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The Golf Club at Mansion Ridge
geTAwAY
The Golf Club at Mansion Ridge
By John Torsiello A True Delight to Play
Created by legendary golfer and world-renowned golf architect Jack Nicklaus, The Golf Club at Mansion Ridge in Monroe, New York is a stunning track that was carved out of the mature forests and rolling hills of a 220-acre estate. It features rock formations, extreme elevation changes, and spectacular views of the surrounding countryside.
The layout measures 6,899 yards from the tips and plays to a par of 72 and the course is a unique golfing experience, with a layout and design that will challenge all individuals, regardless of handicap. In addition to the recreational golfer, the course draws metropolitan New York’s best players, PGA professionals, and even a few Tour players to give it their best against the master’s work.
“The Club at Mansion Ridge continues to push for the highest possible standards in guest service and golf course conditions,” said General Manager, Patrick Wynn. The property is managed by Troon Golf. “Our Superintendent, Rob Capecelatro, has now been with us for four years, and really has the place dialed in. Nick Schremser, our Director of Golf, continues to work with his team to ensure a smooth and friendly round from the bag drop to the pro shop to our on course player assistants. Our pricing is done dynamically meaning that it is always based on availability. The further out you book the lower the rate you will receive most of the time. “This has been a busy year for us. We’ve still seen an increase in the public play similar to last year, but more of the golf outings are returning. Most of our golfers live within about an hour of club. That includes a lot of northern New Jersey, New York City, Westchester County in New York and into Connecticut. We do see some guests coming from a little further like out on Long Island which is great to see, and we hope they can make the trip back again soon.”
Mansion Ridge is a stunning routing. “We have what is known as Bear’s Corner, which is holes 12 through 16,” explained Wynn. This is the toughest stretch of holes on the course and can make or break your round. Nine, a 540-yard par-five, is the hardest hole, but is surrounded by a few easier ones. The Bear’s Corner starts with a 167-yard par-three over water (the 12th) with large bunkers and a hazard directly over the green. The 13th is a medium length par-four but requires a good approach shot in to a small green, a large bunker left is a hard place to get up and down from.”
Wynn continued, “On 14, you have to be positioned on the left hand side of the fairway to have a clear shot in to the green. The green sits on top of the hill so your blind second shot is a real challenge. The par-five 15th requires a good tee shot to get to the top of the hill but thick woods left and trouble right could lead to a big number. Longer hitters may try to go for it in two, but the greenside bunkers swallow up a lot of these attempts.”
Wynn said the 16th doesn’t look intimidating on the scorecard but with a straight-up-the-hill tee shot and out of bounds left and trees right you need to be very precise. “The second shot is also uphill in to green with a false front. We call this Bear’s Corner not only for our course designer Jack Nicklaus but also this area sits up against a state park where you can see bears crossing the fairways on occasion.”
