America’s Oldest Public Golf Course | Adventures In Golf Season 4
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- Опубліковано 21 сер 2024
- The Big Apple. The Empire State. The city that never sleeps. Erik finds himself in New York for this Adventures in Golf, presented by United, to play the oldest public golf course in the United States.
Golfers first teed it up at Van Cortlandt Park in The Bronx back in 1895. The park charged nothing to play (unless you hired a caddie, which would set you back a whopping 15 cents). Because of this, and its proximity to New York’s 1-train station, the course was constantly packed.
Demand to play was so massive in the 1920s that the course had to do something. The answer, a reservation system. In other words, Van Cortlandt became the birthplace to tee times in America.
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Thanks Eric. I have played this course 100's of times. The first time was in early June 1980. I went there hoping to get out as a single. I went to the pro shop and asked if they could get a single out. The guy said sure. When, I asked. He said, right now. So I walked to the first tee (a long walk). A beautiful Saturday morning. 75 degrees or so. I get to the first tee. There is not a soul there. Not one. I waited about 15 minutes. Nobody came so off I went. Now, I was from Chicago and the concept of being on a golf course on a beautiful Saturday morning with no one there was of course mind blowing. It wasn't until the 15th tee that I saw another golfer coming down the 18th fairway. So I went over and asked what the heck was going on. It turned out that no one played there because in the late 70's crime was rampant in NYC and particularly the Bronx and several serious incidents occurred on the course. So, everyone stopped playing. Everyone. Thus, for the first few years I lived in the Bronx, I and about 20 other people had the course to ourselves. It was fantastic. Yes it was in bad condition, but I didn't care. It was just great. And so beautiful. And historic.
What kind of crimes were actually happening on a golf course?
Luke triple putts should be the only crimes that happen on a golf course
@Benghali In Platforms it was planned. you forget how pervasive racism was. "redlining" and "block busting" were very real.
@@Luke-ds8cn not so much on the course - but NYC was all around. Robberies mostly. NYC and The Bronx were a different world back then. Now I go there and see 8 young college girls running through that park (on the golf course side).
I remember late-fall days, going to Vanny when there was a hint of rain and having the course to myself. This was in 2016. It's a hidden gem for sure.
That assistant pros swing is gnarly
Yes it is kinda clapped
It’s upright and flat in the same swing. Wild.
“I hit a long ball” immediately hacks 😂
Dude at 2:48 playing that horrific slice to perfection 😂
What do you mean? That looks like a perfect fade!
Lol “Ohhh fuck.....that’ll work just fine”
Temporal in his defense that ball flight would look orgasmic on ProTracer
Golf 18 are you okay? who hurt you?
should make these episodes like 30-40 mins and show more of the course. Thanks for showcasing this beautiful course though. would love to play it some day
mike poole agreed I wish they were around 30+ minutes long
second
read the reviews Its like a dirt lot. Hopefully your ball comes to a rest on a piece of grass. I will never play it again
"nobody's perfect, why would you want your golf course to be"
Exactly this
I cannot tell you what this video has meant to me. I moved to NYC for graduate school, and it was really hard. I felt super lonely, and I missed playing golf so much. When I saw this video, I decided that I had to check out van cordlandt. I took the 1 train all the way up, and it felt like a real adventure. Everything this video says about the course is right -- it feels like an oasis in the middle of New York. But more than that -- you meet *all kinds* of New Yorkers, and what's more, by the end of the round you're chatting it up and having a great time. It's a testament to the power of golf.
I lived in Washington Heights and Inwood for 6 years, and this was my local course. Vanny is an absolute gem, I love it, and I can't wait to play it again the next time I visit. What a perfect Muni. I love you Vanny, please never change.
I had to pause it on the shot of the old locker room. So amazing how it looked like nothing has changed in that room for 100 years, so damn cool.
AIG... best on youtube... period... not even close... lets get to 100k my guy!
Lived in NYC for 8 yrs, ‘08-16. Vanny was one of the only places for regular people to play in the city. Nothing like riding the 1 train at 5 am with clubs to get there for a tee time while everyone else is coming in from the bars!
