Built: 1996 Architect: Charles Jurgens Website: www.cherrycreeklinks.com
Description: The original 18 at Cherry Creek (the other 18, The Woods Course, is ranked No. 30) set the tone for what is now one of the premier upscale public golf facilities on Long Island. It offers both country-club ambiance and conditions at an exceptionally fair price.
The simple green complex at No. 4. (photo courtesy cherrycreeklinks.com)
This 18 is a long, links-style course with some moderately-elevated tees and tricky, undulating greens. Most of the greens are pretty open to approaches, and with a scattering of young trees, it plays fair no matter your skill level or the set of tees you play from.
The course is also open to the breezes and can get to be a tough go-around when the wind is blowing. The rolling fairways are generous and fun considering the length. Water comes into play on four holes, including the 18th, a 644-yard par-6; the only par-6 on L.I.
Readers Comments: Can be a real test even for the better golfer ... A beautiful layout that is always well maintained ... Lush fairways and beautiful greens make it feel like my own country club for the day ... A staple every time I’m on L.I.; could play it every day.
Built: 1961 Architect: George Heron Website: www.islandsendgolf.com
The views of the Long Island Sound are great at Island's End.
Description: Built on the beautifully rolling and rocky land that runs along north shore of Eastern Long Island, this track is a scenic delight. There are many views of the Long Island Sound, most of the time with views straight across to Connecticut. The course takes advantage of the terrain, and has a ton of nice foilage, tree-lined fairways and a moderate elevation changes.
Although it's not an overly demanding course, and it's not long by today's standards, when the wind kicks up off the Sound -- which it does quite often -- it can be a tough go-around. The fairways are generally expansive, and the greens are subtle and always in good shape. With a good amount of mounding, some well-placed bunkers, and a handful of doglegs, this is a enjoyable course for any level of player.
