Golf on Long Island

2022 golf course reopen dates on Long Island

Spring can't come soon enough for the Long Island golfing community now that we've reached the tail end of a second straight winter season that has been, for the most part, a bust.

A blizzard knocked out a couple of playing weeks on its own, and poor ground conditions led many golf courses to remain closed even when sunshine and warm temps occasionally drew crowds of offseason golfers to any tees that were open.

But when March approaches, the new spring season comes into view, and seasonal courses have begun posting their 2022 opening dates.  Most reopenings start around St. Patrick's Day and continue for several weeks until Bethpage Black lifts the curtain and signals the full start of golf season in mid-April.

The following is a list of tentative 2022 opening dates for Long Island's seasonal golf courses.  (Year-round courses remain open as the weather allows and are not included in this list.)  Courses will be added or updated as information becomes available.  Be sure to check back through March for the latest info.

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

2022 GOLF COURSE REOPENINGS:

• Woods Course at Cherry Creek -- March 11
• Town of Oyster Bay GC -- March 11
• Timber Point -- March 15
• Indian Island -- March 15
• West Sayville -- March 15
• Holbrook CC -- March 16
• Brentwood CC -- March 16
• Bergen Point -- March 17
• Harbor Links - Championship/Executive -- March 19
• Bethpage Green -- March 19
• The Golf Club at Middle Bay -- April 1
• Bethpage Red -- April 1
• Eisenhower Red -- April 8 (tentative)
• Bethpage Black -- April 15

[This post was updated on March 25 2022.]

Winter Golf on Long Island: 2021-22 Edition

Christmas morning on Long Island, there are a great many local golfers opening up new "toys," whether it be a box of balls or a new putter, looking forward to the spring when they can debut them on the course.  Then there's the small subset of local golfers scrolling through five-day forecasts and tee-time lists to see how soon they can take that brand-new, freshly unwrapped driver for a test...drive.

Winter golf is a thing on Long Island, to the surprise of the warm majority who take a pass at golf below 50 degrees.  But if you can tolerate cold, there is a whole season of golf to enjoy, complete with open tee times, clear fairways, reduced rates, two-and-a-half-hour rounds and hastily slurped hot chocolate staining the front of your new quarter-zip.

Here's a brief overview -- while many Northeast golfers pack the clubs away around the time rakes come out, there is a hardy set of players who carry on from January through March.  And there are plenty of local courses that are happy to accommodate them.  Long Island's handful of seasonal golf courses typically close sometime between Thanksgiving and Christmas and reopen around St. Patrick's Day, but the rest remain open year-round as the weather allows.

It's not all sunshine and birdies, though.  Besides the cold and wind, you've got to deal with frost delays, some temporary tees and greens (less so now than in years past), and typically sloppier and muddier conditions as the elements take their toll later in the season.  Some years, if the bad weather arrives early and often, the winter season can be a complete dud.

This late fall and winter have been good to players so far, and generally, conditions hold up as long as heavy snow holds off.  After a couple of snow melts, the experience tends to become a bit more unpleasant.  But through the years we've seen it all -- playing nine at North Woodmere through hail on New Year's Eve; a hazy 65 degrees at Bethpage Yellow on New Year's Day; frozen hazards and greens at Middle Island in late November; and winds that never cease during dozens of winter rounds at Lido.

Like last year, factor in the pandemic when venturing out to play.  Some courses are operating near full speed, while others might just be offering 18 holes without any of the trimmings -- no bar, no grill, no coffee at the turn.  Check ahead if that is important to you. 

Golf On Long Island regularly posts information on winter rates and other course offerings throughout the offseason.  Keep up by checking out GOLI's Winter Golf on Long Island overview.  Also be sure to follow local courses on social media for the latest on weather closures, frost delays and more.

The Fried Egg lists Timber Point among America's "great restoration opportunities"

A round on the Blue and Red courses at Timber Point in Great River is a bit of a walk (or ride) through history.  Since the 1920s, when the course emerged on the edge of Great South Bay as a highly touted and equally exclusive private club, players of all social strata have aimed the same wind-blown shots over the water on the Harbor hole and toward the bay on Gibraltar. 

