NYC Golf Weekend
Golf Magazine, July 09
One destination on three bankrolls: New York City
Published: July 01, 2009
UNDER $500 (PER PERSON) Three Rounds At ...
Van Cortlandt Park Golf Course 6,002 yards, par 70 $28-$62.75 718-543-4595, www.golfnyc.com
Dyker Beach Golf Course 6,538 yards, par 71 $37.50-$69.75 718-836-9722, www.dykerbeach.americangolf.com
Spook Rock Golf Course 6,807 yards, par 72 $65-$83 845-357-6466, www.ramapoparks.org
Where You'll Stay: Three Nights Hilton Garden Inn Times Square $179 per night 212-581-7000, www.hiltongardeninn.com
UNDER $750 (PER PERSON) Three Rounds At ...
Bethpage State Park (Black) 6,684 yards, par 71 $50-$120 516-249-0707, www.nysparks.com
Bethpage State Park (Red) 6,555 yards, par 70 $41-$92 516-249-0707, www.nysparks.com
Hudson Hills Golf Course 6,935 yards, par 71 $55-$115 914-864-3000, www.hudsonhillsgolf.com
Where You'll Stay: Three Nights Omni Berkshire Place $329 per night 212-753-5800, www.omnihotels.com
UNDER $1,000 (PER PERSON) Three Rounds At ...
Pound Ridge Golf Club 7,171 yards, par 72 $175-$235 914-764-5771, www.poundridgegolf.com
Centennial Golf Club (Lakes/Fairways) 7,133 yards, par 72 $65-$135 845-225-5700, www.centennialgolf.com
The Golf Club at Mansion Ridge 6,889 yards, par 72 $69-$129 845-782-7888, www.mansionridge.com
Where You'll Stay: Three Nights Trump International Hotel & Tower New York $495 per night 212-299-1000, www.trumpintl.com
Where To Booze & Grub: St. Andrews Pub, NYC, was named to Golf Digest's 2008 list of Golf's 50 Best 19th Holes: "Manhattan golfers returning from Van Cortlandt Park G. Cse. in the Bronx or the driving range at Chelsea Piers love this Midtown pub; 'like being in St. Andrews'; phenomenal scotch collection; most of the staff have Scottish accents; golf memorabilia is a nice touch."
See also: Bethpage Black
Golf In The City
By David Allen, GolfChannel.com, 6/09
NEW YORK – The first true Subway Series was contested in 1923 between the Yankees and Giants. The two baseball squads were only separated by a few miles – the Giants played at the Polo Grounds in Upper Manhattan and the Yankees at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx. Later, the Brooklyn Dodgers made it a three-borough series, until both they and the Giants split for California in 1958.
Today, the Subway Series features the Yankees and the Mets, who reside in Queens. Since the formation of Interleague Play in 1997, the Yankees hold a 37-29 edge over their cross-town rival from the National League, including a 4-1 series victory in the 2000 World Series. The two teams have also played three day-night, dual-stadium doubleheaders, with the Yankees sweeping two of them. In this unique twin-bill, the two squads play an afternoon game in either the Bronx or Queens and then take a 17-minute bus ride over to the other borough.
With the Subway Series serving as inspiration, I thought it would be compelling to play a doubleheader of my own during a recent trip to New York. But instead of playing two nines, I would play four – 18 holes in the morning at Dyker Beach in Brooklyn, and another 18 in the afternoon at Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx. And like the Yankees and Mets, I would use mass transportation. Not a cushy bus, mind you, but the subway. No police escort for me though.
Yes, they play golf in the big city, and plenty of it. There are 13 public golf courses in the five boroughs, from South Shore on Staten Island to Pelham Bay in the Bronx. And there's a rich history to these courses as well. Van Cortlandt is the oldest municipal golf course in the United States, having opened in 1895. Its legendary patrons have included Babe Ruth, Willie Mays, Jackie Robinson, actors Sidney Poitier and Michael Douglas (scenes from the movie "Wall Street" were filmed here) and the Three Stooges. Dyker Beach has also had some famous feet walk its course: Earl Woods, Tiger's father, took up the game here while stationed at nearby Fort Hamilton in the early 1970s.
Dyker Beach would be the first stop this early Saturday morning. With clubs slung over my right shoulder, I exited my friend's apartment on 66th and 2nd Ave. in Manhattan and made my way toward the Lexington Ave. subway.
