A handful of truly quirky, unusual courses exist well under the radar screen in the Met Area

BY CHUCK STOGEL

t first glance, the listing looks and reads York, also lists the house and grounds as being like other real estate particulars for “a magnificent collaboration between three luxurious homes with sizeable property brilliant architects, each a master in his field.” in the Hamptons: “60 acres. 20,000- There’s Allan Greenberg, the architect of square-foot manor house, eight bedrooms, 12 record, whose résumé includes work at baths. 14 gardens. Three ponds, stocked with The White House, Princeton University bass, perch, pickerel. Grass tennis court. Guest and Rockefeller Center. There’s landscape cottage. 75-foot flush-edge pool.” architect Edmund D. Hollander. Finally, On closer inspection, the write-up for there’s “golf course architect Rees Jones.” Three Ponds Farm in Bridgehampton, New Yes, that’s right. Three Ponds Farm, situated

John D. Rockefeller Sr. (above) was the visionary behind Pocantico Hills at his family’s Westchester estate. MARY LOUISE PETERSON LOUISE MARY

40 THE MET GOLFER OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2006 WWW.MGAGOLF.ORG on Scuttle Hole Road directly across the street was a recent convert to the game, but from Atlantic Golf Club (another Rees Jones was immediately smitten with it. In design), boasts its own course, of sorts. It’s a fact, in later years golf became four-green layout with a nine-hole, multiple-tee his favorite daily activity at routing, bearing an official USGA Course the family home, and he Rating and Slope. would often encourage Three Ponds Farm is one of the few non- other family members membership private estate courses left in to join him. the Met Area, along with the ’s Pocantico Hills Golf Course in Sleepy Hollow, , and the now-dormant, but also for sale, 350-acre Hammersley Hill estate in Pawling, New York. This trio headlines a fascinating but obscure subset of golf domains: quirky courses, rarely seen by everyday golfers, that boast intriguing histories and sublime design characteristics. In the early 1900s, there were up to a dozen or more estate layouts in the region. Some have survived as golf clubs today with memberships, others have simply disappeared. Such baronial courses of long ago include Julius Fleischman’s Harbor Hills in Sands Point, N.Y.; Montgomery Maze’s In 1901, nine-holer in Pearl River, N.Y.; Adolph Rockefeller hired “Young Zukor’s Dellwood in New City, N.Y.; Otto Willie” Dunn, who came from a noted Herman Kahn’s Oheka course in Cold Spring family of Scottish professionals, to build him Harbor, N.Y.; William K. Vanderbilt’s Deepdale a course at Kykuit. Dunn’s credits include forerunner in Lake Success, N.Y.; the Walter expanding the original 12-hole layout at W. Law course in Briarcliff Manor, N.Y.; and Shinnecock Hills to a full 18, along with J. Kennedy Tod’s private layout in Greenwich, creating the courses at Apawamis, Scarsdale Connecticut. and Ardsley. Dunn designed a 12-hole course Here’s a closer look at some of the Met that served the Rockefeller family for nearly area’s more charismatic layouts. four decades. In 1937, architect William S. Flynn was contracted by John D. Rockefeller Jr. to Originally part of an enormous 3,400-acre provide a more “modern” course at Pocantico family estate northeast of the Village of Sleepy Hills. Flynn also came with an impressive Hollow, Pocantico Hills Golf Course is adjacent résumé, having worked on the original East to Kykuit, the Classical Revival mansion built course at Merion near Philadelphia and, in 1913 for John D. Rockefeller. Although with construction engineer Howard Toomey, the mansion and surrounding grounds are built the present course at Shinnecock Hills now open six days a week for public tours as in 1931. part of Historic , the golf At Pocantico Hills, Flynn built a nine-hole course is strictly off limits except for select “reversible” course that stretches out in the family members and an occasional outside shape of a “C.” The routing has nine fairways group. and 13 greens, but is played as an 18-hole As a history of Pocantico Hills notes, golf course. Five greens are played twice, from The innovative routing at first came to the Rockefeller estate after John opposite directions. Three Ponds Farm (above) D. visited Lakewood, New Jersey, at that time The course became a favorite place for was conceived by Rees a lively tourist and winter golf destination. He several generations of Rockefellers. In the book Jones.

