Stay & Play in the Northeast

BY NEG STAFF

IN THE NORTHEAST, golf travel and especially road trips are a huge part of the 3 unique seasons of golf enjoyed here yearly. In some regions like Cape Cod, Southern R.I., and Atlantic City there is a great deal of winter golf in the 4th as well. Most golfers in the Northeast enjoy Canadian Golf and New England Mountain golf in the summers and fall, for great foliage. In the spring, many escape to southern locations for a season tune-up, and in winter when things thaw and warm up, we visit our seaside favorites courses that get very little snow cover and drain well. For those visiting the Northeast from around the globe, you are in for a real treat!

At the turn of the century in the United

States most golf courses built were at private sporting clubs and resort hotels in the Northeast region. It was not until 1913, when Francis Ouimet shocked the golf world by winning the U.S. Open at The Country Club in Brookline, Massachusetts, that the flood gates for public access golf were thrown open. That boom of golf course building brought golf to all the classes, especially throughout the Northeast, where dozens of the best golf course architects in the world, built hundreds of spectacular golf masterpieces.

A.W. Tillinghast, C.B. Macdonald, William Flynn, Donald Ross, Seth Raynor, Alister Mackenzie, Bill Coore, Geoffrey Cornish, Arthur Hills, Tom Doak, Ben

Crenshaw, Gil Hanse as well as Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, and others: These historic and modern masters of course designs shaped some of the most spectacular venues in the game. They are common ground for U.S. Open Championships, PGA Championships, Ryder Cups, President Cups and other USGA, PGA, LPGA, and Champions tour Major events.

In less than a day’s drive, there are hundreds of world class golfing resorts and regions here in the Northeast. We are blessed with some of the finest seaside, mountainside, and countryside facilities with more diversity in design, terrain, and character than almost anywhere in the world today. From Long Island to Rhode Island,

Cape Cod and the Island’s, and the coast of Maine you will find some of the most amazing seaside golf in the country. Upstate NY is home to a wide variety of golf resorts, gaming resorts and fantastic family resorts with golf courses and a vast array of resort amenities for the entire family. Northern New England boast some of the most spectacular mountain golf resorts in Vermont, New Hampshire and Northern Maine with dramatic course designs and amazing vistas.

Let’s not forget Eastern Canada & the Maritimes. They are packed with luxurious resorts in Toronto, Quebec, and Montreal, and are only about 300 miles from Boston and New York. They offer historic stately hotels and resorts along the Great lakes. In Eastern Canada Prince Edward Island is a golf mecca and New Brunswick and Nova Scotia offer some of the most dramatic seaside course designs in the world. The beauty of drive golf vacations is you can enjoy both golf in the White Mountain of

New Hampshire and Maine or Nova Scotia seaside links in the same day. The beauty is that packaging a few destinations in one road trip is easy here in the Northeast. It’s a great time to rediscover Northeast Golf –Can You Say Road Trip!

Let break down our “Resort & Regions” feature this month by regions to provide you with some very sectored target areas for your golf vacations. We believe that less time traveling means more time for golfing and vacationing! Today your choices are literally unlimited for accommodations, courses to play, and amenities to enjoy. For resorts, you have some of the best resorts in the world right here in this region at a full range of price points and locations. The resort advantage is your stay can be packaged with onsite amenities including golf. You can also venture out to great courses outside the resort in the region.

Obviously if you are going to be away for an extended time visiting numerous regions, then hotels or stay and play region packages are a great choice too. And for some that plan elaborate regional golf excursions. Airbnb, Vrbo, HomeAway offers options for home rentals everywhere, at every price point, for as many occupants as needed, at a fair price.

If you’re planning a Nova Scotia summer golf vacation with family or a large group, then a home rental centrally located in the Halifax region would allow you to play all courses in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island for a full Maritimes experience!

