The 17th Hole at The Summit Club
By Dan Murphy
Twelve years after buying the former Canyon Club in Armonk with a vision to build a residential golf community similar to the many golf-live communities in Florida and Arizona, principal owner Jeffrey Mendell has received the approval from the North Castle Planning Board to move forward, with his vision for The Summit Club.
“I’ve known this property for a long time, and I have always envisioned luxury residences on the hill, with spectacular views. I have been a golfer all of my life, and like most of us, I have admired golf communities in Florida and Arizona and thought why not in Westchester?
“That was the premise of this concept, which I know will attract older buyers and empty nesters, who want to sell their house but stay connected to their community. It took longer than we thought but we persevered,” said Mendell.
The Summit Club’s 156-acre property includes a 18 hole layout on 130 acres. The residences will be built on the remaining 26 acres and will include 72 units in six buildings. Delays in moving forward included questions about how the residential units would be categorized and taxed, and what water system the new units would be connected to.
Mendell said that he received many offers to sell the property, to local developers who were interested in closing the golf course and building more units. “I was committed to this project; it became a labor of love. I didn’t want to see the town lose one of its two golf courses.”
“The good news is we got the approvals and now have a project that we can move forward with. Nobody else has this in Westchester and Fairfield counties. We are the only one offering this type of living. My vision is to build an active, athletic community here. Not only with golf, but a pool, gym, tennis, pickleball, and with 24/7 security and a guardhouse.”
“The units are for residents who want to sell their house but have a place to stay in the summer. People will be able to enjoy a lifestyle with all amenities without the aggravation of maintaining a home. The Summit Club is being designed as a 21st century lifestyle community with a focus on golf, tennis, fitness and wellness within a resort-like environment,”
Those of us who love golf appreciate Mendell’s persistence. We recently played the course and it’s in great shape. Noted golf architect Rees Jones recently completed a tweaking of the holes, with the rebuilding of all fairway and greenside bunkers.
Golfers of all handicaps have several different tees to play from, with a 6,700 layout to a par 71 for the back tees. The par-5 14th hole already has been recognized by Westchester magazine as one of the great new golf holes among the county’s recently improved or renovated courses. Named Tin Cup, Jones remolded this hole, stretching it from a par four to a par five with your third shot or approach crossing a creek to get on the green.
Jones also made the 16th hole into a par four and created a new, memorable par 3-17th hole. “The extensive golf course improvements will make The Summit Club at Armonk a place that all levels of golfers can enjoy in a natural landscape that offers dramatic elevation changes and stunning panoramic views of the New York countryside,” said Rees Jones.
The Summit Club is a fair test for any golfer. We would encourage you to play a round and consider golf membership. Visit thesummitclub.net for more information.
