Chris:
That is an interesting article, more so for its blatant inaccuracies than anything else.
Starting with Harbour Hill, the golf course was built in 1895, not 1878. If it had been built in 1878, it would be held up as the first course in the US in place of St. Andrews.
Golf started at Richmond County in 1894, not soon after 1888 as the article alludes to.
I'd like to see more information on Tysen Manor, as it doesn't appear in any early publications I've seen (there are reports of its existence in the 1920's, but not as early as 1900). Mayflower/South Shore is given a date of formation of 1925 in some of the early guides.
There are reports of changes made to Fox Hills in the early 1920's, making it unlikely that the course closed in 1920.
La Tourette predates the 1934 opening date given in the article.
Silver Lake is described in the 1931 Annual Guide, thus also predating the opening date given here.
There is a ton of history wrapped up in the courses on Staten Island, it would be nice if it was presented accurately.
Sven