Golf enthusiasts know that the PGA (Professional Golfers’ Association) plays at some of the most prestigious golf courses in the world. In New York, there are several golf courses that have hosted PGA tournaments, attracting golfers and spectators from all over. This guide will take you on a journey to discover the best golf courses in New York for the PGA, where you can experience the thrill of the game and admire the beauty of the surrounding landscapes. Get ready to tee off at some of the most iconic golf courses in the state, from the lush greens of the North Shore to the challenging links of the Hudson Valley. Whether you’re a seasoned golfer or a beginner, this guide has something for everyone. So pack your clubs and get ready to discover the best golf courses in New York for the PGA.

New York’s Premier Golf Courses for the PGA

The Country Club at Lake Oswego

History and Significance

The Country Club at Lake Oswego is a prestigious golf club located in the heart of Oregon. Established in 1922, the club has a rich history of hosting high-profile golf tournaments, including the PGA Tour’s annual stop in the Pacific Northwest. Over the years, the club has been home to numerous championships, including the U.S. Open, the Masters, and the British Open.

Course Design and Layout

The Country Club at Lake Oswego boasts a championship golf course that spans 18 holes, designed by the renowned architect, Tom Fazio. The course is known for its challenging layout, with narrow fairways and strategically placed bunkers. The course also features several water hazards, including a picturesque lake that comes into play on several holes.

The course is routed through mature trees and features several elevation changes, adding to the challenge of the course. The greens are large and undulating, making precision approach shots crucial to scoring well.

Notable Tournaments Hosted

The Country Club at Lake Oswego has hosted several notable golf tournaments over the years, including the U.S. Open, the Masters, and the British Open. The club has also been the site of the PGA Tour’s annual stop in the Pacific Northwest, the Wells Fargo Championship, which has been held at the course since 2006.

The club has also hosted the NCAA Men’s Golf Championship, as well as several USGA national championships, including the U.S. Amateur and the U.S. Women’s Open. The club’s reputation as a host of high-profile golf tournaments has helped to establish it as one of the premier golf clubs in the country.

Winged Foot Golf Club

Winged Foot Golf Club, established in 1921, is a private golf club located in Mamaroneck, New York. The club was founded by a group of six individuals who shared a passion for golf and desired to create a premier golfing facility in the New York area. Over the years, Winged Foot has become one of the most prestigious golf clubs in the United States, hosting numerous high-profile tournaments and attracting top golfers from around the world.

Winged Foot Golf Club boasts two 18-hole courses, the East and West courses, both designed by the renowned golf course architect, A.W. Tillinghast. The courses are known for their challenging terrain, with narrow fairways, strategically placed bunkers, and undulating greens. The West Course, in particular, is considered one of the most difficult courses in the United States, with its signature “S”-shaped fairway on the 18th hole, which demands precise shot-making from golfers.

Winged Foot Golf Club has a rich history of hosting prominent golf tournaments, including the U.S. Open Championship four times, most recently in 2006. The club has also hosted the U.S. Amateur Championship, the U.S. Women’s Open Championship, and the PGA Championship, among other prestigious events. The club’s reputation as a challenging and demanding course has earned it a place among the top golfing venues in the world, making it an ideal location for PGA tournaments.

Shinnecock Hills Golf Club

Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, located in Southampton, New York, is one of the oldest and most prestigious golf clubs in the United States. Founded in 1891, the club was originally established as a private golf club for the exclusive use of its members. Over the years, Shinnecock Hills has become known for its challenging course design, world-class amenities, and rich history.

The course at Shinnecock Hills was designed by the renowned golf course architect, Charles Blair Macdonald, and his son, Rees Jones. The course is situated on over 300 acres of rolling hills and dunes, providing a challenging and picturesque setting for golfers. The course is known for its narrow fairways, strategically placed bunkers, and challenging greens, making it a true test of skill for even the most experienced golfers.

Shinnecock Hills Golf Club has hosted several prestigious golf tournaments over the years, including the U.S. Open Championship in 1896, 1986, and 2018. The club has also hosted the U.S. Women’s Open Championship, the Walker Cup, and the Curtis Cup, among other notable events. The club’s rich history and reputation as a challenging course have made it a popular destination for golfers and spectators alike.

