GOLFING

As golf becomes more popular for fun and for health, enthusiasts are constantly looking for new tests of their skills, and Dutchess County, the heart of the historic Hudson Valley, is just the place. Whether you're a daytripper or enjoying a week-long getaway, Dutchess County golf venues offer a variety of public courses with options to suit everyone from the seasoned pro to the enthusiastic beginner. A golf course reminiscent of the Scottish Isles, a links-style course evoking the Emerald Isle, and another that was once the exclusive domain of Hudson Valley millionaires are just two of the sixteen golf venues that put the unique spin on the sport in Dutchess County.

PACKAGE DEALS

Early Scottish settlers who brought the game to the United States founded the Dutcher Golf Course. Located in Pawling, the Dutcher dates back to 1888, making it the nation's oldest public course. Considered a tough challenge, the course is surrounded by a stone wall that presents a picturesque hazard typical of those found on Scottish links.

A contemporary of the Dutcher, but with a more genteel history, the Dinsmore Golf Course, NYSParks.com, opened in 1890. The original nine holes were used by the wealthy families of nearby estates such as the Astors, Livingstons, and Vanderbilts, and are now operated by the New York State Dept. of Parks and Recreation. While the golfers are on Dinsmore's hilly fairways, non-golfers can tour the elegant Staatsburgh Mansion with its vast collection of art and furnishings or visit the marine museum at the nearby Mills/Norrie State Park. Both the Mills estate and Norrie State Park are adjacent to Dinsmore.

The legendary Robert Trent Jones, Sr. designed the 18-hole championship course at the James Baird State Park Golf Course, NYSParks.com, in LaGrange. The 6,000-yard layout is reputed for the length of its fairways and the difficulty presented by numerous water hazards. Conveniently located off the Taconic Parkway, Baird State Park offers many other activities including tennis, nature trails, and picnicking. A clubhouse and restaurant, Tavern in the Park, are also on location.

Another Robert Trent Jones championship golf course is located on 400 beautifully landscaped acres at the Casperkill Country Club in Poughkeepsie, built in 1944. Formerly a private IBM club, it opened to the public in 1995. This Par 72, 18-hole course makes masterful use of the rolling hills with elevated tees, manicured fairways and well-bunkered, terraced greens that makes each round a new challenge. Casperkill is located on Rt. 9, a short distance from Locust Grove, the Samuel Morse Historic Site and within fifteen minutes of Hyde Park.
The Branton Woods Golf Club, BrantonWoodsGolf.com, in Hopewell Junction, is recognized as one of the premier golf facilities in the New York metropolitan area, as well as "2003 America's Top Golf Courses" - Zagat Survey. Branton Woods will challenge a golfer's ability with considerable elevation changes, 600 yd. holes and back-to-back par 5s! Adding to the ambiance are two large natural lakes and stunning views of the Stormville Mountain Range. Branton Woods delivers a memorable day of golf for the public golfer who is looking for the first class treatment of a private country club experience.

The Silo Ridge Country Club, SiloRidge.com, in Amenia offers an incomparable view of the Berkshires and panoramic views of scenic Harlem Valley horse farms, soft meadows and cultivated fields. Players begin on the more open and forgiving front nine holes before making the turn to face a tighter final nine that rewards accuracy and shot placement. In 2003 the creation of a signature home, the 11th Green has captured the fancy of every golfer. The 10,000 square foot green is accessible by a short causeway and a striking bridge that offers a dramatic view of the 10th, 12th, 17th, and 18th holes with the clubhouse as the backdrop reaches the several tee boxes.

Located on the Vassar College Campus in Poughkeepsie is the Vassar Golf Course. It is a 9-hole course placed on one of America's most beautiful and historic college campuses. It provides golfers with a park-like atmosphere, and a chance to see the first rate Francis Lehman Loeb Art Museum and Powerhouse Summer Theatre on campus.

There is plenty to do off the links as well. Dutchess County has six "great estates," historic mansions that are now museums. There are award-winning wineries, Revolutionary War historic sites, The Culinary Institute of America and the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome, a museum of antique aircraft with airshows running weekends May-October. Popular sports are fishing on the Hudson, fly fishing in mountain creeks, skeet shooting and tennis. You can root for our own minor league baseball team, the Hudson Valley Renegades. There is shopping at antique centers, galleries and boutiques. Serene sunset cruises on the Hudson River or gourmet dining at the area's famed restaurants will reunite golfers and non-golfers for memorable evenings. From cozy bed-and-breakfasts to luxury hotels, guests will find splendid hosts among Dutchess County's innkeepers.

Along the eastern shore of the Hudson River in Dutchess County are sixteen courses that enjoy an early April to late November season. Visitors may take the opportunity to play a different course each day over an extended week. Fees are surprisingly moderate and special mid-week rates and senior citizen discounts are available.

GOLF COURSES

WD=Weekday; WE=Weekend.

Beekman Country Club
BeekmanGolf.com
11 Country Club Rd., Hopewell Junction. 845/226-7700. 27-hole championship course, clubhouse, restaurant, driving range, pro shop, carts, senior/junior rates weekdays. Mid?Mar.?Dec., WE 6am, WD 7am. Fees incl. cart: WE $65 til 1:00pm. WD $46 till noon, Sr. $36. Jr. & special rates. Reservations up to 7 days in advance.

Branton Woods Golf Club
BrantonWoodsGolf.com
178 Stormville Rd., Hopewell Jct. 223-1600. 18-hole course, pro-shop, driving range, putting green, club & cart rentals, lessons. Rustic clubhouse, restaurant & snack bar. All year weather permitting. WD $90, WE $125. Public tee times may be made 7 days in advance.