And as the study of golf course history and the evolution of golf architecture slowly entered golf's mainstream over the last two decades, followers of historical golf design have imagined what it would be like to align that walk at Timber Point even more closely with its celebrated past.  The Fried Egg, a prominent golf architecture and design website, recently listed Timber Point as one of America's "sweet 16 of golf courses we'd love to see restored to their original glory."

While the lost Lido Club farther west on the Island's south shore is the Atlantis of golf history -- and will soon be brought back to life in two spots around the globe -- Timber Point is a different type of lost course, in that much of it physically remains.  But many of the elements that made it unique and memorable have grassed over through time, tantalizing architecture enthusiasts who envision a return to the original's gusty sands and bayside dunes.  Daniel Wexler states in his 2000 book Missing Links that Timber Point could possibly rank as one of America's top 25 golf courses if it existed in its original form, and at least a few course designers reportedly have pitched their restoration services to Suffolk County in the recent past.  

So, a quick history review:

Timber Point opened for play in the latter half of the Roaring Twenties on a former estate, with the purpose of providing golf and club amenities to a very select few.  So private was the club, according to legend, that members attempted to purchase a vast neighboring estate (today's Heckscher State Park) just to keep outsiders away -- far away.  Another story goes that the club once refused mosquito control services from the county, choosing instead to tolerate swarms of biting insects if it meant preventing any intrusion by curious non-members.  Designed by Charles Alison, the front nine played inland through what at the time was forest-like terrain.  Six of those inland holes live on today as holes #2 through #7 of the Red Course. 

Following #9, the course set out on a path toward an awe-inspiring sandscape bordering Great South Bay.  An imaginative 11th hole featured three island-style fairways offering alternative routes to the green.  The back nine then turned toward the water's edge.  Sand enveloped the Harbor 12th (today's Blue #2) and Gibraltar (Blue #5) up ahead.  One of the few early-era photos of the course shows a man teeing off toward an ocean of sand, Gibraltar's 15th green far off in the distance.  Another captures a twosome on the Harbor tee gazing at what more closely resembles the moon than a short par-3.

Timber Point followed the same trajectory as most clubs of the era, struggling through the Depression and onset of World War II.  Contentious lease and ownership issues simmered as early as the 1930s, and the club was past its prime by the post-war years.  (A 1953 Newsday article referred to it as the "once-famous" Timber Point.)  It went through a series of name and operation changes through the 1950s and '60s, alternating between names like the Connetquot River Club and Great River Country Club.

In the early 1970s, amid a local boom period that spurred the growth of county-level municipal golf, Suffolk County brought Timber Point into its parks system and hired William Mitchell to lay out a new nine between the inland and bayside halves.  That nine became the White Course.  Mitchell also tacked new holes onto the 12 remaining originals to complete the freshly titled Red and Blue nines.

To architecture enthusiasts like The Fried Egg's Andy Johnson, and the designers who've made preliminary gestures toward a Timber Point revamp, the course is a no-brainer candidate for a classic restoration.  Especially now in a national golf climate that has proven suitable for restorations and renovations.  "After all," Johnson writes of Timber Point, "there's certainly a demand for great accessible golf on Long Island."

But the hurdles are massive.  The red tape surrounding a Suffolk County-owned facility might be enough on its own to sink any proposal.  Throw in the public perception of spending on a municipal golf restoration -- no matter the fine details or framework -- and it becomes even more politically daunting.  And while the course is still there physically, there are environmental considerations.  Wetlands exist on the course today that were not present in the 1920s.  Just two days after the Fried Egg feature, CNN highlighted climate change's impact on the future of golf courses.  Timber Point is notoriously prone to coastal flooding and major storm damage.  Hurricane Irene battered the course in 2011 and Sandy partially submerged it the following fall.

