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Van Cortlandt Park Golf Course

Address: Van Cortlandt Park Golf Course, Van Cortland Ave. South & Bailey Ave., Bronx, NY, 10471 Maps and Directions

Phone: 718-543-4595

Reservations: www.golfnyc.com

Yardage: 6,102/5883/5388

Par: 70

Rating: 68.3/122; 66.7/119; 67.7/115

Architect: Tom Bendelow (1895) Redesign: Stephen Kay (2001)

Management: Forest Park Management (Norman Taffet)

General Manager: William Larkin

Teaching Professional: Paul Sliva

New Superintendent: Peter DiRollo

Description: Van Cortlandt Park Golf Course is America's oldest public golf course (opening in 1895), this Bronx golf course boasts two of the longest par fives in the city. Number 2 - 625 and number 12 - 605. Originally developed by a group of wealthy men who hoped to have the city develop it into a private course, this courses has transformed over the years into a quite hilly and challenging course.

While in office, Mayor Giuliani initiated a four million dollar improvement program that included the re-building of 20 new tee boxes, 13 new bunkers, two lakes and significant re-design of the fairways and rough. The pro shop and dining area has also been renovated. Renovations were designed by golf course architect, Stephan Kaye.

Vannie, as the locals call it, is arguably the easiest golf course to get to by subway from the West side of Manhattan. Take the 1 and 9 train to the last stop. Then it is a short walk through the park. Go under the old New York Central Railroad tressel and make a left. The historic clubhouse on the lake will be in front of you. Incidentally, the rail road was nicknamed "Old Putt". The course was also used for many scenes in the movie, Wall Street.

Over the years, many actors and athletes, including Sidney Poitier and Willie Mays, have played at Van Cortlandt. Most recently, Andrew Giuliani (son of Rudy and the 2006 MGA Player of the Year) considers Van Cortlandt his home course.

Van Cortlandt Park Golf Course Major Upgrading

New Greens

2nd, 3rd, 4th, 7th, 9th, 10th and the 11th greens have been ripped up, a new base mixture filled, drains installed and sodded with bent grass.

Fairways

10th, 12th and 14th fairways have had new and imrpoved drainage system as been installed

Tee Boxes

Several holes have already received new foward tees and back tees, with more tee boxes planned to be installed. At the completion of the renovation at least 200 yards will have been added to the course from the back tees, allowing a golfer to play a newly renovated course that measures in at over 6,000 yards.

Bunkers

Several of our bunkers have been redesigned with plans to install some new bunkers as well.

Directions: Deegan Expressway North 230 th St., make right at light and quick left onto Bailey Ave., to Van Cortlandt West. From north take Major Deegan to Van Cortlandt exit; make left at light, at Van Cortlandt West get onto Deegan North approach, stay left under highway to course.

Mass Transit: Take No. 1 or 9 trains to 242d St.

Course Review and Favorite Hole

Have you played Van Cortlandt Park Golf Course? If so why not drop us a line telling us about your favorite hole or the course and we will write your comments on this page.

Bill's Favorite Hole: #7. This 220 yard downhill par three requires length and accuracy with your tee shot to a very sloped green guarded by two big bunkers on the front left and rear of the green.

Comments on: Have you played Van Cortlandt Park Golf Course?

By: Tommy Dee

Course Review - Vannie - Van Cortlandt Park Golf Course is such a great golf course in that every hole is unique and truly enjoyable to play. I've been playing there since 1987 and have never had a round of golf that I didn't enjoy. The people who work and play there are also a different group (in a good way) then all of the courses I've played and I played a lot of courses.

By: George Butts

George Butts Favorite Hole: #16 It is all to easy to set one's sights on driving this green, but save that for the 18th where an errant push can be played from the 15th fairway. By the time you climb from the 15th green to the 16th tee box, you are tired but you want to punish the hole for making you work so hard so late in the round. Save it. A pushed drive will scamper into the woods much to your surprise and a hooked drive -- well a hook never listens and this hole was born deaf. Hit a 5 iron to the 150-yard marker and then hit your approach. Whatever you do, be sure to come away from the hill holes having decided which is your favorite -- all four are spectacular holes and deserve this keen attention.

By: Manny Carreno

This is great advice by George Butts, since I’ve played with him and seen him go lots of times into the woods. He is right though! The last 4 holes are great, they might be all short but they can come out and bite ya!

By: mike

Overall this is a very nice course. i highly recommend taking the cart, just make sure you stay 30 yards away from the green with it or they will get mad. there just seems to be too much walking here unless you really want a slow game and are in great shape. very little water so if your ball has eyes for the water then this is good, but i was rather disappointed. i got the resident pass now and i believe i will be making the trek on the 1,9 again soon.

