Private Club 30 minutes from Manhattan

[SLUGCC2002]

On 1/27/2021 at 2:38 PM, ronw04 said:

Thanks! 

I'm looking at a weekday membership. How full is the tee sheet most weekday mornings? 

What's the pace of play generally? 

Is the course in decent shape? 

Nice members? 

I live 30 minutes from Rye and have never played it. I'd be going in blind. Basically any CC in the 914 is out of my price range. This certainly is manageable. 

 

Last year was a different year at Rye - rounds played were up almost 30%, so the tee sheet was full nearly every day. When I worked in the evenings, I'd go over there every day around 9:30 without a tee time and was always able to get out.

 

The pace of play is good - it's not a particularly long course, so you'll rarely have a round that goes more than four hours.

 

The course is in great shape, considering the amount of play. The superintendent came from Wykagyl. They lost the greens in 2015 due to a misapplication/overapplication of tainted fungicide, but other than that, the course has always been in great shape - even in 2020, when there were 50,000-plus rounds played.

 

The members are all pretty friendly. There are guys I play with there who are caddies and plumbers and carpenters and guys who manage billions in assets. They're all pretty cool. Like any place, you'll run into a dick here and there. There are a lot of older folks who play to kill time on the weekdays. 

 

The course is a Devereaux Emmet layout and sits at the edge of a bluff going down to Milton Harbor. There are a fair number of elevation changes and a few blind shots. There are a few holes that are kind of "meh," but then you also have 8, 9, 14, and 17, which are the only holes I know of in Westchester County that are on the water. 

[ronw04]

6 hours ago, SLUGCC2002 said:

 

Last year was a different year at Rye - rounds played were up almost 30%, so the tee sheet was full nearly every day. When I worked in the evenings, I'd go over there every day around 9:30 without a tee time and was always able to get out.

 

The pace of play is good - it's not a particularly long course, so you'll rarely have a round that goes more than four hours.

 

The course is in great shape, considering the amount of play. The superintendent came from Wykagyl. They lost the greens in 2015 due to a misapplication/overapplication of tainted fungicide, but other than that, the course has always been in great shape - even in 2020, when there were 50,000-plus rounds played.

 

The members are all pretty friendly. There are guys I play with there who are caddies and plumbers and carpenters and guys who manage billions in assets. They're all pretty cool. Like any place, you'll run into a dick here and there. There are a lot of older folks who play to kill time on the weekdays. 

 

The course is a Devereaux Emmet layout and sits at the edge of a bluff going down to Milton Harbor. There are a fair number of elevation changes and a few blind shots. There are a few holes that are kind of "meh," but then you also have 8, 9, 14, and 17, which are the only holes I know of in Westchester County that are on the water. 

Thank you for the information! Sounds good. It was so hard to get tee times last year. Normally I golf as a single and 930 is my usual time after the kids go on the bus. 

 

A few more quick ones if you don't mind. 

There doesn't seem to be a driving range there. Is there a place to work on short game? 

Am I allowed to walk? 

Can you bring guests? 

I'll probably have to call for this one but do they have junior clinics? Kids are 10 and 7 and seem interested in the golf. 

 

Thanks again. Greatly appreciated

[SLUGCC2002]

On 1/29/2021 at 3:07 PM, ronw04 said:

Thank you for the information! Sounds good. It was so hard to get tee times last year. Normally I golf as a single and 930 is my usual time after the kids go on the bus. 

 

A few more quick ones if you don't mind. 

There doesn't seem to be a driving range there. Is there a place to work on short game? 

Am I allowed to walk? 

Can you bring guests? 

I'll probably have to call for this one but do they have junior clinics? Kids are 10 and 7 and seem interested in the golf. 

 

Thanks again. Greatly appreciated

 

After receiving a settlement for the bad fungicide that killed the greens five years ago, they build a nice short game area between the 12th fairway and the pool.

 

Yes, walking is allowed and I'd say half the play there is walking. You're allowed to bring a pull cart, and there are no caddies.

 

Guest play is restricted to certain times, and I believe the guest fee is $95/weekdays and $125/weekends.

 

They do have junior clinics, and I think the new head professional is going to do more to promote the game with kids.

[sgolf711]

Anyone know about the quality of the course at Engineers CC?

Edited February 2, 2021 by sgolf711

[ronw04]

7 hours ago, SLUGCC2002 said:

 

After receiving a settlement for the bad fungicide that killed the greens five years ago, they build a nice short game area between the 12th fairway and the pool.

 

Yes, walking is allowed and I'd say half the play there is walking. You're allowed to bring a pull cart, and there are no caddies.

 

Guest play is restricted to certain times, and I believe the guest fee is $95/weekdays and $125/weekends.

 

They do have junior clinics, and I think the new head professional is going to do more to promote the game with kids.

Great thank you Slug for the write up

[31ejm]

Anyone have general info on lower Westchester clubs with lower initiation for "jr" / under 40 memberships? Someone above mentioned Wykagl. Have a number of friends at Pelham, and looks like a nice track, but seems like a lot to play alongside I95 when Wykagle, Bonnie Briars, Siwanoy, etc. are so close. Thanks for any info / help.

