Former IBM Property to Become County Golf Course

NEW CASTLE, NY-Construction crews removed some brush and debris on a 150-acre tract of land formerly owned by IBM to make way for a new public golf course for Westchester County–Hudson Hills.

Westchester County Executive Andrew Spano and other local leaders were on hand on Thursday, Nov. 2 at the site to mark the beginning of construction of the golf course that is projected to cost $7 million. Westchester County purchased the property in 1997 from IBM for $3.64 million. The property is the site of the former Hudson Hills Country Club, which operated between 1926 and 1984.

“And what a course it will be,” says Spano. “It has been designed by top golf architects, with great sensitivity to preserving our environment. The course will be the jewel of our system, challenging, well-maintained and beautiful.”

The 18-hole, 6,900-yard golf course will take two years to construct, county officials say. Upon completion, the course must remain unused for another year to give the grass time to become “established.” It is projected the course will be ready for use in 2004.

Structures on the site will include a clubhouse with an office, pro shop and snack bar; a maintenance building; a small pump house for the irrigation system; and a rest station/lightning shelter on the course. A parking lot will accommodate 175 cars.

Among the many local and county officials on-hand at the ceremony was New Castle Supervisor Marion S. Sinek who quipped, “We have one recent resident in particular who will undoubtedly be very interested in getting a good tee-time after his retirement from his current job next January.” The course is nearby the village of Chappaqua, the new home of President Bill Clinton and First Lady and perhaps New York State Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton.