By Dan Murphy
Many of our readers may not know about Hollow Brook Golf Club, located on Oregon Road in Cortlandt Manor in northern Westchester. But golfers in Westchester should take note of the course, and of the recent improvements made at this challenging and unique 6,923-yard layout.
Designed and built by Eric Bergstol, Hollow Brook Golf Club sits on 250 picturesque acres, and provides golfers with some of the most dramatic elevation changes on some holes, and combined with the classic Westchester holes that lead in and around the club’s 22,000 square foot clubhouse.
Recent improvement to Hollow Brook now provide an even more attractive opportunity for the northern Westchester golfer. In 2017, a new golf course superintendent, Chris Smith was hired, and over the past few seasons, the bunkers at Hollow Brook were renovated, which now provide players an opportunity to escape with a sand save, or par.
Having played at Hollow Brook in recent years, I could see and appreciate the improvements. But the natural beauty and special features of this course remain and provide a special treat to anyone who has the chance to play it.
Hollow Brook is unique to Westchester golf clubs because of the three different types of holes. Some holes provide the traditional tree-lined Westchester layout, while other holes offer shots from the tops of small, mountain ridges into valleys. And several water holes utilize, and caution the golfer from dropping into, the Hollow Brook that gives the club its name.
The 18th hole is a beautiful par 4 that brings the golfer home to the clubhouse, and is comparable to any famous Westchester club. The 5th hole is a dramatic, 100-yard par 3, with a wedge shot required from on top of one of the highest elevations on the course.
On the back nine, the 10th and 11th holes circle around a lake that was used decades ago as a private swim club and recreational park called Lakeland Acres, and golfers that miss the fairway end up in a sandy gravel that is also used as the cartpath, reminding me of a Florida golf tract rather than anything seen in Westchester.
Three stately bridges cross the waterways, which include a crystal clear trout stream that runs through the property. The course is walker-friendly, and gives that golfer on the back nine a feeling of a hiking trip through the hills and woods, and a Catskill golf course feel.
I enjoyed my round at Hollow Brook and was impressed with the quality of the course in the middle of the summer. The greens were rolling true and the fairways were plush. Most important, my round at Hollow Brook reminded me of what a different and unique course is waiting for you in northern Westchester.
Director of Golf Phil Eyre has been working at Hollow Brook Golf Club since 2007 and manages the golf operations and the golf shop, and teaches golfers of all ages and abilities, including a notable young golfers program that is producing successful young golfers. For the family looking for a place that will teach their young golfer, consider Hollow Brook and Eyre, who is originally from England, and who teaches the “complete game.”
Because of its natural beauty and large, modern clubhouse, Hollow Brook is also a perfect venue for your wedding, special occasion or golf outing. Testimonials include, “A dream wedding” and “absolute perfection.”
A large outdoor swimming pool completes the package for the Westchester or Putnam family looking for a recreational getaway close to home. Hollow Brook has also created a unique club affiliation program with New Jersey National, Pine Barrens Country Club and Twisted Dunes (reduced greens fees at Twisted Dunes), which allows members to play a variety of courses throughout the year.
The history of Hollow Brook before the course was build includes ownership by the Sisterhood of Saint Mary, which called in Marycroft and kept it as a farm, providing fresh produce for St. Mary’s School in Peekskill up until 1950. The other half of the property was used as a drive-in movie theater in the 1950s to the 1970s, and was called the Hollow Brook Drive-in.
Visit golfhollowbrook.com or call 914-734-1500 for more information.