WWW.MGAGOLF.ORG THE MET GOLFER OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2006 41 The Rockefeller Family Home: Kykuit, more sloped than other Jones !NEW! Steven Rockefeller Jr. recalls the times layouts for two reasons: to help he spent with his grandfather on the accept approach shots; and because course. “Riding with him on the golf with minimal play, only a few hole 2006 cart was one of the great treats; you locations are needed. always got a series of terrific hugs and Should this be considered one of slaps on the back – it was very special.” Jones’ finest works? Steve Jr. also recalls the informality of “Well, it may be my most creative the course. “We often played without challenge,” said the architect. MGA & WMGA shoes or shirts. We even played with Gordon died in 2000 at age our dogs. It lends itself to beginners. 65, and Three Ponds Farm has DIRECTIONS You don’t feel the pressure of playing subsequently been listed for sale in front of a huge membership.” with Hamptons realtor Allen M. BOOK Overall, Pocantico Hills covers Schneider Associates. Asking price: 5,673 yards with a par of 36-34–70. $75 million. Scenic views of Kykuit, the Rockefeller Playhouse and glimpses of the abound from the golf course, making it a very special experience. Should you ever receive an invitation to play, accept it.

When real estate broker Edward S. Gordon and his wife, Cheryl, wanted to add a few golf holes to their Finding the Course 60-acre expanse in Bridgehamp- ton, Rees Jones got the call. Shouldn’t Be the Hardest Built in 1996, four years after Part of Golf! Atlantic opened, the course cov- ers 45 acres. With four greens The MGA and WMGA makes it easy to being used multiple times, there find your favorite golf course with the are numerous tee boxes and a sur- new and improved 2006 edition of their prisingly fluid routing that totals 18 popular DIRECTIONS BOOK that includes driving directions to more than holes with a par of 35-35–70, 300 clubs in the New York, New Jersey, including several crossings of both and Connecticut area. Conveniently Gordon Pond and Goldfish Pond. sized to fit in a glove compartment or From the championship tees, golf bag, and conveniently priced at Three Ponds Farm measures 6,307 only $20.00 per book (includes shipping yards. Although the sequence of pars & handling). mirrors each other for the front and ORDER FORM back nines, only the par-four fifth and 14th holes measure the same, at 280 Send___book(s) @ $20.00 each to: yards from the back tees. NAME:______“Three of the greens are played as ADDRESS:______double greens, and one green is CITY:______played three times, to make up the STATE:______ZIP:______basic nine holes,” said Jones. “Still, you play from so many different Total Enclosed:______directions, with different pars, you Nestled on an elevated, fertile plateau don’t realize you’ve played any of the in eastern Dutchess County, N.Y., the Be sure to include a check payable to the greens before.” hamlet of Quaker Hill sits three miles MGA for $20.00 per book and mail Overall, there are more than 25 east of Pawling Village. It was here payment to: tee boxes, a multitude of bunkers that the late Lowell Thomas, a world- that serve several holes from various renowned traveler, adventurer, collector, MGA 49 Knollwood Road directions, and a few doglegs. Greens broadcaster, writer and editor, set up his Elmsford, NY 10523 have multiple flags, for front and home and base of operations. or visit our website at back. The sides of the four greens are A sports devotee – he sponsored a www.mgagolf.org

