Golf Club Atlas
GolfClubAtlas.com => Golf Course Architecture => Topic started by: Jon Cavalier on January 29, 2015, 11:30:50 PM
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Sleepy Hollow Country Club
Scarborough-on-Hudson, NY
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Full disclosure: I love this place. Sleepy Hollow is, quite simply, one of my favorite places in the country to play golf. Exceptional golden age architecture, spectacular views, exciting shots, fabulous conditions -- Sleepy Hollow has everything a golfer could want. And to top it off, Sleepy Hollow is the course that sparked my interest in the work Charles Blair McDonald and Seth Raynor, and subsequently my love for golf architecture generally. So I'm biased.
The 15th and 16th Greens
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And of course, I've been wanting to do a photo tour of Sleepy Hollow for quite some time. As with my tour of Old Town Club, Sleepy Hollow's recent near miss on Golf Digest's Top-100 list provided a perfect impetus and incentive to pull this tour together and shine a bit of a light on a place that, for me, is ranked about 100 spots too low.
The "lesser" of the Par-3s at Sleepy Hollow
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For those unfamiliar with Sleepy Hollow, Ran has a wonderful profile you should read here: http://golfclubatlas.com/courses-by-country/usa/sleepy-hollow-country-club-ny-usa/. However, that profile is now nearly eight years old, and there have been changes made to the course, including additional tree removal (another impetus for this tour). The photographs you see below were taken over the course of two recent visits to Sleepy Hollow (which is the reason for the differences in light, course conditions and pin positions).
Waking Up at Sleepy
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I hope you enjoy the tour.
Sleepy Hollow Country Club
Sleepy Hollow was built on the 338-acre Woodlea estate, which the club acquired in 1911. C.B. Macdonald designed the golf course, with Seth Raynor on the ground as engineer, and the original 18 holes were completed that same year. In the late 1920s, AW Tillinghast expanded the course to 27 holes, creating several new holes for the 18-hole "Upper" and 9-hole "Lower" courses. Via the passage of time and the intrusion of several interim architects of more modern vintage, the course lost touch with its golden age roots for a period, but as we here at GCA know, George Bahto and Gil Hanse were brought in to restore the course's rightful Macdonald heritage.
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The result speaks for itself. In its present form, the main course at Sleepy Hollow is rife with beautiful interpretations of many of the Macdonald templates, including Redan, Punchbowl, Double Plateau, and one of the most gorgeous Shorts this side of Fishers Island. While the property has been owned by Colonel Eliot Shepard and William Rockefeller, and the course has been worked on by some of the great architects in golf, including Tillinghast and Hanse, Sleepy Hollow today stands clearly as a shining example of CB Macdonald's design tenets and as a fitting monument to George Bahto. Quite a lineage.
The Clubhouse
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No tour of Sleepy Hollow is complete without at least a brief discussion of its magnificent clubhouse. Some of the best courses in the country are identifiable by their clubhouses alone, and in a few instances -- Winged Foot, Oakmont, Myopia Hunt, Ridgewood, and Shinnecock, to name but a few -- they become iconic in their own right. Sleepy Hollow's is one such clubhouse.
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7426/16206463359_7601261bd0_c.jpg)
Looming high above, the clubhouse, designed by Stanford White in 1893 as the manor house, is the first thing the golfer notices about Sleepy Hollow upon entering the gates, and it provides quite the first impression. As the long entrance road makes way up toward the building, the loping route provides views of several holes on the lower course, the driving range, the stables, and the many rock formations that remind the golfer that he's in Westchester. But all the while, the presence of the massive clubhouse dominates.
The entrance road culminates at the south face of the clubhouse, seen in the photo below. The parking lot is in the rear, to the right.
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The clubhouse has been the scene of several television shows and movies, and has hosted countless events. And with views like this from its spacious lawn, it's easy to see why.
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7353/16366703486_12fc44445e_c.jpg)
It is a beautiful building and a fitting way to begin a day at Sleepy Hollow.
The Scorecard, Logo and Haunted Bridges
A golfer senses a theme at Sleepy Hollow. The club has named its each of its holes in reference to Washington Irving's story, which was set in the surrounding hills. The course itself stretches to 6880 yards and plays quite plesantly at 6377 yards from the white tees (which I use for this tour) to a par of 70.
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The club's logo of the Headless Horseman, likewise taken from the Irving story, is one of the best in golf.
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7287/16392679345_d7ab2e702f_c.jpg)
Finally, the Haunted Bridges, encountered on the 3rd, 10th and 16th holes, appear to have been built by Irving's contemporaries and provide a unique and fitting touch.
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The Golf Course at Sleepy Hollow
Hole 1 - "Sunnyside" - 406yds - Par 4
There is no more enjoyable way to start a round of golf that from a first tee that sits in the shadow of the clubhouse, as is the case at Sleepy Hollow. The Hudson river just peeks out above the treeline, giving the golfer a small taste of what's to come.
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The first hole is a downhill dogleg right which, while tree lined, has a more generous landing area and more room to work the ball than it first appears. The ideal position is the left half of the fairway.
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The first green is of a good size, but the bunkering on both sides and the visually deceptive framing bunker short left make for a challenging first iron.
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The fairway runs seamlessly into the green, allowing for the ball to be run on to the putting surface, but the green slopes up from front to back. The deep Macdonald bunkering is felt immediately.
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The view back up the first hole -- steeper than it appears, and a solid start to what will become a memorable round.
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Hole 2 - "Outlook" - 321yds - Par 4
Reminiscent of the first hole at Myopia, the second hole is a short, uphill par-4 defended by a relatively severe, well-protected green. The "eyeglasses" bunkers short of the fairway are not in play, but make for an appealing visual effect.
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The approach to the second green will almost always be from an uphill lie, making for frequent short-right misses. This deep-and-steep wraparound front-right bunker is waiting to catch those misses.
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7320/16205305870_8c2239cccb_c.jpg)
The climb to the second green at Sleepy Hollow is the first point on the course where the golfer is treated to both the stunning views of the Hudson River . . .
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7431/15770253154_1351a4c8ae_c.jpg)
. . . and to the sight of Sleepy Hollow's one-of-a-kind walking bridges. This is the point in the round where the golfer knows, beyond a doubt, that a special day awaits.
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Hole 3 - "Haunted Bridge" - 153yds - Par 3
Aptly named, the third hole may be the best par 3 among the standout collection of one-shotters at Sleepy Hollow. Played over a deep ravine to a green elevated just enough so that the golfer cannot see the entire putting surface, the third provides one of the most exciting tee shots on the front nine at Sleepy Hollow.
