Courses that make the cut

By WANDA WAYFARER

Geographically, our area is just about perfect for golf courses. The mixture of rolling hills, ponds and streams poses a considerable challenge to golfers’ skills as well as providing a treat for their eyes.

Golf course designers have recognized that fact, and we have a wealth of local courses here to choose from. The Concord’s Monster in Kiamesha Lake is probably the most famous in Sullivan County, but there are many fine lesser-known courses as well. Most of them are privately owned, requiring a membership to play at them, but a few are open to the public.

The Port Jervis Country Club, located in Port Jervis, NY, a picturesque 18-hole course, belongs in the former category. The par-70 golf course sports a 6,093-yard length, set amid a backdrop of rolling mountains, the Neversink River and huge pine trees. The country club also features a 12-tee driving range for practice before entering the course. Located on the premises is the Oak Tree Inn, a restaurant and lounge that offers players and observers panoramic views of the golf course. For more information call 845/856-5391.

The Woodloch Golf Course, located in Hawley, PA, has won national recognition for the quality of golf that it offers. It is primarily private but has limited play for resort guests and non-members. GOLF Magazine and Golf Digest have recognized the 18-hole, par-72 golf course as “one of the finest golf courses” and a “rare find.” In a part of the country so richly endowed with golf courses, it is particularly notable to be singled out in this way.

Woodloch’s championship course makes its way through forests, wetlands and upland meadows. The pride of the course is the 14th hole. This signature hole has a 220-yard carry over “Hell’s Gate Gorge,” which is carved from a mountainside by rushing water and is 200 feet below the course. The course length is 6,579 yards. For more information call 570/685-8102.

Located in Roscoe, NY, better known as Trout Town, USA, is another of the area’s finer private golf courses, Tennanah Lake Golf and Tennis Club. Sam Snead, the famous PGA champion golfer, designed Tennanah Lake’s golf course. With a spectacular 180-degree view of the Catskill Mountains, Tennanah Lake offers an 18-hole, par-72 golf course, a driving range, practice greens and a pro shop. The landscape also includes the stunning Tennanah Lake. The course boasts a drainage system that helps dry the course rapidly after rain, helping to keep golfers comfortable and speeding up resumption of play. For more information call 607/498-5000.

Cricket Hill Golf Course is located between the towns Hawley and Honesdale in PA. Unlike the courses listed above, this 18-hole golf course is open regularly to the public. It has established itself as one of the finest public golf courses in the Poconos. Cricket Hill aims to accommodate golfers of all skill levels, from novice to pro. The course boasts some of the best fairways, sand pits and rolling greens in the area and is set against stunning rolling hills. Cricket Hill also features a restaurant, pro shop and lounge, so that those who don’t play golf can still hang out. For more information call 570/226-4366.

These are just a few of the golf courses that take advantage of the rolling topography of our local landscape, whose exquisite views and difficulty of play set them in a class apart. Visit catskillregiontoday.com/Catskill/things_year_golf.asp for a comprehensive list of Catskill courses and poconosbest.com/Golf.htm for golfing in the Poconos.