Cant thank you enough for doing this video man! As as born and raised local growing up at this place, the history is something we protect and you're the guy to spread it to the world as it should go out
Seeing Michael Douglas and Charlie Sheen have that iconic scene in Wall Street in that locker room in 1987 brings back great movie memories.
I have played at this course at least 20 times and can’t wait to play there again soon. Love the relaxed vibe of the course and the amazing natural surroundings bang in the middle of NYCs hustle and bustle.
Wow. I used to volunteer at Van Cortland as a marshal on the weekends so that I could play for free in the early 2000's. Paul was a lot slimmer then, but he still has the ponytail. Now I live in the Philippines and I still play golf.
I have always seen shorts of this channel on various social media over the years and never really dove deeper until recently. As a new Golf Club Superintendent I’m loving this series. It really shows the diversity of golf and how it can be anyones game. Makes me confident in my career choice and excited for golfs future. Hope to see more and longer episodes soon!
We have 6 seasons of Adventures in Golf! Here's the latest season for your binge-watching pleasure: ua-cam.com/play/PLPxAOJHOdUh_CrLGfpI39u_aIjtc42VdP.html
Literally too good of a series to not be 20 to 30 minutes. Best UA-cam series I've come across
This is awesome. Glad this place got some love and a reno after going through a rough patch like that
That asst. pros swing made me flinch
Thanks glad I could do that for you.
Great as always! Lived in NJ all my life and played golf in the tri-state area and never knew this existed. Can't wait to check it out.
There are 5 golf courses in The Bronx. Most outside NYC don't know that. The newest one that opened a few years back was designed by Jack Nicklaus.
Amidat yeah I live in NJ and play up in the Bronx all the time
The production quality on the intro alone is just amazing. I love the direction in which your game and this show is progressing. Thanks for keeping me informed and intrigued with all the cool, weird, and rich history that makes the beautiful game what it is and will always will be.
Thanks for this video. I left NYC 15 years ago and still miss playing there. There's an authentic quality about it as part of the city. The nature is a big part as is the fact that it is meant to be walked; I knew I liked Paul when he once agreed with that, simply saying "Golf is a walking game."
If there was a Best Cinematography Award for UA-cam videos the guy who filmed this should win it. Absolutely picture perfect sense of beauty of the pond and your tee ball on 6 made me think of my first eagle. Unlike you I pushed my drive badly but holed out a perfect punch shot. Thanks for reminding me of some of the happiest days of my life.
Proud to say I played there once in 2016. Great atmosphere and really nice people. Took the train back home... 😉
The head golf professional summed it up nicely for a “public” course. He said we’re on a first name basis with 30,000 people a year. We treat everyone like a member. That’s what keeps players coming back. The motto of how can we make your experience more enjoyable. Props to the HP.
Let's talk about how Erik matches 90% of his interviewees clothing ....
Look man.... this is absolutely terrific in every way!
I would also love longer episodes but I have to say more than anything please never stop this show! It is not just interesting but so much fun to watch. It takes a lot for me to say this but it is my favorite show on UA-cam period hands down
Thi is my home course and I’m proud to see it being depicted in such a not so perfect but good golf course. Go Vannie !!!
Eagle Springs Golf Resort in Eagle WI opened in 1893. Always been open to the public, and still owned by the founding family.
worked on private courses, worked on public ones as well greenskeeping; love hearing and seeing these stories, they make the game super fun and more interesting
Another cool old course Erik!! And it looks they have such an laid back atmosphere!!
Have been a subscriber for awhile. This was great. One of the best. Thank you. Another old course is Wawashkamo, in Michigan. 1898. Only way to get there is by horse or bike. No cars allowed. It is still the same layout (greens are better I would think?). Best to play with hickory shafts to get the full effect of old style hazards.
