LaTourette Golf Course

I was very excited that this course was taken over by ill management however the condition of the course was horrible. Some boxes were like standing on rocks. Traps were not manicured no rakes. No ball washes no amenities whatsoever and staff just seem to be spending the time of day, really unacceptable for the quality of discourse and what it should be

New ownership has brought slow pace of play, slow greens and NO ALCOHOL. Hopefully they improve through the season but I will not be here to find out.

With all the rain we’ve had in the past month the course is in good shape. Greens rolling well and usual wet spots unavoidable. Staff is working to keep the course in shape just need less rain and more sun/wind to dry up track, enjoyable round with friends on day off🙌

Granted winter golf but I’ve played the other NYC courses this winter and this course was a hot mess compared to them and on a beautiful 55 degree Saturday no less. Looked like Chernobyl. No beer/liquor sold. No tee box markers. No starter to dictate pace of play. Just chaos.

Played La Tourette GC (02/03/24) for the first time in Staten Island. This track is part of 11 NYC courses.

This track is supposed to be the crown jewel out of all the courses built before the 1950s.

A unique feature of this course is that it is integrated within La Tourette Park where the walking trails are part of the periphery of the course similar to the courses in England where the course is part of a mixed use public area.

I think this should be adopted to more courses wherever practical.

The course did not disappoint. Except for a few minor issues (see below), the 42 mile trip, 52 minutes away, to play this track for the first time was worth it. More than a few holes were very picturesque, usually with tee shots from an elevated position.

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Score: 87 (+15)

Triple bogeys: 1

Double bogeys: 3

Bogeys: 6

Pars: 8

Birdies: Zero

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Weather conditions:

Slight breeze, 5-8 mph

Sunny

Low 40s °F

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Takeaways:

[1] Got a good deal on the green fee from Teeoff.com - $31.79, saved $18.20 compared to Dyker Beach GC

[2] [NEGATIVE] Practiced at driving range and putting green for the first time since December, 2023 due to tendinitis in the right elbow. The driving range was the worst I've ever used compared to all the other tracks that I've been playing for the last 3 years. The artifical turf was so thin that it was almost like hitting from a cart path/ pavement. Most local golfers brought their own mats.

[3] The course was hilly and challenging with tilted but wide fairways on a majority of the holes.

[4] Greens were challenging but fair with some holes with two tiers. Pin placements were not too diabolical.

[5] [NEGATIVE] Most of the holes were soggy with drainage a significant issue at certain spots in the fairways as well as in the cart paths.

[6] [NEGATIVE] No hole signs and more than a few tee boxes were under repair.

[7] [NEGATIVE] Geese droppings were not significant except for the practice green.

[8] [NEGATIVE] No tee markers except for a few holes where the tee boxes were under repair and were cordoned-off.

[9] All three parking areas were recently paved with asphalt.

[10] Restroom (Mens) was clean and acceptable

[11] Walked the course. Even though the course was hilly, it was still pushcart friendly with only one hole that had the fairway cordoned-off.

[12] Pace of play was acceptable, finishing in 3 hours and 40 minutes.

[13] Lost one ball in the right rough due to a slice. There were still a significant amount of leaves with more than a couple of areas with mounds of leaves in the rough areas.

Note: New management has taken over from Amercian Golf that took effect last month.

They took my money without clearing any of the greens full of goose droppings

Not a greens keeper to be found!

Embarrassing

This course had players club with charged a monthly fee for discounted rates. In 2024, that is being discontinued and everyone now pays “prevailing rates”. The course is not worth $65-85 per round. It’s in bad shape and the amenities are below standard. Take your money elsewhere now.

New paved parking lot: Excellent.

The kid at the checkin counter: Excellent

The girls downstairs in the cafe: Excellent

The New starter with the mustache is a complete

JACK$SS!! The kid at the checkin desk said we

didn’t need a receipt so we proceeded to the first

tee. Thats when we encountered Mr. Wonderful and he made me pull out my phone to prove we

paid for our round of golf. He shows up again

On the fifth hole while we are waiting for the

Foursome on the tee to leave and tells us we need to pickup the pace!! This guy has Zero

clue and I will take my business elsewhere.

Nice Round of golf . A bit on the slow side but typical for a public course. Greens & fairways in very good condition, Tee boxes need work, sand traps are a disaster, fortunately I only had to get out once.

NJ guy in the area for work. I've plated Silver Lake which I thought was decent but this course was better for a couple reasons. I love that it was wide open. and 6300 from the whites and a do-able 6700 from the blues of you are that guy. Some tee boxes are being repaired and a few bunkers were straight trash iwth no improvment in site but overall for $43 special with cart this was a home run. Tricky greens or maybe I'm just a bad putter??

I almost fell out of cart when I saw a crew working on #3 Tee Box! I can’t remember last time I saw Any type of Maintenance going on here, Bravo! Now I’m wondering if the course has been sold to another management team? Multiple tee boxes being leveled and resurfaced, also irrigation pipes being replaced and sand traps getting face lifts, Finally! This course has great potential if maintained. Looking forward to next spring to see if all the work continues, let’s hope so👍!