Jeff W:
Given the "improvements" on The Bridge -- do you see the course getting a more favorable response now than when it first opened several years ago ?
In sum -- does the course have the goods now to be rated among the best in the nation?
Matt,
The golf course at The Bridge has improved every year it's been open.
The walk gets easier every year due to clearing and new lower tees.
The property and views are stunning.
The course condition is as good as it gets.
Membership is sold out-the owner still has 20 5 acre waterview lots above the golf course overlooking everything.
The owner has a low cost basis on the property and costs are kept under control-the super gets a lot out of a lot (however,there are certainly larger maint. budgets around)
The club has very cool vibe and pretentiousness is checked at the door.
Most members are young and actively working-there are a lot of interesting people there regularly.
The members play quickly(Mr. Rubin's top rule), despite their relative newness to the game.
There are very few rules, but the ones we have are adhered to quite well.(play quickly, be polite, turn off your cell phone)
It's not uncommon to see young kids playing, practicing ,and taking lessons, as they're welcome at any time. (as long as they follow the rules listed above)
No one is made to ever feel uncomfortable, regardless of their ability, their attire, or any other reason.
Because of that we see a lot of families and their guests hanging out on the deck, hitting balls,playing. putting, or just relaxing.
We close the range and 1st tee at 2:00 on Labor Day Sunday for the Junior Club Championship and no one ever complains.
We've had over 50 kids in the Club Championship each of the the last three years and that's a lot for a club with 150 members .
The local golf team plays there, we play the MET PGA ProPro there,we host the Long Island Intercollegiate Championship,and this year we host the MET Supers Team Championship as well.
I've had almost no turnover in staff in the 9 seasons I've been the pro so the staff is pleased with something.
There was some unfortunate early negative commentary about The Bridge, but the majority of that was ridiculously high expectations, overweight people who couldn't get a cart, and exaggeration about the "scene" at The Bridge.
(although we did have a member actually complain about the 6 pm fashion show on a Saturday involving 20 smoking hot super models)-
It is fun to poke fun at Clubs that detour from the status quo.
In short, those who have knocked The Bridge in the past don't get it--but as the owner says, The Bridge is not for everyone.
I do know we gained members during the recent economic meltdown, so we're doing something right.
As far as the course and where it belongs in the rankings, we'll leave that to the magazines, and I'll leave the course commentary to the people who play and compete at The Bridge.
I will say that we have happy members and their families and if they're happy (along with the owner) I'm happy.