A thought occurred to me during a long—okay, a really long—drive on the New York State Thruway. It was accompanied by something I first sensed many years ago as a college student in the Finger Lakes: The light truly is different here, and special, just as it is in Ireland, Hawaii and the Canadian Rockies. I admit I'm far from the first to take note of this—back in the nineteenth century, the artists of the Hudson River School set up their easels from the Catskills to Lake George and far beyond, capturing in opulent oils the mix of brilliance and melancholy in upstate light.
Of course, the golfer's mind could easily add a sloping green and a few bunkers to those landscapes, as nowhere is the light more inspiring than on one of the area's courses during a fall afternoon. Starting in Cooperstown and going around the horn to the Adirondacks, here is a look at three of the best upstate regions in which to entertain yourself—on the course and off—between now and the end of October.
Cooperstown and Binghamton
Tourist towns that are well kept, walkable and lined with curiosity shops often run the risk of crossing into Thomas Kinkade territory, and that goes double for one that is promoted as "America's Most Perfect Village." But Cooperstown never lays the quaintness on with a trowel. As such, it has a lot going for it as a family destination: the Fenimore Art Museum, the Glimmerglass Opera, microbrews like Ommegang's distinctive Belgian ales, aquatic recreation on Otsego Lake, and, of course, the Baseball Hall of Fame (see left).
By car, Cooperstown is roughly four hours from both New York City—a straight shot up the New York State Thruway (I-87)—and from Boston, via the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90). Continuing along I-88 brings you to the golf-rich area around Binghamton, where a cluster of courses offers excellent value and a diversity of styles.
Where to Play
Conklin Players Club
Conklin Players is the sort of family success story that bolsters one's faith in the game's future. Designed by two brothers and their brother-in-law, the course opened in 1991, and its reputation has been expanding ever since. It's known especially for good conditioning—one of the founders is also the superintendent. Regulars may warn you that the course is also notorious for its par threes, including one downhill plunge that plays as long as 259 yards over a gaping ravine.
1520 Conklin Road, Conklin. Architects: Rick Rickard, Rick Brown and Marty Brown, 1991. Yardage: 6,772. Par: 72. Slope: 127. Greens Fees: $38–$54. Contact: 607-775-3042, conklinplayers.com.
Leatherstocking Golf Course
Leatherstocking is full of antique features, including small, fast greens and slippery contours, both natural and man-made. Walkability is built into the design, as are lovely views of Otsego Lake, which figures prominently into the strategy of the closing holes. The drive to the cape fairway from the island tee on the eighteenth is a shot to look forward to.
60 Lake Street, Cooperstown. Architect: Devereux Emmet, 1909. Yardage: 6,415. Par: 72. Slope: 135. Greens Fees: $85–$95. Contact: 800-348-6222, otesaga.com.
The Links at Hiawatha Landing
Built on parkland but no walk in the park, this track just west of Binghamton attempts to approximate the windswept conditions of a British links. Most of the greens are accessible by the bump-and-run and there are no forced carries, although the absence of blind shots makes it perhaps less quirky than the average links across the Atlantic.
2350 Marshland Road, Apalachin. Architects: Brian Silva and Mark Mungeam, 1994. Yardage: 7,104. Par: 72. Slope: 133. Greens Fees: $39–$70. Contact: 607-687-6952, hiawathalinks.com.
Best of The Rest
The short but tight Chenango Valley State Park (nysparks.com) is part of New York's impressive network of affordable courses. It was designed by Hal Purdy, who was once construction supervisor to Robert Trent Jones. En-Joie Golf Club (enjoiegolf.com) in Endicott is one of Michael Hurdzan's early works and was for many years the PGA Tour's upstate stop.
Where to Stay
The Otesaga Resort Hotel Adjacent to Leatherstocking, the Otesaga is a Cooperstown institution and a fine example of the town's Federal period architecture.
60 Lake Street, Cooperstown. Rooms: from $250. Contact: 800-348-6222, otesaga.com.
Overlook Bed & Breakfast It's more modest than the Otesaga, but Overlook is just three blocks from the Hall of Fame.
