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GolfNYC Newsletter

Golf In New York City is New York's # 1 Resource for Golf and Golfers

Golf In New York City is New York's # 1 Resource for Golf and Golfers. If you love playing golf then you’re going to love playing in New York City. With public golf courses scattered throughout the boroughs lush fairways abound minutes away from the concrete towers, noise and bustle of Manhattan. Whether you’re a life long New Yorker or in from out-of-town a visit to any of New York City Golf Courses and their surrounding neighborhoods are well worth the trip.

New York Golfing History

In the past, New York City public golf courses had been the subject of ridicule and rumor for years. The days of stolen cars dumped off of fairway, hard-as-cement tee-boxes, burned out greens, sand traps without sand and crumbling club houses are all now things of the past.

The tide began to turn in 1983 when the Department of Parks and Recreation turned the operation of the golf courses to outside operators. “That move was one of the top success stories,” said Ron Lieberman, director of concessions for the Parks Department.

Among the boldest of the bidders was the largest operator of golf courses in the U.S., California-based American Golf Corp. AGC now operates 6 golf courses; LaTourette and South Shore on Staten Island; Dyker Beach in Brooklyn; Clearview in Queens; and Pelham/Split Rock in the Bronx.

Starting in 2004, several of the courses were but out to bid. AGC reached new 20 year agreements with the city to continue the operation of the courses except for Silver Lake and Van Cortlandt. In 2007, the management contracts for these courses changed. Doug Johnstone and Eve Taranto took over at Silver Lake and Norman Taffet adds another course to his management group with Van Cortlandt. Many exciting renovations and changes are anticipated for these courses.  In addition to the course improvements ranging from new irrigation systems and cart paths, all the courses will boast new or renovated clubhouses.

Former NYC Mayor Giuliani takes up golf

Most of the recent changes started back in the Giuliani Administration.  Fortunately for New York City's golf lovers, Mayor Rudy Giuliani fell in love with the game while serving as mayor of NYC from 1994-2001. Giuliani, along with his regular playing partner Deputy Mayor Rudy Washington, were not very pleased with the conditions. “Some of these courses were like dust pans. Things were so bad, we were looking to cancel contracts,” Washington explained in a past interview. While the courses were getting plenty of play, the fairways and greens were not getting enough water. “It was a shame, some of these courses were getting 100,000 rounds a year and they could not get water on the fairways,” Washington added.

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New York Golf Improvements keep coming

The new influx of capital helped raise the bar on golf course operators looking to renew or sign a new 20-year lease. All the newer contracts required operators to refurbish or construct new clubhouses and will have new, restored or expanded restaurant/catering facilities. The changes are already visible at most of the courses.
Luckily, current NYC mayor Michael Bloomberg is also an avid golfer and continues to support golf in the city through various annual tournaments and events.

The First Tee comes to the New York

Mosholu Golf Course did not see any of City Hall largesse. Lying directly in the path of the new water tunnel and water filtration plant, operators of Mosholu had to go to court to keep the course open. Not was the course saved a $1 million donation by the late Lew Rudin, transformed the 9-hole layout opposite the IRT No. 4 train, into the home of the First Tee. Opened at Mosholu on June 6, 2001 The First Tee is a non-profit program designed to introduce kids to golf. These programs are open to boys and girls age 7 to 17, and are designed to teach children more than golf. "We want to produce new golfers, but we also want to produce better people," said Barry McLaughlin, executive director of the First Tee program at Mosholu. Through outreach to the South Bronx YMCA, the Madison Square Boys and Girls Club, and the Public School Athletic League, McLaughlin expects to bring golfing opportunities to 4,000 youngsters this summer. Individuals are also welcome to take advantage of the program. Individuals are also welcome to take advantage of the program. Since its beginnings, the First Tee of Metropolitan NY has expanded tremendously and now also includes sites in Fairfield, CT and Newark, NJ.

Construction has also begun at the new junior golf site which is being built adjacent to Dyker Beach Golf Course. The anticipated opening date is for the fall of 2007, or early 2008. Most golf facilities in New York City now offer extensive junior golf programs, including golf clinics, golf schools and summer camps for junior golfers. Contact the individual facility nearest you for news and schedule updates.

For more information on The First Tee visit their website at www.thefirstteemetny.org or call 718- 655-9164.

Get out there

New York City is about excitement – from the Staten Island ferry, to Wall Street, to Broadway to Yankee Stadium and the new CitiField in Queens. Beyond the challenge and enjoyment found by playing the city’s golf courses, there is also adventure, fun and history in the neighborhoods surrounding those golf courses. Enjoy everything NYC has to offer – including our terrific golf courses and practice facilities.