Van Cortlandt Park Golf Course, Alive With History

(By John Perry) Yankee Stadium is not the only place in the Bronx (NY) that is loaded with history of days gone by. The borough’s ageless Van Cortlandt Park Golf Course has it’s share of prominence also.

First of all, Van Cortlandt Park Golf Course is the oldest public golf course, not just in New York State, but in the entire United States.  The course opened on July 6th, 1895 in a time when  Glover Cleveland was president; the first professional American football game is played, in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, between the Latrobe YMCA and the Jeannette Athletic Club (Latrobe wins 12-0), and that same year, W. E. B. Du Bois became the first African American to receive a Ph.D. from Harvard University.  It was also the year that Frederick Douglass, African American rights activist and former slave, died .

Originally Van Courtlandt golf course was a 2,561 yard nine hole layout that cost $624.80. T. McClure constructed the course that was later expanded by Scottish golf course designer Tom Bendelow from a 55 acre, 9 hole course to a 120 acre, 18 hole course.  Bendelow also designed East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta, Ga., with noted Architect Donald Ross.

Photo: (l-r) Van Cortland Golf Course Head Pro Paul Sliva with Isaiah Thompson, a recent graduate of Mommouth University in South Jersey, (Law Major). Previously, Thompson was the first Captain of the John Shippen Youth Golf Academy in Scotch Plains, N.J.

As the General Manager at Van Cortlandt G.C. Christopher Ryan is the nicest guy you could ever want to meet.

The course’s Head Pro Paul Sliva is a native New Yorker who grew up not far from the course.  Silva is a very engaging gentleman, with a wonderful personality.  In catting with him, I discovered that he once played on The Hogan Tour  (now the Web.Com Tour) back in the day.  Silva also taught a youth clinic with Jack Nicklaus for the Royal Bank Of Scotland.  The clinic was Silva’s personal fundraiser, designed to raise money for the Veterans Hospital in Montrose, N. Y., an annual event, which he is very proud of.

Lights, Camera, Action!

There have been a couple of notable  T.V. series and movies filmed at Van Cortlandt G.C., such as “Boardwalk”  “Empire” and the 1987 movie “Wall Street”, starring Michael Douglas. As a matter of fact, the 18th hole at Van Cortlandt is named “Wall Street”. The course also has holes named “Broadway”, “The Babe”, “Sugar Ray”, “Willie Mays”, “Joe Louis”, and “Larry, Curly, & Moe” after the Three Stooges.  photo:  Professional golfer Jim Barnes, “Long Jim”, taken in 1916 at Van Cortlandt G.C.

Look Who’s Played Here

The course has seen a swath of famous faces.  Among just a few of the celebrities who have frequented  Van Cortlandt is: Jackie Robinson, Yoga Berra, Mayor Rudy Giuliani and a host of others.

Photo: Maritza-Rodriquez, Manager of Food & Beverage welcomes all guests with her beautiful smile.

Of significance, the course still maintains the original wooden lockers that many of the celebrities  occupied whenever they played there. Going inside the old locker room was like stepping into a time capsule.

Getting There

The good thing about Van Cortlandt is that you can easily get there by New York subway.  The #1 train lets you off only 5 minutes away from the course.  I personally think that the course is one of the best kept secrets in the Bronx. I’ve played Augusta National and many other exclusive, pristine, and prestigious golf courses, and I still will argue that Van Cortlandt Park Golf Course is just as historical as any out there.  For driving directions see the bottom of this article.

The Innisfail Golf Club plays there regularly and have been doing so for 30 years now. The greens on the course are bent grass and poa and overall, the course is in pretty good shape.

For the $33.00 green fee you can’t go wrong.  Add in the fact that the St. Andrews Golf Club hosted the country’s first public golf tournament at Van Cortlandt in 1896, and you know that the course is something very special.

The clubhouse was completed in 1902, by owners Frank Richards and Michael Tafet. The American Golf Corporation, which manages over 300 golfing facilities throughout the country has been operating Van Cortlandt since 1992. Legendary golfers such as Harry Vardon, Walter Hagen, and Jim Barnes, have played and competed on these very sacred grounds.