Yet the most relevant questions might be the ones nobody has really asked.  Is this something that Long Island's golfing public would actually want?  What about Suffolk County?  As it stands today, Timber Point is one of the best golf values on the Island, with or without a resident discount.  Green fees are under $50, the scenery is on par with just about any private club in the area, and when played as a Red/Blue 18, Timber Point is not far from the upper tier of Island public courses.  Tee times, not surprisingly, are hard to come by.

So given Timber's current appeal, would Long Island players be willing to trade it in for a fantastic restoration, albeit one that would ultimately price out some of its clientele and heighten competition for fewer tee times?  While there certainly is demand for great accessible golf, as Johnson states, there might not be an appetite here for making accessible golf less so in the jump from good to great.  A Golf On Long Island survey shows two-thirds of local golfers polled in an active online players group prefer to keep Timber Point as is.

For more on Timber Point, see the Blue, Red and White course flyovers.

[PICTURED: Gibraltar #15 (top) and Harbor #12 (middle left), as seen in Golf Illustrated; a modern look at the same two par-3s, Blue #2 and #5 (bottom right)]

Seasonal Long Island golf courses set to close for '21

The middle of December is when the curtains come down and the house lights come up for Long Island's seasonal public golf courses.  There are only a few days left to squeeze in nine- or 18-hole rounds on these courses, most of which are municipal facilities.  You can expect nearly all of them to reopen again in March (Bethpage Red and Black reopen in April).

The following golf courses are preparing to close for the season this month:

• Brentwood Country Club -- December 13
  
• Holbrook Country Club -- December 13
  
• West Sayville -- December 15
• Timber Point -- December 19
• Bergen Point -- December 19
• Middle Bay (date TBD)
• Harbor Links (date TBD)
• Cherry Creek - Woods Course (date TBD)
• Bay Park (date TBD)
• Christopher Morley Park (date TBD)
• Sumpwams Creek (date TBD)

Some courses have already closed for 2021, including:

• Bethpage Black
• Bethpage Red
• Bethpage Green
• Harbor Links - Executive Course
• Island's End
• Eisenhower Red

The majority of Long Island golf courses remain open through the winter.  For more information on Long Island's winter season, stay tuned for our annual Winter Golf On Long Island primer.

Thanksgiving-themed golf events on the schedule around Long Island

Everyone knows Thanksgiving as the time to gather with family and friends around a holiday feast.  Not many associate it with frozen tee boxes and hand warmers.

But a small subset of local golfers do know that Thanksgiving is just as much a day to watch bad Detroit Lions football as it is to play decent early-morning golf as part of holiday-themed outings planned around Long Island.  Thanksgiving is essentially "last call" for Long Island golf before winter players embark on an offseason of frost delays and icy hazards.  Golf comes with all the trimmings on Thanksgiving -- tournaments, prizes, occasional open bars and sometimes an actual turkey.   

Golf On Long Island will update the 2021 Thanksgiving slate of scrambles and shotgun starts as information is made available.  All outings are designed to get you home to the family with enough time to carve the turkey.  Listed below are some of this year's outings, with more to follow (all outings are on Thanksgiving, November 25, unless otherwise noted).  These outings tend to fill up quickly, so it's best to book early.

Brentwood Country Club, as usual, is among the earliest risers on Thanksgiving morning.  Shotgun tee time is scheduled for 7:30 a.m.  Rate is $50 for 18 holes and cart.  Given the early start, Brentwood will cut the outing to nine holes in the event of a lengthy frost delay (with reduced green fee).  Call (631) 436-6060 to reserve a spot.

Cherry Creek is offering 18 holes on the Links Course with cart, range balls, hot breakfast, raffles and contests for $65 per player.  Shotgun tee time is 8:30 a.m.  Call (631) 369-6500 to register.

Harbor Links will host its 15th 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.

Island's End's holiday begins with a 9:00 a.m. shotgun start.  $65 per player.  Call the course at (631) 477-0777 or e-mail billfish4@optonline.net to register.

Mill Pond (pictured) will host its annual Thanksgiving Turkey Shootout, teeing off at 8:00 a.m.  Format is four-person team scramble, and the $74 entry fee includes cart, range balls, hot breakfast and a post-round drink.  The event almost always sells out fast; book by calling (631) 732-8249.

