New York club completes renovation on multiple holes

Westchester Hills Golf Club recently competed a renovation and modernization project on several holes of its 104-year-old golf course. Member Mark Stagg and Westchester Hills superintendent Peter Waterous oversaw the course renovation project which began in late 2016.

In addition to adding more than 100 yards in length to the course, new tees and bunkers were added and several tees were renovated. The renovation work focused on modernizing the bunkering and layout of several holes while still preserving the original strategic-intent of Peter Clark, Westchester Hills’ first club professional and designer. Clark was a disciple of famed architect Donald Ross. The course’s small, quick and rolling greens are reminiscent of early Scottish courses and Donald Ross designs.

“The Board of Governors is committed to moving Westchester Hills forward and to providing a great value and terrific experience for all members,” Westchester Hills President Carmine Lippolis said. “Members’ reaction to the renovation has been overwhelmingly positive. The consensus is that the views are spectacular, the new shot values are challenging and the renovated tee boxes add an element of variety to every round.”

Westchester Hills has been steadily improving its facilities and the golf course since 2012 when members funded a massive upgrade to the clubhouse, entrance way, patio and locker rooms as well as the golf course beautification project. Stagg, president of The Stagg Group, a New York-based building and development company, spearheaded the 2012 clubhouse remodel and grounds’ beautification project which included thousands of new plantings, stone and gravel walkways, the installation of steps for several tees and the iconic Westchester Hills logo planting at the fifth tee box.

"Through this renovation we’ve added variety to the golf course by expanding teeing areas and adding bunkers,” director of golf Jason Gobleck said. “The visually appealing wide open views require golfers to narrow their focus in order to execute their shot.”

Description of completed renovations:
No. 2 (Par 4): A new tee box has been added stretching the distance of the hole from 438 to 460 yards from the back tees. In addition, the old tee box was expanded, tiered and regrassed.
No. 14 (Par 3): The old tee box has been widened lengthened and regrassed.
No. 15 (Par 4): Two new bunkers have been added – one on the right side of the fairway and another on the left side of the green. Old rock outcroppings were covered and replaced with fescue on the right side of the fairway and near the green. The greenside right area has been opened up to allow more air and sunlight to the green.
No. 16 (Par 3): Prior to the tee area renovation, this picturesque par 3 over water and a large bunker measured 149 yards. Now with a new back tee, the hole stretches to 190 yards. The original tee has been lengthened back to 160 yards, widen and slightly terraced.
Nos. 13-16, known as the horseshoe holes because they go out, uphill and back downhill in the shape of a horseshoe, now provide a stern test for golfers, are a more environmentally friendly area and the open vista on hole 15 is reminiscent of an old Scottish Links Course.