By Dan Murphy
In June, I returned to The Summit Club in Armonk to see how the Rees Jones designed 18-hole layout is playing for members and guests. The Summit Club at Armonk opened all 18 holes in July of 2021, and the masterful transformation of the former Brynwood Golf & Country Club gives area golfers the opportunity to play a first-class Jones design by joining this new brand of club that has been styled as “the private club experience reimagined.”
My recent 18 holes found the course in great shape, with immaculate fairways and true rolling greens throughout. The course now has more bunkers thanks to Rees Jones’ trademark, but the good news is that if you land in a bunker, you will find it well kept and a good shot will get you on the green.
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, par 3-17th hole that you will remember. “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.
While the golf course is ready for your visit, the rest of the club remains under renovation, and will open in phases over the next few years. A temporary reception center, pro shop, food truck and covered outdoor dining terrace are now operational. An Amenities Pavilion that will include a pool, fitness center and casual dining is under construction, with the new clubhouse and tennis courts expected to commence construction in 2023. Some 73 luxury condominium residences also are planned.
“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,” said Jeffrey B. Mendell, Managing Partner. “Our orientation is to make golf more fun and less stuffy.”
Jones also adjusted landing zones and created new greenside chipping areas on many holes to improve their playability. Jones has also redesigned Bethpage Black, Montauk Downs, and Pinehurst #7.
The Summit Club offers a fair test, in line with country clubs in the region, and has several membership opportunities available for every age group and for residents in Westchester, Putnam and Connecticut.
And with Mendell’s vision, look for the club and residences surrounding the course, to provide “the golf lifestyle reimagined.”
Earlier this year, The Summit Club at Armonk announced that Drew Clayton has been promoted as its new Director of Golf. He previously served as the Assistant Golf Professional when the club opened last year.
Clayton, a PGA Class A member, also has staff experience as an Assistant Golf Professional for Trump Golf Links at Ferry Point, New York, Hudson National Golf Club, and at The Colony Golf and Country Club in Bonita Springs, Florida.
“We are fortunate to have Drew as the club’s new Director of Golf,” said Jeffrey B. Mendell, Managing Partner. “He knows our members, has watched the renovated Rees Jones course mature and is familiar with the extensive amenities that are planned for this superb resort-like lifestyle community. Drew is an important asset to our growth.”
For more information about The Summit Club at Armonk, visit www.thesummitclub.net or call (914) 273-9300.
