Bethpage Binge...Room For Two Courses

[Ronald Montesano]

I and two friends will be shooting 'cross New York state in July for a three-day bender at Bethpage.  We will gorge oursleves on the five courses on a Monday-Wednesday spree, but are looking for a course to play on the way over (Sunday) and another one to play on the way back (Thursday). Any suggestions as to publics (whom we could bribe with money) or privates (whom we could bribe with our wares) from you lot?  Imagine cutting diagonally from Buffalo down to Long Island (although we will stay up high (along NYS I-90)or go below PA's I-80 of the suggestion merits such a detour.)  Thanks for your input.

[Doug Braunsdorf]

Ronald, the first course I would look to play, especially in July, would be Leatherstocking.  I think many would agree with me here.  You could obviously hit this on the way to or from, although it is a little ways south of 90. 

I think there are several private courses in the northern-tier cities that 90 passes (Syracuse, Rochester, Rome, etc) done by Travis, Ross, etc. and have been profiled on the site.  Others more knowledgeable here can weigh in.

I'll give you some public choices, some of which look interesting, some of which I have played.

Jay had written about a course called Hiawatha Landing several years ago that looked enjoyable.  I believe this is upstate and closer to Binghamton.  Stephen Kay's Unionvale looks good as well, closer to 87.  If you want to move down into northern NJ, take 287 south from 87 and play Knoll West (Banks), not to be missed. 

[Kevin Lynch]

Ronald, the first course I would look to play, especially in July, would be Leatherstocking.  I think many would agree with me here.  You could obviously hit this on the way to or from, although it is a little ways south of 90. 

I think there are several private courses in the northern-tier cities that 90 passes (Syracuse, Rochester, Rome, etc) done by Travis, Ross, etc. and have been profiled on the site.  Others more knowledgeable here can weigh in.

I'll give you some public choices, some of which look interesting, some of which I have played.

Jay had written about a course called Hiawatha Landing several years ago that looked enjoyable.  I believe this is upstate and closer to Binghamton.  Stephen Kay's Unionvale looks good as well, closer to 87.  If you want to move down into northern NJ, take 287 south from 87 and play Knoll West (Banks), not to be missed. 

Doug,

I appreciate the input (I'll be joining Ronald on the Bethpage Binge).  I've played the Black & Red a handful of times while working in the area (slept in my car for the first opportunity), but Ron has never played there, so we thought it would make a great trip.  Plus, I'm always excited to play a Joe Burbeck Original when I get the chance (just kidding, no need to turn me into the Tilly Society Police).

I couldn't agree more on Leatherstocking - I was in love with that course by the time I was done with the 3rd hole.  We played it on the return trip from the US Open in 2009.  At Bethpage, I'm looking forward to seeing the Green / Old Lennox Hills to take in another Emmet design (not sure how much Tillie modified the original layout).

Thanks for the info on Knoll West - that sounds like a great idea and keeps with the "Old Design Muni" theme of our trip.

[Ron Csigo]

Knoll (West) is a must play and should not be missed.  However, if the timing does not work out, then Flanders Valley is a wonderful municipal facility with two good golf courses in close proximity to Knoll Country Club.

[Phil_the_Author]

Kevin,

Most are unaware that the Lenox Hills course had every hole worked on by Tilly including a re-routing of the course to allow for the 1st & 18th holes on the clubhouse side of Round Swamp road, the elimination of three existing holes with new ones replacing them and the complete renovation of almost every other one with cahnges to greens, tees, bunkers and hole lengthenings...

I would also suggest that you stop in and play Dellwood CC in New City. It's just off the NY State Throughgway as you'll drive down and you'll get to see a Jim Urbina project in progress...

[Kevin Lynch]

Kevin,

Most are unaware that the Lenox Hills course had every hole worked on by Tilly including a re-routing of the course to allow for the 1st & 18th holes on the clubhouse side of Round Swamp road, the elimination of three existing holes with new ones replacing them and the complete renovation of almost every other one with cahnges to greens, tees, bunkers and hole lengthenings...

Phil,

Thanks for the info on Lenox Hills.  Do you have any summaries / comparative routings / maps / references which I could look at to educate myself on the extent of work performed by Emmet and Tillinghast?  I'd be interested to see how much changed. 

Thanks,
Kevin

[Phil_the_Author]

Kevin,

As often happens in this type of situation I'm in a quandary caused by my having the information and my future plans for it. Among my ongoing projects is a complete re-rwrite and update into a true history of my first book "Golf for the People: Bethpage and the Black." A major portion of that book is being dedicated to the evolution of each of the five courses. If everything goes as planned it should be in print in about 18 months or less. That is why I have to hold back on sharing PUBLICLY the information with you.

Let me suggest this. Next time at Bethpage take some time to walk the hallways of the clubhouse and take a GOOD look at the photographs on the walls. There are several taken showing the original Lenox Hills Clubhouse with first tee, etc... Then ask yourself where on the property (across the street) this was located. From there consider how the first and 18th holes may have been routed to and from it and from there the fun begins! Feel free to email me privately on this...

[Kevin Lynch]

Kevin,

As often happens in this type of situation I'm in a quandary caused by my having the information and my future plans for it. Among my ongoing projects is a complete re-rwrite and update into a true history of my first book "Golf for the People: Bethpage and the Black." A major portion of that book is being dedicated to the evolution of each of the five courses. If everything goes as planned it should be in print in about 18 months or less. That is why I have to hold back on sharing PUBLICLY the information with you.

Let me suggest this. Next time at Bethpage take some time to walk the hallways of the clubhouse and take a GOOD look at the photographs on the walls. There are several taken showing the original Lenox Hills Clubhouse with first tee, etc... Then ask yourself where on the property (across the street) this was located. From there consider how the first and 18th holes may have been routed to and from it and from there the fun begins! Feel free to email me privately on this...

Phil,

Completely understand - I can be patient enough to wait for the update (I already own the first edition of Finest Hour).  In the meantime, I'll be looking at some of the Bing Bird's Eye Aerials to get myself more familiar with the other 3 courses.

Since I live in Buffalo, I won't be in the Clubhouse any time soon (probably when we come for the trip in July).  I remember looking at some of the photos on the walls in my previous visits, but I didn't have enough of an understanding of the overall property to synthesize much.  If you'd be amendable, I'd love to buy you some dinner / drinks during our trip for the opportunity to hear whatever interesting stories you may be able to share.  I'll e-mail you privately to discuss further.

Interesting story (at least to me) from my first visit.  After sleeping in the car, I was able to get on the Black as a single, but had a few hours to spare, so I perused many of the photos and artwork in the Clubhouse.  I hooked up with several singles, one of which was a pretty good stick named Jim.  After hitting the green on 3, I broke out my camera and started taking photos.  Jim asked me if I was a photographer, and I explained it was just a hobby, that I loved the natural beauty of golf courses.  Jim indicated that he had the same passion, but painted golf courses.  I commented how much I enjoyed some of the paintings I saw in the clubhouse prior to my round.  I was pleasantly surprised to discover that “Jim the Stick” was also well known as James Ellis, the artist responsible for those prints.