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The way in which the land was sculpted and the third green was benched into the hill will appeal to even the most jaded GCA enthusiasts.
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To access the green, the golfer crosses the Haunted Bridge for the first time. Simply beautiful.
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Hole 4 - "Brom Bones" - 404yds - Par 4
Cresting the hill after putting out on the third green, the golfer is afforded a wide view from the fourth tee over a large, open section of the golf course. The fourth hole plays out to an open fairway that dips down, then crests a small rise before arriving at the green.
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Longer shots may clear the rise, offering the golfer an unobstructed view of the putting surface. For those that do not, an aiming marker is provided behind the green.
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A precision approach shot is required, as the fourth green is well guarded with deep bunkers, and is itself riddled with undulations, allowing for difficult pin positions.
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Hole 5 - "High Tor" - 403yds - Par 4
Playing back in the direction of the fourth tee, the fifth hole plays over the rise in the fairway (which is easily carryable for all players), then drops quickly before again rising to meet the green. The view from the crest of the rise is spectacular.
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The encroaching bunkers, which begin well short of the fourth green, provide for an added challenge on the player's approach. Shots that come up short are in danger of rolling several yards back down the fairway.
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Approaches that come up short face this shot, with only the green (with its false front and varying internal mounds) and the pin in view.
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The fifth green. No words necessary.
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Hole 6 - "Headless Horseman" - 458yds - Par 5
The first three shot hole at Sleepy Hollow is short on the card but plays longer, thanks to the hill that must be climbed before reaching the second fairway. Aggressive, longer hitters can carry the steep, mounded wall but many players are better off simply laying up short of it. Right is dead, and the massive grass bunker on the left side of the hill just wishes it was dead.
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Once reaching the upper tier of fairway, the golfer must contend with the principal's nose bunkering, which sits smack in prime lay-up territory some sixty yards short of the green.
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The sixth green slopes substantially from back to front -- approaches that end up beyond the hole will result in a very tricky putt back down to the hole.
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Hole 7 - "Tarry Brae" - 193yds - Par 3
In your author's humble opinion, the best downhill reverse-redan hole in existence.
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The steepness of the green from high left to low right is so pronounced that balls routinely roll for 30 seconds or more as they funnel down toward the pin. A wonderfully exciting hole to play.
(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8568/16206826407_90dce58fe9_c.jpg)
Hole 8 - "Sleepy Hollow" - 439yds - Par 4
The eighth hole begins the stretch of holes that were originally laid out by Tillinghast, and which are, for the most part, on a flatter, narrower portion of the property. Nevertheless, the rolling terrain provides for many interesting shots, as first seen on the par-4 eighth hole. Off the tee, the preferred result is the left side, but the partially hidden low left fairway bunker must be avoided. A large mound in the right half of the fairway can scatter balls in any direction.
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The eighth green is set perfectly among the hills and rocky outcroppings. A false front repels indifferent approaches.
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The eighth green, with the eleventh green complex visible behind.
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Hole 9 - "Katrina's Glen" - 377yds - Par 4
The ninth provides a generous landing area for tee shots, but balls that end up short and right will face a blind approach to a small, well defended green.
(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8650/16206832597_cd3e4e49fb_c.jpg)
Tee shots that find the high left side of the fairway will have the preferred look down the center of the slightly elevated green.
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7450/16366748626_e1d27a6c64_c.jpg)
As shown in this photo, missing left is bad, but missing far left is awful. Note the many appealing pin positions in the rippling green.
(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8671/15770281364_8ab3e1552b_c.jpg)
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Hole 10 - "The Lake" - 136yds - Par 3
As noted above, the 10th is probably the "worst" of Sleepy Hollow's four one-shot holes, which should tell you everything you need to know about the high quality of the quartet that the course presents.
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The only hole at Sleepy Hollow with a true water hazard (the 12th has a small stream crossing it), what you see is what you get . . . (https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7315/15772717233_21a2c2f817_c.jpg)
. . . but it sure is pretty.
(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8630/16206841717_36efa70f82_c.jpg)
Hole 11 - "Ichabod's Elbow" - 371yds - Par 4
The offset teeing ground of the eleventh hole, benched into the side of the hill bordering the property, creates a soft dogleg right which favors a cut first shot. While there are rugged, wooded areas on both sides of this hole, even bad shots are typically found and played.
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The eleventh's key feature is its elevated green and surrounding green complex. As you would expect, the elevation of the green makes the surrouding bunkers much deeper and much more penal as a hazard.
(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8669/16391000331_c3b8d42fb9_c.jpg)
The green is also one of the most undulating on the golf course . . .
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7322/16391820182_b24a77d2aa_c.jpg)
. . . and this raised section in the right rear of the putting surface makes for both some interesting putts and some impossible recoveries from misses left.
(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8568/16206847257_66021c9f65_c.jpg)
The wonderfully constructed eleventh green complex, as viewed from the left side.
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Hole 12 - "Double Plateau" - 513yds - Par 5
The second and last par 5 at Sleepy Hollow, the twelfth winds left between the varied hills and mounds that mark ths section of the golf course. This hole was one of the most modified by Bahto and Hanse, and its safe to assume that Macdonald would approve.
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The hole is reachable in two by longer players capable of positioning their tee shots in a spot that allows the dogleg to be negotiated. Those laying up must contend with a small stream that winds across the fairway a few dozen yards short of the green and down the left side of the fairway.
(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8604/16391824752_1b7d5e83fb_c.jpg)
The three-tiered double plateau green is exceptionally built and, while severe in spots (as it should be) it is also large enough to accomodate accessible pin positions. The steep fairway-cut slope fronting the green adds another layer of challenge, especially to front pins.
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A look back down the twelfth hole.
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Hole 13 - "Andre's Lane" - 384yds - Par 4
The thirteenth marks the golfer's return to the area of the course originally developed by Macdonald, and it's an excellent hole. A wide, gently inclined fairway slopes gently from high left to low right, and while a line up the left side is ideal, it also confronts two fairway bunkers and a cross-hazard. A line up the right is safer, but not only risks caroming into the rough, but also requires an approach from a less-than-ideal line over perhaps the deepest bunker on the course. At Sleepy Hollow, such risk/reward decisions are confronted on a continual basis.
