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Golfing in the Hamptons

One of many reasons to buy a home in Westhampton, Westhampton Beach, or Quogue is the close proximity to world reknown golf courses.

"Long Island possesses several golf courses which are said to be unsurpassed by any outside of Scotland," wrote the New York Times in 1910. "Lovers of the health-promoting sport have found the island a delightful territory in which to follow the popular game." Much of that "delightful territory" can be found here in the Hamptons, where some of the country's oldest clubs, not to mention some of its best courses, were founded. Here is a sampling of just a few.

The Westhampton Country Club
"With so many world renowned courses of historic importance, it is a tough neighborhood indeed for a course to gain its fair share of recognition," writes Ran Morrissett in the Golf Club Atlas. "Such is the case of Westhampton Country Club." Founded in 1890, the Westhampton Country Club is listed by the USGA as one of the first 100 golf clubs established in the U.S. "Located elsewhere like Cape Cod," writes Morrissett, "this course would be a stand-out."

The Quogue Field Club
Founded in 1887, the Quogue Field Club is the oldest golfing venue in the Hamptons. This 18-hole, Scottish-style links course was originally designed as a 9-hole course by James Hepburn & R. B. Wilson. The USGA lists the Quogue Field Club as one of the first 100 clubs established in the U.S.

Shinnecock Hills Golf Club
Best known of these is Southampton's Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, founded in 1891. The club has hosted four U.S. Open Championships spanning three centuries (1896, 1986, 1995 and 2004). This links-style course, originally designed by William Dunn, Jr., was redesigned in 1916 by the "father of American golf," Charles B. Macdonald, and his protégé, Seth Raynor (who went on to design some of the nations top courses). Although Shinnecock Hills underwent an additional redesign in 1931, six of Mr. Macdonald and Mr. Raynor's original holes remain to this day. Golf Digest ranked Shinnecock Hills 2nd in its 2007 list of America's "100 Greatest Courses." Globally, the course ranked 6th in 2007, according to the U.K.-based web site "Top 100 Golf Courses in the World." (www.top100golfcourses.co.uk)

National Golf Links of America
Adjacent to Shinnecock Hills is the National Golf Links of America (1911), considered Charles Macdonald's masterpiece. Mr. Macdonald spent five years studying the best courses in the U.K., questioning both designers and golfers about what makes a good golf hole "good" and a bad one "dull." The result of his meticulous study is National, "one of the best and most enchanting of courses" ever designed, according to legendary golf writer Bernard Darwin. Among its founding members were some of the major business tycoons of the day, including W.K. Vanderbilt, Clarence Mackay, Charles Deering, and Robert T. Lincoln, son of the 16th president. National currently ranks 13th on Golf Digest's 2007 list of "100 Greatest Courses," and 16th on the list of "Top 100 Golf Courses in the World."

Maidstone
Founded in 1891, the course at the Maidstone Club of Easthampton was built in 1899 on "one of the finest parcels of golfing ground in the world," according to the U.K.-based golfing web site, "Top 100 Golf Courses of the World." Originally a 9-hole course, Maidstone eventually acquired more land and in 1924 expanded to 18 holes. The redesign was entrusted to Willie Park, Jr. and is considered his masterpiece. Maidstone currently ranks 72nd in Golf Digest's list of "100 Greatest Courses" and 89th worldwide.

Southampton Golf Club
Nestled between National and Shinnecock Hills is the Southampton Golf Club, founded in 1925. It's course was designed - free of charge - by Macdonald protégé and longtime Southampton resident Seth Raynor. Mr. Raynor's designs - which include the Chicago Golf Club, Fishers Island Golf Club and the Country Club of Fairfield - continue to continue to rank among the best in the nation.