Harlem Valley - Donald Ross?

[Michael Mimran]

I was thinking about a quirky course I played about 10 years ago, Harlem Valley Golf Club in Wingdale, NY.  A interesting 9 holes across the street from a  abondoned physchiatric ward - very creepy.    This led me to check out some arial shots of it.  To me from the air, the bunkers seem to have a CB Mcdonald/Raynor look.



The course is about 20 miles from the Hotchkiss School that Seth Raynor and Charles Banks attended.  Raynor designed the course on the campus in 1924. 

The website claims the course was designed by Donald Ross.  "Harlem Valley Golf Club is located in the foothills of the Berkshires at Wingdale, NY.  Our challenging 9 hole, semi-private golf club designed by Donald Ross in 1928"

Website has some good photos - http://harlemvalleygolfclub.com/index.htm

I cannot find one bit on information regarding who actually designed this course anywhere.  Anyone have any suggestions?
?

[Mike_Cirba]

Mike,

I think I have something on HV upstairs but can't wake anyone right now.   I'll dig up what I have tomorrow but I don't recall it being either.

[Jim_Kennedy]

Mike M,
If true, that would be 'news' to most everyone I know in the area.

Mike C,
Thomas Winton?

[Doug Braunsdorf]

This looks interesting for a daytrip or an alternative to waiting at Bethpage; the Hudson Valley is BEAUTIFUL. 
Mike-do you think Winton also--he was active with the Westchester County Park Courses as well.  Our posts appeared to have crossed. 
Look at local.live.com in the top left of the bird's eye view--it looks like there are additional tees or something. 
Could be Emmet as well-the squiggly bunkering reminds me of some of his work. 
A Google search turns up some interesting photos of the Psychiatric Center.  It appears that mining and agriculture were big here years ago.  The town's website is here  http://www.townofdover.us/  with some interesting information on the development of the town. 

[Mike_Cirba]

The info I came across when I was researching update NY courses back a few years ago is that Harlem Valley was designed by local pro Frank Sheridan and opened in 1939.   

At that same time I came across info that said a Paul Cowley designed Orchard Creek GC in Altamont in 1999, so I may have been delusional at the time. 

[Jim_Kennedy]

If you want to read a bit more about the psych center and what's proposed for the area :
http://www.harneyre.com/thisArticle.asp?ArticleID=58

p.s. this is fairly close to the new proposed Jack Nicklaus/Development.

[Jim_Kennedy]

Doug,
Those are tees for the 7th hole that you are looking at in the upper l.hand corner.

[Mike Sweeney]

Jim,

 I really would like to play that next trip your way. Broadacres GC on the Rockland County Psychiatric Center is one of my 9 hole spots:

[Jim_Kennedy]

Mike,
I haven't played Wingdale in a number of years but it has a 'fun' factor, especially evident on the volcano par 3.
Mike C.,
A couple of seasons ago I met the club's president, he and his wife come up to Hotchkiss once in a while. When they showed up yesterday I asked him about the DR question and he says yes, Ross planned it. 


On a side note, Wingdale GC, Dutcher GC, and so many other courses of that era were located close to rail stations. When I was helping Tony Pioppi track down some of the old courses in Ct. I noticed that almost every club gave directions as... 'X' mile(s) from the train station.
One of the amenities that will be part of the development at Silo Ridge is a private train car, from Grand Central to Wassaic, strictly for their guests.

What goes around comes around.   

[Michael Mimran]

Jim,

Did you do any research on Quaker Hill?  Another nice 9 holer in the area (RTJ). 

Also do you know anything about Club at River Oaks? I'm playing their in an outing in a few weeks.

[Jim_Kennedy]

MikeM, (lot of Mike's on this thread  )

QH was early in RTJ's career and was built for Lowell Thomas on his estate. Played it a few times, not recently. The club is rebuilding the wonderful old barn that has been used as a clubhouse. Small(ish) greens w/lots of character, bunkers cut in close on some greens, nicely manicured in a country fashion.

I played RO shortly after it opened, on a rather dismal day, and we weren't able to finish. Look at/measure this course before you play it, especially if it's your first time. Check out  http://www.clubriveroaks.com/
Are you playing in the HYSB event?
 

[Michael Mimran]

I'm playing with one of my co-workers, i believe its an outing for the church he belongs to. 

What would you compare it to?  It looks like its kept in good shape.  We all know that has little to do with how well it plays though.

[Pete Stankevich]

Mike:
River Oaks is a very scenic and difficult golf course, very rugged terrain, lots of elevation change.  I played it a few times when it was first opened and it was always in immaculate shape, but I've heard rumors that is no longer the case.  Great views of the surrounding Litchfield hills and the Housatonic River on many holes, but prominently placed powerlines spoil some of that.
Some very good holes and some very awkward ones as well, but keep in mind the designer was handcuffed by having to work around real estate lots and other "authorities" before he laid out the holes.
Longer hitters may only pull out the driver 5 or 6 times the whole round.
FWIW, right after Phil Mickelson won the PGA at Baltusrol in 2005, he came up there to do an outing for Bearing Point.  It was 36 of their best customers and Phil did a clinic for them on the first tee, some photo opps,  then played 2 holes with each foursome.  Interesting viewing.

[MCirba]

Even though this course no longer exists, I was curious about the claim of a Donald Ross pedigree.   The one account I read states that Ross designed it and it opened in 1928, which is at least half incorrect.  This account from the Pawling newspaper in April of 1938 outlines the course opening, which happened in July of that year.

Also, Dr. "Ross" was the administrator of the hospital that opened in 1924.   I wonder if that led to some later confusion?

[Ben Hollerbach]

It doesn't appear to be closed. Now being run by Olivet University with them claiming it to be a 1928 Donald Ross.

[MCirba]

It doesn't appear to be closed. Now being run by Olivet University with them claiming it to be a 1928 Donald Ross.

Wow, I thought it had closed for good.


I wonder what documentation they have for their Donald Ross attribution.  I suspect it's incorrect anecdotal legend.

[Ben Hollerbach]

It looks like the University is 20 years old, with this campus being even younger. I'd imagine they took the information given at face value, or best positive value, and have run with it.

[MCirba]

It looks like the University is 20 years old, with this campus being even younger. I'd imagine they took the information given at face value, or best positive value, and have run with it.

I hope it works for them, Ben.


The 3rd hole is about the most severe Volcano Hole I've ever seen and there is some other quirky stuff that can be fun with the right attitude.