(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8683/16206533069_761c0c0155_c.jpg)
The raised thirteenth green complex is one of your author's favorites. In addition to the extremely deep front right bunker, the complex features a pot bunker cut front left, along with a large expanse of fairway cut that extends well to the left of the green before culminating in a kick-slope that tumbles to the putting surface. This unique setup allows for players to play safely away from the righthand bunker and either benefit from the built-in slope or to putt from above the left side of the green. An old stone wall frames the rear of the green. A wonderfully designed feature.
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The thirteenth green as viewed from the fourteenth tee, showing the large area of fairway cut grass. Putting from up there is both challenging and fun.
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Hole 14 - "Homeward Bound" - 378yds - Par 4
Yet another aptly named hole, the fourteenth tee is set at the eastern corner of the property, the farthest point on the course from the clubhouse, and the next five holes stretch across the property and return the golfer home. The tee shot on the fourteenth appears simple but is deceptively complex. From the tee, the righthand bunker juts into the rising fairway. But this small hill not only obscures the green . . .
(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8614/16391832612_b77a32334c_c.jpg)
. . . but hides a similar, though larger, lefthand cross bunker that sits just beyond the high point of the fairway. The firm conditions and the now-downhill slope of the fairway will carry most balls that crest the hill left of center into this bunker.
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7323/16206537869_ca7c865bfa_c.jpg)
The fourteenth culminates in a narrow, deep green - one of the smallest on the course. The green slopes relatively gently from front to back before abruptly ending and falling several feet to a right rear bunker or the rough below.
(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8609/16391016811_544efa98ae_c.jpg)
From the right side, the golfer is treated to a long view of the green, the multi-tiered bunkers that separate the fourteenth and fourth greens, and the everpresent rocky surrounds of Sleepy Hollow.
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Hole 15 - "Punch Bowl" - 437yds - Par 4
The fifteenth is your author's favorite hole at Sleepy Hollow, and it is fantastic. An Alps/Punchbowl amalgamation, the combination of features found on this hole are unique in my experience, and together, they combine to form one of the most exciting, rewarding golf holes that I have ever played. From the slighly elevated tee, only the first 400 yards of fairway are visible to the golfer, along with the right fairway bunker.
(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8610/16206541499_d93d5a07ba_c.jpg)
The fairway is generous but canted rather substantially from high left to low right. The left side of the fairway is ideal, and anything right of center runs a high risk of catching the right fairway bunker.
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7437/16366777356_830f371c64_c.jpg)
The long approach shot is entirely blind, as the green sits some 20-30 feet below the fairway. The perfect shot is played out over the right hand bunker, left of the aiming flag. As the golfer crests the fairway . . .
(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8607/16206863057_38537846f9_c.jpg)
. . . he is rewarded with the breathtaking view of the punchbowl green, with the sixteenth green behind and the Hudson river valley far below.
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7281/15772742023_52c529eab6_c.jpg)
Looking back, the proper route to the green is revealed. One could never tire of playing this magnificent hole.
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7295/16391842042_c0d01ea0a9_c.jpg)
Hole 16 - "Panorama" - 150yds - Par 3
One of the most beautiful one shot holes in the country, the Short at Sleepy Hollow plays back over the gorge that was first confronted on the third hole to a green ringed almost completely by a trench bunker. The club has wisely removed all of the trees that once marred this spectacular view.
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7325/16205141818_2c07c185c7_c.jpg)
Gorgeous from any angle, the sixteenth's views hide a surprising amount of slope within its putting surface.
(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8605/16392766905_2cd74a7f62_c.jpg)
The golfer again crosses the Haunted Bridge over the gorge on his way to the sixteenth green. The way that the third and sixteenth holes were laid out over this terrain feature is a brilliant example of an architech making the most of a unique but difficult feature.
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Hole 17 - "Hendrik Hudson" - 433yds - Par 4
The seventeenth plays shorter than its yardage, as tee shots will roll forever. Given the heavy cant of the fairway from left to right, however, care must be taken to properly place one's tee shot or risk it rolling into the right rough for the cluster of fairway bunkers which are just out of view below the crest of the hill.
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7334/16366789756_00cd1cccb0_c.jpg)
The cluster of righthand fairway bunkers, as well as the extended fairway, are revealed as the golfer decends the seventeenth fairway. The firm, fast conditions make these bunkers play far larger than their footprint.
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7284/16412832145_b03ef36988_c.jpg)
Level lies on approach are few and far between, making this narrow, bunkered green a difficult target. The fairway runs seamlessly into the front of the green, however, leaving the option for a ground attack open.
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7454/16225183448_6202821274_c.jpg)
The greenside view of the long downhill penultimate hole.
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Hole 18 - "Mansion Rise" - 401yds - Par 4
While the seventeenth plays shorter than its yardage on the card, the eighteenth, leading back up to the iconic clubhouse, plays much longer than its listed 401. While tee shots up the left side of this relatively narrow fairway will bounce down into ideal position, the lefthand fairway bunker must be avoided, as it makes reaching the green (or anywhere nearby) a virtual impossibility.
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7429/16391865442_2cc7bc4454_c.jpg)
The beautiful approach shot with the clubhouse directly behind the green (and, often, the lunch crowd observing play) provides on last pleasant memory of a golfer's round. While getting up and down from a left miss is tough, missing right can lead to a 30 yard uphill pitch.
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7416/15770338084_966fee8a78_c.jpg)
The green, following the slope of the land, is pitched substantially from back left to front right. Putting back to a front pin is a challenge.
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7454/16206891117_d9a6b0891c_c.jpg)
Like the first tee, the final green at Sleepy Hollow sits mere steps from the clubhouse.
(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8662/16206571269_f6dd59cecf_c.jpg)
Sleepy Hollow is a must not only for any fan of CB Macdonald, but for anyone with a love for golden age golf architecture or just a love of fun, exciting golf. Head Professional David Young and the club's members are rightfully proud of their golf course and have acted as outstanding custodians of this treasure. Soon, as more raters see Sleepy Hollow in its current form, it will assume its rightful place on every top 100 list there is. But until then, it remains an underrated gem that everyone should try to see at least once.
Pops lets fly on 16
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7331/16213771129_009397b753_c.jpg)
I hope you enjoyed the tour.
Past Tours:
Somerset Hills CC (http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,59808.0.html)
Eastward Ho (http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,59919.0.html)
Myopia Hunt Club (http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,59738.0.html)
Old Town Club (http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,60356.0.html)
Whippoorwill Club (http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,60050.0.html)
Ballyhack (http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,59991.0.html)
Garden City Golf Club (http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,59549.0.html)
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Jon,
Thanks for the tour.
