[Bill_McBride]

I just finished a book, "Wedding of the Waters," about the building of the Erie Canal, 1817-1825.  This was the most important construction project ever, tying the Eastern seaboard of the original United States to the inland areas beyond the Appalachian Mountains.

I am planning to fly into New York, rent a car, and drive up the Hudson, turning west at Albany to follow the route of the original canal.

Of course man cannot live on historical travel alone, so I am seeking advice from those knowledgeable about that area of northern New York state --- where along the route should a traveling guy with golfing wife plan to play?

The cities on the route are Albany, Schenectedy, Little Falls, Utica, Rome, Palmyra, Clyde, Rochester, Lockport, and Buffalo.

Whaddya think?  I know Oak Hill in Rochester would be a natural choice, but hey, I'm a realist!  

Appreciate any advice anyone can offer.  Classic architecture of course preferred.  Thanks in advance.

[Tyler Kearns]

Leatherstocking GC (Devereux Emmet) in Cooperstown. Golf plus the baseball Hall of Fame.

TK

[Tom_Doak]

Bill:

Teugega CC, in Rome, NY, is in on my top ten most wanted list.  Donald Ross spent a lot of time there a year after his first wife passed away, courting a local lass.  It's private, but it is upstate New York, so you might be able to arrange a game.

There are a lot of good courses around Rochester, and we've heard several good things here about CC of Buffalo in recent years.

Leatherstocking is a cool course if not exactly on the canal.

[Craig Sweet]

You can also rent a barge and cruise some of the trip! Imagine docking your barge and heading for the local golf course!

[Craig Sweet]

Opps...I forgot these links!

http://www.nycanal.com/

http://www.canalcruises.com/

http://www.canals.com/northam/gearing.htm

http://www.canals.state.ny.us/exvac/boatsforhire/bhskipper.html

[Ken Fry]

Bill,

I would recommend stopping in to see the Erie Canal Museum on Erie Boulevard, Syracuse.  Good source for historic photos and information on the Canal.  You can see some old locks from the canal traveling west of Syracuse on the New York Thruway also.

The courses I played while at Syracuse University would not warrant a special stop though.

Ken

[Bill_McBride]

Thanks, guys.  I really am planning to combine exploration of the canal as it exists today and visiting museums with a couple of rounds of golf.  I appreciate the advice given so far and look forward to more.

I've been to Cooperstown and as I recall, it's quite a bit south of the canal route.  A beautiful place!

[John Goodman]

It's a little out of your way (to the south of your route, in Elmira), but no less than Doak has written well heretofore of the Mark Twain Golf Course (Ross, teens I think).  It's about 60 miles or so south/southwest of Syracuse.  I have only seen pictures but it is advertised to be the way it was.  (OT- I intend to head that way at some point because my great grandaddy, and namesake, spent time in prison at Elmira (the principal Andersonville of the North) during "The Late Unpleasantness.")

Yesterday I played Oswego Country Club (on the Oswego River, where it flows into Lake Ontario, about an hour east of Rochester):  front nine Tillinghast app. 1915, back nine Cornish in the 70s.  It was a very pleasant round of golf, the folks there were keenly accomodating, and if you are in the area it is worth looking into, but nothing of any particular architectural interest that I could discern.

If you are any kind of baseball fan, I strongly encourage a trip to Cooperstown.  Even my wife liked it.

[Ian Andrew]

CC of Buffalo is excellent.

Follow that with Lockport (the original 9 by Stanley Thompson is real good)

Yanadasis is a standout Travis near Syracuse


Add these to other that have been listed and this would make a nice trip with really good golf.

[Scott Witter]

Bill:

Not that I would know...but I grew up 3 miles outside of Utica, went to college in Syracuse, worked in Albany for 7 years, do a lot of design work in Rochester and Buffalo and now live in Lockport...but I'll let you decide.

Teugega CC: in ROME just north of Utica, is a must as Ross did spend considereble time their and took it as one of his personal favorites spots in the country.

ALBANY - I would really consider the CC of Troy: Walter Travis,  it has really great greens and a solid routing.  If you have time...just up the road in Glens Falls 30 minutes drive is the Glens Falls CC: Donald Ross, very interesting greens, strong bunkering and excellent routing.  Albany CC: Devereux Emmett.  Also, Schuyler Meadows: Devereux Emmett, Gil Hanse did some very good restoration work their about 12 years ago.

UTICA - I wouldn't miss the Yahnundasis CC in New Hartford a terrific Walter Travis layout.  The front nine is outstanding and an overall joy to experience.  I worked there as a teenager on the grounds crew.

SYRACUSE - Bellevue CC: Donald Ross a very nice club and a solid effort by Ross

ROCHESTER - Don't miss Monroe CC: Donald Ross and I would definitely see it before I ever walked on Oak Hill.  Monroe is outstanding and the topo combined with what Ross did is excellent.  The bunkering and routing here, along with some slippery greens are the highlights.  I would also strongly consider the CC of Rochester: Donald Ross.  Gil Hanse did a master plan and rebuilt/restored their bunker system 2 years ago.

LOCKPORT/BUFFALO - I agree with Ian on Lockport CC.  Stanley Thompson: The front nine is the original layout and work of Thompson and some very interesting work indeed.  The CC of Buffalo: Donald Ross is in fact interesting, but the bunkering was redone some years ago to a style etc that is very disappointing, not Ross at all.  The routing and the individual design of holes is, however, very good and well worth the visit.  The quarry holes are a rare treat and dramatic.

When you and passing through give me a call and I would be happy to meet up with you.  Enjoy your trip!

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