Bellport, LI (see it if you can)

[Jason Blasberg]

For the second time I've played Bellport, a Raynor course on low lying links land on the Great South Bay.  Some very basic observations:

Beside the Alps (17) the template holes holes don't jump out at you, which I really like and in fact I'm only sure of about 5 others, a Prize Dog Leg (15), Long (, Short (10) Edan (14), Redan (12) and Double Plateau (6).

The bunkering is about a 9.5 out of 10.  It has all recently (in the last few years) been redone by Bill Love (from Ohio?) and many members complain about the fairway bunkers being too penal . . . it's nearly perfect and very strategic giving a flat property great movement from tee to green.

The property is oddly shaped and holes 8-18 are significantly better than holes 1-7.  

The greens need a good waxing.

It's the most impressed in relation to expectations that I've been with a new course in a very long time.

Someone needs to expand and recontour about half the greens.

You should go play this course if you are able.

[Phil_the_Author]

I last played it in 1989 and was greatly under-impressed with every aspect of it.

Has work been done on it between then and now?

[Jason Blasberg]

They have done a ton of work on it.  Every bunker was redone and I'm told several greens have been worked on but how and to what extent I don't know.  

I think if you saw it today you'd be suprised.