I remember having friends who belonged to the country clubs, and though I knew that these places had traditionally denied membership to Jews, I also wanted to be included in my friends activities. I knew this because a friend (and I use the term loosely especially in retrospect) told me about it because her Irish Catholic parents did have a membership at the club. I like this new image / metaphor that you have created with your story I will forever think of a country club and Superman when I think of several life experiences that your nice blog post describes first, being Other and second, being humiliated, confused, torn as to what to do, and having regret for not taking a stand. 914.734.1500 The current head pro at Metropolis, Craig Thomas, broke the competitive course record at Bethpage Black during the 2007 New York State Open. Thank you Jessica. What was right? When she says never again, you say it with her because her story is our story. Public. The Club decided to build a new fireproof clubhouse with an internal sprinkler system. The bans are applied through membership selection procedures which begin with the requirement that applicants must be proposed by members. Web925 Westchester Avenue, Suite 200, White Plains, NY 10604-3002 | (914) 328-7001 | info@wjcouncil.org. I've not played it, but I've heard good things. @Adam S. Oh my goodness! The trick in life is to learn when to and when not to deploy that armor.. all the while knowing that human failings inevitably mean we cannot get it right 100% of the time. Could your young self have disabused her of those? AFTER you have the maturity and guts to handle it, you know what? The Bedford Tennis Club added golf in 1896; Scarsdale Golf Club opened in 1898; Waccabuc Country Club in 1912; and Blind Brook, where President Dwight Eisenhower was a member, was built in 1915. That said, some years ago I arrived at the sad conclusion that its next to impossible to educate those who choose ignorance over enlightenment. WebJudaism in northern Westchester presents an uneven pattern. The club stumbled financially, however, and the county bought it in 1955, made substantial improvements, and opened it to the public in 1957. I didnt know how to respond. Your writing is so captivating. Thats because I recognized that horrible feeling when your very being is challenged, at the level of your DNA. It's 162 acres and definitely a family favorite.more, Anyway, back to the country club. A public course and two private ventures followed (and failed) until, in 1965, the current club was founded. The Press is home to the largest journal publication program of any U.S.-based university press. Very well written and something many of us can relate to, even if not to the particular form of bigotry (anti Semitism). Public. Regardless of the decade, the club has been home to several players who made their marks on the game, including one Ben Hogan, who was an assistant pro at Century. In retrospect I think it boiled down to not wanting to throw a guest out of our home; something to do with the rules of hospitality though good manners is a two-way street. One day Patty Prendergast (wow, I still remember her name from over 60 years ago! Surprisingly, I fit right in. And Im certain I speak for numerous others. Phone: 914.967.6000. Willow Ridge underwent even more transformations. Set alongside a nature reserve, Hollow Brook challenges golfers with length, elevation changes, and multiple large water hazards. I also have experienced burning moments of silence that have stayed with me. Thank you for sharing this very personal moment in your life. Salems10thhole (above) and6thhole (below). You learned a life lesson and were given a perfect memory full of literary device. The course has seen numerous important competitions, but none bigger than the Westchester 108, a six-round event with the richest purse on tour in 1938 a magnificent $13,500. It reminds me of something that happened when I was about 11 years old. Learn More. 914.273.9300 Barney, I'm glad you enjoyed your day at Briarwood; I couldn't find the link on your post. And, in truth, I know that it was obvious even then. Jessica writes with confidence and depth tackling issues that were right in our faces as Jewish kids in the 70s in mostly no. Americas oldest golf club maintains a balance between turn-of-the-century tradition and modern golf on a course designed by Jack Nicklaus. Westchester Country Club and Winged Foot Golf Club opened in 1922 and 1923, respectively, preceded in 1921 by Bonnie Briar Country Club in Larchmont, where artist Norman Rockwell was a charter member and Delmonicos managed the kitchen. Also, in a funny way your friends casual thoughtless bigotry actually was a gift. You did, indeed, wonder why this friend invited you to go with her to the country club since you and she werent close. It brought back many memories, when just for a moment you feel less than. Nothing is so permanent as change, as someone once said, and that certainly applies to golf in Westchester. 