Southern NY, Connecticut & Rhode Island

Bethpage Park

Farmingdale, Long Island, NY

While not a resort or region Bethpage is a must visit. Truly an exceptional experience all golfers should have at least once, Bethpage is a public facility with five 18hole courses, including the world-famous Bethpage Black, which has hosted U.S. Opens, The Barclays PGA Tour, and PGA Championship in 2019. The Black Course plays host to the Ryder Cup in 2024. www.bethpagegolfcourse.com

The Mohonk Mountain House

New Palz, NY

One of the country’s most historic Inns dating back to 1869 along the Hudson River Valley. Play one of the oldest golf courses in the U.S. A short 9-hole golf course was laid out by Albert Smiley in 1897. Scotsman Robert Pryde added his Scottish influence when he lengthened the course in 1911. Majestic views, spectacular amenities. www.mohonk.com

Mohegan Sun

Uncasville, CT www.mohegansun.com

One of two Golf and Gaming facilities in the state of Connecticut that offer spectacular golf. Ron Garl, famous golf course architect has recently finished course renovations at the Mohegan Sun Golf Club, which is just minutes from the resort casino. A host of stay & play packages abound for the Mohegan Sun facility.

Foxwoods Resort Casino

Mashantucket, CT www.foxwoods.com/golf

A massive entertainment and gaming casino in North Central Connecticut. The resort casino’s Lake of Isles Golf Club features two 18-hole championship courses on 900 sprawling acres and has the #1 ranked golf course in the state. Great stay & play packages with the casino and Golf Travel package providers as well.

The Preserve Club

Richmond, RI

The Preserve Club and Residences located in Richmond, Rhode Island is one of the top sportsman paradises in the world today. Situated amid 3,500 pristine acres, The Preserve Club offers four seasons of almost every outdoor sporting activity. The club is located just off Interstate 95. https://preservesportingclub.com

The Aquidneck Club

Portsmouth, RI

Nestled along the shores of Narragansett Bay with proximity to Newport, RI offers world-class amenities including golf, tennis, equestrian and maritime pursuits. The Championship 18-hole Donald Steel links-style golf course is simply stunning with extraordinary water views, rental apartments and seaside cottages. www.aquidneckclub.com

Newport National Golf Club

Newport, RI

It would be a mistake on any golf trip to the Rhode Island region not to visit Newport R.I. and play the utterly spectacular Newport

National Golf Club. While in the area, The Montaup Country Club in Portsmouth is a treat, as well as the 9-hole scenic Jamestown Golf club which overlooks the waterfront. www.discovernewport.org

The Central Northeast Regions

Massachusetts & Upstate New York

Ocean Edge Resort & Golf Club

Brewster, MA www.oceanedge.com/golf

Cape Cod’s only Nicklaus designed golf course and by all standards one of New England most iconic oceanfront resorts. Upper Cape in the Brewster area is just magnificent for weekend getaways or weeklong stays. The resorts stay & play golf packages offer everything from single night same day play to multiple night options.

The Club at New Seabury

Mashpee, MA www.newseabury.com/about

New Seabury is one of Cape Cod’s most luxurious oceanfront resort club communities with spectacular view of Nantucket Sound. If offers two championship waterfront golf courses, full-service clubhouse, five restaurants, two beach clubs and beach bars, state-of-the-art fitness facility, sixteen tennis courts, pools, walking trails & more.

Harwich, MA

The finest 5 Star resort on Cape Cod nestled on Pleasant Bay and the Atlantic Ocean and offers unparalleled accommodations, amenities, and premier dinning experiences. Cape Cod Country Club, ranked in the very best category, is the resort’s golf course offering spectacular golf. www.wequassett.com/golf

Mirbeau Inn & Spa

Plymouth, MA

An exceptional 50-room resort and worldclass spa located next door to The Pine Hills Golf facility, featuring two 18-hole championship courses, the renowned Rees Jones-designed golf course, and the Jack Nicklaus Design course. They are two of the finest new courses in New England. www.plymouth.mirbeau.com

Turning Stone Resort

Verona, NY www.turningstone.com

All three designs by Tom Fazio, Robert Trent Jones Jr. and Rick Smith are the best of the best in the region. Spectacular training facilities, spectacular layouts, and challenging designs are found at these highly awarded courses.