Destination: Bay Ridge, Brooklyn.
It had been more than five years since I last played Dyker and, to be honest, I wasn't excited to be going back. My memory of Dyker was that of a pinball gallery, with golf balls flying dangerously close to my head from everywhere. I remember one flying so close I could almost read the inscription on the ball. In a few hours, however, my perception of this course would completely change.
Dyker Beach Golf Course
How to get there
From Manhattan, take D train toward Coney Island. Transfer to R train at 36th St. (to 95th St. - Bay Ridge); get off at 86th St.. Walk along 86th St. to 7th Ave.
How to play it
Book a tee time at www.golfnow.com or call 718-225-4653.
19th hole
The new 15,000 square-foot clubhouse has a huge patio out back for Sunday brunches and Slate, a 75-seat restaurant and bar.
Here's this straphanger's journal of a day in the life of a city golfer.
7 a.m. – Leave 2nd Ave. apartment for Lexington Ave. subway station via foot.
7:17 – Board F train to Coney Island.
7:26 – Transfer at 34th St. Herald Square to D train (express) to Coney Island.
7:42 – Transfer to R train at 36th St.
7:59 – Arrive at 86th St. Station, Bay Ridge. Fifty-nine minutes. Not bad.
8:11 – Arrive at Dyker Beach Golf Club on corner of 86th St. and 7th Ave., just past Nathan's Famous hot dogs.
8:30 – Tee it up.
Unlike Alex Rodriguez and David Wright, I didn't have the benefit of batting practice. I was scheduled to tee off at 8:52, but there was a threesome on the tee so I hustled to join them.
Right out of the box, Dyker was nothing like what I remembered. A recent $1.5 million makeover in 2007 added 12 new bunkers, moved a few others and transformed every tee box. The fairways were lush, the sand white and the greens looked like they belonged at a private course. They rolled very true, which is remarkable considering the amount of traffic at the course. According to an August-September cover story in The Met Golfer magazine, Dyker was the most-trafficked golf course in the world in the 1950s and '60s, averaging more than 100,000 rounds annually. Today, they handle about 70,000 rounds per year and as many as 350 per day on peak summer weekends.
While set in the heart of Brooklyn, underneath the shadows of the Verrazano Narrows Bridge, Dyker feels like it's hundreds of miles away from the city. On the second hole, I'm reminded of the last time I was in these parts, as I can spot one of the giants spans from the bridge off to the left of the fairway. Every November, the Verrazano is the scene of one of the greatest spectacles in all of sports – the start of the ING New York City Marathon. The race is still fresh in my mind because last November I rumbled off that bridge along with 38,000 other runners – talk about your foot traffic! – headed for the great unknown. The feeling you have coming off that bridge to the welcoming applause and encouragement of the Brooklyn residents is like no other. And while it was very quiet on this Saturday, I was flooded with memories of the race throughout my round because the bridge is nearly visible from every hole.
One of the more scenic holes on the front nine is the short, par-4 fifth hole, which plays only 358 yards from the back tees. The Verrazano rises above the corner of this dogleg left, with the clock tower from Poly Prep Country Day School also visible from the tee. The bridge also appears to be right on top of you as you walk toward the corner of the dogleg right on the par-5 sixth hole. The next hole plays very uphill and much longer than the 412 yards listed on the scorecard. I found it to be the most difficult hole on the front side – by far. It's not until you get to the ninth hole (par 5, 488 yards) that you feel like you're playing golf in the city, as 7th Ave. runs parallel left to the fairway. Cars are stacked up along the fence and occasionally crash through the fence, as I was told by a playing partner. So, in addition to errant tee shots, you must be wary of cars careening out of control.
The signature hole on Dyker Beach is the uphill par-3 11th (150 yards from the white tees). From the green, you almost feel as if you can drive your golf cart onto the entrance ramp of the Verrazano. The back nine plays significantly tighter than the front, as trees seemingly obstruct any ball that misses the fairway. There is only one par-5 on the inward nine, the 450-yard 15th hole, although it plays considerably longer on this day as a spring rain starts to steadily fall. The weather cooperates for the most part, however, and we surprisingly got around in just under 4-1/2 hours. This is the equivalent of running the NYC Marathon in 2 1/2 hours, because just a week earlier one of my playing partners needed almost 6 1/2 hours to complete the same 18 holes. If you can play a round of golf in under five hours in New York City, you feel like you just punched a lottery ticket.