Played this about 10 yrs ago w the hickory. 9 holes w 18 tee boxes. Fun fact Wawashkamo roughly translates to walk a crooked line
Shoutout to Dyker Beach GC, Brooklyn NY 1897: Located in the southwest corner of Brooklyn, just below the Verrazano Bridge and across from the Atlantic Ocean, Dyker Beach Golf Course offers both exhilarating play and extraordinary event services. This 6,438-yard par 72 course was originally designed by Tom Bendelow in 1897, then redesigned by Jon Van Kleek in 1935. A slice of waterside history, Dyker Beach continues to offer a challenging and enjoyable course.
This course is the definition of hidden gem. Nothing crazy or fancy, just a nice golf course that’s within reach of any NYC resident (funny that I’m posting this comment 2 hrs after finishing a round there😆)
hidden gem?more like a hidden lump of coal
I love this series (3 years after they came out), but this is the best so far. Almost makes me want to go to NYC (almost).
Love the attitude: to make everyone welcome at the course
Just another reason public muni golf is the soul of the game. Very cool. No body's prefect, why would you want you course to be.
Old courses... Worcester Country Club... Classic!
You’re like the Anthony Bourdain of golf. Love the videos!
this course was and is always a challenge if you approach it with an open mind and Pual is one of the best swing coaches around that simplifies the game and makes absolutly fun, dudes relentless on his students tho lol
Never played this course in the Bronx but have played the Pelham Bay golf course many times growing up. Def a hidden gem but still of course a city park so quality can be lacking certain times of the season. I'd say April and Oct. are the best times to check it out.
Great job, EAL. Always look forward to your stuff.
Never been to NY & probably never will, but that is a Golf Course that I would love to play and be a member of. It seems to be inclusive and unpretentious, a little piece of heaven in a crazy metropolis!
Watch it again and look at the ariel view. some many dirt spots. Like he tried to put it nicely "nobody's perfect, why would you want your golf course to be"
I always liked playing there. Nice folks
can't believe that i'll be playing this course for my school's team once golf team starts
The more seasons, the more bloody golf courses I need to play on.... but how will I ever tick them all off? Erik please elongate your episodes in Season 5. Life's to short for 10ish minutes, indulge yourself good sir, we all love 'em!
Reminds me of Lickey Hills South B'ham UK, Quirky, somewhat flawed layout but with a genuine charm and character. And great views of the city of Birmingham in the distance.
Erik you should come to Chicago and play Dubsdread at Cog Hill, lots of rich history and you can play where Tiger played
Check out Waveland golf course in Des Moines Iowa , oldest municipal golf course west of the Mississippi built in 1901 .
Rated top 100 !
Try again, Aetna Springs was a 5 hole course in 1891 with 4 additional holes added in 1893. Gearhart Golf Link opened with 9 holes in 1892. Unfortunately Aetna's future is in jeopardy.
Every time I watch one of these I say Erik can’t top that episode and every one is better than the last
Ottawa Park toledo 1899. 16 of the 18 holes are still original design. Great course with great history
Grew up playing and working at Vanny .... it's a special place!
Cool, one day I will play that course when visiting NYC.
FYI - the oldest golf course in North America is the Niagara-on-the-Lake Golf Club in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, that course opened in 1875.
Wow, thank you for showing me this wonderful gem of a muni. On my "must play" 2020 list now.
Erik this course is right by my college and I’ve had the pleasure of playing it a handful of times. A beauty hiding in the city, was always hoping you’d make this video!
So happy to see that season 1 intro is back.
Erik Anders is the best golf host, hands down. If Erik and Rick Shiels did some videos together, my life would be complete.
Joshua McGaffigan we have!
@@RandomGolfClubFilms evidently, my life is complete.
Cant wait for the oldest course on the moon adventures in golf video
William J. Devine Golf Course, second oldest public golf course. Phenomenal course
That's crazy you played here! Which I could have caught you on the course it would have been amazing!
Just happened upon your channel. Great stuff! Am now subscribed. This soon to be 72 year old, after a multi year layoff from playing, hopefully will get back to it before long. Interesting channel. 👍👍👍
Come play Hancock Golf Course in Austin! It was made in 1899 and is now a super cheap public course. Just a few miles away is Butler pitch and putt which has had the same owners since over 70 years ago. It’s a great par three course in the middle of downtown Austin.
