Golf from Manhattan to the Grand Strand |The Gilded Age Tour

Citations:

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Hawthorne Court https://www.hawthornecourt.org/

The Frick Collection

We offer several private tour packages of the Grand Strand Beach and Golf Capital of the World experiences. Enjoy New York City, NY, and Myrtle Beach, SC, with more than 100 golf courses to choose from between the two destinations. An 8-day & 7-night golf package.

Add-On: All New York Fun Tours offers customizable golf & city tour packages, bilingual guides, and concierge support for Ryder Cup visitors. Pre-book landmark tours, museum entries, and transportation to Bethpage with ease.

Day 1–3:

Stay: Park Hotel, NOMAD

Experience

Guided tour of Central Park, Stroll at Botanical Gardens, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, focusing on Gilded Age collections. Enjoy both indoor miniature golf and golf simulator experience. A visit to the Frick Collection, housed in the former mansion of steel magnate Henry Clay Frick. Walk down Fifth Avenue’s “Millionaires’ Row” and visit the Cooper Hewitt Museum in the Carnegie Mansion, Spanish Harlem, and Washington Heights.

Dinner at Park Hotel (optional)—NYC iconic dining from the era.

The Manet/Degas exhibition at The Frick Collection in New York City is one of the most anticipated fine art events of 2025. Originally organized by the Musée d’Orsay in Paris, this exhibit delves into the dynamic and sometimes contentious relationship between two of the most influential artists of the 19th century: Édouard Manet and Edgar Degas. Above is a picture of Edgar Degas' The Violinist, Study for “The Rehearsal”.

Golf course fun and serious play in the Carolinas.

Early Week Aerials from the 2025 ONEflight Myrtle Beach Classic (Jim Maggio Photos)

Day 4 - 8 

Charleston, South Carolina – Southern Grandeur & Myrtle Beach, South Carolina – Coastal Elegance. Stay: Marina Inn at Grande Dunes

Charleston

• Stroll through the historic French Quarter, admiring Victorian and antebellum architecture.

• Private carriage ride

  
  

  Myrtle Beach

• Southern fine dining, featuring the Carolina Mariner breakfast at Waterscapes Restaurant.

• Golf four rounds at Dunes Golf & Beach Club, a favorite among discerning travelers.

• Explore Brookgreen Gardens, established by philanthropists Archer and Anna Huntington, showcasing sculpture and botanical beauty with Gilded Age flair.

  Enjoy more Coastal fine dining and consider an optional spa retreat.

  
  

This year's Ryder Cup Championship is scheduled for September 2025, and it will visit the site of a landmark public course on Long Island, New York - Bethpage State Park (Black Course) in Farmingdale, New York, about 30 miles from Manhattan.

While there is no direct connection between the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black in New York and any specific golf course in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, there are notable indirect links through golf course architecture and player development, such as Richard Mandell, a prominent golf course architect based in Pinehurst, North Carolina.  In Myrtle Beach, Mandell designed The Reserve Golf Club in Pawleys Island, South Carolina. While not a direct replica, the course reflects the strategic challenges and design principles inspired by A.W Tillinghast's design work at Bethpage Black.

Born in Rye, New York, and having a deep appreciation for Bethpage Black, considering it his all-time favorite course, Mandell was influenced by the classic designs of . Tillinghast, the architect of Bethpage Black. This influence is evident in Mandell's design philosophy, which emphasizes strategic play and classic design elements. These elements may add to the player development and training that continue to take place on the courses of Myrtle Beach and Long Island. Both are renowned for their extensive golf facilities.

Myrtle Beach offers over 90 courses that cater to players of all skill levels. This abundance makes it a popular destination for amateur and professional golfers to train and hone their skills. While specific players participating in the 2025 Ryder Cup have not been publicly linked to Myrtle Beach courses, the region's reputation as a golf training hub suggests that some players may have utilized its facilities during their development.

The advantages of travel for golf sports sightseeing is that in today's world of golf, sports fans are engaged now more than ever during championships. The PGA of America has initiated fan engagement campaigns in the New York area, such as "The People's Perk," which involves giving away 3,000 tickets to the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black. While this campaign is localized, it reflects a broader effort to connect with golf communities nationwide. Myrtle Beach, with its vibrant golf culture, is part of this national community, sharing in the excitement and promotion of major golf events like the Ryder Cup.