[jlazaro]

On 6/16/2021 at 11:18 AM, 31ejm said:

Anyone have general info on lower Westchester clubs with lower initiation for "jr" / under 40 memberships? Someone above mentioned Wykagl. Have a number of friends at Pelham, and looks like a nice track, but seems like a lot to play alongside I95 when Wykagle, Bonnie Briars, Siwanoy, etc. are so close. Thanks for any info / help.

 

Wykagyl and Siwanoy are not cheap, even for junior memberships. Leewood and Pelham are relatively affordable by Westchester standards, though I think Pelham is nearing capacity, so its figures are likely to increase. Can't comment on Bonnie Briar.

[NoCalHack]

On 6/29/2021 at 1:01 PM, jlazaro said:

 

Wykagyl and Siwanoy are not cheap, even for junior memberships. Leewood and Pelham are relatively affordable by Westchester standards, though I think Pelham is nearing capacity, so its figures are likely to increase. Can't comment on Bonnie Briar.

 

 

I just went through this.  Most clubs have junior memberships, which can be significantly cheaper depending on your age.

 

Wykagyl is on wait list basis and Jr membership is $35K as of a few weeks ago, which is on the higher end I think.  

 

I know that a lot of clubs are doing really well now.  Some of it is post pandemic increase in golf and also because some clubs recently closed and the others absorbed their members.   Several have increased their fees.  And I know that several have gone to wait list recently.

 

Recently, Leewood had a really great price.  No initiation, even for non juniors and really low dues for a year.  They are a clear outlier, as most clubs have initiations.    

 

 

[31ejm]

Thanks for some of these thoughts. Any thoughts on some of the clubs further up? Thinking Willow Ridge, St Andrews, etc?

[ronw04]

3 hours ago, 31ejm said:

Thanks for some of these thoughts. Any thoughts on some of the clubs further up? Thinking Willow Ridge, St Andrews, etc?

Willow ridge was recently taken over by the town of Harrison.  The few people I know who have played it said it was nothing to write home about. 

 

I believe they are currently closed. 

 

I may have read somewhere that they are going to have membership similar to what they do in Rye. I'm not sure anything is set in stone.  

 

I can't speak for St Andrews. 

[3PuttLefty]

I played St Andrews a few weeks ago. I love the clubhouse vibe. Huge outdoor deck set up overlooking the course.  Definitely made me feel in was NOT in Yonkers!  
 Course is well kept and challegning. 
 Id look on the other side of river..Rockland Cc in Sparkill is quick ride up Palisades.  Fast greens, course can play long if u choose, nice clubhouse and great members. 

[sabram]

23 hours ago, ronw04 said:

Willow ridge was recently taken over by the town of Harrison.  The few people I know who have played it said it was nothing to write home about. 

 

I believe they are currently closed. 

 

I may have read somewhere that they are going to have membership similar to what they do in Rye. I'm not sure anything is set in stone.  

 

I can't speak for St Andrews. 

Click on a photo below to link to photo tours of Willow Ridge and St Andrews. 

 

St Andrews

 

 

Willow Ridge

[3PuttLefty]

@sabram thanks for the reminder. This hole blew my round! Yellow was intended 4 iron line.  Red was actual! 💦🐠. Not even close….SMH
great hole though!!

[AGF]

Can anyone speak to the joining process for junior memberships at some of the mid range / higher end clubs in Westchester at the 30-35 age range?

 

Looking at Scarsdale / Quaker Ridge / Fenway / Brae Burn / Old Oaks etc. 
 

Girlfriend and I are looking to join a club while living in Brooklyn with plans to move to the area in a few years, but don’t know many members and it seems a lot of places are going to waitlists.

[31ejm]

On 8/6/2021 at 10:50 PM, 3PuttLefty said:

I played St Andrews a few weeks ago. I love the clubhouse vibe. Huge outdoor deck set up overlooking the course.  Definitely made me feel in was NOT in Yonkers!  
 Course is well kept and challegning. 
 Id look on the other side of river..Rockland Cc in Sparkill is quick ride up Palisades.  Fast greens, course can play long if u choose, nice clubhouse and great members. 

Thanks. 
Other side is not really an option as I want to keep the drive under 20 minutes from lower westchester. Want to be able to play a regular 18 but also sneak in a 9 when I have time without it being a huge ordeal. 
 

photos are cool, thanks for posting. That #4 at St. Andrews looks awesome. 

[SLUGCC2002]

On 8/13/2021 at 2:49 PM, AGF said:

Can anyone speak to the joining process for junior memberships at some of the mid range / higher end clubs in Westchester at the 30-35 age range?

 

Looking at Scarsdale / Quaker Ridge / Fenway / Brae Burn / Old Oaks etc. 
 

Girlfriend and I are looking to join a club while living in Brooklyn with plans to move to the area in a few years, but don’t know many members and it seems a lot of places are going to waitlists.

 

You'll have an easier time getting in at Brae Burn and Old Oaks. Maybe Fenway too, which, despite a story in the local paper two years ago, needs members. You'll still, almost certainly, need to be a member of a shul and show that you give to charity to be considered for any of them. For Scarsdale and Quaker Ridge, you'll need to know people and sit on a waiting list.

