By Dan Murphy
As Westchester residents get ready for summer and look for a place to play golf and enjoy some time with family, they should consider Salem Golf Club. Located in northern Westchester, Salem Golf Club has developed a reputation as an exceptional course that appeals to golfers who value consistent conditions, a variety of dramatic and challenging holes, no tee times, and a relaxed atmosphere.
The course, which opened for play in 1966, was designed by Edward Ryder, who crafted the nationally recognized Richter Park in Danbury, Conn. In 2016, Salem Golf Club celebrated its 50th anniversary by expanding and improving its amenities, including the construction of a pool, and a new facility that houses locker rooms, a fitness center, spa, private studio for Pilates and yoga, as well as a dedicated children’s activity room.
The stately stone 113-year-old mansion was remodeled and extended to serve as the main clubhouse for member dining, entertainment, outings, catered parties and other special events.
Salem Golf Club has experienced dynamic growth over the past few years, as club management invested in an aggressive renovation campaign to enhance the course and upgrade areas from tee to green. The bunkers on all 18 holes underwent a significant facelift, drainage issues were addressed, new cart paths were installed and the practice facilities expanded.
With each improvement, Salem’s reputation has grown as a club noted for its exceptional quality of golf at reasonable membership pricing. The championship layout occupies 165 acres of dramatic rolling landscape in a wooded parkland setting. At 6,800 yards from the back tees, the par-72 test sports a slope of 139.
Four other sets of tees provide an enjoyable tour for golfers of all skill levels. Four notable holes (the sixth, 13th, 14th and 18th) consistently are rated as some of the best in surveys of Westchester County’s finest courses.
The genius of the routing and the stimulating variety of holes over elevation changes and through streams and ponds make each round at Salem memorable.
I recently paid a return visit to Salem Golf Club; my first visit was in 2016. Since then the improvements made have been solidified and the course remains a true but fair test, and in immaculate condition despite the heavy rains that Westchester has experienced, and the greens rolling true.
Wind and elevation changes make Salem an interesting test of your golf game. Combined that with the interesting mix of holes that the club provides, with nine holes in the traditional Westchester style country club tradition of tree-lined par fours and par fives, and also several holes that are unique and require imagination and accuracy.
The par threes all require a skillful and lengthy shot to get on the green. Most notable is the 13th hole – a long par four, that plays longer than its 407 yards because it is into the wind. A second shot, if you are on the fairway, requires a lengthy long iron or fairway wood to the green, which is protected at the top of the hill by three picturesque bunkers.
In addition to the tree-lined fairways, Salem Golf Club also features water on at least six holes. The sixth hole features a second shot over water onto the green. It’s a short 300-yard par four, but requires two correctly measured shots to get your par.
The club is quiet, as it is away from any major roads or highways. It is the perfect combination of nature and challenging golf. I was not disappointed on my second visit and would recommend the course to anyone looking for a summer escape without having to drive or fly for hours.
Salem Golf Club also is the perfect choice for a banquet, corporate meeting, wedding, outing or special event. The club offers exceptional cuisine and its large dining room seats 230 guests. There are several fieldstone verandas for outdoor receptions or ceremonies, and a columned front porch overlooking Peach Lake is idyllic as a comfortable retreat following a round of golf.
Salem Golf Club blends a gracious old-world past with modern amenities in an unmatched country setting. It is a private, non-equity club that offers attractive golf and social membership packages, and is conveniently located to major highways and easily accessible from Fairfield County and northern Westchester.
For more information, visit www.salemgolfclub.org, or call 914-699-5485.