The links between New York and Myrtle Beach are found on the golf course. Although not directly, through the indirect connections, you can experience life between the golf courses in Myrtle Beach and New York through the architectural influence, player development, and shared golf culture, highlighting the interconnectedness of the golf community across regions, and undoubtedly with the rest of the world.

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The Rich History of Golf in New York City and Long Island

When you think of New York City, towering skyscrapers and bustling streets might come to mind—not rolling fairways and manicured greens. Yet, the Big Apple and nearby Long Island have a deep golf history dating back over a century. From elite private clubs to beloved public courses, golf has long been a key part of the region’s sporting culture.

The Early Days: Golf Arrives in NYC and Long Island

Golf first gained popularity in the U.S. in the late 19th century, and New York was at the forefront. The oldest golf club in the country, St. Andrew’s Golf Club (founded in 1888 in Yonkers), helped spark interest in the sport. Soon after, courses began appearing across NYC and Long Island.

Historic Golf Sites in Long Island, NY.

One of the most significant milestones was the opening of Van Cortlandt Park Golf Course in the Bronx in 1895—the first public golf course in the U.S. Designed by Tom Bendelow, it made golf accessible to everyday New Yorkers, not just the wealthy.

In the early 20th century, Jackson Heights featured its golf course as part of the neighborhood's development. However, this course no longer exists, and the land has since been repurposed for other uses. Hawthorne Court is recognized as a designated landmark within Jackson Heights, Queens. The Historic District is listed on the State and National Registers of Historic Places. The complex's award-winning gardens provide a peaceful retreat for residents, enhancing the appeal of this historic cooperative. While Jackson Heights, Queens, has its golf course today, it boasts convenient access to several public courses in the surrounding areas.

UNITED STATES - SEPTEMBER 02: That year the US Open hosted by Bethpage State Park public golf course. Ken Podziba, sports commissioner for New York City, center, and Paul Azinger, right, applaud the unveiling of a historic plaque outside the Radisson Martinique hotel in New York, U.S., on Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2008. Azinger announced the selection of Steve Stricker, Hunter Mahan, J.B. Holmes and Chad Campbell as his captain's picks to complete the 12-man U.S. team for the Ryder Cup golf matches against Europe. (Photo by Jb Reed/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Bethpage State Park is known for its difficulty in play. The public course is unique because it is one of the most celebrated public courses in the U.S. and has also hosted the U.S. Open (2002, 2009) and PGA Championship (2019).

Fans from NYC can travel via LIRR (Long Island Rail Road) and public or private transit.

Timeline of The Golden Age: Iconic Courses Take Shape

The early 20th century saw a golf boom, with legendary courses opening across the region:

New York City Public Courses: Van Cortlandt Park Golf Course (1895) – The historic Bronx course that started it all.

Dyker Beach Golf Course (1897) – A scenic Brooklyn favorite with a classic layout.

Forest Park Golf Course (1896) – A Queens gem offering a challenging yet affordable round. Kissena Park Golf Course (1933) – A shorter, executive-style course in Queens, perfect for beginners.

Long Island Public Courses: Long Island became a golf mecca, with several world-class public courses:

Bethpage State Park (1936) – Home to five courses, including the famous Bethpage Black, which has hosted multiple U.S. Opens (2002, 2009) and will host the Ryder Cup in 2025.

Montauk Downs State Park Golf Course (1927) – A links-style course with stunning ocean views.

Eisenhower Park (Red, White, and Blue Courses) – Three well-maintained public courses in Nassau County.

Harbor Links (1999) – A modern, links-inspired course in Port Washington.

Today, NYC and Long Island offer a mix of historic and modern golf experiences:

Trump Golf Links at Ferry Point (2015) – A Jack Nicklaus-designed public course in the Bronx with skyline views.

Chelsea Piers Golf Club – A high-tech Manhattan driving range for urban golfers.

Topgolf Long Island (2021) – A fun, tech-driven entertainment venue in Lake Grove.

Hourly and daily tour experiences are also available. Contact us for more information.

Have you played any of these courses? Share your favorite in the comments!