The quality of the photos is outstanding.
What did you take them with ?
Nice write up too.
It's a pretty neat place.
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Hello,
JC, I'll tell you what, this write-up and accompanying photo were so good, it made me reassess my critiques of Sleep Hollow, which has never been among my favorite, though well-enjoyed by me many times.
Surely, the overgrowth removal and Bahto-Hanse reno-restoration have been big contributors to my ever-improving assessment, but your presentation is damn near perfect to advertise the meritorious, singular features of this place. Thank you for taking the time.
My god, the overgrowth removal ALONE is so significant, I almost resent having been there more times in the pre-Bahto era. Few are ever going to understand how that bold architecture was largely encased in trees in the #6-12 stretch of the course. The par 3, 3rd and 7th were different holes when they were played framed by trees and wildlands. If you hit a short right ball on #7 (the Reverse redan) it was almost always a lost ball, now you can keep playing.
You were, imo, correct to emphasize the singular features of the 15th in toto, and you well-translated the doubled visual feast of both that Punchbowl green AND your first full glimpse of 16, which is indeed one of the handsomest holes anywhere.
Great post, thank you for the effort.
cheers
vk
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Phenomenal as usual, Jon.
There are very few places in the world that I want to see as much as Sleepy Hollow. Sensational tour.
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Wonderful tour. I played SH just after the redo and was astonished by the quality. I had heard very little about the course previously. I had played Hudson National that morning so it was interesting to play two such different courses on the same day. The New York area is blessed with so many great courses.
Do I remember correctly that the clubhouse originally belonged to the Vanderbilts or another wealthy family?
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Jon,
Great picture quality and write up. I would love to see before and after's if you have them of what Vinnie spoke of.
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Yes, Tommy, the Vanderbilts.
Jon, many thanks for a gorgeous and informative tour. Much appreciated. I played Sleepy Hollow twice before the restoration, but have always been eager to see it since. Now I'm drooling with anticipation.
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Fantastic photos and commentary, Jon. We'll done.
Assuming you've played other Macdonald /Raynor courses, where does SH fall in the heirarchy of their courses, in your opinion?
How does the Reverse Redan compare with The Creek's?
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Jon, another home run with this thread. Great pictures and write-up. I have Sleepy Hollow's club history book and it's a great read, but not a lot of photography of the golf holes. Your thread is fantastic as I have always wanted to see what this course looks like. What an incredible setting. Looks like a place you could play a thousand times and never tire of it. Thanks again and if it's alright with you, I'd like to give you a list of another 50 or so golf courses I'd love to see photographs of!
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Jon, I chuckled when I saw you posted this thread. Sleepy Hollow is one of the best places in the world to play golf, no question.
A mix of Tilly and templates?!?! How awesome is that!
Mark
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Thanks Jon. This is outstanding. If someone were to ask me what my preferred style of GCA is, I would probably say natural/minimalist/rough-around-the-edges. But when I see these photos (and think back to visits to Shoreacres and NGLA), it makes me think twice. There is just something that is both naturally fitting and yet artistically made about this course, and others like it by CB Mac and Raynor. The way the course works around the property, incorporating magnificent views highlights Mother Nature's hand. The bunkers and green complexes add the artistry. And now, the tree removal shines a light on the the best specimens throughout by stripping away clutter. It just looks RIGHT.
Oh, and by the way, sounds like it's a ton of fun to play too. There are many courses in the Top 100 that I probably wouldn't want to play every day. This looks like it could be a blast to play every day for the rest of my life.
I got a tentative invite to play there later this year. I was excited before. Now, oh dear lord...
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Thank you for the tour Jon. I think I could play this course and never lack for interest. From the way the course fits the ground to the beautiful views. What a gem.
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Thanks for the tour, everything looks near-perfect and in the right place...except your shirttail. ;) ;D
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Thanks for the tour, everything looks near-perfect and in the right place...except your shirttail. ;) ;D
Hey now - I'm a vision of sartorial golfing perfectionism. And about 30 years younger, and a few pounds lighter. The moderately disheveled gentleman you're referring to is my father, who I brought along that day (he would want me to be sure to include here that he hit the green with that shot and made par).
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Thanks for the tour, everything looks near-perfect and in the right place...except your shirttail. ;) ;D
Hey now - I'm a vision of sartorial golfing perfectionism. And about 30 years younger, and a few pounds lighter. The moderately disheveled gentleman you're referring to is my father, who I brought along that day (he would want me to be sure to include here that he hit the green with that shot and made par).
Pops gets a free pass. ;)
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Jon, "… hope you enjoyed the tour"!!! I should think so!!
Once again your photo presentation and description of the overall course and individual holes is outstanding. Reading the posts the use of the words a "gem", "best", "incredible", "drooling", "…dear Lord.." and so on and so forth abound and mirror my thoughts to a tee.
What a place… Bahto/Hanse have a lot to answer for!! Just beautiful.
Thanks Colin
P.S. I have just run through the presentation with my better half, Tricia. She was captivated!!
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A spectacular tour of a spectacular course. I played it before the re-do, and it was wonderful then, but now… Wow! Your photos do it justice, which is saying a lot. Many, many thanks.
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Jon -
Thanks for sharing. Sleepy Hollow looks like a spectacular setting to play golf in. I love the open feeling of the course and expansive views.
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It looks as though it may have some interesting features and make for a fun round. They do however perhaps loose some charm by being so clearly contrived in the bunkering and presentation. It seems a landscape and a course that would benefit hugely if it were not so manicured and so damned neat and not so much of that silly faux wood railings. The club house also a touch OTT for my personal taste.
And the 12th hole is hideous
Otherwise it looks fun
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It looks as though it may have some interesting features and make for a fun round. They do however perhaps loose some charm by being so clearly contrived in the bunkering and presentation. It seems a landscape and a course that would benefit hugely if it were not so manicured and so damned neat and not so much of that silly faux wood railings. The club house also a touch OTT for my personal taste.
And the 12th hole is hideous
Otherwise it looks fun
I'll take a guess that those wood railings are real wood, not faux..
Out of curiosity, what about the 12th is so hideous? To me it looks like a neat, pretty hole with plenty of strategic options.