Casperkill Country Club
Casperkill.com
2330 Rt. 9 (South Rd.), Poughkeepsie. 845/433-2222. 18-hole championship golf course. Clubhouse, pro shop, driving range, practice facility, putting greens, snack bar, cart & equipment rentals, golf lessons. Apr.-Nov. WD 7am-6pm, WE 6am-6pm. WD$ 39(walking), Fri $49(walking) Sat-Sun $79 (w/cart)

College Hill Golf Course
145 N. Clinton St., Poughkeepsie. 845/486-9112. 9-hole course built in 1933, with panoramic views of Poughkeepsie below. Apr.-Nov., 7am-dusk. WD $9, WE $10, jr. rates. Electric carts: $13 for 9 holes. Club repair.

Dinsmore Golf Course
NYSParks.com
Rt. 9, Staatsburg. 845/889-4071; 845/889-3126 for reservations.18-hole course, equipment sales & rentals, clubhouse, Ironwood Grill restaurant, and cart rentals. Apr.-Nov. WD 8am-sunset, WE 6am-sunset. Cart rental $24 for 18 holes, club rental $10. WD $10 for 9 holes, $18 for 18 holes, WE $12 for 9 holes, $22 for 18 holes. Sr./Jr. rate.

Dogwood Knolls Golf Course
Rt. 376, Hopewell Junction, NY 12533. 226?7317. 9-hole course, restaurant, pro shop, putting green, club rentals. 6am-dusk. Cart rental $12. WD: 9 holes, $10, 18 holes, $16; WE: 9 holes, $13, 18 holes, $20.

Dutcher Golf Course
135 E. Main St., Pawling, NY 12564. 855-9845. 9-hole course is oldest public course in USA. Pro shop, putting green, cart & club rentals, snack bar. Apr. 1-Nov. 1. WD Sr./Jr. rates.


Fishkill Golf Course & Driving Range
Rts. 9 & I-84, Fishkill. 896-5220. 9-hole course and miniature golf course. Pro shop, driving range, lit practice greens, mats & grass tees, club rental, restaurant. April-Nov., 5:30am-10pm. $8 for 9 holes. Sr. rate.

Harlem Valley Golf Club
Wheeler Rd., Wingdale. 832-9957. 9-hole, very challenging course with a slope rating of 118 and a course rating of 68.9. Beautiful mountain views. Apr. 1-Nov. 1, 7am-7pm. WD 9 holes $12, 18 holes $19; WE 9 holes $15, 18 holes $22. Cart rentals.

James Baird State Park Golf Course & Driving Range
NYSParks.com
122D Freedom Rd., LaGrange. 452-6959; pro shop 473-6200. Just off Taconic State Parkway, 1 mi. north of Rt. 55. 18-hole championship course, clubhouse, Tavern in the Park, driving range, lessons, Cart rentals $10-14 for 9 holes, $23-26 for 18 holes; 1 rider $18. Early Apr.-mid-Nov., dawn-dusk. WD $19 for 18 holes, $10 for 9 holes. WE $23 for 18 holes, $12 for 9 holes.

The Links at Union Vale
TheLinksAtUnionVale.com
153 N. Parliman Rd., Union Vale. 223-1000. The unique, Irish links-style 18-hole course features a clubhouse, driving range, putting green, pro shop, lessons, and a restaurant. Apr.- weather permits, 6:30am-dark. WD Mon.-Thurs. $40/$55(with cart). WE Fri. $50/$65(with cart) Sat.-Sun. $65/$80(with cart)

McCann Memorial Golf Course
155 Wilbur Blvd., Poughkeepsie. 454?1968. 18 hole championship course with water in play, 6,500 yards. Driving range, putting greens, pro shop, lessons, snack bar & restaurant. WD $20-$32. WE $23-$37. Cart rental $14 for 9holes, $25 for 18 holes. April-Nov., Tues.-Sun., 7am, Mon. noon.

Red Hook Golf Club
RedHookGolfClub.com
650 Rt. 199, Red Hook. 758?3672. 18-hole championship course. Restaurant, pro shop, putting and chipping green, driving range, club repair, lessons, club & cart rentals. WD $35, WE $40. Apr.-Nov. Soft spikes required.

Silo Ridge Country Club
SiloRidge.com
Rt. 22, Amenia. 373-7000. 18-hole championship course, with an incomparable view of the Berkshires. Driving range, pro shop, club rentals, outdoor pavilion, clubhouse and restaurant. Apr.-Dec., 7am-dusk. Call or book tee times on their website. WD $47, WE Fri.-Sun. $59 for 18 holes. Fees include cart. Sr./Jr. rates.

The Thomas Carvel Country Club
Ferris Rd., Pine Plains. 518/398-7101. 18-hole championship course. Clubhouse, restaurant, driving range, putting green, lessons, club rentals. Apr.-Nov., 7am-dusk. Fees are for 18 holes & include cart. WD: Mon., Tues. & Fri., $35. Wed. & Thurs. $30. WE & holidays $45. Sr. rate Mon.-Wed. $25. Reservations: 845/266-3377.

Vassar Golf Course
Vassar College Campus, 124 Raymond Ave., Poughkeepsie. 845/473-1550. 9-hole course on one of America's most beautiful and historic college campuses. Rental clubs, pull carts and golf carts. Apr.-Nov., Wed.-Mon., 8am-dark; Tues., 10am-dark. Snack bar. $9 for 9 holes. Sr./Jr. rates.