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Monday, 22 June 2009 |
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Learn the game or hone your skills at Green Acres Golf Course
Construction on the Green Acres Golf Course began in 1963 on the former Kraus Farm property at the end of Harwich Street in the Town of Ulster. The course opened in July, 1964 under the ownership of Alexander Banyo. As Kingston's only public golf course, it has enjoyed steady play from spring through fall for four-plus decades.
Durrell Vigna, the current owner and operator of Green Acres, started working at the course in 1980, and in 1990 he bought the business. Now in his 20th season as owner of the business, the 46-year-old Durrell has come full circle, from wide open fairways, to a time when they were defined by rough, and now back to the original "design" that seemed to work so well in the beginning.
Green Acres is the "melting pot" of golf in Ulster County, welcoming beginners looking to learn the game, budget-minded weekend warriers looking for a fast and fun round and low-handicappers looking to work out the kinks in preparation for the annual Herdegen tournament.
There are no tee times at Green Acres and rates are the most affordable in the area. It's a place where you can (almost) always find your ball, advance it down the fairway and revel in the beauty of golf at its most elemental level.
A hole-by-hole tour of Green Acres
Hole #1, a par 4, measures 319 yards, Out of bounds on the left with a forgiving tree line on the right. Best played with a 9 iron or wedge after your drive to get on the green.
Hole #2, a par 4, measures 253 yards. Great Birdie opportunity with a straight fairway and flat green, but the putt is always the bread and butter here.
Hole #3, a par 3, measures 169 yards. This is one of the smaller greens, elevated above the Tee Box. Bring your “A” shot with a good 6 iron to be on in one!
Hole #4, a par 5, measures 437 yards. This is the first of two consecutive Par 5s with the most challenging green on the course slopping down the hill to the right.
Hole #5, a Par 5, measures 498 yards. If you can hit a big drive you will love this hole, very long and forgiving with a very wide flat green.
Hole #6, a par 4, measures 266 yards, This is one of the more narrow and shorter Par 4s with trouble on the left side.
Hole #7, a par 3, measures 184 yards, This hole is slightly uphill. Par is a great score on this hole.
Hole #8, a par 4, measures 348 yards, the longest Par 4 on the course. Dog leg left. Right center tee shot is the best here, leaving you with a 140 yard shot to a sloped green pitched away from you.
Hole #9, a par 4, measures 309 yards. Potential opportunity to drive the green here with risk reward results, with out of bounds on the left and a drainage ditch on the right.
GOLF FOR A CAUSE
If your club or organization is planning a charity golf tournament, e-mail the information to jpowers@freemanonline. com for inclusion in an upcoming Fairways golf page. |