42 THE MET GOLFER 2006 WWW.MGAGOLF.ORG traveling softball team called the Nine Old intact, wood-paneled Studio Museum from Babe Ruth was a regular at scenic Quaker Hill, and Men – Thomas was likewise an avid golfer which Thomas, who died in 1981, broadcast one photo in the who in the early 1940s engaged friend and many of his radio commentaries. His signature clubhouse shows him architect Robert Trent Jones to design two sign-on was, “Good evening, everybody,” arriving on a motorcycle separate courses for himself and guests. and his traditional sign-off was, “So long, (opposite page, middle). The first of the two layouts is now known until tomorrow.” as Quaker Hill Country Club. It’s a nine-holer, If Quaker Hill was Thomas’s playground with distinctly separate teeing areas to form 18 and broadcast studio, Hammersley Hill was holes, which opened in 1941. Overall, the course his residential estate. It too has, or had, a golf measures 6,110 yards with a par of 35-35–70. course. And just like Three Ponds Farm, it’s “It’s a very playable, but very challenging also for sale. course,” said Tony Vos, who’s been the head Now owned by Edgar Bronfman Jr., the pro since 2000. “You never get bored. The Seagram heir and entertainment entrepreneur, greens, particularly, require a lot of local Hammersley Hill is less than a mile from knowledge.” the Quaker Hill club. Although the original With a membership of just 150 families, mansion is gone, this is where Thomas lived the club prides itself on its friendly atmosphere, and, in 1944, where architect Jones often “affordability” and not having advance tee times. stayed while he was crafting the IBM course Facilities include tennis, a well-manicured now called Casperkill Country Club in nearby croquet layout surrounded by ladder-back Poughkeepsie. Jones laid out six holes at benches and, perhaps most notable of all, a Hammersley in 1944 and the parcel was 19th century barn converted into a clubhouse expanded to a nine-hole routing 25 years later. and museum. “It’s quite a course. It really had excellent The upstairs level of The Barn, as it is greens and some long, long holes,” said called, features a History of Civilization Michael Liffland, the property manager who Fireplace in a great room with a stage and was hired in 1969 and has been on the scene former projection room, and a well-preserved, ever since.

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WWW.MGAGOLF.ORG THE MET GOLFER OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2006 43 According to Liffland, one hole measured 870 yards with a par of 7 1/2, another hole Not too far south of Quaker Hill is secluded and stretched 640 yards, and with other holes clandestine Morefar, whose crafting was bearing pars of 31/2 and 41/2, the nine holes inspired by lone entrepreneur and insurance had a cumulative par of 371/2. “Mr. Thomas magnate Edwin Cornelius Vander Starr. assigned some unusual pars, with half-pars C.V. Starr, as he was known, established counting,” said the property manager. the first insurance venture in Shanghai in Apparently, a ball within a club length was 1919. He became a devotee of Asian culture a gimme for a half-stroke, or so legend has it. and artwork, and went on to found the current And who’s to argue? Thomas was the owner firm known as American International Group and rules maker. (AIG). Liffland said he is still mowing 85 acres Morefar, which is sometimes called Back that comprised a portion of the course, and O’ Beyond, occupies 500 acres amidst a several greens are puttable, but nobody really landscape of stone walls and wooded hillsides plays there. The course, however, could easily acquired by Starr in 1941. The course, which be resurrected. Listed with realtors Houlihan is not visible from the pillared entranceway, Lawrence of Brewster, N.Y., the asking price was built in two segments: The front nine is is a modest $15 million. credited to architect Val Carlson and the Golf Comes to Governors Island hen the U.S. Coast Guard abandoned Governors Island in W1996 after a 30-year stay, it left behind the remnants of a short course with six greens that is being resurrected and renovated for a four-day event in October called the Golf Classic. Various competitions and clinics from October 19 through 22 will feature professional stars Tom Watson, Annika Sorenstam and Natalie Gulbis, actors Craig T. Nelson, Dennis Quaid, William Shatner and Bruce McGill, teaching guru Hank Haney and Donald Trump. Golf was first played on Governors Island around 1903, and since the island is situated a mere 800 yards off the southern tip of Manhattan, golfers who played the previous course report there is virtually no better or more impressive view of the Big Apple. Site of the 1988 summit “This is a significant challenge, with a appeared to be an underground brick meeting between U.S. President Ronald lot of different entities to deal with,” said structure. Stopping at that point, and Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail McNeil. “We spent one entire day with [a] calling in an archaeologist, it was Gorbachev, 150 of the property’s current bomb squad, just to make sure the course determined the edifice was once a 173 acres are under the domain of a joint was safe. There were a lot of unidentified walkway connecting one of the forts to city/state agency called the Governors [ordinance] situations we had to avoid. another. That necessitated a little more Island Preservation & Education We’re just not sure what’s down there reshaping of one of the greens. Corporation The remainder is controlled [underground]. It’s a very delicate “It took a little creative juice to make it by the . situation.” all work,” added McNeil, whose plans Governors Island originally consisted of After a half-dozen locations were called for sodding tees and greens, and a six-hole course situated on just under 10 marked, Basiliere moved in with the seeding fairways. “But it’s a breathtaking acres. For the one-time golf event, restriction that he could only move dirt location.” architect Robert McNeil of Northeast Golf around and not add any to the property. Because of the crisscrossing nature of in Saunderstown, Rhode Island, was “It’s the first time I’ve had to deal with the course, only one foursome will play at employed to design a nine-hole, multiple- any possible bombs in the ground,” he a time. In fact, they may be the last tee routing using the six existing greens, said. “We were a little nervous at first. We foursomes to ever play there. Since there and Jim Basiliere of East Coast Shaping in resurfaced the tees, changed their is no commitment to the Manhattan Golf Plainville, Conn., handled the renovation. positioning a bit and reshaped all the Classic beyond this year, there is no Under tight restrictions, both were faced greens using a small, multi-terrain loader official word what will happen to the with tasks they’ve never encountered and no bulldozer at all.” temporary course at the conclusion of the previously. At one location, Basiliere & Co. hit what event.

