Olde Kinderhook

[JNC Lyon]

I have heard this course mentioned several times on this site. However, I have done several internet searches and have found no information on the course. For those of you who have played it, who built it, and what has caused you to rate it so favorably?

[TEPaul]

This one was comprehensively discussed about a year or two ago on here. The thread or threads should be in the archives.

PS;

This website has a reputation as an anti-Rees and anti-Fazio site which I personally don't necessarily buy. Fazio just got some pretty glowing revues on here for his Mirasol Sunset course where the Honda was just played and my distinct recollection is Rees Jones got some pretty glowing revues on here a year or two ago for his Olde Kinderhook!

[Matt_Ward]

John ...

Tom is quite correct -- there's plenty of info here on GCA for you to search on Olde Kinderhook.

I had the pleasure in playing the course a couple of years ago and it truly deserves the ink it receives. IMHO the layout has the juice to be a worthy contender for a top ten spot in all of NY golf. I know that's saying plenty given the pedigree of other private courses from The Empire State but because the layout is located just south of Albany and doesn't have the zip code of the Hamptons or Westchester it will likely get little long term attention.

On top of that some people have a gigantic bug up their butt against anything that starts with the phrase "a Rees Jones design."

If you get an opportunity to play the course I would say go for it -- it's truly well done -- the overall terrain is truly an eye-ful and the array of holes is routed very well. IMHO one of the 2-3 best Rees has ever designed.

[Paul Perrella]

To All,

       Myself and Scott Wood have been members of Olde Kinderhook from the start and are very proud of our golf course. If there is sufficient interest, Scott and I would like to have an official/unofficial GCA outing at Olde Kinderhook sometime in mid-June. Anyone interested can contact me at (518) 455-3151 or Perrella@Senate.state.ny.us Those coming from the South can plan on the trip being approx. 2 hours and 30 minutes North of NYC. Geoff Childs and Mike Cirba notwithstanding, the course is very easy to get to. Green fees would be $70 per player.

          Paul Perrella

[GeoffreyC]

I would encourage those in the Northeast to take Paul and Scott up on their offer to host a GCA-related event at OK. It is the best Rees Jones course I've played including Ocean Forrest. Scott and Paul are also fine hosts.

A small hint in finding the course is to make sure that you are on the correct side of the Hudson River. The scenic 1 1/2 hour or so tour of the Hudson Valley that I am fully responsible for (Mr. Cirba was a passenger) is recommended for after the golf   .

[THuckaby2]

As an aside on Rees, I went around Harding's re-do on Sunday and found a helluva lot more than I expected from what has been posted here about it.  Where it lacks, the course lacked before due to property limitations like 15-17, but what was done there was done well indeed.

Not the thread-jack, but this merits a response....

I just can't help wonder what might have been at Harding, that's all.  Yes, it's way better than it was before - but that's surely not saying much.  Yes, it is a very fine test of golf now, and push the tees back to 7500 or whatever it can be stretched to, and the pros won't kill it.  Yes, there are some very fine golf holes, and I love what they did with 18 in particular, and some of the holes on the front nine...

But there's just not much there there - much like the city in which I work - and there could have been.  They could have made some fun, quirky golf holes.  They could have pushed some of the greens closer to the water/cliff's edge, like 10 and 14... They could have just plain made it more FUN.

But then the PGA Tour would have hated it, and perhaps not come for the American Express event next year.

Maybe my issues are silly - could be.  It is a very fine golf course now, and most SF residents love it (non-SF residents seem to treat it as a one-time only course given the high fee).  I just continue to wonder.... maybe I shouldn't.

TH

[Mike_Cirba]

Olde Kinderhook is a joy, MUCH better than Huntsville in my estimation, and by FAR the best Rees Jones course I've played.

I believe that it is one of the best 50 or so courses built in the past 50 years.  

Others have covered points that I agree with, but I'd add that the course could probably host a US Open tomorrow; it's that challenging.

Where it differs from many other Rees courses that I've played is that it's fun, daringly creative, uses the natural terrain like a minimalist, and is aesthetically pleasing.

I'd go back, even though Scott and Paul are members there.  

Highly recommend it!  

[Michael Dugger]

As far as being objective goes, I'd say the above post from Mr. Cirba demands recognition.

[ed_getka]

I would second the notion that taking up Paul and Scott on their offer is a good idea. I had a great day golfing with Scott in spite of some persistent rain. Unfortunately, the course didn't play as usual due to the rain, but there are some very good holes out there. I don't know if it is top 50 modern (I haven't even played 50 modern courses!). There is some mounding there, partially due to owner request so future spectators would be able to see a tournament being played. I would say about half of the greens have some pretty interesting movement/contouring. Overall, I would say the course is between 6 and 7 on the Doak scale.
  I met Paul after the round and had an equally good time talking with him. The members really seem to enjoy their course and each other's company.
  I also took an interesting tour of the surrounding countryside in trying to find the course. Make sure to have PRECISE directions and don't leave home without a cell phone to be able to call the club.