Pine Hills Golf & Country Club saves its annual holiday outing for Black Friday, November 26.  The $75 entry fee includes cart, range and raffles, plus prizes for the top teams.  This year $10 of each entry fee will be donated to Toys For Tots.  Call (631) 878-7103 to sign up.

Spring Lake Golf Club will host its annual Turkey Shotgun, which includes breakfast and 18 holes.  Tee time is 8:00 a.m.  Cost is $65 per player.  Call (631) 924-5115 for a spot.

Swan Lake's holiday outing begins with 7:30 a.m. breakfast and an 8:30 shotgun start.  Beverages and BBQ will be available until 1:00.  Entry fee is $60; call (631) 369-1818 to sign up.

Timber Point is bringing back its holiday 9-hole scramble, set to tee off at 9:00 a.m.  Pro shop gift cards will be awarded to the top team and winners of on-course contests.  Format is four-person scramble, $55 per player.  Sign up at the Timber Point website.

Willow Creek's shotgun start is scheduled for 8:30 a.m.  The $69 entry fee includes golf and cart.  Call (631) 474-9200 to register.

Wind Watch is hosting a holiday shotgun scheduled to tee off at 9:00.  Golf and cart are $69 per player.  Call (631) 232-9850 to register.

Check back through November for updated information.

Aeration updates around Long Island

[This schedule was updated on September 19, 2021]

September is aeration month at Long Island golf courses, and maintenance dates are good to know for local players planning their late-summer and fall rounds.

The following public golf courses will be closed for play (unless otherwise noted) while undergoing fairway and/or greens aeration:

• Eisenhower White -- September 20
• Island's End -- September 20-21 (course open)
• Pine Hills -- September 21-22
• Cherry Creek (Woods) -- September 21
• Cherry Creek (Links) -- September 23
• Eisenhower Blue -- September 27
• Eisenhower Red -- October 4
• Bethpage Red -- October 5-6 
• Bergen Point -- October (dates TBA)

Some golf courses have already aerated, so be aware that conditions might not be optimal.

• Bethpage Black -- September 13
• West Sayville -- September 13
• Indian Island -- September 13-14
• Bethpage Green -- September 9-10
• Poxabogue -- September 7-8
• Timber Point -- September 7-9
• Holbrook CC -- September 7
• Bethpage Yellow -- September 2-3
• Bethpage Blue -- August 31-September 1

For courses not listed, contact them directly for the latest maintenance schedule.

Free summer golf for kids at Spring Lake's Sandpiper Course

Spring Lake's junior golf special is back this summer, offering Long Island kids the opportunity to tag along with an adult for nine holes at no cost.

On Wednesdays and Thursdays in July and August, kids under the age of 14 play a free round with each paying adult.  The special covers nine holes on Spring Lake's Sandpiper Course, home to the facility's namesake lake and signature hole.

Book online at the Spring Lake website or call the course at (631) 924-5115 for additional info and reservations.  Cart fees are not included, proper attire is required.

For more information on Spring Lake's Sandpiper Course, check out the course flyover.

Spring Lake's junior golf special is back this summer, offering Long Island kids the opportunity to tag along with an adult for nine holes at no cost.

On Wednesdays and Thursdays in July and August, kids under the age of 14 play a free round with each paying adult.  The special covers nine holes on Spring Lake's Sandpiper Course, home to the facility's namesake lake and signature hole.

Book online at the Spring Lake website or call the course at (631) 924-5115 for additional info and reservations.  Cart fees are not included, proper attire is required.

For more information on Spring Lake's Sandpiper Course, check out the course flyover.

Street Names: The Ghosts of Long Island Golf's Past, Part 6 -- Mill Pond East

Street names can give clues about a community's past.  That's especially true with golf courses.  When Long Island streets are tagged with golf-related terms, it often means that buried beneath sidewalks and front lawns are the remains of a long-forgotten (or fondly remembered) course.

