GOLF TRAVEL
Fall 2019
For colorful fall leaf peeper stay and play options head east to Ulster County
There is still some fantastic golf left to play where the foliage is awe-inspiring, the courses lush and the resorts so comfortable you will want to linger a few days just to relax and unwind before the snow arrives. Hotel Surrounded by the splendor of the Catskill Mountains, the contemporary-style Emerson Resort & Spa is a hidden treasure located within a two-three hour drive of CNY in Mount Tremper. The resort brings the Catskills inside with stunning views, open spaces and an earthy color palate. You can also stay in the Adirondack-style Emerson Resort Lodge overlooking the Esopus Creek and one of the region’s most maganificent peaks, Mount Tremper. Either way Emerson guests enjoy an award-winning Spa, dining in Woodnotes Grille, shopping in the Country Stores and visiting the World’s Largest Kaleidoscope. Woodnotes Grille features locally sourced foods prepared with a twist, and craft cocktails that are an experience as well as a drink. On chilly nights, you can sit by the fireplace. Courses Lazy Swan Golf & Country Club Village in Saugerties has arguably some of the finest panoramic views in the Catskills, so players need to work harder to focus their full attention on accu-
New Seabury Continued
with more than 1,300 homes clustered in 13 neighborhoods with a wide selection of really appealing styles and prices from one- and two-bedroom cottage condos to estate homes with beach rights priced in the $2 million and above. We stayed in Sea Quarters where everything was fresh and new while colors echoed the surroundings. Golf New Seabury has two excellent golf courses: the Ocean Course and the Dunes Course that has just been totally renovated. The clubhouse is impressive with 42,000 sq. feet. Many of the holes have views of the Sound, or play over salt ponds such as Ocean’s #4. On the Dunes, the fairways have been expanded, mounds re-contoured, bunkers repositioned, and approaches reshaped. Even the holes have been changed: the old 9th hole is now the 18th, and a great finishing hole at that. Finally, the Dunes is a much more robust course, yet remains playable for all levels of golfers. Now the beautiful prima donna,
rate shot placement. Golfers must “think” their way around this track whether it’s deciding where to place the tee shot from a massive elevation drop to a fairway and green protected by water on the par-5, 8th or testing your fate by going for a sucker pin placement on par-3, 9th. After golf, you can relax at a distinctive open air bar and restaurant. Although The Lazy Swan is a 6,300-yard par-70 course, do not be fooled by the lack of length. The course plays much longer than it reads. The course has forced carries, uphill par-3s and tee shots that require players to fly the ball past certain yardage for correct angle to the green. It’s a narrow, challenging course that golfers of any skill level can enjoy. Woodstock Golf Club just down the road from the Emerson Resort, is a lovely old classic 9hole layout dating from 1929 with lots of trees and a meandering brook. It’s perfect for all levels of skill. After 85 years as a private club, Wiltwyck Golf Club in Kingston, designed by famed golf course arOcean, has a competitor! Other Sports I was impressed with their tennis facilities: 16 courts (12 Har-Tru; 4 all-weather). There is a new 9,000 sq. ft. Athletic Club as well as walking trails, two beach clubs and more. The private beach club is quite extensive with a large pool, a number of bright blue umbrella tables, cabanas and plenty of lounging options for relaxing by the water. A glance at the daily activities revealed there was plenty to keep you going: Bootcamp, Mat Pilates, Deep Stretch, Cardio Core, Yoga Flow and more. Dining New Seabury’s signature restaurant, 95 Shore overlooking Nantucket Sound, is casual and laid back yet sophisticated enough to appeal to those who come down (or up) from the city. Many of the dishes are locally sourced from the region’s gardens and the sea. The wine selections are pretty special too as many selection come from fam-
chitect Robert Trent Jones Sr., was opened last year to the public for the first time. The 6,891yard, par-72 layout is widely recognized as one of the finest and most challenging in the Hudson Valley. The 27- hole Apple Greens Golf Club in Highland is another popular golfing choice. Packages Special stay-andplay packages with accommodations at the Emerson Resort are available. emersonresort.com; 845688-2828 Photos Top to bottom: Wiltwyck GC, Lazy Swan G&CC, Woodstock GC and Emerson Resort Inn & Spa
ily-owned vineyards. Sit on the ocean front deck at the Lure Raw Bar and order a special cocktail like Pedro Gonzalez’s sangria created from an old family recipe. Then go next door for a delicious dinner at the Popponesset Inn. I was told they serve lighter fare here, but I found the shrimp dinner I ordered was more than I could eat. Delicious..
After golf, grab lunch at the Sand Wedge Bistro. If you’re a fan of lobster, be sure to ask for theirsumptuous lobster roll. It’s packed with lobster and the salads are a work of art. When we came here this spring, the Cape air was sparkling, breezy yet perfect for golf, walking, dining and exploring. The Cape and New Seabury: it’s a great way to go.
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