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It looks as though it may have some interesting features and make for a fun round. They do however perhaps loose some charm by being so clearly contrived in the bunkering and presentation. It seems a landscape and a course that would benefit hugely if it were not so manicured and so damned neat and not so much of that silly faux wood railings. The club house also a touch OTT for my personal taste.
And the 12th hole is hideous
Otherwise it looks fun
There is absolutely nothing faux about Sleepy Hollow, including the wood rails! The clubhouse is a former Vanderbilt mansion, and has been wonderfully repurposed as the clubhouse. It manages to feel incredibly charming and homey, despite its size and opulence.
Based on your comments about the course itself, I suggest you steer clear of MacDonald and Raynor courses.
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I've run out of superlatives to describe these threads, Jon. If I were you I'd try to find a way of making money out of your talent.
Also...what a logo!
The pro shop sells Iphone cases with the logo and said that they fly out the door and are constantly being restocked.
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And the 12th hole is hideous
If I recall correctly, the 12th is the hole that Gil Hanse most significantly changed. It had been a straight par 4 that is now a dogleg left par 5 with the burn in play, diagonally crossing the new portion of fairway. If you look at the first photo of the hole above, the old green was located on the rise on the right. I think the new hole is more interesting than original. The old 12th and the 11th seemed too similar to one another and the new routing eliminated a big gap between old #12 gree and #13 tee.
Sleepy was the home course of my high school, SHHS (the Headless Horsemen of course) and I am fortunate to be able to play there from time to time with friends of 50+ years. A highlight of each golf season to be sure.
PS - The bridges and rails are real wood. I think they are pretty cool are a nice Hudson Valley touch.
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It looks as though it may have some interesting features and make for a fun round. They do however perhaps loose some charm by being so clearly contrived in the bunkering and presentation. It seems a landscape and a course that would benefit hugely if it were not so manicured and so damned neat and not so much of that silly faux wood railings. The club house also a touch OTT for my personal taste.
And the 12th hole is hideous
Otherwise it looks fun
At the risk of piling on...
What would make you think the rails were faux wood? (by the way, the wood could be loose, which could cause the course to lose some charm ;))
They've been there for years, and those bridges used to weave through heavily wooded environments,and with the exception of the one on 10, are pretty high over steep ravines.
The most notable one was the one between the old #12 green and 13 tee, a long walk that #12 reconfiguration has eliminated.
As for #12, I've not played it in its new form, but it looks to be quite a solid hole in terms of strategy and texture, and certainly shortens the walk to 13 tee. It also adds a par 5 to the back nine allowing 15 to be reconverted back to a par 4, eliminating a 100 yard walk back. (we used to tee off on 15 after hitting our second shots into 14 green)
The clubhouse was a Vanderbilt mansion-what would you have them do? tear it down?
Much of the clubhouse is hotel rooms for members-I was fortunate enough to have spent many a night there in the shoulder seasons while securing housing for the summer.
As far as it being manicured, it is a parkland course and I suppose they could've adopted the "fescue in a can" look so in vogue today.
Ironically, the hole you find "hideous" is the one most invoking the nonmanicured, textured look.
Compared to most of the courses in the area, the current version of Sleepy has far more texture and color than others.
Thanks Jon for a great tour.
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Jon,
You are the MVP of GCA !!Another home run.
I was there for the Woman's Amateur in 2002 and walked the course for four days. The green complexes were among the best I have ever seen. The tree removal has made the course even more spectacular in so many ways. I have got to get back there.
Much appreciated!
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Wonderful review and spectacular pictures!! I played the course last summer and was very impressed with the work that has gone into the both the lower and upper courses over the years.
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Thanks for the tour Jon. Your pictures are so captivating.
I've already looked over these pictures several times and I'm sure I'll be back for more.
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Been waiting for someone else to mention it but since nobody has, I will. Tom Leahy is the Golf Course Superintendent at Sleepy and the conditions he provides there are world-class.
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Purely an aesthetic preference. But it is clearly and interesting and varied landscape. Movement of terrain, rock and soil, different vegetation colours. And yet against that, I find the white sharp edged geometric bunkering far too jarring against that backdrop. That in no way degrades from the strategy of the course, just its appearance.
By Faux wood, I mean those bridge railings made of what appear to be branches. Perhaps faux wasn't the correct term, but again it jars my senses. To have such a manicured and geometrical course, and then juxtapose those strange balustrades, doesn't work for me.
And the clubhouse? Well yes perhaps there is history, but I prefer small humble buildings than mock Versailles palaces. Im sure the beer is cold and the sandwiches tasty
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Fantastic review and photos, thanks for posting. The combination of scenery, template, Tilly and even the bridges makes the course look very good. I could hit tee shots on that Short hole for days.
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It looks as though it may have some interesting features and make for a fun round. They do however perhaps loose some charm by being so clearly contrived in the bunkering and presentation. It seems a landscape and a course that would benefit hugely if it were not so manicured and so damned neat and not so much of that silly faux wood railings. The club house also a touch OTT for my personal taste.
And the 12th hole is hideous
Otherwise it looks fun
Josh,
Please, in earnest, tell us what your idea of a wonderful, charming course is? I'm also very interested to her what makes the 12th hole so "hideous" in your estimation? I take it you've never played at Sleepy Hollow, but I do wonder what (beside the "silly faux wood," "so manicured and damned neat" bunkers and scale of the clubhouse caused you to feel so polarized about the place??? Do tell.
PS....Jon, another terrific photo essay. Larry Lambrecht and Brian Morgan should feel lucky you have a different day job! ;D
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Very fine Jon!
Ciao
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Well, I have played here many times in the last 25 years and their were no branch bridges. A new braggadocio for one of the most lavish Westchester County clubs. I guess this was part of the latest revision by Bahto and Hanse.
It is one of the really good Westchester County, NY courses but by no means the best. The best holes tend to match up with the sweeping views over the Hudson River.
The club has not been the classiest place in Westchester County over the years. I have heard stories of "Headless Horsemen" outings with scantily clad women running around and alcoholic hedonism running rampant. Perhaps our Patrick Mucci might have some memories?
A very nice club and golf course but not Nirvana.
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Well, I have played here many times in the last 15 years and their were no branch bridges. A new braggadocio for one of the most lavish Westchester County clubs. I guess this was part of the latest revision by Bahto and Hanse.
It is one of the really good Westchester County, NY courses but by no means the best. The best holes tend to match up with the sweeping views over the Hudson River.
A very nice club and golf course but not Nirvana.
