Our "business account" status gets us free hardware.

It may seem like we haven’t been answering the phone during the last few days. It’s true, but only because the phone has not rung since Sunday. Unfortunately, due to some cabling snafu under Flatbush Avenue, we have been without phone and internet service for three days and counting.

I did some traveling this summer to third world countries in southeast asia. They don’t have many of the niceties we take for granted, such as clean water, stable governments, EZ Pass, and anything resembling traffic laws. What they do have: dial tone. Always, dial tone.

So while we wait for Verizon to fly in the proper personnel to wrangle copper underground, please do not be discouraged when you cannot reach us by phone. We’re still here, and happy to have you come by.

The most primitive of comforts

This Woody Allen truism was hammered home for us on our opening weekend. While thankfully there was no violence, there were several customers mildly surprised to learn they couldn’t yet buy food before or after their hard played round. Please remember that our food and beverage service will be available as soon as we have all the necessary permits from the powers that be. It could take anywhere from 3 to 6 weeks, so in the meantime please pack a snack before heading down to the course. We’ll also have complimentary bottles of water in the pro shop as long as they last, so while we may get hungry at least we’ll be properly hydrated. 

On a related note, if you peer into the grill room you’ll notice sheetrock going up, new tile going down, and work happening all around the bar. We see this room as a key part of the improved Marine Park experience, whether it be for breakfast, a group meeting, or an afternoon beer. Stay tuned.

Well, opening weekend was a bit soggy, but went smoothly all things considered. Thanks to everyone who came out and put up with the elements and occasional cart shortage. Hope to see you again soon.

"My other cart is a hybrid."

We’ve all seen how the credit crunch has impacted businesses far and wide. Now it hits a bit closer to home for us, as delivery of our new fleet of carts is being delayed by the bank and its many layers of approvals. Thanks to some last minute dealing, we will have some carts when we open tomorrow, however not as many as we need for normal operation. If all the carts are out when you check in, we will offer complementary pull carts for as long as they are available. We understand that many of you would rather ride than walk, but it may be another week or two until we’re back to a full fleet. We ask for your understanding and patience, as we’re working to overcome the many challenges in front of us. 

On a positive note, when our new carts arrive we will go out of our way to make sure they remain in great shape. This summer we plan to repair many of the rough-terrain sections of the cart paths, including the area of heavy traffic right behind the clubhouse. 

We’re excited about the opening tomorrow, and hope to see many of you out there this coming weekend!

Parking a car in New York City can be a daunting proposition. Too few spots, expensive garages, and street cleaning rules all add anxiety to the otherwise basic task of parking a car. We don’t believe that heading out to the golf course should come with any anxiety, so we’re rescinding the parking fee and making all lots available to our customers free of charge. In return we simply ask you to respect the posted rules and avoid driving on landscaped areas around the driveway and clubhouse.

We understand there have been some security concerns in the past. As you would at any public facility, be mindful of what you leave in your car. We also ask all of our customers to act as our eyes and ears, and report any mischievous activity to the staff. In the end we think a busy course, along with a community of caring customers will be our best protection.

There have been a few of you who reached out to us on behalf of clubs or groups that golf regularly at Marine Park. We know how important this course has been to the community, and we are committed to accommodating groups of all different types. As we lead up to our reopening date of April 30, we want to make sure the most loyal customers can get out and play, so please feel free to email us at info@golfmarinepark.com to get more details on our programs.

Hello, and welcome back. My name is Adam and I’m a member of the new management team at Marine Park Golf Course. We’ll be using this space to share information about everything from course conditions to new programs to clubhouse renovations and sustainable course design.  We’ve got big plans for MPGC and I hope you’re as excited as we are to get the 2009 season underway.

What to look for.

Progress on the rehabilitation of the course and clubhouse will be visible almost immediately. Work has resumed on the driving range which we’d like to have open by the summer. We’ll also be working hard to make the clubhouse a more comfortable and inviting place both inside and out. Food and beverage service, a patio grill, and an outdoor tent for golf outings are just a few of the projects you’ll see going on in the months ahead.

Our commitment.

We believe that Marine Park, like any public park, belongs foremost to the community. Over time we’ll be rolling out new programs to let community members of all backgrounds and skill levels make the most of Marine Park. In the meantime, we are more than happy to hear your feedback on what you’d like to see, what you think works, and what you’d like to see change. I believe in openness and collaboration, so I’m enabling open comments on this blog (please, be respectful to fellow commentors), and of course you can always send an email to feedback@golfmarinepark.com.