The LoHud Golf Blog

I was feeling a little nostalgic recently, so I decided to visit a favorite course from days gone by.

At least a dozen years have passed since I made weekly visits to Beekman Country Club with a loyal golfing buddy. The old lunch special was a stroke of genius. It was easier to overlook the ragged condition of the course when $30 covered greens fees, cart and lunch.

It wasn’t long before I left for greener pastures.

After going back to Beekman a couple of weeks ago, I only have one question, why didn’t somebody tell me what’s been going on up there? It’s become a well-kept secret. Beekman has level tee boxes now. Somebody is paying close attention to the state of affairs in the fairways. Putts roll true on the faster greens, and bees no longer rule the bunkers.

It’s clear that money is going back into the course.

They average 60,000 rounds a season at the 27-hole facility just north of Interstate 84 off the scenic Taconic State Parkway, but it’s well-cared for.

“We always have new projects every single year,” said Beekman general manager Helen West. “The money they make goes rightinto the course. We’re trying to lengthen the course. We’ve done a lot of work on the greens, taking out a lot of the mass, the old clay. We’re adding more sand, which makes them run better and lets us cut them shorter.”

A housing development forced new three holes on the Highland nine to be constructed. They combine to provide the most entertaining stretch on the course. When the pin is back on the top shelf, the 172-yard fourth hole probably has to be considered among the best par 3s in the region.

I also played the Taconic nine so I could launch another ball into the pond that fronts the par-5 sixth hole for old times sake. Next time, I’ll lay up. And there will be a next time since Beekman is now providing a unique opportunity for juniors and beginners.

They have USGA-certified orange tees, which set up a round that covers in the neighborhood of 3,000 yards.

“We have a lot of junior camps and junior lessons,” West said. “The pros instigated this because it allows them to take lessons from the range to the golf course. In the past, they played from the reds, but that was a little too much for them. We’re investing in the future and encouraging youngsters to take up the game we all love.”

They even held a grandparent/grandchild tournament recently.

If memory serves, now is a good time for a trip back to Beekman. There are plenty of vistas to enjoy as the leaves begin turning. If you have played Beekman recently, leave a comment below and share your own thoughts.

By the numbers

Highland : Blue 3,142 yards. White 3,018 yards. Red 2,592 yards. Par 36.

Taconic: Blue 3,125 yards. White 3,054 yards. Red 2,653 yards. Par 36.

Valley: Blue 2,982 yards. White 2,852 yards. Red 2,439 yards. Par 35.

Driving time: From White Plains – 57 minutes. From Nyack – 62 minutes. From Brewster – 27 minutes.

Rates: A weekday morning round is $59 and includes cart along with breakfast or lunch. It’s $49 for seniors. The price drops to $45 for golf and cart in the afternoon. Check the website for specials. Ladies Day is Wednesday and $49 covers golf, lunch and carts.

Address: 11 Country Club Lane, Hopewell Junction

Phone: 845-226-7700

Website: www.beekmangolf.com