[31ejm]

21 minutes ago, SLUGCC2002 said:

 

You'll have an easier time getting in at Brae Burn and Old Oaks. Maybe Fenway too, which, despite a story in the local paper two years ago, needs members. You'll still, almost certainly, need to be a member of a shul and show that you give to charity to be considered for any of them. For Scarsdale and Quaker Ridge, you'll need to know people and sit on a waiting list.

Hmmm well Fenway marketed well through that article. Any idea on initiation/dues under 40?

are you serious in the shul/charity? 

[31ejm]

Knowing it’s all very subjective, how much do or would you all consider things like the top100 courses website?

 

i am closing in on 40 and would like to get in somewhere. But I don’t want to be stuck somewhere where everyone is super uptight or whatever the case may be. Seems from reading and chatting around, last year may have been the year to catch a deal on initiation fees, but wasn’t really in a position to do so. 

[SLUGCC2002]

On 8/20/2021 at 9:03 AM, 31ejm said:

Hmmm well Fenway marketed well through that article. Any idea on initiation/dues under 40?

are you serious in the shul/charity? 

 

Well, yeah, because they were able to sucker a reporter who doesn't know anything about golf into writing a piece...

 

The dues at any Jewish club are going to be a little higher, usually between $15,000 and $20,000. Initiation may depend on both age and who you know. I don't know the exact figure, but I'd imagine you get discounted a percentage based on your distance from age 40. After 40, you pay full price. I had heard Fenway was $60K a few years ago, but I can't say for certain what it is now. 

 

And yeah, I'm serious about the shul/charity component. Most Jewish clubs have a charity committee or a UJA committee. Tikkun Olam is a meaningful part of Judaism. If you have the money to join a country club, you have the money to help those in need and heal the world, and not merely with a de minimis contribution annually. 

Edited August 24, 2021 by SLUGCC2002

[SLUGCC2002]

On 8/22/2021 at 8:45 PM, 31ejm said:

Knowing it’s all very subjective, how much do or would you all consider things like the top100 courses website?

 

i am closing in on 40 and would like to get in somewhere. But I don’t want to be stuck somewhere where everyone is super uptight or whatever the case may be. Seems from reading and chatting around, last year may have been the year to catch a deal on initiation fees, but wasn’t really in a position to do so. 

 

If you don't want somewhere stuffy and uptight, good luck.

 

As far as the courses go, Fenway is fantastic - among the top 10 courses I've ever played. It's often described by Tillinghast enthusiasts as having his best green complexes. It doesn't get a ton of play, as the membership is relatively small.

[31ejm]

2 hours ago, SLUGCC2002 said:

 

If you don't want somewhere stuffy and uptight, good luck.

 

As far as the courses go, Fenway is fantastic - among the top 10 courses I've ever played. It's often described by Tillinghast enthusiasts as having his best green complexes. It doesn't get a ton of play, as the membership is relatively small.

Thanks for the info above. I’m closer to 40yo than 30, so even 1/3 haircut on $60k would be too much, never mind the charity (which I fully respect, but which I’m not interested in wrapping into a golf club membership).

Edited August 24, 2021 by 31ejm

[Schley]

Charitable donations are still asked for by some clubs and they want to see your charitable giving for last 3 or so years from your tax returns. A Jewish club in LA I know wanted a minimum of $45k over last 3 years, although it could be to any charity. I think people that could join $50k and north initiation probably don't face issue with demonstrating philanthropy. We should all be thinking of others without tax incentives anyway, especially the last couple years.

[SLUGCC2002]

15 hours ago, Schley said:

I think people that could join $50k and north initiation probably don't face issue with demonstrating philanthropy. We should all be thinking of others without tax incentives anyway, especially the last couple years.

 

You'd think they don't face an issue demonstrating that, but...

[djonno]

Bumping this, as I’m looking into joining Lake Success as well. Can you comment on the typical pace of play or generally how crowded it gets? It looks like the under 40 “junior” membership has an after-1pm weekend restriction, is that true? Any other helpful info for someone joining solo looking to potentially find some regular playing partners there?

[jin91]

Bumping this. I am looking to get a membership around westchester area as I live around west harlem. Any recommendations? I am thinking on Leewood CC/Pelham CC ,etc I think the price is affordable except that Pelham CC has initiation fee but can go with it.

Does anyone have membership at Leewood or Pelham and comment on the club?

[jin91]

@fundustrial sent you a PM on Wykagyl 

[JimMLINY]

Surprised by no mention of Knollwood Country Club unless i missed it.

[Smart Water]

How hard is Westchester Country Club or Sleepy Hollow to join? If anyone has contacts or info on either I would really appreciate a PM. Early 30s live on the UES.

 

 

[Golfingnut]

Bump. Westchester CC looks awesome with 36 holes and beach club. Any info on getting in / junior membership would be super helpful

[jin91]

Does anyone have experience with Knollwood CC? Would like to hear more about the club. Please PM me. Thanks!