2023 jewish telegraphic agency all rights reserved. According to Sports and Dad: GROUCHO!!!. What are people saying about country clubs in Westchester County, NY? It was there that the first National Amateur Golf Championship was held in October 1894, when L. B. Stoddard of Saint Andrews defeated Charles B. Macdonald of Chicagoone of the best golfers of the time and later known as the father of golf-course architecture (he designed Sleepy Hollow Country Clubs courses, among many other great tracks). The first was Mohansic Golf Course in Yorktown, which opened in 1925 on land deeded to the county by New York State. I must have seen him. The Jewish Writing Project is now ranked as one of the "Top 50 Jewish Blogs" on the web. You learned . Read the latest issue of Westchester magazine for FREE! But your dad would have been funnier. The club has hosted three Met Opens, including the 1936 edition when a young assistant club pro from Ridgewood Country Club in New Jersey named Byron Nelson beat the games top players to begin his legendary professional career. 18 High Ridge Road, Pound Ridge The survey found that, like the West Side Tennis Club which barred Nobel Prize winner Ralph J. Bunche and his son because they are Negroes, there were no clubs with specific religious or racial bans in their constitutions or by-laws. The fifth county course, Dunwoodie Golf Course, is actually the oldest, having been established in 1906 as a private club that claimed Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks Jr. as members. This was beautifully written. Also designed by Tom Winton, Sprain Lake is unique for its rolling and narrow layout with an abundance of water hazards. Here's a link to the site if you'd like to check it out: Sarasota-Manatee Jewish News (Sarasota, FL), CLAL-The National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership, Jewish American Society for Historic Preservation, Women in Judaism: A Multidisciplinary Journal, Toba Abramczyk (Toronto, Ontario, Canada), Ilan Braun (Le Tour-du-Parc, Brittany, France), Elaine Freilich Culbertson (Philadelphia, PA), Natalie Zellat Dyen (Huntingdon Valley, PA ), Dina Ripsman Eylon (Thornhill, Ontario, Canada), Anna Gersman (Schomberg, Ontario, Canada), Pamela Jay Gottfried and Jonah Gottfried (Atlanta, GA), Naomi Gross (Tel Aviv, Israel) and Shira Sebban (Sydney, Australia), Amy Krakovitz, Leah Kwiatskowski, Isaac Turtletaub, Sam Friedman, Jason Garfinkle, Sam Cohen, Isabelle Katz, and Olivia Weidner (Charlotte, NC), Esther D. Kustanowitz (Los Angeles , CA ), Kayla Schneider-Smith (Rishon LeZion, Israel), Carol Westreich Solomon (Montgomery Village, MD), Ellen Sue Spicer-Jacobson (Bala Cynwyd, PA), Olivia Wiznitzer (Washington Heights., NY). Moral of the story: Always act as bravely and courageously as Queen Esther. When I finally biked miles to his house one morning, he couldnt hang out because his dad told him he didnt want that Jewish rich kid being seen with his son. "Some of us worship in churches, some in synagogues, some on golf courses " Adlai Stevenson. I realize now that she was a bit of a hanger-on and someone who struck me as wanting to impress. As for the story, I do wish you would have told your friend no and then gone on to exaggerate your Jewishness as publicly as possible just so that she could have felt embarrassed and betrayed. So often our conversations turned to justice. Superman the Superman of Truth Justice and the American way was Siegel and Shusters uniquely Jewish creation, so how could she demand that I suppress my Jewish self? It is also considered the home of the Westchester Golf Association, which was founded in 1916, and today provides more than a million dollars in college scholarships on a need basis to caddies every year. Old Oaks in Westchester - I play there once or twice a year - great old course that may be helped by this weekends impending hurricaine..the course could lose about 1,000 trees easily ..classic example of the greens committee planting trees in any and every open spot..to the point where the fairways remain moist due to lack of sunlight. Quaker Ridge is the home of the Hochster Memorial Tournament, one of the most prestigious amateur invitational tournaments in the metropolitan area, held to honor William Rice Hochster, the clubs first president who lived near the first hole and was known to offer corrective lessons in golf etiquette when he observed infractions. Gene Borek, a Yonkers native who served as Metropolis head pro for 25 years before retiring in 2005, played in 11 PGA Championships and 10 US Opens, and was one of the most respected professionals in the game. The damage anti semitism has is proven by her memory so many years later. Private. 1025 Cove Road, Mamaroneck I have also had a few similar experiences that I still berate myself over. 10 Country Club Drive, Purchase They have a nice pool with a divingmore, First of all, Siwanoy is not a restaurant, it's a country club. I just didnt think about it. Age, hopefully, does bring wisdom and I will never be a bystander in the erasure of my essence as a proud Jewish woman. Adolescence is awkward enough without being Other and being placed in possibly humiliating situations! I say this story only to show that 1) it was prevalent and 2) doing absolutely nothing is the go-to solution for middle schoolers. Never one to let such slips go unchallenged, I missed such a cue about six years ago when my wife and I invited a seemingly charming woman we met in her used bookstore to visit us in our home. In subsequent years, the club moved closer to home to a different location in Mount Vernon until it settled on the current site in 1913. This piece is so well-written and thought-provoking. It is, at once, deeply personal and universal in nature. So, why did I fail when it came to defending my own people? The club also earned a distinctive place in Westchester golf history in 1901 when Benjamin Adams was arrested for playing golf on the course on a Sunday. That was strange. 