Eisenhower Park, East Meadow, Stewart Avenue and Merrick Avenue

General Telephone Number: 516-572-0327 or 0328
Golf Waiting Times: 516-572-0330
Pro Shop: 516-794-1875

 

The 15th hole on the Red course demands a well-placed tee shot.

The Red course, one of three 18-hole golf courses at Eisenhower Park, has a storied history. Originally, it was part of the exclusive Salisbury Golf Club, begun by wealthy Long Islanders such as A.T. Stewart, a 19th-century retailer and property magnate who founded the Village of Garden City.

The Red was designed in 1914 by a prominent local golf course architect, Devereux Emmet, who was married to one of Stewart’s nieces. Emmet was also a descendant of Thomas Addison Emmet, a founder of New York City’s Tammany Hall political machine.

Most of Emmet’s courses were designed during the era of hickory-shafted clubs and were short by current standards, at around 6,000 yards. (The U.S. Golf Association did not accept the use of steel shafts until 1924.) Today, the course measures 7,107 yards from the championship tees, 6,416 yards from the middle tees, and 5,470 yards from the forward tees.

Working with PGA Tour architects, the Parks Department’s experienced golf crew is continually enhancing the quality of this championship course. In 2005, three new tee boxes and four new fairway bunkers were completed, while the 3rd and 12th holes were redesigned and upgraded.

The Red course’s history with championship golf goes back to 1926, when the course hosted the PGA Championship. In that contest, legendary golfer Walter Hagan won the third of four consecutive PGA titles, capturing an $11,100 purse in the process. These days, the Red course plays host to the PGA Tour’s Commerce Bank Championship (scheduled in 2008 from June 23 through June 29). PGA golfer Lee Trevino has called Eisenhower Red “one of the better and one of the toughest courses we play.”

During golf events, the Red course is considered friendly both for golfers and spectators, with relatively flat and short distances between greens and tees. The course also has many crosswalks that allow fans to get around easily and see the players.

 

Notes for the New Season   • Please note that walk-up tee times will be available for the 2008 season at all three 18-hole courses. .

 

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Golf Digest Accords Eisenhower Park Red Course a Four-Star Rating

Golf Digest magazine has included the Red course at Eisenhower Park among its “Four Stars Best Places to Play 2008/2009,” recognition granted to a select number of courses throughout the U.S., announced Nassau County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi.

The monthly magazine’s four-star ranking is reserved for courses considered “outstanding” and worthy of “plan[ning] your next vacation around.” In its comments section, Golf Digest noted several of the course’s attributes, including “great price,” “great shape,” “phenomenal big greens” and “beautiful walk in the park.”

The Red, one of three 18-hole golf courses at Eisenhower Park, has a storied history. It was designed in 1914 by a prominent local golf course architect, Devereux Emmet, and was originally part of the exclusive Salisbury Golf Club, begun by wealthy Long Islanders such as A.T. Stewart, a 19th-century retailer and property magnate who founded the Village of Garden City.

In 1926, the course hosted the PGA Championship and legendary golfer Walter Hagan, and in recent years PGA Tour golfers have gathered at the course for the Commerce Bank Championship. The par-72-course is 7,107 yards from the championship tees.

The two other 18-hole courses at Eisenhower Park, the White and Blue, were granted three stars (“very good”) by Golf Digest. In addition to the course, Eisenhower Park offers a driving range with 60 bays. For more information about golf at Eisenhower Park, call 516-572-0327/28.

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Commerce Bank Championship Winner Praises Red Course as "Deal of the Century"

Loren Roberts, who won this year's Commerce Bank Championship at the Eisenhower Red golf course, told Newsday the Red is "the deal of the century" when he learned about the fees, which range from $22 (weekdays for senior citizens who are Nassau County residents) to $49 (non-residents on weekends).

The course, played at 7,082 yards for the tournament, came in for plenty of praise from the pros during the three-day tournament, which ended June 29 and drew thousands of spectators. Roberts described the Red as a deceptively tough course, telling Newsday "it's got plenty of length.You've got some wind out there and the greens are just flat enough that they're tricky." Defending champ Lonnie Nielsen, who finished third this year, ranked the Red as "one of the few favorites" among players on the Champions Tour.

Over the three rounds of golf on the par-71 course, Roberts finished 12 under, one stroke ahead of Nick Price and Lonnie Nielsen. Roberts collected $240,000 for his victory. Last year, Roberts was the recipient of the Charles Schwab Cup, given to the leading player on the Champions Tour.

The Red course has a storied history, having been designed by prominent golf architect Devereux Emmet in 1914 and having hosted PGA championships as far back as 1926. Newsday has ranked the Red course No. 4 among its top 10 public golf course on Long Island and the Long Island Press has included the larger Eisenhower Park golf facility among its “Best of Long Island” public courses.

The Eisenhower Park golf facility, which includes three 18-hole courses, is one of the busiest and finest public courses in the New York metropolitan area. A second championship-level course, the White, was designed by Robert Trent Jones, a major 20th-century architect of American courses. Jones also designed the third 18-hole course at Eisenhower, the Blue.

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Newsday Ranks Eisenhower Red Among Top 10 Public Golf Courses on the Island

In May 2007 Newsday ranked the Eisenhower Red golf course at Eisenhower Park No. 4 among its top 10 public golf course on Long Island.

