Travel to the Northern Catskills for Great Golf

Check out the northern Catskill Mountains this summer for a perhaps unexpected treat of superb golf courses and several time-honored resorts. You can unwind for a weekend or longer and sample several very good golf courses the area has to offer.

Let’s take a look at what awaits you in the area.

Sunny Hill Resort and Golf Course (www.SunnyHill.com)

Sunny Hill Resort and Golf Course in Greenville, N.Y. continues to attract a bevy of stay and play customers from the tri-state area who love bathing in the warm and laid back atmosphere of the Catskills while also taking the time to sample a fun course.

Sunny Hill, owned by the Nicolsen family since 1968, opened as a resort in 1920. “One of the significant highlights of Sunny Hill is that from any tee on the golf course you have picturesque views of the Catskill Mountains,” said Marc Guntert, Director of Golf. “We are very popular locally due in part to the layout and beautifully manicured grounds.”

Guntert said course conditions are “excellent as we continue to keep golf course maintenance equipment up to date and always professionally maintain the layout. Our business has been continuous and steady even through the pandemic and continues to stay strong, thankfully.”

Sunny Hill is considered to be more a resort style golf course that is challenging to the beginner as well as the experienced golfer. The track could also be deemed an “executive” course that features a number of par-threes, seven in all including six on the front side, and several short par-fours. It makes for an enjoyable round and a fine place to learn the game while not being overwhelmed by difficult holes. It also gives the accomplished golfer a chance to work on every club in the bag.

The front side has par-threes that range in distance from 104 yards to 202. The fifth, eighth and ninth holes are short par-fours where big hitters can drive the greens. The front side plays to a par of 30. The back side is more traditional in distance and plays to a par of 36. There are two par-fours, the 11th and 14th, that play around 350 yards as well as five parfours of less than 300 yards, including the final four holes on the course. The only par-five is on the back, the 423-yard 13th.There is only one par-three on the inward nine, the challenging 203-yard 12th.

Said Guntert, “I would say that our best hole is number 11, which is a 348-yard parfour and downhill all the way to the green. A few yards past the green is a pond, which of course has claimed many a ball.” Course Superintendent is Erik Nicholsen.

“We don’t offer any real specials during the summer because we are pretty much swamped with our resort guests,” said Guntert. “We hold various tournaments for our guests to enjoy during their stay with us. We don’t have a restaurant but we offer burgers, hot dogs, various sandwiches and other snacks.”

Island Green Resort and Golf Club (www.TheIslandGreen.com)

Thanks to a move by the managers of Island Green Golf Club in Greenville, N.Y., everyone who tees it up at the course will be able to sample the hole for which the layout is named for.

“The biggest change we made was flipping the nines,” said Kevin Smith, General Manager. “This was done for better flow and for quicker play. The signature hole is our now number three on the front and it is accessible to people only playing nine holes.”

The third hole plays 135 from back tees and it’s a true island green that is fun and tricky to play at the same time. There’s no room for error on the tee shot.

“We took over last season and saw a significant increase, but this season has been off the charts so far,” said Smith. “I have learned that there are so many loyal and wonderful people in this area and beyond. Locally, we draw mainly from the surrounding counties of Dutchess, Greene and Columbia and Schoharie and we have some customers who make the day trip from Connecticut, Western Massachusetts and the upper New York City area.”

“Some of our most exciting news is our food and beverage component,” Smith added. “We have two new excellent food professionals. Drew Tobin is our new head chef with Brad Fitzgerald being the sous chef. They are offering some of the best BBQ I have ever tasted. They have elevated the level of our food and beverage department to new heights. I highly recommend either staying here overnight or booking an outing with us.”

Of course, customers come to sample the wonderful golf course at Island Green. In addition to the aforementioned and high profile island green, the course features a traditional design that is fun and challenging to play.

The first hole is a short par-four that can get a round off in good fashion. Numbers seven and eight and par-fours that measure less than 300 yards and present golden opportunities to make birdie with a strong drive.

The 340-yard 10th hole is a super par-four where players can drive the ball as close to a greenside pond as possible to set up a short iron or wedge into the putting surface. Number 13 is a 380-yard par-four that also has water in front of the green. The 14th and 15th holes are long par-fours that play almost 450 yards from the back markers.

The 17h hole is a 347-yard par-four that doglegs severely to the left. Hit your drive as close to the turn as possible to leave a short iron into the green. The course ends with a 341yard par-four that can make the after round refreshments taste better with a birdie.

The course plays 6,261 yards from the back and has a par of 71. There are four sets of tees in all to fit the playing ability of all guests.

“Our stay and play package is hard to beat,” said Smith. “Those interested can email me at kevin@theislandgrenn.com for details.”

Thunderhart Golf Course

(www.ThunderhartGolf.com)

One of the most scenic and challenging courses in the northern Catskill Mountains is Thunderhart Golf Course in Freehold, N.Y.

This true championship course gives golfers an wonderful golfing experience in the heart of Greene County. The Francis Duane, traditionally designed front nine opened in 1969 and presents wide sweeping views of the

Northern Catskill Mountains. The back nine was the work of William Gressick who, in 2000, carved parkland style holes through the forest of Thunderhart.

In 2022, the Krasney family became owners of Thunderhart and, along with a top notch staff, are improving and innovating both the course and the facilities to ensure that Thunderhart will continue to remain a premier golfing destination.

Let’s take a look at some of the best holes on the course.

The second hole is a 462-yard par-five, and also one of the toughest holes on the course. With tall trees on both sides of the fairway, it might be best to leave the driver in the bag. Try to aim to the left side of the fairway to get a clean shot to an elevated green.

The third hole is a short par-four, measuring only at 345 yards. The green is approachable for the heavy hitters. However, just like hole number two, trees are abundant on both sides of the fairway if you stray too far either way. The green is slightly two-tiered.

Number five, a 415-yard par-four, is considered the course’s signature hole. It overlooks the Catskill Mountains and provides perhaps the most beautiful views on the course. For righties, the hole plays perfectly. Pull out the driver and play for a slight fade. A hill will give your ball an extra 30 to 50 yards of roll depending on the season. Be careful of bunkers lining the front of the green and awkward lies that a hill presents.

Number nine is a short, 462-yard par- five that can make or break a round. A pond is clearly in play hugging the left side of the fairway and trees are closer than they look. Perhaps take a three-wood, play it safe and aim below the hole. A two-tiered green makes putting a challenge.

Number 11, at 454 yards, is the longest parfour on the course, straight but challenging. With plush vegetation aligning both sides of the fairway, golfers may be hesitant to yank out the driver, but you do need a robust drive to set up a doable second shot. The putting surface is flat, but tiny and home to the narrowest green on the course.

The 16th is a 507-yard par-five. Do not pull out the driver. A pond is only 225 yards out and invisible from the tee box. The 16 is a short par-five, but each shot has the potential of trickling into the woods. The green is easily reachable in two, however. The short game shouldn’t be much of a problem as the green is extremely flat and only slightly elevated.

The final hole is a 493-yard par-five and is considered the easiest hole on the course. A wide open tee shot allows for everyone to pull out driver. The green is reachable in two, with virtually no trouble surrounding the green putting surface. There are shallow bunkers lining the right fairway and one small bunker left of the green. Once you are on the short grass the putting should be straight forward.

The property also has a hotel and offers Stay and Play packages.