As promised below is an another US course that I saw:
Garden City GC (GCGC) was a course that I had seen very little literature about prior to visiting it and is certainly one steeped in history.
A true “members club” in every sense of the word whilst the partisanship base is “men only” the atmosphere in the clubhouse is one to be experienced. It brought back memories from my trips to some similar styled clubs in GB&I. I could have spent all day in there with the golf books and memorabilia large enough to be centrepiece of a US golf museum.
My trip actually started at this course and it was one I just had to visit with the “Australian” Travis connection. I certainly appreciated the warm hospitality of the management at the club from the professional to the GM all were very friendly and accommodating.
The course begins on a small piece of property which houses the opening two and closing holes as well as a small driving range. In a rough ‘U’ shaped routing it then hits a narrow strip before opening up to wide open terrain which contains the majority of holes on the course.
The land isn’t abundantly rich in topographic changes but what little there is used very thoughtfully. You almost forget that you are in the middle of suburbia Long Island NY with a few houses that back onto the property the only reminder of such.
I noticed that the greensites were relatively small targets and it was interesting to find a lot of them were not raised significantly but rather an extension of the fairway that tilt ever so slightly to the back and sides. The fescue grasses that lined the fairways provided a unique colour contrast to the overall “greenness” of the layout.
Holes I noted:
2nd = a short P3 of around 140yds across an old quarry pit to an angled green that is well protected on all sides by bunkers. I sat and watched a few groups play this hole and very few were able to hit the target. The green itself is quite tricky and relatively long - there are no guarantee two putts on it that’s for sure.
4th = this P5 of around 520yds has some interesting topography changes with the fairway moving downhill and a large series of somewhat blind bunkers protecting the left hand side of the fairway. The green is perched above the fairway on a hillside and has some significant terraces and slopes.
5th = this is a lovely little short P4 of around 360yds with a funnelled fairway protected by bunkers on both sides. The greensite is also protected by bunkers and mounds and has a relatively narrow entrance.
10th = a P4 of around 410yds has a series of pot bunkers and cross hazards off the tee and green that has no visible frames of reference making depth perception difficult. The green also slopes front to back.
14th = is a grand little P4 of around 340yds with a tight drive and a green tilted to the right and towards bunkers.
16th = is a dogleg left at around 400yds. One cannot afford to go left close to the green as a lateral hazard will be the penalty. There are also a few bunkers and a small ridge that moves across the green making the hole even harder.
18th = in my travels I have seen very few “great” P3 finishers but this is certainly an exception. Reportedly modelled on the “Eden” template this has some differences including a shot over a small dam. The green itself is massive and connects with the practice putting green so there could be some interesting length putts to finish the round.
GCGC shows its age so to speak with its old wooden clubhouse but it accentuates the charm of the course in a sense that it is truly - an historic club. I would suggest that GCGC is a “thinking man’s” course – ball position and control seem to be important attributes to have around the tight layout surely particularly when the course plays firm’n’fast ?
Whilst it doesn’t have the scale nor the topography of nearby Bethpage (Black) – I would gladly play GCGC over it. GCGC wont beat you up with length but it will test your creativity around the greens which as I have said before by and large were quite small, very quick and had numerous subtle movements in them.
This course set the standard of my trip and I’m sure like a good red it will retain it’s quality over time. “The Old Man” Travis would be proud.