Mark, the Cow Neck property as you know, is the property you see (in the distance) about 15-20 degrees to the right, as you stand on the 17th tee at National, out in the distance.
The property was donated by Macdonald’s good friend Mr Charles Sabin (or perhaps w/matching funds) who also owned the property on which you fellas built Sebonack. The idea was to build a public access course for those who couldn’t get memberships at National and Shinney
Unfortunately, a right of way out to the property was needed and the guy whose property controled access to Cow Neck either wanted too much money or was not the least interested in granting a right of way.
The deal went down and they settled on using the present property on which Southampton was built. Again philanthropic Mr Sabin funding at least half the project - he was president of Manufacturers Hanover at the time (he had a few bucks).
........ of course new plans were drawn up by Raynor for the present SH course to suit the new property.