Pound Ridge Golf Club holds grand opening for Pete Dye course

POUND RIDGE, N.Y. - Pound Ridge Golf Club, the first New York course designed by legendary architect Pete Dye, officially marked its grand opening with a press conference and first tee ceremony before hundreds of invited guests, town officials and media.

Heralded by golf insiders as the most highly anticipated new high-end public course in the country, Pound Ridge Golf Club is poised to achieve international acclaim as a must-play classic. The course opens for play to the public on or about July 1. 

Situated on 172 majestic acres, Pound Ridge Golf Club’s holes offer sweeping views of both rolling meadows and the sculpture-like rock for which Westchester is famous. The visual impact is stunning. Dominant rock outcroppings compete for the golfer’s eye with richly contoured fairways, expansive bunkers and gracefully undulating greens. Strikingly dramatic yet blending naturally into the landscape, the course presents an unusually wide range of shot making opportunities.

“Pete Dye has given an intriguing rhythm to Pound Ridge Golf Club,” said owner Ken Wang. “There is a sense of flow and serenity on the course and throughout the property that should make it truly memorable to the golfer. My goal in bringing Pete into the project was to create a golf course for the ages. I believe we have achieved something very significant at Pound Ridge.”

Pound Ridge Golf Club measures 7,171 yards from the back tees, plays to a par-72 and is a challenging, yet fair test of golf. Four other sets of tees test golfers with total yardages of 6,787, 6,279, 5,713 and 5,180, respectively. The par-3, 174-yard, 15th hole incorporates many of the natural elements inherent to the property, including a massive rock wall backdrop. Dye devotees will particularly enjoy the 317-yard, par-4, 5th hole with its 13 bunkers that protect the postage stamp green.

The 13th, par-5, is a spellbinding hole featuring native and man-made rock formations along its entire right side. Properly struck tee shots will soar over a magnificent boulder, called “Pete’s Rock,” located at the entrance to the fairway.

The course layout winds its way through a nature wonderland of both wooded and meadow areas. The long views on this golf course showcase more than just golf. Visitors will see native trees that populate the site and are common to the New England hardwood forest, consisting of varieties of oak, maple, birch, beech, hickory, white pine and spruce. Orioles, red winged blackbirds, deer, foxes, coyotes and wild turkeys abound at Pound Ridge. Extensive wetland plantings preserve the eco-friendly ambience of the surroundings.

Pound Ridge Golf Club is expected to take its place as one of the most highly praised venues in the world of golf. Pete Dye’s newest creation promises to join the ranks of his most acclaimed achievements.

Weekday and weekend green fees are $235 per person. This fee includes a golf cart and complimentary use of the driving range & other practice facilities. Twilight rates are $175 per person and apply from 4 p.m. until Aug. 31 and from 3 p.m. thereafter.

Tee times are now available by visiting the club’s Web site at www.poundridgegolf.com.