St. George’s Golf and Country Club: Long Island’s Hidden Gem

News Summary

St. George’s Golf and Country Club in East Setauket, New York, is gaining recognition as a hidden gem among Long Island’s golf courses. Designed by Devereux Emmet in 1917 and restored by Gil Hanse in 1999, this historic course offers a unique golfing experience with its dramatic topography and challenging holes. Despite its understated location and lack of championship history, St. George’s is capturing the attention of golf enthusiasts seeking quality and rich design.

St. George’s Golf and Country Club: Discovering Long Island’s Hidden Gem

Nestled in East Setauket, New York, St. George’s Golf and Country Club is proving to be a hidden gem among Long Island’s rich golfing landscape. Designed back in 1917 by the esteemed architect Devereux Emmet, the course has recently rejuvenated its charm thanks to a meticulous restoration led by Gil Hanse in 1999. While the buzz often revolves around its more illustrious neighbors like National Golf Links of America and Shinnecock Hills, St. George’s is steadily carving out a place in the hearts of golf enthusiasts.

A Journey Back in Time

When you step onto the fairways of St. George’s, you’re not just playing a round of golf; you’re experiencing a piece of history. Emmet, who initially dabbled in golf course architecture as a hobby before making it his full-time career in the 1920s, crafted a layout that has stood the test of time. This particular course was designed with unique features that entice both novice golfers and seasoned players.

Interestingly, the original routing of the course was quite different. The 12th hole was intended to start your adventure while the par-3 11th served as the grand finale. Previously, the 11th played as a blind shot from across the road, stretching a challenging 246 yards, adding to the excitement of that hole.

Behind the Scenes: The Restoration Process

Fast forward to 1995, when Hanse strode in with a vision to restore St. George’s to its former glory. His restoration efforts have been methodical, carefully enhancing the course’s features while respecting Emmet’s original design philosophy. As a result, each completed task has boosted the presentation quality, pushing the course’s rating higher than ever.

What Makes St. George’s Unforgettable?

The defining characteristic of St. George’s golf course is its dramatic topography which creates a variety of unforgettable holes. Golfers will find themselves challenged by the small, subtly sloping greens that require precision and finesse with every putt. The course is split by Sheep Pasture Road, with each side offering its own unique challenges and scenic views.

The stretch from holes 12 to 18 is particularly thrilling. This closing sequence provides a tantalizing mix of design and difficulty, and players will soon learn to appreciate the strategic placement of bunkers and mounds. The north side of Sheep Pasture Road features a more pronounced ridge, further enhancing the theatrical elements of play.

Why It Remains Under the Radar

Despite its rich design and exceptional features, St. George’s has historically flown under the radar of golf architecture aficionados. The course’s lack of a championship history and its understated location haven’t drawn the spotlight as brighter courses have. However, that’s beginning to change as word spreads about the amazing offerings here.

A Growing Reputation