Hudson National Renovation Complete

[Michael Morandi]

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.

[Steve_ Shaffer]

From The First Call:

The renovation will include:
Greens. All 18 holes are being rebuilt to USGA specifications. Most will remain in their original locations, but some will be moved, and a number are being redesigned with more contour to match the others. Further, a few greens will be resized and/or reshaped to create new and more challenging hole locations; others will see changes to their surrounds, including the addition of low-mow areas.
Fairways. All fairways are being re-grassed. Bent grass fairways and fescue/bluegrass rough will be reseeded with new, improved turfgrass varieties.
Bunkers. Every bunker on the course will get Bunker Solution liners to improve sand performance. More than 78 existing bunkers will be rebuilt, and many fairway bunkers relocated further from the tee, forcing better players to weigh laying up versus trying to fly over them. New fairway bunkers are being added to 9 holes, while some existing ones will be extended into areas of play, pinching landing areas for longer hitters.
Grassing. All 18 greens are being replaced with 007XL, an improved Bent grass created by Dr. Rich Hurley at Rutgers University. Bent grass fairways and fescue/bluegrass rough will be reseeded with new, improved varieties of each.
Irrigation. A lifecycle replacement of the entire irrigation system is currently under way. 
   Golf Renovation and a crew of 45 are working on the property to facilitate this total renovation





https://www.hudsonnational.org/course-tour.html

[Anthony_Nysse]

https://www.golfcourseindustry.com/news/hudson-national-golf-club-renovation/




https://youtu.be/42gTCziKjpw?si=7e8Ha2oe0eqWtGC0

[John Blain]

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.
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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.

[Michael Morandi]

I’m afraid you’d have to ask others for a comparison, as I’ve never played Sleepy.

[corey miller]

In 1997, roughly when Hudson National opened, and prior to Sleepy Hollow renovation, it was probably an even split between the two courses.  Now both have been "renovated", a comparison of which could be a whole thread but I am hard pressed to think the Hudson work moves the bar much relative to the Sleepy renovation which is one of the most well received ever.


For me, splitting five rounds it is 4-1 Sleepy Hollow.  Over ten rounds it is 9-1 Sleepy Hollow. Over 15 rounds it is 14-1 Sleepy Hollow. 


I am sure there are a few people who play the game competitively that are more close to my original 50-50 breakdown. 

[Steve Lapper]

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.


 

[Michael Morandi]

I heard HNGC spent $15 million on the project. Perhaps the new greens are no longer as banal as you claim.  As a former member, I always enjoyed the feeling of being in a park far from the bustle of NYC, even though it is just 45 minutes north by train or automobile. For what it’s worth, the top pros in the area have a high regard for HNGC. I’m sure they respect Sleepy as well.

[Bill Crane]

Mike;
Hah !
Was just at Small World grabbing an Americano and noticed a post on Instagram describing the work done and I was just about to send you a PM.
Let me know if you are up that way, or in town again.
My favorite Fazio designs are Galloway National and Forest Creek North.   I suspect HN is in league with those two.   
Tough neighborhood !

[Michael Morandi]

Please send. I might be there in early August. Come play out here.