One of your best episodes. Would love to seen some pics of the course from the 70s to get a real grip of the transformation.
Played the course in 07. I remember it was the oldest public course in the USA. Good memories, although the quality of the course was average.
@Alban DB What makes the quality of a course bad, avg, good, or great?
Come to Cape Town South Africa and play the oldest course in the southern hemisphere, not without me of course.
He may have. They were filming in Cape Town like a month ago
Eric, you got to come to St. Louis! Forest Park has a wonderful course in the city!
Waumbec in NH was also started in 1895. Frequently played by the men who built the Cog railway
I would feed the ducks at the pond with my son at the public golf course. Van Cortland Park is so big, I used to play wiffle ball and soccer on the main field and then watch Manhattan College practice baseball.
Nice tribute to Vannie.
And took a lesson with Paul a couple of years ago; adjusted my set-up, shortened my backswing-made simple changes that have improved my ball striking. Recommend.
Another great vid, Erik you must have thought you were in Golfing Heaven doing this segment, given it ticks a lot of the boxes on your Golf Values Scorecard, (accessible to all, welcoming of all & working class origins etc)
just checked apparently we are the second public course in america btw awesome vids i hope you get to come to boston to check out the course its a beautiful site.
I’ve been watching since first episode of this series and through the seasons you can realy see him age it’s kinda funny
Come visit Downers Grove Golf Course outside Chicago. A very historical golf course and very fun to play
Man I’m going up there in a few weeks to see New York hopefully I can check this place out
I’m playing there today .I❤️NY
Matching shirts, definitely planned!
Just made me homesick!
Nice Try, Aetna Springs, CA was a 5 hole course opened in 1891 with 4 additional holes added in 1893. Gearhart Golf Link OR opened with 9 holes in 1892. Unfortunately Aetna's future is in jeopardy.
oldest public golf course...
Venture down to South Africa and try out those courses 👌🏻
Looks like a good hickory golf venue...
Cinematography (check) Editing (check) another killer vid... (double check). When is the golf channel or a network gonna pick this is up so you can have your own show?? Second though...never mind. They'd just f*ck it up and ruin it. You get to call the shots & do it your way (probably better that way)...and I dont hear anyone complaining. Keep them coming Eric.
You might want to check on Cherokee Golf Courses in Louisville, Ky. It also opened in 1895 and is public! Not sure which one the oldest.
Best kind of course, an agora where everyone can enjoy. Way to give er!!!
grew up playing there, once saw the NYPD CHASING chasing a perp thru the course.....LOL
Same thing happened to me at Kenney Park golf course in Hartford. Kenney Park golf course has since been renovated and is an awesome place to play.
Now, I want to go to New York.
Accidentally twinning with Mr Sliva there Erik
WOW! Thanks Eric...
The first golf course was in Middlesbrough KY according to many sources.
I found a course in W. Virginia that's suppose to be the oldest...
Your sources are wrong. Well documented, Van Cortlandt, 1895. Been playing the course for 53 years. It is my "Cathedral" of Golf.
Great show...wow
Awesome!!!
these videos are too short. Needs to be closer to 20-30 mins
the first public golf course in america is frankilin park golf course in boston, ma
Austin Texas has very old course you should check out. Hampton I think. 9 holes left of 18 . Kmart built on other 9
Starting at 0:36 his voice sounds identical to the voice of the narrator of the Sandlot.
Old course in Philly FDR just closed. Said to see these city courses be neglected
wow. just. wow
At 7:24 there are under 11s us kids golf tees
My father has a plaque on the paddle ball courts there, may he rest in peace.
take a pic and make a plaque of the plaque
@@iec7587 Not a bad idea!
Doesn't that honor go to Downers Grove Golf Club in Illinois????
I want to go here looks fucking cool
«They played up until the first World war»
Erik «1919»
«1916...»