Reflections on Long Island Part Two of Four
Several weeks ago, I joined up with nearly 100 of my golf course architect friends from Europe, Australia and the US for five days of golf, architectural study and camaraderie on some of our country’s finest venues. Our destination: Long Island, NY.
This is the second installment of four entries, or otherwise the second day of the trip. Day two found us at the National Golf Links of America, on the eastern tip of Long Island on Peconic Bay. We had to drive through a part of Shinnecock Hills Golf Club to reach the National – the masterpiece of C.B. Macdonald and were greeted with what is perhaps one of the most breathtaking settings in golf. I have related many times with others about certain “religious” experiences in golf…such as the first tee (or closing green) at The Old Course at St. Andrews, playing the 18th at Pebble Beach, coming through the gates at Augusta National for the first time, or experiencing the 15th and 16th holes at Cypress Point. Well, add to that list playing NGLA.
View of the grand clubhouse atop the hill, alongside the finishing hole "Home" and the panaramic views of Peconic Bay that surround.
Aside from the omnipresent, iconic windmill, the setting and the unique holes are just awe striking. Macdonald is famous for employing “template holes” throughout his designs, or complementary reproductions of holes that he deemed worthy from his experiences in Scotland. The amazing thing about his hole replications is that they absolutely work and fit, not only on the site, but in the sequence that he arranged them. Each and every hole provides the golfer with an amazing variety of strategic choices and options to consider. Frankly, I can hardly think of a more enjoyable way to play golf.
From the tee of the 15th at NGLA, "Narrows", with the iconic windmill lurking. A stunningly beautiful and strategic par four. The windmill story goes like this: a founding member came up with the idea of the windmill (just an idea), so C.B. Macdonald went off and had it built, and then sent him the full bill!
Yes, indeed some of the shots are quirky, and completely unconventional compared to modern expectations…which I really enjoy! If you have played and enjoyed golf in the British Isles, then you would absolutely love and appreciate NGLA. Our group played the par four 16th (Punchbowl) which has a concave green that is stuck behind a large berm with bunkers – it is essentially a blind approach shot. But it is such great fun to walk up and over or around the mounding to find out where the balls came to rest. And for our group, we all played the hole slightly differently, but found that we had all come to rest on the green…all within 10 feet!! We were all overjoyed! What fun this game can be! The course presented so many options that it became a veritable chess match between player and course….as golf should be.
From behind the 16th hole, "Punchbowl". The group back in the fairway has no idea the target is so receptive!
We all likely know the holes at National: Valley, Sahara, Alps, Redan, Hog’s Back, Short, St. Andrews, Bottle, Long, Shinnecock, Plateau, Sebonac, Eden, Cape, Narrows, Punchbowl, Peconic and Home. What an assembly of golf experiences. If there were only one disappointment, I would have to say I was dismayed at the obnoxious clubhouse for the new Sebonac Course next door. It towers high above on a nearby ridge and essentially hangs over National, as if to say, “Look at me….I’m bigger and better.” And whether that is true or not, the move was classless – I’ll keep my vote with tradition and NGLA.
Often reproduced, the par 3 4th, "Redan" at NGLA is among the best renditions of this template.
Probably the most moving thing I can say about National Golf Links is that I would absolutely enjoy playing that course again and again and again, for the rest of my life if I were so fortunate….the same way I feel about The Old Course, Prestwick, North Berwick, Shorecares and a handful of others. What a joy it would be to continue to figure out the best ways to play each of those unique holes, with all of their options and nuances and under different conditions. Throw in all the history, the amazing food and service and you have something that is awfully hard to beat…. And I’m pretty sure that is what C.B. Macdonald set out to create. I’m getting started right away on finding someone’s rear to kiss to get the chance to go back! And maybe I’ll get to play Shinnecock on that visit too!
Above(left), the par 4, 3rd, "Alps" - one of the more difficult but ingeniously strategic holes I've ever played! Above (right) the table is set for our lunch - which words could not possibly describe!
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