By: Sweet Butter

The second hole wakes you up. Long and strong, with pain to the left and right. The sixth lets you feel huge again. Driveable with a forgiving fairway. Water's only there to collect shanks. Seven is a nice par 3--downhill with length, so club-selection is always tricky. Twelve and fourteen are two versions of the same hole. Long, with a little water about 100 yards from the green that makes for interesting approach shots. Of course, "the hill holes" are a great way to finish. Best if reached by cart--and don't play them twice when it's crowded! ; )

By: Ron

Van Cortlandt Golf Course is short at just over 6,000 yards from the back tees, but I defy anyone to play the five par 3's at Van Cortlandt in even par! Two of the par 5's are over 600 yards which leaves many of the par 4's on the short side. But the terrain gives the course a good variety and it's certainly not a pushover. For a public golf course which can be reached via the subway, it really is a good deal.

By: Cameron

I played Van Cordlant 2 times and had two different experiences. The first was the first week in August, the course was open and in decent condition. The hill holes got me at the end but I still played well and had a great time. I love the history of the course and how easy it is to get to. The starter was incredibly warm and we had a 10 minute talk before teeing off. I decided to go back at the end of the month for a repeat. I walked in, paid, headed out to the first tee and checked in with the starter. NO ONE mentioned the fact that the greens had been aerated (sp?) and sanded to the point that the second green looked like one big trap. It amazed me that no one said anything and that I still paid full price! If I order a t-bone at a restaurant and get a hamburger I feel like I got scammed. Same here. I hope the greens have come back and I hope that the management thinks about pricing their product a little better. I know I will play Van C. again, I will just call ahead next time...

By: Stu

Great place to get away from the city for an afternoon. Many interesting the holes, the 2 600 yard par fives are a novelty. My favorite is number 4 with the trees on the left and the big overhanging tree near the green. Very pretty.

By: mike

Great course. I'm anxious to play the course this season to see all the new renovations. 7 greens were rebuilt along with extensive drainage work. I also understand new bunkers will be going in along with new ladies tees. Make sure you visit the website golfnyc.com and print out some of their coupons before coming

By: joe

dont listen to mike..horible course..new management did a hoorible job this year ..seemed to be only interested in makeing a buck...new managements son was very rude...will not be back this year.

By: mark

played last year..wont be back...new management pushed out group after group makeing for a 6 hour round..no rain checks given,,micheal the manager very rude when asked about a refund..

By: BCGolf

I spoke to Stephen Kay, the golf course architect, about the changes to Vancortlandt Park Golf Course. Stephen is very excited about the renovation to the greens and tees. He also designed bunkers in the landing area of number two. These bunkers will stop the golf ball from rolling into the woods. I am looking forward to playing Vancortlandt in the Spring. Bill Castner

By: dave

stephen kay has to be one of the worst architects evre,,after playing a number of courses he has worked on they all seem to have the same problems...bunkers that constantly wash out leaving them all rocky...and greens that never drain...sorry to hear he did the restoration

By: Jim Buonaiuto, Assistant General Manager

On behalf of Van Cortlandt Park Golf Course, and the managing group, I’d like to share our appreciation for all the work that the Castner family dedicates to running this informative website. Van Cortlandt Park G.C. is in a unique situation of changing for the better while retaining the important historical tradition that comes along with being this great nation’s first public golf course ever. Our extensive renovations have replaced our “problem” greens (greens that died out, and caused our past extensive aeration) with new greens that utilize modern drainage techniques. The new management group has also began the process of leveling tees, creating new back tees to add yardage, and new forward tees to make the course more challenging for our golfers that play from the forward tees. As in any business, the first year in a new venture is a time to learn. No one at our golf course would ever want a golfer to leave unhappy. Anyone with a less than satisfactory experience, suggestions, or compliments can e-mail me personally at agm@vancortlandtgc.com and I will do what ever it takes to rectify the situation. From a golfers own point of view, and not just with regards to Vanny, I recommend that everyone call the course on the day they plan to play to be advised about any construction or special circumstances that may impact one’s round. Van Cortlandt is undoubtedly a truly unique experience. The course does not feel like a 6,000-yard course when you have to battle two 600-yard par 5’s or precisely attack narrow par 3’s. Vanny always offers a challenge to competive golfers, a fun time for beginning golfers, and a historical experience that can not be matched by any other golf course in the Nation for everyone.

By: BCGolf

Thank you Jim for your complimentary comment. Marian and I enjoy running the website and we are happy that people are using it. We could not do it without the help of our dedicated and talented webmaster, Dan Radcliffe. If any one has any suggestions for the golfinnyc.com website, please write me at castnerpga@gmail.com. Thank you.

By: Fede

I can't wait to play this course, some friends live close by and I see they are renoveating the greens, wich I hope is finish by spring. So my friends and i can stop by.