Garden City GC - The Museum

[Mike_Sweeney]

I had the opportunity to play Garden City Golf Club today. Due to Ran's review, playing Cape Arundel this summer and from conversations and post here, I was pretty prepared for the great golf course that exist in the density of urban sprawl that is know as Nassau County.

However, I was not prepared for the Museum that is GCGC's clubhouse. Old photos, trophies and books that were amazing to see and experience. I am only sorry that the constraints of a weekday limited the experience.

Thus, is GCGC the best museum in golf, maybe even better than National? I haven't seen the R&A, so I will limit the conversation to America.

[ed_getka]

Mike,
  GCGC is still my favorite clubhouse. History oozes out of every nook and cranny there. Patrick gave us the quick tour and only touched on some of the highlights. I'm sure the in depth tour would take a couple of days. I loved the creaky floors, the old lockers, the giant showerheads, and all the memorabilia there.

[Tim_Weiman]

Mike Sweeney:

I share your enthusiasm. Garden City is a refreshing step back in time. There aren't many places like it.

[brad_miller]

GCGC is my favorite non eastern LI NY metro area course. One of the top 10 in the world to play and walk as one gets older.

[TEPaul]

Many of the old original clubhouses around America make me feel they're sort of museums of golf and golf's histories--and probably as much as GCGC.

Shinnecock
NGLA
Brookline
Cypress
PVGC
Maidstone
Seminole
Merion
Baltusrol
Oakmont
maybe even Pebble and Riviera et al.

The only thing about GCGC's clubhouse that may make it stand above the rest somehow as a museum is it may have the greatest "deferred maintenance" of any or all of them!  

[Robert Kimball]

I hate to sound regional, but I would have to also put East Lake's clubhouse up there.
The local joke is that it's the only course where you could be rained out and still enjoy your day!!  

If you are a Bobby Jones fan, it is well worth the look (of course, I say that without having been in Peachtree GC, or AGNC clubhouses). . . .

[Patrick_Mucci]

Mike Sweeney,

With all due respect to TEPaul's judgement,

GCGC would seem to be heads and shoulders above other clubs in exhibiting its artifacts and history to those who walk those creaky wooden floors.

It does resemble a museum in many ways.

[THuckaby2]

Patrick:

You are slipping, and it's disappointing to those of us who consider ourselves fans of the on-going battle.

Since when have you had due respect for TEP's judgement?
 

TH

[RSLivingston_III]

Definitely go in the R&A if you have a chance. If you are honored with the opportunity of going in the Secretaries Office, even better. To see the original of MacKenzies drawing is stunning. The oldest map of TOC is also a must see.

[Robert Kimball]

There's a rumor that the venerable Mr. Huckaby has been in the R&A building. . .  

[THuckaby2]

Rumors are nasty things, Rob - even if this one is true.  I do have at least one VERY nice friend.

But of course I hadn't mentioned such in this thread, as correct as hickorygolf is, out of deference to Mike S. who said such is to be excluded, and Patrick M. who must hold the living museum at GCGC quite dear.

But as long as you mention it, if there is anything cooler in golf than spending a few hours in the R&A clubhouse, including enjoying a cocktail in front of the window of the big room as your less fortunate friends peer in from the walkway, well then I'd like to know what it is.  

It's kinda hard to top a place that has THE Claret Jug staring out you right as you enter.

TH

[Patrick_Mucci]

Tom Huckaby,

Regarding TEPaul, even a clock that's stopped is right twice a day.  

[Mike_Sweeney]

It does resemble a museum in many ways.

I think my favorite was the picture of the 100th Anniversary dinner with all the members in their Tuxedos. That is a keeper which I would guess you have.

[Evan Fleisher]

TH,

Good call RE: the R&A clubhouse...my time there was also extremely special...a private lunch on the trophy room, a tour of the secretary's office, and our own private lockers.  Oh yeah, the libraries and displays of old clubs and balls were not too shabby either.  

[Patrick_Mucci]

Mike Sweeney,

As I was leaving the house on the morning of the 100th anniversay celebration dinner, I was dressed in a suit and carrying a travel bag and a tuxedo on a hangar.

My wife asked me where I was going.  I said, "Oh, I forgot to tell you, I have the annual meeting dinner tonight at GCGC"
She said, "help me understand this, you're going to a golf club's annual meeting, and you're going to be dressed in a tuxedo ?"  I said, "yes"  To which she replied, "go be with your friends, have fun, have some good food and drink, just make sure you bring home lots of pictures, because, this, I have to see."

Thank you for verifying my wherabouts that night  

[Bill_McBride]

Pat Mucci, we just celebrated our 100th anniversary at Pensacola CC (10/1/02) with a tuxedo-clad dinner party.  PCC is the oldest club in Florida.  It's amazing how little has been archived about the club's history.  I've only been a member since moving here in 1996, but came up with aerial photos (courtesy of Matt Davenport) from the Haglin Museum from 1939.  We had a "fashion show" of golf dress over the decades.  You are really fortunate that Garden City has such a rich treasure trove of history that has been maintained.