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Red Hook Golf Club welcomes new members and public play
Located three miles east of Red Hook on Route 199 is the Red Hook Golf Club. After originally opening in 1931 as nine holes, the two hundred acre course expanded in the mid nineties to eighteen. The expansion was the result of a monumental effort on the part of members at Red Hook who cleared over 8,000 apple trees and 600 pine trees to open the areas needed for the added nine holes. The effort was believed to have saved the club an estimated $500,000. Five years elapsed from the time of cutting the first of the trees to the opening as eighteen in 1996.
Members of Red Hook are proud of what was accomplished over ten years ago. Today it continues as a semi-private club that welcomes the public who are able to make reservations to play up to two days in advance.
The course provides a challenge to all levels of golfing ability with its four sets of tees for each hole. Playing from the championship tees at 6539 yards gives a challenge for the low handicappers. From the front tees Red Hook plays to 5188 yards.
Play begins with a dogleg par four of 364 yards and is followed by the first of four special par threes. It plays to 191 yards from an elevated championship tee.
As play continues from the townhouse lined first two holes one finds the panoramic number one handicap par five that plays between individual homes on the right and woods to the left. The fourth hole plays as a dogleg right of 384 yards and is followed with the second par five of the front nine, a 476 yard risk/reward hole with a green tucked behind a row of trees.
The old signature hole at Red Hook follows. It is the second par three, a 138 yard hole from an elevated tee to an elevated green. Left to play on the front nine are three par fours, none straight, that range from 336 yards to 380. Each of these holes tests one's golfing skills, seven hitting to a small green bunkered front left and right and sloped sharply off the green to low lying areas. Eight appears docile, but don't be fooled. The green slopes away from you, and if the dogleg is not managed off the tee the second shot will be with a long iron or wood. Number nine finishes with an inclined green from the front to the middle, sloping down and right towards the back. Shot placement is vital to a good score on this hole as a three putt or more could end the front nine.
When one enters the back nine the atmosphere changes to a meandering nine holes through an isolated wooded area. After the tenth hole par four comes one of the premier par fours of the Hudson Valley, a narrow hole of 412 yards. The eleventh hole was the only hole left unchanged during the 1990's expansion. When the Pennsylvania architect, Dave Horn, saw the hole he could find no way to improve the dynamic par four.
Number twelve is a picturesque 141 yard par three from an elevated tee to a green tucked among the trees. Number thirteen, considered the new signature hole, is a par five that yields many birdies but also some of the highest scores for the course. This hole, characterized by a hidden pond two hundred yards from the tee, requires a second shot carry over water either left or right of a tall pine tree in the middle of the fairway. It is reachable in two but shot placement is paramount.
Fourteen follows with a challenging drive over an environmental area to a fairway crossed by a stream and ending with a short iron to a raised green. The last of the par threes follow, a 134 yard shot to a large undulating green that requires some skilled putting for a successful par or birdie.
The final three holes offer unique characteristics. Sixteen is a par four dogleg left with a large tree in the center of the fairway at the dogleg. Driving accuracy is a must to reach a green bordered left and right with tall trees that frame the entrance. Seventeen is the longest hole on the back nine at 544 yards. Trees are on the right and left off the tee followed by an accurate second shot away from out of bounds on the left. The green is marked with a pot bunker front right and a grass bunker to the left. Eighteen brings you back to the clubhouse. It is a 315 yard par four to an elevated green surrounded by four bunkers.
Red Hook carries a 71.9 rating from the championship tees and a 135 slope. From the club tees the course is sloped at 132 and has a rating of 70.1. Course conditions are second to none in the Hudson Valley. Fairways are lush, roughs are to be avoided, and greens are fast.
Before playing the championship course players are able to use a full practice facility for driving, putting, iron, and sand practice. Besides the course and practice facility there is a program for juniors offered by John Mahon, an eighteen year PGA Professional at Red Hook. John also offers private lessons by appointment.
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Red Hook Golf Club also hosts numerous outings during the season for various community organizations; some dates are still available.
Additionally, RHGC previously hosted the New York State Amateur Qualifier for the Hudson Valley, the Duchess County Amateur Qualifier and the Dutchess County Senior Amateur.
Red Hook has in excess of 250 members and is welcoming others who would like to consider joining. Membership categories include Single. Family, Junior (both under 30 and 30-35) and newly introduced Twilight and Corporate Levels. Public play is also welcome with advance tee off times available up to 48 hours by calling the Pro Shop or utilizing the Club's web site, www.redhookgolfclub.com. Also, June Specials include: Tuesdays are Ladies Days 8 A.M. to 2 P.M., 18 holes with a cart $35., Wednesdays, all golfers can play 18 holes with a cart for $40.
Interested? Questions? Please call the pro shop or office at Red Hook Golf Club for more information.
Red Hook Golf Club
650 Route 199
Red Hook, NY 12571
Pro Shop (845) 758-8652
Office (845) 758-3672
Fax (845) 758-3674
www.redhookgolfclub.com
GOLF FOR A CAUSE
MARKERTEK TOURNAMENT AT RONDOUT
BENEFITS FOOD BANK OF HUDSON VALLEY
The 12th Annual Markertek Open to benefit the Food Bank of the Hudson Valley will be held Saturday, July 11 at Rondout Golf Club..
With a 10 a.m. tee-off, continental breakfast, Bar-B-Q lunch and prime rib buffet awards dinner, the Markertek Open offers a full 18-hole golf tourney including cart, practice range, beverages and snacks on the course.
Prizes will be awarded for longest drive, closest to the pin, Markertek Open Winners and the coveted ‘Most Honest Golfers’ skunk trophy; along with gag gifts and awesome raffle prizes (I Pod docking station, Blu-Ray DVD player and more!)
Sponsorships are available, but act quickly, as this tourney has sold out every year!
For more information, contact Victoria Langling:
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or 845-246-3036 x7333
CATSKILL TOURNAMENT HONORS
SEBASTIAN RODRIGUEZ
The Catskill Rotary Club is sponsoring a benefit golf tournament in memory of Sebastian Rodriguez on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, June 11-13 at Catskill Golf Club.
The event features $10,000 in prizes. Format is 18 holes of Best Ball play within flights with field cut to low 10 teams in each flight following Friday's play.
Entry fee is $225 per person, $450 per team. Contact the Catskill Golf Club, PO Box 367, Catskill, NY 12414 for entry information.
HURLEY LIONS CLUB PLANS OCTOBER FUNDRAISER
The Hurley Lions Club's 10th Annual Golf Tournament will be held on Monday, October 5, 2009 at Wiltwyck Golf Club. The format is Captain and Crew with a full day of golf that includes a continental breakfast, practice range, 18 holes of golf, golf cart, beverages and snacks on the course, lunch on the turn, hors d'oeuvres, and an awards buffet dinner all for $125 per golfer.
Prizes include: Hole-In-One contest for a new car sponsored L.T. Begnal Motor Co., Inc., longest drive, closest to the pin, team prizes, and prize drawings
Please contact Ron Shiels at 845-338-0340 or Joe Decker at 845-338-4430 for more information or to register.
If your club or organization is planning a charity golf tournament, e-mail the information to
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for inclusion in an upcoming Fairways golf page.
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