8 Pine Boulevard, Cooperstown. Rooms: from $129. Contact: 607-547-2019, overlookbb.com.
Where to Eat
Alex & Ika (Eclectic) New to Cooperstown, this white-tablecloth restaurant is known for its creative flavor pairings.
149 Main Street, Cooperstown; 607-547-4070, alexandika.com. $$$
Number 5 (Steak house) A southern-tier landmark housed in an old fire station, Number 5 excels when it comes to preparing steaks and chops.
33 South Washington Street, Binghamton; 607-723-0555, number5restaurant.com. $$$
Sycracuse and the Finger Lakes
The Finger Lakes is a place where unexpected discoveries abound. For instance, fly into Syracuse Hancock International, then make the scenic fifty-mile loop around Keuka Lake on Route 54A, with dozens of possible stops at wineries, farm stands and antique shops along the way. Or check out a town like Skaneateles, once a bit down at the heel, now a thriving summer destination with outdoor concerts and a lively downtown. The natural setting, of course, is also a significant draw; these are some of the cleanest lakes in America.
Where to Play
Turning Stone Resort & Casino, kaluhyat Golf Club
Much has been made of the mutual attraction between golf and gaming, but seldom has the relationship seemed so linear as at Turning Stone, operated by the Oneida Indian Nation in Verona, about thirty miles east of Syracuse. Opened in 1993, the resort now offers seventy-two holes, including three eighteens that are as good as any in the region. The first of these was Shenendoah Golf Club, designed by Rick Smith. Alternating between forest and meadowland, Shenendoah conforms to the formula for resort-course design. But the second layout, Kaluhyat (pronounced "gah-LOO-yut," an Oneida word meaning "the other side of the sky"), is a strapping test that slopes out at 146 from the back tees. Designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., it is slightly shorter than Shenendoah but is also tighter and hillier.
5218 Patrick Road, Verona. Architect: Robert Trent Jones Jr., 2003. Yardage: 7,105. Par: 72. Slope: 146. Greens Fees: $95–$140. Contact: 800-771-7711, turningstone.com.
Turning Stone Resort & Casino, Atunyote Golf Club
Atunyote (pronounced "uh-DUNE-yote" and meaning "eagle") is Turning Stone's most recent addition. The contours of its grassland setting can be reminiscent of designer Tom Fazio's work in Florida: vast open spaces punctuated by artful bunkering and adroitly deployed water features. Good fun for average players, it can also be made challenging enough to host a PGA Tour event, which it will later this month.
5218 Patrick Road, Verona. Architect: Tom Fazio, 2004. Yardage: 7,315. Par: 72. Slope: 140. Greens Fees: $175–$225. Contact: 800-771-7711, turningstone.com.
Best of the Rest
Cornell alum Robert Trent Jones Sr. made his mark on the Finger Lakes, designing strong courses for his alma mater (open only to those connected in some way to the field of education) as well as Colgate University's Seven Oaks Golf Course (seven oaks.colgate.edu), which is just down the road in Hamilton and open to the public. For one more crack at a Trent Jones design, try Bristol Harbour Resort (bristol harbour.com) on Lake Canandaigua.
Where to Stay
The Lodge at Turning Stone This all-suite hotel boasts such luxuries as private balconies with four-person hot tubs. If you're feeling lucky, the casino is a short walk away, or cleanse your body and spirit in an authentic sweat-lodge experience at the resort's award-winning Skaná spa.
5218 Patrick Road, Verona. Suites: from $295. Contact: 800-771-7711, thelodge.travel.
The Sherwood Inn Built as a stagecoach stop in 1807, this cozy inn's guest rooms are decorated in period style but also offer modern amenities like whirlpool tubs. The Tavern downstairs features live music on Saturday nights and is great for a casual pint.
26 West Genesee Street, Skaneateles. Rooms: from $130. Contact: 800-374-3796, thesher woodinn.com.
Where to Eat
Bluewater Grill (American) This restaurant in the center of town offers indoor and outdoor seating and a convivial atmosphere.
