Downs on the South Fork, Island's End Golf & Country Club is perched almost on the tip of the North Fork, hence the name.  It features one of the most picturesque par-3s on Long Island -- public or private.

WEST OF SHINNECOCK

Indian Island Country Club is one of Suffolk's four county munis and the only one on the East End.  Parts of the course play along the Peconic River and Flanders Bay; the rest is more of a parkland layout.

Sandy Pond is another throwback nine that has been rejuvenated under new ownership in recent years.  There are water holes, fescue and an overall friendly vibe.

Once the private Olde Vine Golf Club, the Riverhead course known as The Vineyards Golf Club features Shinnecock-esque winds that team up with very fast greens with slope.

Next door to The Vineyards are Cherry Creek's Links and Woods courses.  Though not a links design in any sense, the Links 18 is one of the longest layouts on the Island and features the region's only par-6 at #18.  The Woods is a shorter, more strategic course with trees bordering nearly all fairways.

Manorville delivers a trio of 18-hole options with varying styles.  Swan Lake Golf Club is comfortably open and offers some of Long Island's most spacious putting greens.  Rock Hill Golf Club is roomy in some areas, tightly wooded in the rest, but challenges throughout the course with thick, unforgiving rough over hilly terrain.  The par-73 Pine Hills Country Club is nearly as long as Bethpage Black.

For courses beyond those areas, check out our Long Island course map, which includes links to flyover descriptions of all courses, as well as our Visitor's Guide to Long Island Golf for a broader overview of the local scene.

Bethpage bolsters digital marketing and social-media voice under pro Kelley Brooke

Bethpage State Park is officially a member of the modern era, and it's not only because booking tee times has migrated away from *66 ("the busy-signal fix").

Nearly two decades after hosting its first U.S. Open and entering the international golf discussion, management at Bethpage is now marketing the Black Course and its four sibling layouts in a way befitting America's leading public-golf facility.  Gone are a sparse NYS Parks landing page and dreary unofficial website.  In their place, a newly designed site and a newly found voice have turned Bethpage from a largely silent golf powerhouse into one of the most socially engaging facilities on the Island.

The park's digital transformation arrives under the watch of Kelley Brooke, the Golf Channel Academy instructor with a resume that lists decades of accomplishments in teaching and golf operations in the New York City metro area.  Since winning a New York State bid and taking over at Bethpage earlier this year, Brooke has been in charge of the pro shop, private lessons, clinics and women's programs.  Her to-do list continues to grow as junior-camp season approaches.  "I'm running everything here but tee times," Brooke says.

Among Brooke's top priorities is marketing, specifically connecting with Long Island golfers on social media, a space where the park has remained mostly quiet outside of the informative @BethpageGolf Twitter feed and that of superintendent Andrew Wilson (@greensideup17).  Over the past few seasons, both have been valuable outlets for photos and information on renovations, aeration schedules and other happenings around the courses.  Brooke's focus, though, is on promoting and growing the many instructional programs, including junior and women's clinics and the park's first-ever summer golf camp, that now make Bethpage what she calls a "full-service academy."

Inside the clubhouse and out on the range, Brooke and her staff teach using a variety of launch monitors, swing and putting analyzers and state-of-the-art video and biofeedback systems.  Instructional programs include sessions focusing on specific areas like driving distance and wedge play, as well as group practices and couples' clinics.  The "Start to Finish Women's Program" meets once a week for five weeks, covers all aspects of the swing and takes players onto the course for a supervised test of skills.

To amplify Bethpage's new voice, Brooke hired Zach Toste, a digital-marketing consultant with golf in his blood.  Toste played at Notre Dame, graduated in 2016 and works remotely from Florida, where he runs Bethpage's new Facebook and Instagram pages, tweaks the website and creates video content.  Toste first learned of Bethpage the way young players in the 1990s discovered TPC Sawgrass -- through video games. 

"I remember seeing the 'Warning' sign in Tiger Woods PGA Tour Golf and thinking, 'Wow, that's so cool,' " Toste says.

In addition to promoting Bethpage programs, the digital-marketing team updates the Facebook page with video demonstrations by Brooke and her staff of instructors and fitness professionals.  Action shots around the courses and in training sessions appear on Instagram.  Last week, they launched an e-commerce section on the Bethpage website, enabling fans to purchase head covers, hats and on-course accessories branded with Bethpage's iconic caddy logo.  Toste's also introduced a short-and-sweet Bethpage slogan -- "Experience Tradition."

Their goal, overall, is to connect with all golfers and make Bethpage synonymous with playing, learning and experiencing golf, not simply the Black Course and sleeping in cars for tee times. 

"Golfers haven't really heard much from Bethpage over the years," Toste says.  "We want them to start thinking, 'Hey, there's something going on at Bethpage.' "

[Screenshots courtesy of Bethpage Golf Course via Facebook and Instagram.]

Peninsula Golf Club rolls out new website, tee times and revamped cafe for 2018

Nestled inside a quiet residential Massapequa community, the nine-hole Peninsula Golf Club is as close to a neighborhood golf course as you'll find on Long Island.  For every handful of shots that land safely on a green in regulation, one misguided attempt might settle inside someone's front lawn.  And while the course remains the same quaint throwback it's been for decades, this year Peninsula is taking several strides into the 21st century.

Peninsula launched a new website earlier this spring, complete with an online booking system and updated information about the par-37 course.  Long a spot for cash-carrying walk-ups only, Peninsula now allows players to reserve tee times online up to three weeks in advance.  The check-in desk is equipped to take credit cards, as well.  Reservations are an additional $3 for nine holes ($23 total) and $5 for 18 holes ($40 total) over the base 2018 walk-up rates.

Inside the clubhouse, The Peninsula Cafe is under new management with a unique dual setup.  From morning until early afternoon, the Cafe turns out a familiar selection of breakfast sandwiches, hot dogs, burgers and wraps.  At 3 p.m. from Tuesday to Saturday, local chef Anthony Marengo transforms the kitchen into The Sizzlin' Griddle Supper Club, with a menu of modern, made-from-scratch American and global fare like beer-simmered sausage and peppers and cold sesame noodles.  Rotating specials include wing nights and discounts for first responders.  Sundays are reservation-only family dinners for six or more.  As a bonus for both golfers and hungry neighbors, Marengo also offers text ordering and curbside pickup (call/text 516-325-6452).

And to keep Massapequa golfers aware of what's happening on the course and in the grill room, Peninsula has put a newfound focus on social media.  The course and both versions of the restaurant have been actively promoting the facility on Facebook this winter and spring, even including a little touch of nostalgia.  Photos and documents detailing Peninsula's evolution from players' club to actual golf course were posted earlier this month.  Starting in the 1920s, the original Peninsula Golf Club members -- all caddies at Inwood Country Club -- held their competitions on courses around the Rockaway peninsula (hence the name).  In 1946, the Peninsula members purchased their own course at the abandoned Nassau Shores Country Club in Massapequa, where it remains today.

For more on Peninsula, check out the course flyover.