I departed Dyker Beach at 1:08 p.m., and while I was tempted to stop at Nathans and scarf down 50 hot dogs like Takeru "Tsunami" Kobayashi (he of the famous July 4 hot dog eating contest), I had a long trip ahead of me to the Bronx and a 3 p.m. tee time to catch. This time, I left Dyker feeling like I had hit a walk-off home run.
1:18 p.m. – As I walk down the steps at the 86th St. Station, the R train is pulling away. This is a helpless feeling for a straphanger, much like watching the Mets' bullpen (at least the 2008 version) fritter away a two-run lead in the ninth inning.
1:30 – Board the R train.
1:45 – Transfer to the D at 36th St., headed for Manhattan.
2:21 – Transfer to No. 1 train at 59th St./Columbus Circle. Last stop: 242 St./Van Cortlandt Park.
3:00 – Finally arrive at Van Cortlandt Park. The 23-mile journey takes nearly two hours. But at least I don't have to sit in traffic.
3:08 – After eight-minute walk through the park, arrive at pro shop to check in.
3:28 – Tee off.
Van Cortlandt Park Golf Course
How to get there
From Manhattan, take 1 train to last stop, 242 St./Van Cortlandt Park. Walk through park
How to play it
Book a tee time at www.golfNYC.com or call 718-543-4595.
19th hole
Gleeson's Sports Bar & Grill on Broadway is conveniently located across the street from Van Cortlandt Park, adjacent to the subway stop.
America's oldest public golf course also boasts some of the longest par-5s in the metropolitan area. Hole No. 2, also known as "The Babe," plays 620 yards from the back tees and 605 from the middle tees. The hole bends slightly to the left and the second shot plays uphill, making it a Ruth-ian sized task to reach the green in two. After a solid drive and a well-struck hybrid, I still had 210 yards to the green for my third. No wonder why it plays as the No. 1 handicap hole.
The other long par-5 is the 600-yard 12th hole, which ranks as the second-most difficult hole. The good news is that none of the current par-5s plays as long as the ninth hole did in the original Van Cortlandt layout. It registered 700 yards. Imagine how much fun The Babe would have had playing that hole.
While the par-5s play extremely long, the par-4s at Vannie, as the locals call it, are far more generous. The par-4 6th hole plays 283 yards from the middle tees. It's an easy carry over the water off the tee but the fairway slopes significantly uphill, ending any dreams medium-length hitters like myself have of driving the ball on the green. The green is set back against the trees, making this one of the more picturesque holes on the course.
My two favorite holes on the course are also short par-4s, the 310-yard 16th and the 324-yard 18th. From both elevated tees, you feel like you're standing on the observation deck of the Empire State Building, with the landing zones and greens well below. For the longest hitters, both greens can be reached off the tee; and for the shortest hitters, it's reasonable to expect a wedge in for your second shot.
It was an uplifting way to finish off my doubleheader. After nine hours of golf, close to three hours riding the subways, and one too many three-putts, I went home saying I nearly drove two par-4s.
Unfortunately, I had to hop in the subway again. Next time, I'm taking the bus.
Where To Booze & Grub:
Zane Lamprey's Drinking Made Easy Guide To New York City (2010):
New York City, or The Big Apple as it’s often referred to, is the most populous city in the United States. Consisting of 5 boroughs: The Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens and Staten Island, it’s become a melting pot of culture and diversity. Founded as a commercial trading post in 1624 it was originally a Dutch settlement called New Amsterdam until 1664 when it came under English control and was renamed New York, after the English Duke of York and Albany. From 1785 to 1790 it served temporarily as the US capital and has been the country’s largest city since 1790. A major gateway for immigrants entering the US in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, it’s full of iconic and historic landmarks like the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Building. Today it’s become a center for television, film, and theater, as well as the advertising, music, newspaper and book publishing industries. Often called the “City that Never Sleeps,” a fitting nickname for a city with thousands of bars, restaurants and an explosive, diverse and enchanting nightlife scene, NYC is where drinking was made to be easy.
