Wykagyl Country Club

Wykagyl is routed on one of the most dramatic pieces of land in Westchester County. The course rises up and down among rocky hills that deliver a number of momentous shots throughout the round. The course is incredibly deceptive off the tee as what appear to be generous landing areas are actually narrower than they appear and holding the firm fairways proves to be difficult. Wykagyl's pedigree of designers is a who’s who of great American designers, from A.W Tillinghast and Donald Ross, to latterly undertaking a restoration to remove trees and bushes that have grown over the last 100 years, Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw. This leads to a great variety in the design as each architect laid his handiwork on the course. THere isn't really a wek hoe. However, there are some real standouts. The long par 4 3rd is played down one of those narrow fairways with a second shot over a valley to a well guarded sloping green. The short 4th is one of those short holes that amply proves you don't need 200yards to provide difficulty. On the back 9 the par 3s are again great, as are the par 4 14th and18th, off an elevated tee then uphill to an angled green set into a hillside. Wykagyl flies under the radar, but for me was one of the most enjoyable courses we played on our NY/Long Island tour, taking in many of the top ranked courses. Jump at the opportunity to play it if you get chance.....

Founded in 1898, Wykagyl Country Club is a classic venue with deep roots in American golf history. Located in New Rochelle, just north of New York City, it’s partly a Tillinghast design and was sympathetically modified a few years ago to enhance playability while preserving its heritage. The course is quite undulating and beautifully framed by mature trees, with a massive and stately clubhouse that gives it real presence. The club’s logo, featuring a large tree, has a timeless elegance that’s a bit reminiscent of Sunningdale. Wykagyl features a number of wonderful, character-filled holes, but one particularly interesting quirk is the sequence of par 3's: as you play from holes 1 to 18, each par 3 gets progressively longer. I’ve never seen that before, a subtle but fascinating design feature. Around the greens, the course can be a bit penal, so a tidy short game is essential. But if you manage to stay out of the rough, there’s every chance of scoring well. The locker rooms are spacious and comfortable, and the showers are excellent, exactly what you’d hope for after a demanding round. A memorable experience on a historic course that still feels alive and relevant today.