Nickname: “Vanny”

Being the grandfather of golf courses, Van Cortlandt has earned the nickname ” Vanny “, from locals in the New York area.  

I was fortunate enough to play Van Cortlandt on a cloudy Thursday in November with scattered showers, but still, had an enjoyable 18 holes of golf.

The 19th hole experience, hosted by Maritza Rodriguez, was equally satisfying. Maritza is the Food & Beverage Manager, Steve King is the Director and “Matt”, serves as the Pro Shop attendant…three more wonderful people at the course.

My playing partner Rasar Thompson and his son Isaiah, enjoyed the delicious grilled chicken, while I settled for a basic cheeseburger and fries platter that was second to none. A cold Stella Altoise beer washed it all down for a great ending to a great day at Van Cortlandt.

During the meal Maritza informed us that the course had just hosted a Jewish Barmitzvah the week prior, for 200 people. The event took place out on “The Turn”, another name for their “Patio”.  From the photos she shared, the Van Cortlandt catered affair looked impressive, to say the least.
I’m a big fan of The Golf Channel, I watch it religiously, 7 days a week, particularly Morning Drive, which usually Aires from 7:00am – 9:00am.  On Wednesday, Oct. 28th, Matt Ginella, a Golf Channel Travel Guru, gave a list of his top five must play courses in New York. Ordinarily I love Matt’s golf course tips and recommendations, but on this particular morning he listed these choices:

(1) Bethpage Black – Long Island – $130.00
(2) Bethpage Red – Long Island – $96.00
(3) Harbour Pointe Golf Club – Port Washington, N. Y. – $90-$120.00
(4) Ballyowen – Hamburg, N. J. – $100.00
(5) Trumps Golf Links – Ferry Point, Bronx, N. Y. – $180.00

Now I know that Van Cortlandt Park Golf Course might be considered a Division III golf course compared to those he mentioned, but to go ALL the way over to New Jersey and list Ballyowen, when you’ve got the historical Van Cortlandt G.C. right in the heart of New York….Well, that was a slight oversight.   Matt, I love you buddy, but I think you dropped the ball on that one.

Also I know that Van Cortlandt doesn’t have a driving range or putting green, but personally, I think that’s also part of their charm. In essence, it says, come here ready to “play” golf, not “practice” golf.

I can only put it this way, when you’re a driver and a 3-wood away from Yankee Stadium, THE Bronx Zoo, Fordham University, and the George Washington Bridge, you can get a away with it. Van Cortlandt Golf Course is an old-style course, in the middle of the Bronx. Whata you expect?

If you get the chance go there, play it, listen to the sounds of the city, enjoy it. No, it’s not gonna be the same as playing Peeble Beach, but remember, you’re in The Bronx, so don’t get it twisted.

John Perry is a freelance writer, poet, and avid golfer with a passion for calling shots like he sees them and, then, telling it like it is. He resides in Orlando, Florida.

Van Cortlandt Park Golf Course
Van Cortland Ave., South & Bailey Ave., Bronx, NY, 10471
Phone: 718-543-4595   Reservations: www.golfnyc.com

How to get there?

From Queens and Long Island: Take the Tri-Boro Bridge to the Major Deegan Expressway North (87). Take the 230th St. Exit. Make a right at top of the exit, followed by a quick left onto Bailey Avenue. Take Bailey Avenue to the end. Bear to your left and go underneath the overpass.  Road leads to parking lot of golf course. The Clubhouse will be on the left.
From Manhattan: East Side: Take FDR Drive to Willis Avenue Bridge. Go
over the bridge and bear left for the Major Deegan Expressway North (87). Get
off at 230th St. Exit. Follow directions above.
From West Side: Take West Side Highway North to Cross Bronx Expressway East. Take Cross Bronx Expressway to Major Deegan Expressway North (87). Follow directions above.
From New Jersey:  Take the G.W. Bridge to Major Deegan Expressway North (87). Follow directions above.
From Westchester County & Points North: Take 87 South to Van Cortlandt South Exit. At top of the exit, make a left. At next light, make another left and follow signs to golf course, bear left and go underneath the overpass.  Follow directions above.
Public Transportation: Take #1 IRT train to the last stop. 242nd St. Van Cortlandt Park. Follow signs to Clubhouse.