[Sam Kestin]

Fellas,

Wanted to get your opinions on something. Tomorrow is my 25th birthday and I'll be keeping up a long standing tradition of playing a golf course that's a little bit special on the day of. Last few years have included Shinnecock, Merion, Pinehurst 2 and Kiawah Island (Ocean). Anyway, the day is upon me and I still haven't pulled the trigger on where to play mostly because I don't much know the ins and outs of public golf in NY, NJ, CT & PA.

I just moved back to the Met Area a month ago and haven't quite done my homework as to where the good spots are if I'm looking for a public access track. Obviously, my first thought was Bethpage Black...though I've played that course some 4 or 5 times now and was hoping to do something a little different. Pound Ridge is an option as well...but that's reasonably pricey.

With the condition that I'm willing to drive pretty much up to 4 hours (from Manhattan) to tee it up, where would you boys suggest I go?

--Sam   

[Robert Emmons]

Try Bethpage Red...Happy Birthday...RHE

[Lenny Polakoff]

you could try Atlantic City Country Club.  It is a bit of a hike, but a really fun course with alot of history behind it.

[Mark Arata]

The Knoll........

2nd Atlantic City CC as well........

[Keith OHalloran]

Montauk Downs

[Robert Emmons]

Montauk Downs is a good choice too...and it's in great condition right now...RHE

[Tom_Doak]

Try Timber Point.  It is not the great course it once was, but you can still get a sense of how good it was ... then you can go back into the pro shop and make your birthday wish that they restore it to its former glory.

[David Stamm]

Tallgrass.

[Bill Brightly]

I think Ballyowen is worth the drive, and the twilight rate is a good deal.  Can you get on Yale?

[Doug Braunsdorf]

Sam, Happy Birthday!  (Wow, 25 seems so long ago...and I'm only 32)

It sounds like you're on LI.  I'll give you my suggestions, bifurcated into On-The-Island and Off-The-Island

On-The-Island, in order:

1.  BSP Red (it's a weekday, it may be a quicker round than normal).
2.  Tallgrass (you can drive there from anywhere on the island, play, and be back home in the time it would take you to play any of Bethpage)
3.  I haven't seen Timber Point, Eisenhower Red, or Montauk Downs yet.

Off-The-Island, in order:

1.  Atlantic City (it's far, but it's a weekday, it might be workable, considering the distance, if time allows try going for a second 18 at Seaview Bay if the course isn't closed for the LPGA yet.  If closed, play Kay's Blue Heron Pines West or Archie's Twisted Dune for 2nd round).  Hit Baltimore Grill in AC for pizza and cheap beer and play some table games at Trop.
2.  Knoll West in Parsippany-much closer to NYC. 
3.  Scotland Run (it's FAR), but worthwhile.  Also VERY good and S. Kay. 
4.  Architects

[Phil_the_Author]

Sam,

Give yourself a treat and play Bethpage Blue. Try and figure out which 7 holes are tilly's and which 11 are Tull's. If you van get a second round in then go play the Yellow and again try to figure out which 11 are Tilly's and which 7 are Tull's...

[Michael Goody]

1. Yale
2. Knoll West
3. Montauk Downs

Never been to Timber Point, it's on my list of places I want to see. On a similar theme, I used to play Lido to imagine what was once there and wish for a restoration.

[Geoffrey_Walsh]

Try Timber Point.  It is not the great course it once was, but you can still get a sense of how good it was ... then you can go back into the pro shop and make your birthday wish that they restore it to its former glory.

Tom,

I couldn't agree with you more.  Having grown up in the NY area, I had no idea how good Timber Point once was until it was brought to my attention on GCA.  I made a trip up specifically to see it last year and the Blue 9 really gives you a glimpse of what was there.  I'm still not sure why Gibraltar (#5 on the Blue) is not more photographed, even today.  I might argue it is every bit the equal of #7 at Pebble in terms scenery and strategy.  For those who play, keep in mind that 27 holes are now shoe-horned into the property that was the footprint of an 18 hole masterpiece.

I have half-jokingly told Cirba that we need to convince Bausch to head up there and start reading newspaper archives so we can transition smoothly to Timber Point after our work is done at Cobb's... 

[BCyrgalis]

What's surprising here is how many people want to suggest Timber Point, but not very many have been out there.  It might not be in the best shape (although it's still very respectable), but if you do some looking into what was there, and what is there now, it's still a fascinating go-around today.

Pieces of the Red 9 are still intact from the original, and some of the original holes on the Blue 9 are just spectacular -- including Gibraltar.  Not to mention, in the face of places like Pound Ridge, Timber Point maxes out at $40, for a weekend non-resident.

[Tim Gavrich]

I played Pound Ridge on Saturday and enjoyed it.  It's very long and tough, but it's in really good shape.  But you're right; it's expensive.  Twilight rate might be a little better, but still pretty high.  I'll post more on Pound Ridge soon.

[Brad Tufts]

Try Timber Point.  It is not the great course it once was, but you can still get a sense of how good it was ... then you can go back into the pro shop and make your birthday wish that they restore it to its former glory.

Any truth to the rumor that discussions are being held about this?

Probably just wishful thinking...

[Phil_the_Author]

Regarding Timber Point; Brad, you said, "Any truth to the rumor that discussions are being held about this? Probably just wishful thinking..."

If anyone is aware of this PLEASE get in touch with me! I not only know where they are, I've actually SEEN a set of original design drawings used during the construction of the course. What really sets these prints apart from any other drawings is that they have HANDWRITTEN NOTES on them in both pencil and ink!

They are in the New York State archives but will never be located by someone looking for either Timber Point drawings or generic golf course drawings. They are contained in a small archive labeled "Long Island State Park Commission Miscellaneous Documents." I have the exact file numbers for this archive for any who want to take a look at them.

This is the archival information you'll need to present when going to the archives. YES, copies of the prints CAN be arranged for, although it takes a while to get them.

A3320: Maps, plans, and sketches for improvement and development of parks and parkways on Long Island, [ca. 1928-1954] (bulk 1930-1950)
New York (State). Long Island State Park Commission.

Local System #: (N-Ar)A3320

Corp/Agency Author: New York (State). Long Island State Park Commission.

Title: Maps, plans, and sketches for improvement and development of parks and parkways on Long Island, [ca. 1928-1954] (bulk 1930-1950).

Quantity: 3 cu. ft. (ca. 40 maps) : print, some annotated, blueprints ; 60 x 34 cm or larger.

[Brad Tufts]

Yeah...I'm sure GCA has the resources to help...and great useful info Philip...

I don't want to perpetuate any false rumor, as I have no evidence other than "I thought I heard something about that a while back."

But, like I said...it was probably just another one of us wishing, not actual plans to do anything.

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