Garden City GC

Rankings

Golf Digest:  #49
Golfweek:  #28 Classic

A trip to New York was supposed to include a visit to Deepdale Golf Club, but my friend that planned to host had qualified for the U.S. Open Sectionals the same week and thus was tied up trying to leave his mark on history.  So it appeared no golf was in the cards.  However, one of the other members of our intended foursome called in a favor and we were back on...at Garden City Golf Club.  Talk about a fortunate turn of events!  

Much has been written about the history of Garden City, which was established in 1899.  I don't intend to, nor do I have the credentials to, walk through the lengthy happenings at GCGC.  The club has hosted a U.S. Open, multiple U.S. Amateurs, and a Walker Cup.  Arriving at the property and walking through the doors wearing a jacket (as required) feels like turning the calendar back by 100 years.  You'd never know it was 2016.  The front desk is to your left as you walk in, and the gentleman manning it is more than happy to point you in the right direction.  To the right is the locker room through a swinging saloon-style half door.  The dark green room has a giant moose head on the wall, and lockers that are boxy, wooden, and have a bit of metal grating on the front.  They probably haven't been touched in decades other than minor repairs.  Jackets hang on numerous coat racks as members shed them prior to heading out to the course.  On the opposite side of the clubhouse, behind the front desk, is the bar and then the grill.  The bar appears just as old as the rest of the edifice, as does the grill.  I felt like Walter Travis himself could walk in and it wouldn't be surprising.  

On to the course.  The terrain is essentially flat with fairways winding through tall grasses that often present crappy lies in addition to the hosel-grabbing fescue.  I found myself in the weeds many times, and often the recovery was not pretty.  In my defense, we played in a 2-3 club wind all day, which is abnormal at GC.  It was fun nonetheless, even though the course record was not in anyone's cross hairs.  

Again, a hole-by-hole walk through has been done before, so my focus will be on what stood out to me.     

The range is small, short, and looks more like hitting balls onto The Sandlot, but it doesn't detract from the experience.  Right outside the pro shop is the first tee, a driveable par 4.  As with most of the course, water does not come in play.  But...there are plenty of natural, unlandscaped areas that include ditches, fescue, and other places you don't want to find yourself.  Such is the area around the first green that awaits your wayward drive or approach.  

Garden City's simplicity is its beauty.  Creative bunkering, green complexes, and contouring are more utilized than trees, lakes, or creeks.  It's a walking course that I'd love another chance at to appreciate the subtleties.  

The 18th is a mid-length par 3 over a lake toward the clubhouse.  It's a bit daunting because there can often be a crowd eating on the patio and watching your every move.  I didn't break any windows and secured an up-and-down par, so I didn't embarrass myself or my host.

Garden City and many classic courses of the same era do not wow you with an opulent clubhouses or tricked-up golf holes.  It is a window in to golf from 100 years ago, which has a distinct feel and reverence.