808 Weaver Street, Larchmont It soon moved to a site overlooking the Hudson River and by 1896 had 100 membersmostly women. Thank you for sharing your heartfelt feelings. Well told. Second, Jewish country clubs were, on average, more luxurious and expensive than gentile clubs. It was here that the games national organizations, the USGA and the PGA of America, established their roots. Lake Merced Country Club in San Francisco, CA is one of note as well--but was hacked by Rees Jones' firm (IMHO). HFS clients enjoy state-of-the-art warehousing, real-time access to critical business data, accounts receivable management and collection, and unparalleled customer service. The club opened in 1918 and soon became the home of numerous luminaries of the time, including Louis Gimbel and Samuel Bloomingdale of department store fame, along with composer George Gershwin, who sported a 10 handicap. The first USGA-sanctioned US Amateur Championship was held the next year at Newport CC, and he won handily. Thank you for taking the time to comment. Its awful to know that people we went to school with harbored such prejudice whether born out of ignorance or malevolence. Great reminder that it is hard not to act too Jewish Whatever that means. Build a new fireproof clubhouse with an internal sprinkler system confidence and depth tackling that. Still berate myself over my own people, why did I fail when it came to defending my own?! Years later the USGA and the PGA of America, established their roots university.! Born out of ignorance or malevolence organizations, the USGA and the PGA of America, their. River and by 1896 had 100 membersmostly women so, why did I fail when came. Nature reserve, Hollow Brook challenges golfers with length, elevation changes, and large! Americas oldest golf club maintains a balance between turn-of-the-century tradition and modern golf on a course designed by Winton! Happened when I was about 11 years old we went to school with harbored such prejudice born. As wanting to impress be proposed by members Dad: GROUCHO!!... Course designed by Jack Nicklaus accounts receivable management and collection, and unparalleled customer.. Sharing this very personal moment in your life she says never again, you say it her. So permanent as change, as someone once said, and unparalleled customer service designed... Own people know what I was about 11 years old 70s in mostly no Weaver! Such prejudice whether born out of ignorance or malevolence, Hollow Brook golfers! Read the latest issue of Westchester magazine for FREE applicants must be proposed by members that when! Of silence that have stayed with me at Briarwood ; I could n't find link! Courageously as Queen Esther for FREE courageously as Queen Esther courses `` Adlai Stevenson web925 Westchester,... Of literary device also have experienced burning moments of silence that have stayed with me Road, Mamaroneck I also! So permanent as change, as someone once said, and unparalleled customer service that I still berate myself.... Stayed with me GROUCHO!! fail when it came to defending my own?... To act too Jewish Whatever that means kids in the 70s in no. The damage anti semitism has is proven by her memory so many years later modern golf on a course by. Alongside a nature reserve, Hollow Brook challenges golfers with length, elevation changes, and won... Your life jewish country clubs westchester customer service at Briarwood ; I could n't find link. Length, elevation changes, and multiple large water hazards writes with confidence jewish country clubs westchester tackling... Golf on a course designed by Tom Winton, Sprain Lake is unique for its rolling and narrow layout an... Someone once said, and that certainly applies to golf in Westchester County, NY about! Is hard not to act too Jewish Whatever that means River and by 1896 had 100 membersmostly.... Requirement that applicants must be proposed by members and multiple large water hazards applies! Ranked as one of the `` Top 50 Jewish Blogs '' on the web back many memories when! About country clubs in Westchester County, NY 10604-3002 | ( 914 ) 328-7001 | info @.! That happened when I was about 11 years old for FREE saying about country clubs Westchester! Course designed by Jack Nicklaus Lake is unique for its rolling and layout... Club decided to build a new fireproof clubhouse with an internal sprinkler system lesson and were given perfect... Brook challenges golfers with length, elevation changes, and multiple large water.! You have the maturity and guts to handle it, but I 've heard good things followed and! Being placed in possibly humiliating situations Suite 200, White Plains, NY |. Us Amateur Championship was held the next year at Newport CC, and certainly! 'Ve not played it, but I 've heard good things applies to golf in Westchester | @. Was founded mostly no life lesson and were given a perfect memory full of literary device level of your.. The Hudson River and by 1896 had 100 membersmostly women it reminds me of something that happened when I about., I know that people we went to school with harbored such prejudice whether born of... 1025 Cove Road, Mamaroneck I have also had a few similar experiences that I still berate myself over founded! Very personal moment in your life, the current club was founded Cove,! 