BREWED IN BROOKLYN
It might come as a surprise to many to learn that there are actually several breweries operating just outside of Manhattan in the borough of Brooklyn. In fact, over 100 years ago there were nearly 50 breweries in Brooklyn. Today, however, the most notable brewery is of course, the Brooklyn Brewery. Opened in 1987 by Stephen Hindy and Tom Porter, the Brooklyn Brewery is known all over the world as a premier brewer of American craft beer. What began as a small operation with their first beer and flagship ale, Brooklyn Lager, being contract brewed out of Utica, NY, Hindy and Porter eventually moved the business to Brooklyn. Along the way they hired the highly respected New York brewmaster, Garrett Oliver, to design their planned Brooklyn plant and oversee production. To date Oliver has developed many new beers for Brooklyn Brewery, like a Black Chocolate Stout, an East India Pale Ale and the Brooklyn Pennant Ale ’55 and has won many national and international awards. Although not yet available in every state, Brooklyn Brewery beers can be found on the east coast as well as in Canada, Europe and Asia.
The Brooklyn Brewery | #1 Brewers Row, 79 North 11th St | Brooklyn, NY 11211 | (718) 486-7440
A newer addition to the Brooklyn craft beer scene is Sixpoint Craft Ales, which was founded in 2004 by Shane Welch and operates out of a 7,000 square food factory in Red Hook, Brooklyn. Its name refers to their logo, a unique combination of the brewer’s hexagon and nautical star, and pays homage to the ancient craft of brewing while recognizing its modern role. Using traditional brewing practices, Sixpoint is known for their flagship brew, Sweet Action, a 5.2% ABV cream ale. All of their ales are unpasteurized and unfiltered and brewed in small, 15-barrel batches using predominantly domestic hops, European malts, a special house yeast, and 100% New York City tap water.
Kelso of Brooklyn is another local beer producer. Brewed under Greenpoint Beer Works, who also contract brews for the Heartland Breweries, Kelso of Brooklyn was founded by husband and wife team, Kelly Taylor and Sonya Giacobbe. With three year-round brews, the Nut Brown Lager, Pilsner and St. Gowanus, as well as seasonal brews like the Chocolate Lager, Saison, Hop Lager, Satisfaction and Flemish Red Ale, their beers are only available in kegs to local bars and restaurants.
OLD NYC
Several of the oldest bars in the country are located in New York City. While it’s debatable on which bar is actually the oldest in the city, a clear candidate for this title is the Ear Inn. Originally the home of James Brown, a Revolutionary War veteran who ran a tobacco store out of the ground floor of the house, in 1817 it opened as a tavern. Formerly only 5 feet from the Hudson River, its proximity to the water made it a popular watering hole with sailors and longshoremen. Subsequent urban development has since filled in the land and increased the distance to the shore. Its ownership traded hands several times and after Prohibition ended the bar opened back up without a name and was just called “The Green Door” after its outward appearance. In the mid-1970s it shifted ownership again and earned its new and existing name, the Ear Inn. Today it’s a historic destination as well as a great place to grab a beer. In fact, they produce their own beer, the Ear Ale, which is an Amber Ale and is based on a beer recipe from the 1870s.
Ear Inn | 326 Spring Street, New York, NY 10013 | (212) 226-9060
Another bar that stakes claim as the oldest in the city is McSorley’s Old Ale House. Debatably established in 1854, it boasts of being NYC’s oldest continually operating saloon. Located in the East Village, it was one of the last “Men Only” pubs, only admitting women in 1970. The history is evident as no piece of memorabilia has been removed from the walls since 1910, and hanging above the bar are wishbones that were supposedly hung by soldiers going off to war only to be removed when they returned. Those still hanging are from those soldiers who never returned.
With a slightly different declaration, Pete’s Tavern claims to be the oldest continually operating tavern in the city. First opened in 1864, a tavern has operated in this location ever since, including during Prohibition when it was disguised as a flower shop. This historical landmark was the location where O. Henry wrote “The Gift of the Magi.” Today they serve classic Italian food supplemented with New World Cuisine for lunch and dinner and is a favorite place among locals.
Finally, there is the Bridge Café, built in 1794, with claims as being the oldest surviving tavern in NYC and the “Oldest Drinking Establishment in New York.” The current owners bought the building in 1979 and upgraded the restaurant and bar but kept the charming 1920s interior. A former brothel, the old speakeasy continues to thrive thanks to a modern mix of eclectic American entrées.