Malcolm,
The "branch bridges" were most certainly there in 1992, 1993 when I worked there, and 1995 when I returned as Jim Hand's guest to see the then most recent bastardization.
They may not have been any on #10, but they most certainly were there on #3, #16, and the long walk to #13.(which is now no longer a long walk)
They were far less visible then as they were through the woods, but were most certainly visible as you walked on them.
Did you ride?
You wouldn't have seen them if you rode
Your "guess" about Bahto and Hanse is wrong
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Jeff,
I stand corrected but I truly don't remember the bridges. No, I did not ride and never will.
The last time I played Sleepy was a match play scenario and perhaps I was too deep into my head between shots to notice.
Best,
Malcollm
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Jon,
Awesome pics of an awesome course.
Better still, your descriptions are spot on for one of the game's most under-rated courses.
You touched on everything great about SH, even the logo.
Just one thing you missed...the stables on property are as impressive as the course and clubhouse.
And Malcolm, a scantily clad woman and alcoholic hedonism is how my wife and I spend the cold Michigan weekends!
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Jon,
Thanks for another lovely photo tour. You are an artiste, good sir.
Malcolm,
Thanks for the recommendation. Putting the Headless Horseman on my list of things to do this year. 8)
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It looks as though it may have some interesting features and make for a fun round. They do however perhaps loose some charm by being so clearly contrived in the bunkering and presentation. It seems a landscape and a course that would benefit hugely if it were not so manicured and so damned neat and not so much of that silly faux wood railings. The club house also a touch OTT for my personal taste.
And the 12th hole is hideous
Otherwise it looks fun
Josh,
Please, in earnest, tell us what your idea of a wonderful, charming course is? I'm also very interested to her what makes the 12th hole so "hideous" in your estimation? I take it you've never played at Sleepy Hollow, but I do wonder what (beside the "silly faux wood," "so manicured and damned neat" bunkers and scale of the clubhouse caused you to feel so polarized about the place??? Do tell.
PS....Jon, another terrific photo essay. Larry Lambrecht and Brian Morgan should feel lucky you have a different day job! ;D
I do wish the club left the original 12th approach and green available as an alternate. When I played there I walked up the hillside and gave it a walk around. Can anyone comment on why such a major change was warranted?
Mark
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Here's a link to the club brochure with some great interior clubhouse shots.
http://www.explore-hudson-valley.com/support-files/sleepy-hollow-country-club-brochure.pdf
Thanks so very much for this photo tour, Jon. Questions - from the photos, the Tillinghast section seems very different than the Macdonald holes. Is this apparent as you play the course? Does that section....."feel" different? Is it more that the land in that section is different, or the hole design, or am I just seeing a difference that you don't feel when playing the course?
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Here's a link to the club brochure with some great interior clubhouse shots.
http://www.explore-hudson-valley.com/support-files/sleepy-hollow-country-club-brochure.pdf
Thanks so very much for this photo tour, Jon. Questions - from the photos, the Tillinghast section seems very different than the Macdonald holes. Is this apparent as you play the course? Does that section....."feel" different? Is it more that the land in that section is different, or the hole design, or am I just seeing a difference that you don't feel when playing the course?
Kirk,
The Tillie holes do have a bit of a different character than the Macdonald holes, but I believe a lot of that has to do with them occupying a more heavily wooded section of the property. That's not necessarily to suggest that the course feels disjointed - the transition holes actually flow reasonably well all things considered and the style of bunkering is pretty uniform. Gil and George did a fantastic job melding the two sections of the course, imho.
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Here's a link to the club brochure with some great interior clubhouse shots.
http://www.explore-hudson-valley.com/support-files/sleepy-hollow-country-club-brochure.pdf
Thanks so very much for this photo tour, Jon. Questions - from the photos, the Tillinghast section seems very different than the Macdonald holes. Is this apparent as you play the course? Does that section....."feel" different? Is it more that the land in that section is different, or the hole design, or am I just seeing a difference that you don't feel when playing the course?
Kirk,
The Tillie holes do have a bit of a different character than the Macdonald holes, but I believe a lot of that has to do with them occupying a more heavily wooded section of the property. That's not necessarily to suggest that the course feels disjointed - the transition holes actually flow reasonably well all things considered and the style of bunkering is pretty uniform. Gil and George did a fantastic job melding the two sections of the course, imho.
Kirk:
Thanks for the comments and the link. As for your question, I agree with Jeff to a large extent. Those holes do feel a bit different -- for the most part, they are noticeably flatter and tighter than the rest of the course, though as Jeff said, this has a lot to do with the fact that they occupy some of the flattest and most heavily wooded areas of the property.
In doing the revisions and restoration, Bahto and Hanse were operating with a strategy of Macdonald-ifying the course (due, at least in part, the emphasize the rarer architectural pedegree for a course that sits in the heart of Tillinghast country, and also because Macdonald did the majority of the course). Prior to the restoration, these holes were more Tillie-like in character, and were much tighter than they are now. As Jeff noted, Bahto and Hanse did a really nice job of restoring and unifying the course as a Macdonald-style layout.
In simple terms, I think someone like you -- who knows the styles of Tillinghast and Macdonald and is acutely interested in GCA -- would probably recognize that the original Tillinghast holes were somewhat different from the rest of the course. But that the vast majority of the golfers playing the course today would probably not notice the difference.
Thanks again for your comments.
Jon
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Spectacular Jon! Thank you.
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I do wish the club left the original 12th approach and green available as an alternate. When I played there I walked up the hillside and gave it a walk around. Can anyone comment on why such a major change was warranted?
Mark
Mark:
You're right - the original 12th was a solid hole. My understanding for the change is that Hanse/Bahto very much wanted to bring the 15th hole back to a long par-4, which both allows the hole to play as Macdonald originally designed and takes full advantage of the fun and unique Alps slope and Punchbowl green - features that are tailored perfectly to receive a long, blind (and often running) approach but are largely wasted via 50-100 yard wedge shots. As I mentioned, this is my favorite hole on the golf course, and so I'm very much in favor of what they did to this hole.
The issue is that Sleepy's 15th was the only par-5 on the back nine and one of only two three shot holes overall. So if they made 15 a par-4 and left 12 as is, the course would have been left with only one par-5 (the 6th) and, perhaps more problematic (at least to some), an overall men's par of 68. And if you assume they were in need of a second par-5 to keep par at 70, the 12th was the place to do it, as the hole had the room to be enlarged (and, as noted, a secondary benefit would be a much shorter green to tee walk).