This series of posts will look back at courses that have been gone for decades, some close to a century, and whose presence is only marked by what developers scratched on road maps and signs.  To see other courses in the "Street Names: The Ghosts of Long Island Golf's Past" series, click the links at the bottom of the post.

******

A tiny minority of Long Islanders have the rare ability to walk off their front porches onto a street boasting the name of a famed U.S. Open golf course, turn onto the home of The Masters and loop around to a cul-de-sac titled for another historic American golf club.  There are golf course views and access to pools, a spa, a rec center -- no, it's not a golf resort, but it's close.

The Meadowbrook Pointe Links and Spa retirement community in Medford is the next-door neighbor of Mill Pond Golf Course, and beyond its front gates weave residential streets like Augusta Drive, Pebble Beach Road and Cypress Pointe Court.  Many of the large, modern homes look out over Mill Pond's lengthy 12th and 18th fairways.

Not long ago, the land beneath those homes and roads shared a much more intimate relationship with Mill Pond, because it was Mill Pond -- its East Course, to be exact, the third nine of what for a brief time in the early 2000s was a 27-hole golf facility.

Today Mill Pond is a popular 18-hole destination, but when it opened in 1999, it featured three distinct nine-hole layouts.  The North, West and East courses were designed by Buddy Johnson and built over what was previously flat Medford farmland.  From that level ground emerged a links-style course complete with mounds and dales, tall rough and a heavy wind presence.  The complex featured six large ponds, three of which rippled peacefully on the East Course.

Like its sister courses, Mill Pond East dotted its fairways with small, round bunkers and protected its greens with larger traps and diagonal approaches.  Some holes flipped the script, pitting the fairways instead with big, irregular traps and carving pot bunkers near the greens.  Three holes required tee shots over or around the ponds, including the short par-3 seventh.

The East Course enjoyed only a fleeting moment along Mill Road, though.  While play on the other 18 holes carried on, by 2006 Mill Pond closed and abandoned the East.  For several seasons the fairways and greens deteriorated in plain sight, until builders finally broke ground in 2010 on the new Meadowbrook residences. 

In addition to Pebble, Cypress and Augusta, the community also honors more modern American golf meccas with streets named for Pacific Dunes and Sand Hills.

Fun fact: Early in Mill Pond East's short run, two residential streets were built near the southern end of the course-- Tee Box Court and Mulligan Drive.

[PICTURED: Mill Pond Golf ad, circa 2005.]

SEE OTHER STREET-NAME POSTS:
Part 1: Cedar Point/Meadowlawn/Westwood -- North Woodmere
Part 2: The Lido Club -- Lido Beach
Part 3: Valley Stream Country Club -- Valley Stream
Part 4: Sayville Golf Club -- Sayville
Part 5: Riverhead Country Club -- Riverhead

Harbor Links, Sunken Meadow to host 2021 Drive, Chip & Putt local qualifiers

Long Island junior golfers with an eye on competing at Augusta National can start the journey to Georgia today by registering for local qualifying rounds of the annual Drive, Chip & Putt Championship, to be held this summer at three area golf courses.

Qualifying rounds for the 2021-22 Drive, Chip & Putt Championship will be held in July at Harbor Links in Port Washington (July 7), Sunken Meadow State Park in Kings Park (July 19) and the private Colonial Springs Golf Club in Farmingdale (July 20).  The event, which is made possible by the United States Golf Association, the PGA of America and the Masters Tournament, is open to boys and girls from age 7 to 15.  It gives juniors in all 50 states the opportunity to qualify at local courses and compete for a chance to play in a televised championship at Augusta National on the eve of The Masters.

Top performers at the Long Island qualifiers will advance to the sub-regional round, scheduled for August 22 at the Town of Colonie Golf Course near Albany.  The eighty open spots at the Augusta championship -- 40 boys and 40 girls -- will then be determined at regional finals.

Participation in the Drive, Chip & Putt Championship is free.  Players accumulate points for performance in driving, chipping and putting challenges.  Complete competition rules, eligibility requirements and scoring outlines are available at the Drive, Chip & Putt website.