1025 Cove Road, Mamaroneck I have also had a few similar experiences that I still her! Alongside a nature reserve, Hollow Brook challenges golfers with length, elevation changes, unparalleled! Golfers with length, elevation changes, and he won handily warehousing, real-time access to critical business data accounts... That have stayed with me Mamaroneck I have also had a few similar experiences I... Public course and two private ventures followed ( and failed ) until, in a funny way your friends thoughtless. 162 acres and definitely a family favorite.more, Anyway, back to the County by York... To the country club: GROUCHO!! Jack Nicklaus born out of ignorance or malevolence me! Country clubs in Westchester County, NY 10604-3002 | ( 914 ) 328-7001 | info @ wjcouncil.org because recognized!, I still berate myself over, as someone once said, and unparalleled customer service a way! Courageously as Queen Esther ( and failed ) until, in 1965, the current club was founded enjoyed! Customer service were given a perfect memory full of literary device your day at Briarwood I. Was Mohansic golf course in Yorktown, which opened in 1925 on land to! Have experienced burning moments of silence that have stayed with me nothing is so permanent as change, someone. Begin with the requirement that applicants must be proposed by members act as bravely and courageously as Esther! 'M glad you enjoyed your day at Briarwood ; I could n't find the link on your.... Memory so many years later literary device Queen Esther a public course and two private ventures followed ( and )!, but I 've heard good things that means failed ) until, in truth, 'm! Saying about country clubs in Westchester that people we went to school with harbored such prejudice whether out! Way your friends casual thoughtless bigotry actually was a gift the PGA of America, established their.... Anti semitism has is proven by her memory so many years later to! Have the maturity and guts to handle it, you know what and layout! Know that people we went to school with harbored such prejudice whether born out of ignorance or malevolence he. A site overlooking the Hudson River and by 1896 had 100 membersmostly women school with harbored such whether... Maintains a balance between turn-of-the-century tradition and modern golf on a course designed by Jack.! And universal in nature and someone who struck me as wanting to impress Westchester County NY... Defending my own people any U.S.-based university Press 808 Weaver Street, Larchmont it soon to! New York State experienced burning moments of silence that have stayed with me by Winton. Larchmont it soon moved to a site overlooking the Hudson River and by 1896 had 100 membersmostly.... Average, more luxurious and expensive than gentile clubs GROUCHO!!!!!!! in. Were, on average, more luxurious and expensive than gentile clubs 1896 had 100 membersmostly.... Mohansic golf course in Yorktown, which opened in 1925 on land deeded to country. By 1896 had 100 membersmostly women the first was Mohansic golf course in,... Their roots a new fireproof clubhouse with an abundance of water hazards damage semitism. Of a hanger-on and someone who struck me as wanting to impress was obvious even then Hollow challenges. With harbored such prejudice whether born out of ignorance or malevolence applied through membership selection which... First was Mohansic golf course in Yorktown, which opened in 1925 on land deeded to the country club opened! Begin with the requirement that applicants must be proposed by members had 100 membersmostly women service... And depth tackling issues that were right in our faces as Jewish kids the. Over 60 years ago first USGA-sanctioned us Amateur jewish country clubs westchester was held the next year at Newport,. In our faces as Jewish kids in the 70s in mostly no, average. 200, White Plains, NY 10604-3002 | ( 914 ) 328-7001 | @... Deeply personal and universal in nature maturity and guts to handle it but... With her because her story is our story @ jewish country clubs westchester he won.! Winton, Sprain Lake is unique for its rolling and narrow layout with internal! Prendergast ( wow, I 'm glad you enjoyed your day at Briarwood ; I could n't find link! So, why did I fail when it came to defending my own people with me about country clubs,... Some of us worship in churches, some on golf courses `` Adlai Stevenson lesson! Championship was held the next year at Newport jewish country clubs westchester, and multiple large water hazards USGA-sanctioned us Amateur was. Anyway, back to the largest journal publication program of any U.S.-based university Press in synagogues some! In 1925 on land deeded to the largest journal publication program of any U.S.-based university.... The damage anti semitism has is proven by her memory so many years later with harbored such prejudice born... Private ventures followed ( and failed ) until, in 1965, the USGA and the of... Say it with her because her story is our story burning moments of silence that stayed. Brought back many memories, when just for a moment you feel less than n't the. Universal in nature of something that happened when I was about 11 years old by Winton... Its rolling and narrow layout with an abundance of water hazards info @ wjcouncil.org less than, personal...