Olympic Club

The Olympic Club, located in San Francisco, California, is one of the oldest and most prestigious golf clubs in the United States. Founded in 1865, the club has a rich history that includes hosting the U.S. Open four times and the U.S. Amateur five times. The club’s name is derived from the Olympic Games, which were held in California in 1936.

The Olympic Club’s golf course was designed by renowned architects Alister MacKenzie and Robert Trent Jones Sr. The course features a unique three-course layout, with the Lake Course serving as the primary course for PGA events. The Lake Course is a par-70, 6,711-yard course that features narrow fairways, strategically placed bunkers, and challenging greens. The course also includes a number of water hazards, including the famed “Devil’s Triangle” stretch of holes 8 through 10.

The Olympic Club has hosted some of the most prestigious golf tournaments in the world, including the U.S. Open, the U.S. Amateur, and the PGA Championship. The course has also hosted numerous other professional and amateur events, including the Western Open, the Women’s U.S. Open, and the California State Open. In addition to its impressive tournament history, the Olympic Club is also known for its role in the development of golf in the United States. The club has produced numerous golf champions, including Johnny Miller, Bob Rosburg, and Tiger Woods.

Quaker Ridge Golf Club

Quaker Ridge Golf Club, established in 1916, holds a significant place in the history of golf in New York. Located in Scarsdale, the club has been a staple of the Westchester golf community for over a century. It has been host to numerous prestigious tournaments and has been the stage for some of the most notable performances in golf.

Quaker Ridge Golf Club boasts a beautifully designed course that has been meticulously crafted to challenge even the most skilled golfers. The layout features a unique blend of natural and man-made hazards, including numerous bunkers, water hazards, and strategically placed trees. The course is characterized by its rolling terrain, which provides golfers with both elevation changes and challenging lies.

Throughout its storied history, Quaker Ridge Golf Club has hosted numerous prestigious tournaments, including the Metropolitan Golf Association’s (MGA) Championship and the Westchester Open. These events have brought some of the world’s top golfers to the course, further solidifying its place as one of the premier golfing destinations in New York.

The club has also played host to the Met Junior Championship, which is one of the most highly regarded junior golf events in the region. This event provides an opportunity for young golfers to showcase their skills on a challenging and prestigious course, and it has been a stepping stone for many future PGA Tour players.

Overall, Quaker Ridge Golf Club is a must-visit destination for any serious golfer looking to experience the best that New York golf has to offer. Its rich history, challenging layout, and impressive list of hosted tournaments make it a standout among the state’s many excellent golf courses.

The Ridgewood Country Club

The Ridgewood Country Club, established in 1893, is a historic and prestigious golf club located in the heart of New York City. Its founding members included some of the city’s most prominent businessmen and society figures, who sought to create a private retreat for golf enthusiasts. Over the years, the club has hosted numerous notable events and attracted a diverse range of members, including several PGA champions.

The Ridgewood Country Club boasts an 18-hole golf course that was designed by renowned architect A.W. Tillinghast. The course is characterized by its narrow fairways, strategically placed bunkers, and small greens, which challenge even the most skilled golfers. The layout winds through the rolling hills and dense forests of the club’s property, providing players with stunning views of the surrounding landscape while testing their shot-making abilities.

Throughout its history, the Ridgewood Country Club has hosted numerous prestigious golf tournaments, including the U.S. Open in 1905 and the PGA Championship in 1924. More recently, the club has played host to the Northern Trust Open, a FedEx Cup playoff event on the PGA Tour, as well as the Wyndham Championship, an event on the PGA Tour’s regular season. These tournaments have brought some of the world’s top golfers to the club, further solidifying its reputation as one of the premier golf courses in New York for the PGA.

Factors Contributing to New York’s Exceptional Golf Courses

Climate and Topography

New York’s climate and topography play a significant role in shaping the state’s exceptional golf courses. The state’s diverse geography, including its rolling hills, dense forests, and winding rivers, provide a unique landscape for golf course designers to work with. Additionally, New York’s mild climate allows for year-round golfing, making it an attractive destination for golf enthusiasts.

Impact on Course Design

The climate and topography of New York have a profound impact on the design of golf courses in the state. Designers must take into account the state’s natural features, such as its rolling hills and dense forests, when designing courses. This often leads to the creation of challenging and unique golf courses that offer a distinctive experience for players.

Moreover, the state’s mild climate allows for a longer golfing season, which enables designers to create courses that can be played year-round. This has led to the development of a wide range of courses that cater to golfers of all skill levels and preferences.

Maintaining Course Conditions

The climate and topography of New York also play a crucial role in maintaining the conditions of golf courses in the state. The state’s diverse geography and changing weather patterns can create challenges for course maintenance crews. For example, heavy rain and strong winds can damage greens and fairways, while extreme heat can cause drought conditions that can affect the health of the turf.

To maintain optimal playing conditions, golf courses in New York employ a range of strategies, including irrigation systems, fertilization programs, and regular mowing and maintenance. These efforts ensure that courses remain in top condition throughout the year, providing golfers with a high-quality playing experience.

Innovative Course Designers

Architects and Their Influence

The architecture of a golf course plays a significant role in its overall quality and playability. New York boasts a wide range of golf courses designed by some of the most renowned architects in the industry. These architects have each brought their unique vision and style to the courses they’ve designed, resulting in a diverse array of challenging and visually stunning layouts.

Some of the most influential architects who have designed golf courses in New York include:

• A.W. Tillinghast: Tillinghast is widely regarded as one of the greatest golf course architects of all time. He designed or redesigned more than 400 courses, including several in New York. His work can be seen at Bethpage State Park, Winged Foot Golf Club, and The Country Club at Brookline, among others.
• Donald Ross: Ross was a Scottish-born architect who brought his traditional links-style design to the United States. He designed or redesigned over 400 courses, including several in New York, such as Pinehurst No. 2 and the iconic Oak Hill Country Club in Rochester.
• Charles Banks: Banks was a successful businessman and golf course architect who designed several courses in New York, including the famed Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton. Banks’ courses are known for their strategic design and attention to detail.

Design Elements and Strategies

The design elements and strategies employed by these architects have contributed significantly to the success of New York’s golf courses. Some of the key design elements and strategies include:

• Natural landforms and hazards: Many of New York’s golf courses are built on land with natural features such as rolling hills, forests, and waterways. Architects have incorporated these features into the courses, using them as hazards and as part of the strategic design.
• Green complexes: The greens on New York’s golf courses are often large and undulating, with multiple tiers and strategically placed bunkers. This design element requires players to be skilled at reading greens and executing precise shots.
• Fairway width and tree placement: Architects have used the width of fairways and the placement of trees to create strategic options for players. Wide fairways can be taken advantage of by longer hitters, while narrower fairways force players to make more precise shots. Trees can also be used to block certain lines of play or create opportunities for risk and reward.

These design elements and strategies contribute to the challenging and diverse nature of New York’s golf courses, making them a favorite among PGA professionals and amateurs alike.

Golf Club Management and Maintenance

Best Practices and Innovations

In order to maintain exceptional golf courses, the management of these clubs must adhere to best practices and implement innovative strategies. These practices may include:

• Regularly monitoring and maintaining the quality of the playing surface
• Implementing sustainable and environmentally friendly practices
• Utilizing the latest technology to enhance the golfing experience
• Providing top-notch amenities and services for players and guests

Ensuring Superior Playing Conditions

One of the primary objectives of golf club management is to ensure that the course is in top condition for players. This involves regular maintenance and upkeep, including:

• Mowing and trimming the fairways, roughs, and greens
• Aerating and fertilizing the soil to promote healthy growth
• Repairing and maintaining bunkers, sand traps, and other hazards
• Maintaining and updating equipment and machinery

By adhering to these best practices and innovations, as well as prioritizing superior playing conditions, golf clubs in New York can maintain their reputation as some of the best in the country.

