After aerating the greens, the plugs are used to raise low spots on the first fairway. Like the native Americans before us, we find a use for all of our agricultural bi-products.
Save that…
October 6th, 2009A few drainage projects are un…
October 5th, 2009A few drainage projects are underway on 2, 3, and 4. Look for much improved fairway conditions during the spring rainy season.
No Connection
July 15th, 2009
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.
Photo Hunt
June 3rd, 2009
It must be an oasis
This is the parking lot. Notice anything different about it? If you spotted the missing 10 ton, fifteen foot high pile of dirt, then give yourself a pat on the back. After some years of monopolizing the north end of the lot, we’ve relocated the pile to the driving range for a new tour of duty as elevated target greens. Soon you’ll have the opportunity to fire some high 9 irons at the pile in its new location, instead of just driving around it.
Some more photos of the range being graded, along with new irrigation lines.
Flatbush Fables
May 11th, 2009TheBrooklynInk takes a great little historical stroll down Flatbush Ave. The golf course even gets a mention, while describing Marine Park as “something almost rural, or, at least, an imaginative facsimile thereof.” I always appreciate settings which challenge the immediate context – rooftop gardens, riverboat casinos, underwater hotels. So being surrounded by green grass and open space but still within eyeshot of the city skyline is, in my opinion, a great thing.
A pond grows in Brooklyn
May 11th, 2009
Noah only had to deal with two geese...
We began May with seven days of rain. It was a tough stretch, but a far cry from the NYC record of 17 consecutive days set in 1943 from May 6 through May 22. These biblical weather streaks may help sustain life, but they also complicate an already challenging game of golf. Our course has many low points where the water collects to form small ponds, stream systems, and fairway archipelagos. Many of you, despite perfectly straight drives, had to once or twice fish your ball from an unplanned water hazard. We realize that such conditions are unavoidable in low lying terrain so near to the shore, but we also want to protect the course and make it more resilient. This summer we’ll be doing a number of special drainage projects to move the water off the course, or at least away from the fairways and cart paths. Many of the problem areas can be addressed by digging trenches and creating a path for the water to flow over to Gerristen Creek. In other cases, we may even raise the grade so that the water will flow naturally away from the areas of play.
We very much want to continue to offer everyone the option to ride, despite the fact that carts can cause significant damage under such wet conditions. We ask all customers to help keep the course in shape by using good judgement and driving around, rather than through the puddles and ponds. Here’s to sunnier days ahead.
Why does man kill? He kills for food. And not only food: frequently there must be a beverage.
May 4th, 2009
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.
Cart Crunch
April 29th, 2009
"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!
Park It Here
April 22nd, 2009
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.
First Off The Tee
April 16th, 2009
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.