The Red course, one of three 18-hole golf courses at Eisenhower Park, has a storied history. Originally, it was part of the exclusive Salisbury Golf Club, begun by wealthy Long Islanders such as A.T. Stewart, a 19th-century retailer and property magnate who founded the Village of Garden City. The Red was designed in 1914 by a prominent local golf course architect, Devereux Emmet.

The Red Course’s history with championship golf goes back to 1926, when the course hosted the PGA Championship. From June 23-June 29, 2008, PGA Tour golfers will again gather at the Red course in for the Commerce Bank Championship. This year’s much-anticipated event features some of the finest players on the senior tour in a spectator-friendly venue.

 

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Eisenhower Red by the Numbers

The Course:

 

Ratings:

 

	Course Rating	Front Nine	Back Nine	Slope Rating
Front Tees	71.9	39	35.9	111
Mid Tees	69.8	34.9	35	121
Back Tees	71.8	35.8	36	124

 

Playing Season:

March (weather permitting) through beginning of winter.

Descriptions of Holes:

Hole 1: Slightly downhill, the generous green is protected by the trademark bunkers with a gentle slope from back to front.

Hole 2: A wide green with little depth and plenty of trouble behind, the second hole is also split into two levels. Players must get the distance correct, but straying too far right or left will leave a very difficult putt. Once again, the trademark bunkers attempt to give a false impression of the green's depth.

Hole 3: Requires a 280-yard drive to carry the bunkers, and those daring to go for it in two will need a ball trajectory over the rough. The third shot to a green some six to eight feet below the fairway must land softly as the green slopes down and to the left.

Hole 4: This is a dandy par-four. A long drive down the left side will shorten the hole, but the risks are apparent. A shot in the center of the fairway on this dogleg left will leave you a demanding shot to the green. Once on the green, the putts will be fair. Four is the hardest hole on the front nine.

Hole 5: A breather after playing several tough holes, but don't relax too much or this little hole might get you. There's another greenside bunker designed to make you think, coupled with a tricky green that slopes front to back.

Hole 6: Keep the ball just left of center off the tee on this hole, which is a little longer but gives the player the ability to attack a generous green that slopes back to front. Watch out for right or left pin placements on six. The soft "turtleback" shape can get you.

Hole 7: This hole requires a left-center shot 255-270 yards off the tee.

Hole 8: This looks like another hole for a small number but take care after your tee shot. The bunker placements can deceive you and the green is a small, undulating test of nerves.

Hole 9: There's a blind landing area, so pick a good line and your ball will run down the slope and put you close. The green is subtle, so get your second shot close. Nine offers a great chance for a low number before the turn.

Hole 10: Stay just left of the bunker and in the fairway. A tee shot in the rough on either side of this fairway will not allow you to put the ball where you want on the green. This green will keep you busy.

Hole 11: A birdie hole for sure, 11 is just the tonic a player needs after having to putt on 10. A new tee challenges players to swing out of a shoot to hit the fairway.

Hole 12: An easier par-five with tees that allow for a range of distances.

Hole 13: An intimidating hole with a classic long par and a generous green.

Hole 14: A beautifully shaped right-to-left fairway with a blind landing area. But don't let the softly rolling green fool you, as this green has subtle breaks that can rob you of that birdie. A 255-yard drive is required to clear the bunkers.

Hole 15: This hole requires a long tee shot that is well-placed. Traps protect both sides of a green that slopes up in the front and then runs away. When and if you're on in two the green will reward you.

Hole 16: The trademark bunkers make this a tough par-three. The green is difficult and the slopes are sweeping. It's a bigger green than you see from the tee and any putt too far away will require some great work with the short stick.

Hole 17: A really solid par-five. A long tee shot may allow the aggressive player to go for it, but everything surrounding the green is designed to punish that aggression. A blind bunker and penal rough make it difficult to get the ball close on the moderate-sized green that slopes away and to the right. A more cautious approach will yield a birdie, where even two well-hit shots may not.

Hole 18: A great par-four and finishing hole, 18 slopes up from the tee, with trouble on both sides. It requires the same approach it did more than 75 years ago: two, long straight shots. You'll need to have something left in the tank to finish your round with a par.

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In-season fees:

18 holes:

Weekdays: $36 for residents with Leisure Pass; $22 for resident senior citizens with Leisure Pass; $45 for nonresidents.

Weekends and Holidays: $41 for residents with Leisure Pass; $41 for resident senior citizens with Leisure Pass; $49 for nonresidents.

Motor Cart Rentals:

$31 for residents with Leisure Pass; $20 for resident senior citizens with Leisure Pass; $31 for nonresidents.

• Corporate outings are also available, for groups of from 72 to 144. In addition, corporate and charitable events of various sizes can be handled. Prices are available upon request. Please contact Justin Conner at 516-572-0014 for information, or by e-mail, justin.connor@mail.nassaucountyny.gov/agencies

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Directions:

Click Here for Google Map

Take Southern State Parkway to Exit 22N/Meadowbrook Parkway North. Take Meadowbrook to Exit M3 East/Stewart Avenue. Make a left onto Stewart Avenue and take this until you reach the park.

Or,

Take Long Island Expressway to Northern State Parkway. Take Northern State Parkway to Meadowbrook Parkway South. Take Meadowbrook Parkway to Exit M3/Stewart Avenue. Make a left onto Stewart Avenue and take this until you reach the park.