Like I said, while I did like the original 12th, I think the 15th as currently constructed (par-4) is world-class, so on balance, I like the trade.
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Jon,
If 15 would revert to 4 par and keeping 12 as is, wouldn't course par then be 69?
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John:
Good catch. I fixed the error in my post above.
Thanks,
Jon
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I had the good fortune of experiencing the Gil Hanse-restored/renovated Sleepy Hollow last week. Many years ago, when I was just starting in the game and my focus, foolishly, was on swing and score instead of design, I played the pre-restored/renovated course on two separate occasions. The course I played last week seemed at once familiar and brand new.
Jon's superb photographs and words, as always, do an excellent job of conveying the experience, so I will limit my comments to a few additional observations. What's always interesting to me about tree removal is that it counterintuitively makes a course more intimate. Although a de-treed course takes on a more open and expansive feel, the ability to see more of the course at a single glance also ties it together in the golfer's eye. At Sleepy Hollow, the extensive tree removal (to say nothing of the remolding of the bunkers and green complexes) allows for epic long views beyond the property--the "Short" 16th hole, set atop a hill with the Hudson River and its cliffs framing the background, now vies for most photograph-ready hole in the world. But the tree removal also allows for numerous long views within the property, making the experience more cohesive even if at the same time revealing a scale that few other courses can compete with. A single vantage can yield views of upward of five separate greens, and, in certain instances (2 and 16, 4 and 14 most notably), ever-pleasing side-by-side greens.
My incredibly generous host was kind enough to drive me back, at sunset after our round, to the hill overlooking the 2nd and 16th holes, as well as Sleepy Hollow's famed wooden bridges, to take additional photographs. Although Jon has been gracious enough to allow me to post a few of my photographs in this thread, I do not want to clutter it, so I will limit myself to a few of my favorites from twilight. I'll consider posting more in a separate thread.
I very much hope others get to experience a course that is now, for the first time in a long time, in all its glory.
(http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn164/bsl52002/Sleepy%20Hollow/Sleepy%20Hollow%20Best/DSC00504_zpskhlabfhs.jpg)
(http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn164/bsl52002/Sleepy%20Hollow/Sleepy%20Hollow%20Best/DSC00517_zps9rjg5npk.jpg)
(http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn164/bsl52002/Sleepy%20Hollow/Sleepy%20Hollow%20Best/DSC00461_zpsshyxd0qa.jpg)
(http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn164/bsl52002/Sleepy%20Hollow/Sleepy%20Hollow%20Best/DSC00552_zpsrhgnhgvv.jpg)
(http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn164/bsl52002/Sleepy%20Hollow/Sleepy%20Hollow%20Best/931ebfac-f6fd-4b0d-bfbf-4b37ff4bf3d5_zps0oyztyjh.jpg)
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A few more pics of SH:
http://xchem.villanova.edu/~bausch/images/albums/sleepyhollow/
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my focus, foolishly, was on swing and score instead of design
Let it be all three! I promise you it's more fun that way and that the course will be happy if you play well on it.
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I played there for the first time a couple of weeks ago. Loved it. While my host was apologizing for the fairways being a little brown, I was like a kid at Christmas enjoying every bounce and roll. The greens were spectacular. The 15th hole was my favorite as well although the view on 16 was pretty awesome.
I have always loved the tee shot on 18 at Oakmont with the clubhouse in the background and Sleepy's 18th was just as nice. I am glad they left that mansion as the clubhouse. SH was a fabulous experience and certainly deserves a top 100 nod.
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Wow, what a course.
Enjoyed immensely this photo tour. Thanks so much for taking the time to share!
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Similar to Benjamin(who seemed to of played before the restoraton) and Jim i got to the opportunity to play Sleepy Hollow for the first time just a couple of weeks ago. The weather was not quite as perfect as it appears in the pictures above. We played right around the time of Hurricane Joaquin and the course had gotten quite a bit of rain, but it still played decently F&F.
The course is an absolute blast.
The one shot holes are absolutely terrific. Im sure most people would point out that the 10th over the water is the weakest of the bunch which i might agree with, but that doesn't mean i think its a bad hole. The green is actually a good bit more exciting than it appears from the tee box.
The downhill reverse redan is a tough hole to do well. There is a ton of potential for the hole to not be able to play as it was intended due to the added height of a downhill shot, and the shortish distance of the shot especially when it is played with a fade for a righty. All things being considered the slope on 7 is severe enough to kick balls down toward the hole all day long. I assume that you can probably just go right at the hole if you want, but where is the fun in that. I suspect this hole is a good bit of fun for a lefty.
Sleepy Hollow is also a fantastic example that blends two architects work together in a terrific fashion. No architects work overrides the other. Some holes are MacDonald some holes are Tillinghast, and it just works.
The sixth hole is the most confusing of the bunch. The severe uphill drive onto an upper plateau (that you might not get up to) is necessary to cover some elevation on a dramatic site, however if the wind is into your face and you don't get to the upper plateau your left with a blind shot with a couple of small bunkers nestled into a hillock right where you want to leave your approach. If i was one of the authors of the upcoming Confidential Guide part 3, I would assign one of those "!?" to the 6th as I'm not quite sure if i love it, hate it, or am confused by it...or all of the above.
I assume Sleepy Hollow doesn't quite get the love it deserves due to the fact that its in such a strong golf saturated area, but when it comes to pure FUN Sleepy Hollow takes first prize.
I can't wait to get back there...
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Hanse is rebuilding nine green complexes this fall at Sleepy Hollow, according to his Instagram post:
https://instagram.com/p/BLKvRYXAS7O/ (https://instagram.com/p/BLKvRYXAS7O/)
Sorry to see that Uncle George is missing out on the project...
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I can't wait to get back out there and see the work done on the 9 greens! Wow! I can remember a couple that didn't quite seem to fit in (10-11), but 9 of them is quite a project!!
Mark
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I can safely say I speak for Gil as well as members within the club on the restoration "team". We think of George Bahto every time we move an inch of dirt. I know by channeling George we continue to channel CB... ;)
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I'm surprised they are redoing the greens at Sleepy Hollow. I thought the restoration work done previously by Hanse/Bahto was pretty strong. Was a revisit with more work focused on the greens planned? Is this a reaction to rankings? Are there growth issues that just make sense to rework them now?
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Great pics! I played there a year ago and loved it although my day wasn't nearly as beautiful as yours.