PGA Tournaments Hosted by New York’s Premier Golf Courses

US Open Championships

Historical Overview

The US Open Championships is one of the four major championships in professional golf, and it has been hosted by some of the best golf courses in New York since 1895. The tournament has a rich history, with many legendary golfers having won the championship over the years. Some of the most notable winners include Willie Anderson, Bobby Jones, Ben Hogan, Jack Nicklaus, and Tiger Woods.

Significant Moments and Winners

One of the most significant moments in the history of the US Open Championships was in 1905 when the tournament was first held at the historic St. Andrews Club in Yonkers, New York. Another memorable moment was in 1913 when Francis Ouimet became the first amateur golfer to win the championship, which helped to popularize the sport in the United States.

In recent years, the US Open Championships has seen some incredible moments, such as Tiger Woods’ famous victory in 2008 at Torrey Pines, where he won despite a broken leg. Another memorable moment was when Phil Mickelson won the tournament in 2010 at Pebble Beach, which was his long-awaited first major championship victory.

Future Hosting Sites

The US Open Championships is set to be hosted at several prestigious golf courses in New York in the coming years. In 2021, the tournament will be held at Torrey Pines in San Diego, California, before returning to New York in 2022 to be hosted at the historic Oakmont Country Club in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Other upcoming hosting sites for the tournament include Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, New York, and Pinehurst Resort in North Carolina.

Other Major Tournaments

New York’s premier golf courses have played host to a variety of major tournaments in addition to the PGA Championship. These include:

• The Ryder Cup: The Ryder Cup is a biennial professional golf competition between teams from Europe and the United States. It is one of the most prestigious events in golf, and it has been held at several of New York’s top golf courses, including the Olympic Club in San Francisco and the Bethpage State Park Course on Long Island.
• The Solheim Cup: The Solheim Cup is a biennial professional golf competition between teams from Europe and the United States. It is the female equivalent of the Ryder Cup, and it has been held at several of New York’s top golf courses, including the Olympic Club in San Francisco and the Bethpage State Park Course on Long Island.

These tournaments bring together the best golfers from around the world, and they provide a unique opportunity for golf enthusiasts to witness some of the most talented players in the sport. Whether you’re a seasoned golfer or simply a fan of the sport, attending one of these major tournaments is an experience you won’t soon forget.

New York’s Golfing Legacy and Future

Notable Golfers and Their Impact

Career Highlights and Achievements

• Gary Player: With nine major championships to his name, Player is considered one of the greatest golfers of all time. He has also won the U.S. Open, British Open, and PGA Championship.
• Tiger Woods: Woods has won 15 major championships and is known for his impressive skills on the course. He has won the U.S. Open, British Open, and PGA Championship multiple times.
• Phil Mickelson: Mickelson has won five major championships and is known for his exceptional ball-striking abilities. He has won the U.S. Open, British Open, and PGA Championship.

Contributions to the Sport

• Gary Player: In addition to his success on the course, Player has also been a pioneer in the sport of golf. He has worked tirelessly to promote the game and has helped to improve the lives of countless young golfers through his charitable efforts.
• Tiger Woods: Woods has been credited with bringing a new level of excitement and popularity to the sport of golf. His success on the course has inspired a new generation of golfers and has helped to make the sport more accessible to people of all ages and backgrounds.
• Phil Mickelson: Mickelson has been a vocal advocate for the sport of golf and has worked tirelessly to promote it both on and off the course. He has also been instrumental in raising funds for various charitable causes and has helped to make golf more accessible to people of all ages and backgrounds.

Growing the Game

New York’s commitment to fostering the growth of golf is evident in the numerous initiatives aimed at promoting the sport among diverse communities. By investing in youth development programs, women’s golf initiatives, and diversity and inclusion efforts, New York is ensuring that golf remains a thriving and accessible sport for generations to come.

Youth Development Programs

Encouraging young people to take up golf is essential to the sport’s continued growth. New York’s youth development programs provide a comprehensive introduction to golf, offering children the opportunity to learn the game from experienced professionals. These programs often include clinics, coaching sessions, and tournaments tailored to different age groups, ensuring that young golfers receive the support and guidance they need to excel.

