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Wednesday, 03 September 2008 |
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Golf is the centerpiece at historic Twaalfskill
Nestled on quaint West O'Reilly Street in the heart of the city of Kingston lies a golf course and private golf club with a history as rich as the city itself. The desire by the "men and women of stature" in town, for a golf course to satisfy the ever-growing popularity of the game, lead to the lease of a piece of land owned by Sam Coykendall and the Montrepose Cemetary Association. The Twaalfskill Golf Club was born. The year was 1902.
Since that time, Twaalfskill has played host to celebrities, local dignitaries, and the best amateur and professional golfers in the Hudson Valley. Joe Louis, Gene Sarazen, and John Jacob Astor all teed it up at this classic course. Astor was a member of the club prior to his tragic death aboard the infamous Titanic. The best amateurs in the county come to Twaalfskill every year to play in the Ulster County Men's Amateur Golf Championship, the Herdegen. Father Herdegen himself was a member at Twaalfskill and the tournament that bears his name keeps his spirit alive on this beautiful nine-hole layout.
Nowhere else will you find as challenging and diverse a nine-hole course than at Twaalfskill. The first hole is a tight par four with a severe downhill approach to a two-tier green that was rebuilt just three years ago. The second hole is a straightforward uphill par three with several bunkers protecting the putting surface. The third is a long par three, 220 yards from the back tees. Even some of Twaalfskill's big hitters need driver from the tips. This two-tier green was also reconstructed in 2005. The fourth hole gives a little back to the golfer with a 240 yard par four. Leave the woods in the bag and secure your par on this one. Make a putt and you may even birdie it. The fifth hole is one of the longest in the county at 585 yards to an uphill green. A fairway full of uneven lies awaits the golfers on this hole. The sixth hole is a down hill par three to a large green; another good par opportunity. The seventh hole is a short par five at 440 yards. Out of bounds on the right bites the members at times. Keep it in the fairway off the tee, and par or better awaits. The eighth hole is a challenging par four, with a tight fairway. Hit the fairway and you're fine, but stray a bit and you will probably be behind a tree. A frustrating bogey is inevitable. And finally the ninth hole is a long, uphill par four. This 401 yard endeavor offers uneven lies and a green tucked in the corner, surrounded in the back and right by out of bounds stakes. Golfers look at the scorecard and expect an easy round of golf. Four hours later they are shaking their heads wondering where they went wrong. This course is a true gem.
As for the club itself, Twaalfskill offers its members many amenities that bring them back year after year. A practice driving area and practice chipping and putting green are ideal for improving your game or just warming up before a round. Two pools greet families each summer. A large pool, manned by a certified lifeguard and a kiddie pool offer a summer of fun for kids and adults alike. The clubhouse offers a full menu, prepared by Chef Todd Greger and the bar has whatever you're in the mood for. Private parties are available and outings are hosted in this lovely dining room and adjacent patio overlooking the fourth green by Club Manager, Andrew Connors. New men's locker rooms with showers and steam rooms and a new pro shop just make time spent at the club that much more enjoyable.
The pro shop and PGA Golf Professional, Vincent Manginelli offer all the latest in golf equipment and quality logo apparel. With prices that compare to the larger superstores, the expertise of a PGA Golf Professional cannot be matched when it comes to instruction, club fitting, tournament and league administration and membership issues. Stop in and see the shop for yourself.
Memberships are available and right now the club is offering a fall incentive program. You can sign up and pay for 2009 and enjoy the club for the rest of the 2008 season for free. Also, the club is discounting full golf memberships by 25%. Discounted rates and free golf for the rest of this season, another reason Twaalfskill is the best kept secret in Kingston.
Additional information about Twaalfskill:
• only private golf club in the city of Kingston
• home course to the Coleman High School golf team
• home club to Mike Altomari, 72 year old member who played 200 holes of golf as a fundraiser for the Coleman golf team on June 20, 2008
• club record of 61 by Alvin Boice stood for decades until Mike Tulasz broke it not once, but twice in 2007. He shot a 60 and a few rounds later, bettered himself with a 59.
Call Andrew Connors in the clubhouse @ 331-5577 or the golf professional, Vinnie Manginelli in the pro shop @ 331-6266. Both gentlemen will be glad to answer your questions and even show you around the old gem on West O'Reilly Street. Check out their website at www.TwaalfskillGolf. org for more information about the Twaalfskill Golf Club.
GOLF FOR A CAUSE
Bloomington Fire Department
scrambles
at Apple Greens on September 15
Bloomington Fire Department will host a golf tournament on September 15 at Apple Green's Golf Course in New Paltz. The fee is $85 per golfer and the format is scramble. It will be a 9:00am shotgun start. The fee includes 18 holes of golf, cart, continental breakfast, bag lunch, buffet dinner. There will be a raffle and prizes awarded after dinner. Tee and green sponsorships are also available. Please contact either Kevin Keller 845-853-2242, Greg Barringer 845-339-6634, or Mike Schabot at 845-331-4346. Proceeds will be used to support the apparatus fund of the Bloomington Fire Department.
Charles Haas
Memorial
Scholarship
Tournament om
September 27
The 2nd Annual Charles Haas Memorial Scholarship Fund Golf Tournament will be held Saturday, September 27 at Rondout Golf Club. The four-man scramble format will start at 1 p.m. Registration and lunch will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. The $90 per person entry fee includes lunch, green fees, cart, refreshments on the course, assorted prizes and dinner following the tournament. You may bring a guest to the dinner for an additional charge of $30. For more information call 845-687-0948 or 845-687-9174. Proceeds will benefit the scholarship fund for Ulster County firefighters.
Doug Maloney Memorial
Tournament
September 28
at Rondout
The Doug Maloney Memorial Tournament will be held at Rondout Golf Club on September 28. The event begins with an 8-8:45 a.m. breakfast and a 9 a.m. shotgun start. Dinner follows at approximately 1 p.m. Proceeds support Gateway Community Industries. Call Evelyn Flavin (845-331-1261, ext. 224).
If your non-profit organization is holding a charity golf tournament and you would like the details included in an upcoming edition of this Fairways golf page, email pertinent information to
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