Tom Smack, director of golf at The Sagamore Resort
(866-385-6221; TheSagamore.com) in Bolton Landing, N.Y., loves his job. An
accomplished player who has played in a U.S. Senior Open, Smack greets visitors
to this Donald Ross gem with a hearty, “Nice to see you,” and sends them off on
their rounds with an equally enthusiastic “Enjoy the course!”
From the first tee with its view of Lake George in the distance,
the 6,771-yard, par-70 Sagamore Golf Course is an unfolding work of art, with
fairways that follow the natural terrain, dramatic elevation changes, undulating
greens and greenside bunkers large enough a whitetail deer could hide in. The
course has been lovingly restored during the past 20 years, enhancing one of
Ross’s finest Northeast designs.
Being a great golfer isn’t a prerequisite for enjoying The
Sagamore. Just let the genius of Ross sink in as you face decision after
decision is certainly enough of a reward. By the way, legend has it that Ross
imported heather from his native Scotland to plant along some of the holes.
Listen to Smack, “I’ve played some great Ross designs in the
region, like Oak Hill and Salem, and I marvel at this routing. I think it’s one
of his best.”
The course is located only a few miles away from The Sagamore
Resort that sits on an island on Lake George. The hotel is stately and
tastefully decorated. The cuisine is mouth-watering and the ambiance delectable.
And this year, there’s a new concierge service available for guests at the
hotel.
Where can you spend a day browsing through the National Baseball
Hall of Fame, walk the same woodland paths that American author James Fenimore
Cooper made famous in his novel, “Last of the Mohicans”, and play a round
of golf at one of the top 50 resort courses in the country? Cooperstown, N.Y, of
course.
The aptly named, 6,416-yard, par-72 Leatherstocking Golf
Course (800-348-6222; Otesaga.com) is resort golf at its finest: fun to play
and challenging enough to keep the best players interested.
The view from the tee box on the par-five 11th affords a stunning
look at Lake Otsego and the rolling hills in the distance. There is also The
Leatherstocking Golf School and a full practice facility on premises