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This is a wonderful tour! I'm thankful to Jon that I don't have to post any photos.
Late to the game as I often am I finally walked Sleepy Hollow for the first time last Saturday! It's wonderful and must be highly underrated by the rating community not that too many people here care about that.
Sleepy must be a poster-child for the wonders of massive tree removal. 5000+ and counting and post the Hanse renovation what a great walk! Too bad I somehow forgot how the link between my hands, body and clubs worked but hey it's golf and that can happen. Instead I focused on enjoying the company and taking some photos. It was a thrill to play from start to finish. As Jon mentioned loved the reverse Redan, short was an excellent rendition as well as many of the others. Sleepy is another example of a property where the templates really do work wonders and is very high on my list of places I wish to revisit asap.
Anyone else been there recently?
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I have only been once, in summer 2014. And it absolutely blew me away. I was aware of 16, but I wasn't prepared for how outstanding a lot of the holes were. I am astonished it was not in the World Top 100. I know everything is subjective but - for example - if I had 10 rounds I would play 9 of them here and 1 at Spyglass Hill (and probably walk in after 5 during that round).
I can only imagine the Membership might want to stay under the radar, because this is undoubtedly up there with The Cal Club as the most underrated course I have played in the US.
I would love to return at some point to see the changes which have been made. It looks even better.
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I think Sleepy is the best course in Westchester County. I haven't seen it yet this season so I have yet to see the new Eden green, thumbprint on 16, and some of the other latest tweaks, but it was already spectacular before these changes and I imagine is only better now. I don't love the first two and last two holes (though the severe land is to blame for this, not the design), but it possesses a handful of truly world class holes, unbelieveable views, and an excellent routing overall. Super fun, challenging, and beautiful.
FWIW, I place Quaker Ridge (home bias noted) and WFE as the next two best in Westchester, followed by WFW. The next group for me would include Fenway, Hudson National and Westchester (West). I've yet to play Wykagyl and Whipporwhill.
Westchester County has an embarrassment of riches but in my view Sleepy stands above the rest.
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Let me first admit, I'm unequivocally biased, and was a teenage homer for Sleepy Hollow. Across four years, I fought hard for the #1 slot on my High School team and Sleepy was our home course. Back then, of course, it looked nothing like it does today.
As others have already noted, today's Sleepy Hollow is unquestionably and grossly underrated on a comparative basis to many, many other US classic courses. It has earned, and deserves, a much better ranking on EVERY list from all the magazines through to the beloved CG.
Not that rankings really matter, but it's that good that is deserves to replace many lesser courses ahead of it. I'd go as far as to dare say that it challenges, for the throne of Westchester's Best, the usual stalwart favorites to both it's South and North. That's a tough golf-rich neighborhood to stand out in.
Extensive tree removal, green restoration and expansion, newer maintenance practices and mowing lines, a clear unification to the principles of CBM design, Gil's expert skill and vision, and constant TLC has produced a world-class restoration.
The course avoids over-templating with just enough moderation and mix of variety. It's scale and rolling-topography works to a near-perfect blend of fun, as well as test. It doesn't confront the player with repetition of difficulty like other highly-regarded nearby courses, yet asks just enough strategic execution before yielding many chances to score. I've had to have every shot in my bag working to produce a good round. It's far from easy, but never far from fun.
Perched on hill overlooking the Hudson River, the wind is never far way and the routing exposes it to all four directions, depending on what portion of the course you're on. When the weather permits, fast and firm are the desired ground and green conditions du jour. The walk takes you to all four corners of the property and, although hilly, never feels onerous.
Forget that the club, it's regal clubhouse, it's short course, and it's congenial atmosphere are first-class and often described with adjectives like spectacular. The 18 hole course is the primary attraction and it just doesn't disappoint...period! My personal opinion is that there are few, if any, better parkland courses in the US.
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I think Sleepy is the best course in Westchester County. I haven't seen it yet this season so I have yet to see the new Eden green, thumbprint on 16, and some of the other latest tweaks, but it was already spectacular before these changes and I imagine is only better now. I don't love the first two and last two holes (though the severe land is to blame for this, not the design), but it possesses a handful of truly world class holes, unbelieveable views, and an excellent routing overall. Super fun, challenging, and beautiful.
FWIW, I place Quaker Ridge (home bias noted) and WFE as the next two best in Westchester, followed by WFW. The next group for me would include Fenway, Hudson National and Westchester (West). I've yet to play Wykagyl and Whipporwhill.
Westchester County has an embarrassment of riches but in my view Sleepy stands above the rest.
Matt-I like SH 1 and 2 better than 17 and 18. The short par four second takes you to higher ground where most of the golf course is located and the way the Hudson and backdrop reveal itself as you walk up the hill to your tee shot is pretty amazing. That said I certainly think you have a valid case for number one in Westchester County as there are few courses that deliver more compelling holes with a parkland setting as Steve Lapper mentioned. My Westchester Top 10 would be:
1. WFE
2. Sleepy Hollow
3. WFW
4. Quaker Ridge
5. Fenway
6. Century
7. Westchester West
8. Whippoorwill
9. Wykagyl
10. Metropolis
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I grew up about a mile from Sleepy and went to Sleepy Hollow High. I didn't pick up golf until more than 20 years after that but am lucky to get to play the course every year with a good high school friend who was #1 on the High School team and whose family have been members for more than 50 years. The amazing thing (to me) is that the course is still changing every year. The green expansions have been significant. Several of them now rival Old Mac greens in size and complexity. Since last year #1 has a new mini alp mound that influences approach shots, a new left fairway bunker, trees removed between #1 and #18 and a bigger green. I love the course but wonder at what point will it be finished or will it be like Donald Ross at Pinehurst #2 with almost ever- continuing evolution.
Steve Lapper, where did you go to school?
Tim Martin - I like your list. If I had one it would be close to yours sans Fenway as I haven't played there.
I don't photograph the course every year, but here are links to some form three points in time including a couple weeks ago:
[size=78%]https://www.flickr.com/photos/golfcoursepix/albums/72157700100727845 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/golfcoursepix/albums/72157700100727845)[/size] Sleepy 2018
https://www.flickr.com/photos/golfcoursepix/albums/72157634369071026 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/golfcoursepix/albums/72157634369071026) Sleepy 2013
https://www.flickr.com/photos/golfcoursepix/albums/72157631862204690 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/golfcoursepix/albums/72157631862204690) Sleepy 2008