11 West Genesee Street, Skaneateles; 315-685-6600. $$
Wildflowers (Continental) Turning Stone's fine-dining experience is driven by its seasonal menu. Try one of the specialty dishes prepared tableside, such as the flambé filet in mushroom red wine sauce.
Turning Stone Resort & Casino, Verona; turn ingstone.com. $$$$
The Adirondacks and Saratoga Springs
At more than six million acres—easily the largest park in the continental United States—the Adirondack Park seems a bit underrated. But the beauty of its lakes, ponds, rivers and peaks is most remarkable for how well those elements meld with the park's towns and resorts.
Saratoga Springs, just south of the park, combines the relaxed demeanor of a resort town with the status-consciousness of a mostly affluent clientele, all in an architectural environment that seems frozen in time. The scene is at its most vibrant in August, during the annual confabs at Saratoga Race Course (see left), which does for thoroughbred racing what Wrigley Field does for baseball. Albany International is the closest major airport to both areas.
Where to Play
The Sagamore Golf Club
Of the four-hundred-plus courses credited to Donald Ross, this design on Lake George is one of the finest. With its hog-backed greens, cross bunkering, seamless green-to-tee tie-ins and smooth playability, it's a classic example of golden-age architecture. And its first hole—which features a drive against the backdrop of the lake followed by a severely climbing approach—proves that Ross didn't always believe the opener should be a friendly handshake.
110 Sagamore Road, Bolton Landing. Architect: Donald Ross, 1928. Yardage: 6,890. Par: 70. Slope: 137. Greens Fees: $110–$135. Contact: 518-743-6380, thesagamore.com.
Saranac Inn Golf and Country Club
This course on the banks of Upper Saranac Lake is the work of the prolific Seymour Dunn, originally from North Berwick in Scotland. Many of Dunn's features are still intact, including horse-collar bunkers surrounding long stands of fescue grasses.
125 Route 46, Saranac Lake. Architect: Seymour Dunn, 1901. Yardage: 6,557. Par: 72. Slope: 128. Greens Fee: $65. Contact: 518-891-1402, saranacinn.com.
Saratoga National Golf Club
Saratoga National is a distinctly modern course set on a sprawling 450-acre site that was once a horse farm. It features five tee boxes, numerous forced carries, twenty-four bridges and an island green.
458 Union Avenue, Saratoga Springs. Architect: Roger Rulewich, 2001. Yardage: 7,265. Par: 72. Slope: 147. Greens Fees: $110–$175. Contact: 518-583-4653, golfsaratoga.com.
Best of the Rest
In Lake Placid, Whiteface Club & Resort (whitefaceclubresort.com) dates to 1898 and offers dazzling lake and mountain views. If you're on your way to or from Montreal, try Malone Golf Club (malonegolfclub.com). Just this side of the Canadian border, it's a thirty-six-hole complex with two Robert Trent Jones designs.
Where to Stay
Mirror Lake Inn Resort and Spa A nicely restored 1920s inn within easy walking distance of Lake Placid's town center.
77 Mirror Lake Drive, Lake Placid. Rooms: from $290. Contact: 518-523-2544, mirror lakeinn.com.
The Sagamore A National Historic Landmark, this grand hotel, originally built in 1883, is perfect for a lakefront getaway.
110 Sagamore Road, Bolton Landing. Rooms: from $299. Contact: 866-385-6221, thesagamore.com.
The Saratoga Arms This hotel has been a fixture of the town's social scene almost since it opened in 1870. With thirty-one individually decorated rooms, it's cozy but full-service.
497 Broadway, Saratoga Springs. Rooms: from $175. Contact: 518-584-1775, saratogaarms.com.
Where to Eat
Hattie's (Cajun) Saratoga has its formal restaurants, but we liked this casual Cajun place for its fried chicken and unusual beers.
45 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs; hattiesrestaurant.com. $$
Trillium (New American) For a fine-dining experience, the Sagamore's restaurant easily surpasses resort standards.
The Sagamore, Bolton Landing; thesagamore.com. $$$$
