I’ve learned from a member that the course was reopened to members this weekend. If there are any HNGC members on the site, I’d appreciate your review and comments. I was a member from when it first opened in 1996 until 2007.
[/quote[size=78%]][/size]
Michael-
How would you compare Hudson National to Sleepy Hollow? I know they are not that far from each other and both offer spectacular views of the Hudson River.
How would you spilt up 5 rounds between the two courses?
Thanks.
John,
As someone who has played both courses well over 30x, this is relative no-brainer.
Hudson is a beautiful course, impeccably maintained, and a terrific job of architecting a golf course atop some very challenging terrain. Unless you move up a tee box or two, it is a very difficult course. The downsides are the typical and usual Fazio repetitions: tiered, sometimes banal greens and larger symmetric bunkering (some with silly fingers that never should have been added). The club, a new-school pure golf club sans pool or racquets, does a very good job of providing a luxury vibe and high-touch service to its members.
Sleepy Hollow is the quintessential old-school country club with a world-class golf course. It too is a beautiful, impeccably maintained course that traverses hilly terrain. IMO, that's where the comparisons end. Sleepy has a rare and exquisite architectural pedigree. The course was originally designed by CB MacDonald and Seth Raynor, followed by a update by AW Tillinghast, then restored and re-polished by Gil Hanse. It is undeniably a throughly playable gem with the ideal blend of difficulty, quirk and mix of unique and enjoyable holes. Other than the somewhat steep climb up the second and sixth hole, it isn't a difficult walk. The photogenic cross-chasm wooden bridges and panoramic view over to the Hudson River are legendary.
All of the above stands on its own, but wouldn't be complete with mentioning the majestic Stanford White-designed Vanderbilt mansion clubhouse and the club's warm hospitality.
With no disrespect, I'd go 9-1 or 8-2 Sleepy over 10 rounds.