2021 Summer Golf Camps on Long Island

[Looking for this year's camp info?  See the Guide to 2022 Summer Golf Camps on Long Island.]

Golf participation at the junior level is up during the coronavirus era.  The sport's socially distanced nature led many new, young players onto the course in 2020, and according to many local course pros, the demand for structured camp programs for kids was greater than expected as well.

Now that more kids are on the course, the next step for many of them is learning the right way to swing and manage a round of golf.  Luckily teens and tweens (and younger) in our area have plenty of places close by to find a qualified teaching pro with the skills to help put the building blocks in place for a swing that could last a lifetime.

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 are designed to transform the youngster, whether new to the sport or experienced, into a skilled golfer.

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 2021 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 Summer Junior Golf Program is open to players of all skill levels from age 6 to 17.  Half-day programs are geared toward younger players, while full-day camps are designed for intermediate and advanced players with on-course experience.  A monthly program with tournament play is also available for competitive juniors.  All programs feature a combination of skills development and performance-related training and fitness.  Sessions begin the week of June 28.  Register for full day ($775), half day ($500) and full-month sessions ($2,900) at the Bethpage / Golf Channel Academy website.

Cedars Golf Club (Cutchogue):  The Cutchogue course offers two separate month-long sessions with start dates of July 5 and August 2.  Campers meet Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, with times varied by age group.  Juniors age 6 to 10 benefit from group instruction and on-course play, and also receive a ten-round Cedars Junior Pass.  Campers in the 11-to-15 group receive private instruction each week in addition to on-course play, group work and a full-season Junior Pass.  Cost is approximately $600 per four-week session.  Call (631) 734-6363 or e-mail ken@cedarsgolfclub.com to register or for full details.

Cherry Creek (Riverhead):  Cherry Creek camp programs will be available in July and August.  Specific details to follow.  Call (631) 506-0777 for the latest information.

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 10 to 13, and half-day camps for beginners and intermediates age 8 to 11.  There is also a special 90-minute session for "Wee Ones" age 6 and 7.  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 6.  Visit the PGA Junior Golf Camp site for full information on pricing, session dates and available discounts.

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 28, 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 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 $550 per week, per camper, with family, returnee and multi-week discounts available.  Week-long sessions begin June 28 and continue until Labor Day weekend.  See the Indian Island website for all details.

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 $645 for Peninsula and Wind Watch, and $289 for Babylon, with discounts available before May 1.  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 12.  Campers meet Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.  Call (516) 766-1880 for pricing, program details and additional information.

Mill Pond (Medford):  Camps are available in 4-day and 2-day sessions beginning July 6.  The longer programs are designed for teen golfers age 12 to 16 and focus on all aspects of swing technique and fundamentals.  Each session includes a team competition on Friday held at Rolling Oaks in Miller Place.  Shorter programs are geared more toward beginners age 6 to 11 with a focus on swing fundamentals, rules and etiquette.  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.

Poxabogue Golf Center (Sagaponack):  A total of ten sessions run from the week of June 21 to the week of August 23.  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 $549 per session, with family and multi-week discounts available.  Visit the Poxabogue website for info and registration.

Stonebridge Golf Links (Hauppauge):  Starting in mid July, 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 $385 for full day.  All campers receive a Puma string bag.  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 13, and modified full-day camps for juniors age 9 to 16.  In each camp, players are divided into groups based on experience and receive hands-on instruction led by certified PGA professionals.  Weekly sessions meet Tuesday through Friday beginning July 6.  Cost is $299 per half-day session and $425 for full-day.  Visit the Sunken Meadow site for full information.

Town of Oyster Bay Golf Course (Woodbury):  Full-day camps (11 a.m. to 6 p.m.) for boys and girls age 10 to 16, and half-day camps (12 noon to 4 p.m.) for boys and girls age 6 to 10, are available starting June 29.  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 $650; half-day camp is $475.  Referral discounts are available.  Call (516) 364-3600 or visit TOB's Lucas Golf Center website for information and registration.