44 THE MET GOLFER OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2006 WWW.MGAGOLF.ORG The memorable bronze statues at Morefar are situated throughout the golf course.

back nine, which was added in 1964, was the ashes of C.V. Starr where golfers may pay designed by Edward Ryder, who also did their respects. In keeping with the founder’s the public Richter Park layout in nearby Asian fascination, many of the buildings at Danbury, Conn. Coincidentally, Richter Park Morefar are decorated with Asian designs and Morefar have long-distance views of each and the club logo consists of three Chinese other, across a lake called Boggs Pond. characters which, roughly translated, mean According to one story, Morefar got its “faraway place.” name because C.V. Starr hired Chinese laborers Still, it’s the on-course sculptures that most to work on the property and, when visitors visitors continue to talk about after a visit from New York would ask where the location to Morefar. There are dozens of bronze was, they were told: “More far. More far.” sculptures, and the artwork includes nymphs, Back O’ Beyond, meanwhile, is an Australian nudes, animals, a boy fishing in a pond term meaning the middle of nowhere. and, in a bunker fronting the par-four fifth Starr died in 1968 at age 76, and since green, a boy and girl at play. By rule, if any then AIG or related entities have controlled of the statues interfere with a player’s stance the club and course. Membership was limited or swing, they are considered an “immovable to executives and a few selected locals, and obstruction” and the golfer is allowed to drop tee times were at first restricted to one group within a club length. on the course at a time (now since increased “The sculptures are remarkably life-like to a leisurely four groups an hour, if that). and usually appear animated,” said Howard As a course, Morefar is tree-lined, with Munck, who has played the course. “It can be rolling terrain and numerous elevation a little unsettling when you’re standing on the changes. Most notably, the tee box for the tee box, overshadowed by the sculptures. 13th hole, a 150-yard par three, actually sits But they are unforgettable.” just off shore in Boggs Pond, and plays back Unforgettable is a word often used by those over water to the mainland. lucky enough to have played any of these Between the 14th green and 15th tee, quirky courses of the Met Area. ■ overlooking the lake and nestled among trees Chuck Stogel is a frequent contributor to The Met and flowers, is a reverent burial site containing Golfer. He lives in White Plains, New York.

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