The Otesaga Resort

Cooperstown, NY

Maybe it’s because the Baseball Hall of Fame is located here, but Cooperstown and this entire region is a great place to visit. The historic hotel and Leatherstocking Golf Course along Glimmer Glass Lake is by all standards, epic. www.google.com

The Sagamore

Lake George, NY

The Sagamore Golf Course cuts a forested path through wooded terrain above scenic Lake George. Designed by acclaimed golf architect Donald Ross in 1928, the course is part of the renowned Sagamore Resort. www.opalcollection.com/sagamore/

Saratoga National

Saratoga Springs, NY

Saratoga is just one of those magical places; the Adirondack Mountains are the backdrop for summer music, shopping, horse racing and spectacular golf. Saratoga National, designed by Roger Rulewich in 2001, is the “Best of The Best” in the region. www.golfsaratoga.com

Northern Regions

Northern New England & Canada

The Quechee Club

Quechee, VT www.quecheeclub.com/quecheegolf

The Quechee Club is host to two signature Jeoffrey Cornish 18-hole golf courses that are always ranked among the best in state. Both the Lakeland and Highland courses offer spectacular views especially in the Fall.

The Woodstock Inn

Woodstock, VT

Set in the heart of the Green Mountains in Vermont, Woodstock Inn is a New England historic treasure of timeless elegance. The Robert Trent Jones designed course is cut through a mountain valley just behind the historic Inn. Additional golf privileges are available at the Quechee Club. www.woodstockinn.com

The Owl’s Nest Thornton, NH www.owlsnestresort.com/golf

New Hampshire’s only Jack Nicklaus signature championship golf course is located at one of New England’s most spectacular 4-Season Resorts. The stunning layout offers spectacular view of the White Mountains.

Omni Mt Washington

Brenton Woods, NH

A Donald Ross design from 1915, Brian Silva renovated the Mount Washington course at the 27-hole Bretton Woods Omni Resort in 2008 following the master architect’s original plans. It is a stunning layout overlooking Mt Washington. www.omnihotels.com

Eagle Mountain Resort

Jackson Village, NH www.eaglemt.com/golf

Historic 4-Season resort hotel in the heart of the White Mountains, just north of North Conway. The golf course winds through the mountains along Wildcat River with elevated tees and spectacular mountain views in all directions.

Atkinson Resort Golf Club

Atkinson, NH www.atkinsonresort.com

In 2015 The National Golf Course Owners Association chose this facility as “The National Course of The Year.” Enjoy two award winning golf courses at a fabulous resort which is always in pristine playing condition. Just 45 Minutes north of Boston.

Boothbay Harbor Oceanside

Golf Resort, ME

Located on the waterfront in quaint Boothbay Harbor, this luxury resort literally offers it all with spectacular facilities and an 18-hole championship golf course overlooking the harbor. The golf course and resort offer great stay and play packages. boothbayharboroceansideresort.com

Sunday River Resort Newry ME (Boyne Resorts) www.sundayriver.com

One of the most spectacular and scenic courses in New England, the Sunday River Golf Club is a Robert Trent Jones, Jr. design featuring an 18-hole champion course that winds through Sunday River Valley with the Mahoosuc range towering above.

Carrabassett Valley, ME (Boyne Resorts) www.sugarloaf.com/sugarloaf-golf-club

As Maine’s premier golf destination, Sugarloaf Golf Club is a must-play for any golfer. This Robert Trent Jones Jr. design provides golfers with stunning panoramic mountain views and an unforgettable experience from first tee to final putt.

Just North of Upstate NY and Northern New England is some of the best summer golf in the world. Just across Niagara Falls is the Spectacular Whirlpool Golf Course as well as other great courses along the Falls and the Niagara River.

Montreal, Quebec and Toronto offer some of the very best in golf resorts north of the border. A favorite in Quebec is the Fairmont Mont Tremblant. Moving east to New Brunswick, the Famous Algonquin Resort in St Andrews, New Brunswick dates to 1889. Of Canada’s three maritime provinces, two get the nod for great golf: Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.

A great way to get to this region is on an overnight cruise on the CAT ferry from Portland, Maine. Nova Scotia is fast becoming the new “Bucket List” destination with the addition of Cabot to a host of already amazing facilities. Prince Edward Island is Canada’s smallest province, it is easily accessible from Nova Scotia via the 8-mile-long Confederation Bridge which crosses over Northumberland Straights from Borden-Carleton, NS to PEI.

www.novascotia.com