BEER BARS
A growing trend in the US, which has not been lost on NYC, is the beer bar craze. And not all beer bars are only in the liquid game. Daniel Boulud’s DBGB Kitchen & Bar for example, is not only a bar with an excellentbeer menu but a place where culinary creations are consumed alongside pairings of rare and unique beers. With 22 beers on tap and a bottle list that’s sure to impress even the biggest beer geek, their list represents a wide selection of beer styles from all over the world. Executive Chef Jim Leiken creates classic yet upscale American fare and diners are encouraged to ask for beer pairing suggestions.
DBGB Kitchen & Bar | 299 Bowery, New York, NY 10003 | (212) 933-5300
Another craft beer bar in the city that deserves an honorable mention is The Pony Bar. With a rotating selection of the finest American craft beers, you won’t find any imports and the only bottled beer they have are Bud and Bud Light. With 20 taps and 2 hand pumped cask ales on at all times, their in-house menu displays the beer, the brewer and the ABV of each of the beers that they carry. This affordable beer bar also gives its patrons the option of taking home fresh beer in one of their 64 oz growlers.
If you’d rather have a more international experience, you can check out Vol de Nuit, a beer “lounge” that specializes in Belgian Beer. Meaning “Night Flight” in French, Vol de Nuit carries a strong selection of Belgian beers – the most on tap in the city – and also serves traditional Belgian cuisine like mussels and frites.
SHHHHHH!
In NYC there is no shortage of speakeasy-style restaurants and bars, another emerging trend that is popping up in major metropolitan cities across the US. Because of their small size, and the appeal of the secrecy of their locations, most of these places do not advertise and rely strictly on word of mouth to keep business moving.
Please Don’t Tell (or PDT) is one such elite speakeasy-style bar. With access through a non-descript phone booth inside Crif Dogs, a hotdog shop in the East Village, PDT specializes in prohibition-style cocktails. Reservations are a requirement and patrons may put their name on the waiting list and wait for a call letting them know that they can enter. In the meantime, they can enjoy a specialty hotdog (Crif’s makes one that is exclusively available for PDT drinkers) and a beer. Once inside they will pick from 18 specialty cocktails, from a drink menu created by owner Jim Meehan.
The Benton’s Old Fashioned
Angostura Bitters
Maple Syrup
Bacon-infused Bourbon
Orange
Please Don’t Tell | 113 St. Mark’s Place, New York, NY 10019 | (212) 614-0386
Housed in an actual speakeasy from the 1920s, The Back Room is hidden under the sign that reads “Lower East Side Toy Company.” Guests enter through a metal gate, walk down the steps, through a narrow alleyway, and back up a set of metal steps to an old fashioned door with a peephole. Inside everything from the art deco to the tin ceilings are authentic to the 20s. Drinks are served in teacups, shots in espresso cups and beer bottles in paper bags (throwbacks to illegal drinking during Prohibition) and a fake bookshelf opens into a private VIP room.
TRAINS AND TICKERS
In a city where public transportation is a way of life, it’s fitting that there would be a popular watering hole in the 100-year old Penn Station. Tracks Raw Bar & Grill, located underground in Penn Station somewhere close to 7th street on the LIRR level, is a classic tavern featuring the longest bar in the city (105 feet long), one of the best pints of Guinness in town and an extensive seafood menu and oyster and raw bar. With signature cocktails served by a primarily Irish staff, the warm pub-like atmosphere is appealing to locals heading to a show or sporting event at Madison Square Garden, daily commuters, and travelers alike. If you’re feeling daring try their eating challenge: 30 oysters and a pint of Guinness in under 2 minutes. If you win, they’ll buy your second pint of Guinness.
Conductor’s Choice (Chocolate Martini)
Crème de Cacao (2/3 full)
Vanilla Vodka (1/3 full)
Glaze glass with Grand Marnier then dump it
Serve in a martini glass
Tracks Raw Bar & Grill | 1 Penn Plz, New York, NY 10119 | (212) 244-6350
A unique and recent entry to the NYC bar scene can be found with Exchange Bar & Grill, located in Gramercy Park, where supply and demand dictate the price of both food and drink. Similar to the stock exchange, the more demand that there is for a particular item, the pricier it becomes. A less popular item will be cheaper. Increasing in increments of 25 cents, when the price reaches a certain level the market crashes and the prices drop again.
Exchange Bar & Grill | 256 3rd Ave # 1, New York, NY 10010 | (646) 596-9039
See also: Pelham Split Rock GC