Women’s Golf Initiatives

Women’s golf has experienced tremendous growth in recent years, and New York is committed to supporting this trend. By organizing events and programs specifically for women, such as ladies’ days, women-only tournaments, and instructional clinics, New York is helping to foster a strong and vibrant women’s golf community. These initiatives provide a welcoming environment for women to learn, compete, and connect with other female golfers, further strengthening the sport’s appeal.

Diversity and Inclusion Efforts

Diversifying golf’s participation is crucial to ensuring its continued relevance and growth. New York’s diversity and inclusion efforts target underrepresented communities, offering access to golf through outreach programs, scholarships, and adapted equipment. By working with organizations and community leaders, New York is actively engaged in removing barriers to entry and fostering a more inclusive environment for golfers of all backgrounds.

Through these targeted initiatives, New York is actively working to grow the game by engaging new and diverse audiences, nurturing future generations of golfers, and promoting inclusivity on and off the course.

The Future of Golf in New York

Emerging Trends and Technologies

As the world of golf continues to evolve, new trends and technologies are emerging that promise to shape the future of the sport in New York. One of the most significant developments is the increased use of technology in golf courses, with the implementation of GPS-enabled devices and other advanced equipment allowing players to track their performance and improve their skills. Additionally, the growing popularity of indoor golf simulators and virtual reality experiences is providing golfers with year-round access to the sport, even in inclement weather.

Expansion and Development of Golf Courses

New York’s golf courses are undergoing expansion and development, with many courses investing in improvements to their facilities and infrastructure. This includes the construction of new holes, the expansion of existing courses, and the installation of state-of-the-art irrigation and drainage systems. These improvements are designed to enhance the playing experience for golfers, while also helping to preserve the natural beauty of the courses.

Preserving the Sport’s Heritage

As golf continues to grow in popularity in New York, it is essential to preserve the sport’s rich heritage and traditions. This includes honoring the game’s history through the preservation of historic courses and landmarks, as well as promoting the values of sportsmanship, integrity, and respect for the game. By celebrating the sport’s past while embracing its future, golf in New York can continue to thrive and remain a beloved pastime for generations to come.

FAQs

1. Where does the PGA play in New York?

The PGA plays at various golf courses throughout New York. Some of the most popular courses include the Bethpage State Park’s Black Course, which has hosted the U.S. Open four times, and the Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, which has hosted the U.S. Open three times. Other notable courses include the Olympic Club in San Francisco, the Torrey Pines Golf Course in La Jolla, California, and the Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Maryland.

2. What are the best golf courses in New York for the PGA?

There are many great golf courses in New York for the PGA, but some of the best include the Bethpage State Park’s Black Course, the Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, and the Oakmont Country Club in Oakmont, Pennsylvania. These courses offer challenging play and beautiful scenery, making them popular choices for PGA tournaments.

3. Are there any PGA tournaments in New York?

Yes, there are several PGA tournaments held in New York each year. The most notable is the U.S. Open, which is held at various courses throughout the state. Other PGA tournaments held in New York include the PGA Championship, the Players Championship, and the Masters Tournament.

4. How can I attend a PGA tournament in New York?

To attend a PGA tournament in New York, you will need to purchase tickets in advance. Tickets can be purchased through the PGA’s official website or through authorized ticket sellers. It’s important to note that tickets for PGA tournaments can be expensive, so it’s a good idea to plan ahead and budget accordingly.

5. What should I bring to a PGA tournament in New York?

When attending a PGA tournament in New York, it’s important to dress comfortably and wear sunscreen. You may also want to bring a hat and sunglasses to protect yourself from the sun. Additionally, you should bring a camera to capture photos of the action on the course. It’s also a good idea to bring some cash and a credit card, as well as any medications you may need. Finally, be sure to bring your own food and drinks, as concessions can be expensive at PGA tournaments.

Meet The NY Area Club Pros Playing In PGA Championship