New York City protected us. To be sure I wasnt a contrarian in the sense that I chose the opposite out of sheer obstinacy. Jessica Ursells excellent memoir has obviously touched a lot of nerves and memories. Did she not see the irony? Macdonalds loss prompted him to denounce the championship because it wasnt run by a national organization, so later that year, Saint Andrews secretary and founding member Henry Tallmadge invited representatives of four other leading clubs, the Chicago Golf Club, Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, Newport (Rhode Island) Golf Club, and the Country Club of Brookline, Massachusetts, to dinner at the Calumet Club in New York City. Your words hold a tremendous power to educate and to heal. You were a guest. I confessed to my wife that had she been attacking people of color or any other group, I would have been vehement in my defense. Broadmoor in Indianapolis is a real pearl. Funny story: When I was a second grader and went after school to Yiddish shul we performed a Purim play and for years I always thought I played the role of Queen Esther until decades later when I looked at the photos and saw I was one of her attendants. All other marks contained herein are the property of their respective owners. 914.273.9300 When I finally biked miles to his house one morning, he couldnt hang out because his dad told him he didnt want that Jewish rich kid being seen with his son. It wasnt as though she had given me her edict weeks before so I would have the chance to respond and, hopefully, decide that even Superman wasnt worth compromising my integrity and my sense of self. Even though we were similarly equiped with a laser sharp self-awareness and keen sense of situation, a hallmark of our secular Jewish upbringing, you were still unprepared for the baked in anti-semitism. That is not to say it is alright, but we do learn a lot through pain and adversity. But what, unfortunately, wasnt strange was that your friend had absorbed, perhaps unconsciously, prejudices against Jews along with warped notions of Jewish behavior. And I want to understand my emotions all of them especially why, after more than three and a half decades, I still have this smoldering anger at what happened and my response to what happened (or should I say my unfortunate, frustrating, and maddening lack of response) when I went to see Superman at the country club in the mid-1980s. WebTrump National Golf Club - Westchester. I have also had a few similar experiences that I still berate myself over. How coincidental! Explore the courses, review the details, and find out which course you should play next. The golf course was designed by a legendarymore, this needs to be saidAbout a month ago, I was at the Brae Burn Country Club for a wedding and gotmore, This country club is awesome. Your actions or inactions that day did not change or detract from the person you are and were meant to be. Please feel free to share any other writing with me. Prejudice and ignorance sometimes reveal themselves at unexpected times: from the mouth of a stranger, a work associate, or even a friend. Thus, we are taken by surprise; ambushed, as it were. 914.241.0700 Great golf course, great caddies who know the course, greatmore, Greenwich Country Club was founded in 1892. Robert White, a club pro at Wykagyl Country Club in New Rochelle, became the PGAs first president at a meeting of leading pros and amateurs called by Rodman Wanamaker, son of the department store founder, to organize the group. This incident took place when I was a bit older than middle school. Here are some more photos. The Pine Hollow Country Club at Oyster Bay in distant Suffolk county on Long Island was described by manager William Chadwicke as "non- sectarian " He added that about 90 percent of the members were Jewish and that no members were Negroes. Westchester Country Club hosted annual PGA Tour events for nearly 50 years and in 2015 was the site of a PGA of America major, the first KPMG Womens Championship. I didnt go to Hebrew school. Superman the Superman of Truth Justice and the American way was Siegel and Shusters uniquely Jewish creation, so how could she demand that I suppress my Jewish self? When she says never again, you say it with her because her story is our story. My mothers cousin was part owner, so we had a big discount. I think we all have times like this, where we cant quite recall the outcome. Founded in 1892 as Publications of the American Jewish Historical Society, AJH is the official publication of the American Jewish Historical Society (AJHS), the oldest national ethnic historical organization in the United States. Stunned into silence, I failed to respond. Enjoyed the reading & can relate. My parents didnt belong to a country club. Mr. Lordi was unavailable. Maybe so but I have to think that people so casually ignorant like the woman in your example and the one in mine will never be attuned enough to recognize their ignorance tossed out in a familiar comfortable way as if the remarks were not laden with cruelty couched in a casual offhanded barb. Too often those in under represented groups stay silent so as to not draw more negative attention to themselves, and it eats away at our souls and humanity. In a raucous trial, the prosecution lost the case on a narrow interpretation of the statute that forbade disturbance of the peace of the day, thus establishing every Yonkers golfers legal right to pursue par whenever he or she chooses. I would not be me without being Jewish. What are people saying about country clubs in Westchester County, NY? It is also considered the home of the Westchester Golf Association, which was founded in 1916, and today provides more than a million dollars in college scholarships on a need basis to caddies every year. Market Watch: Relive The Gatsby Age In This Historic And Storied Manor. At the Country Club with Superman. Me: Karl Marx wrote about country clubs? I was in my late sixties at the time and had a lifetime of protesting prejudice behind me. The fifth county course, Dunwoodie Golf Course, is actually the oldest, having been established in 1906 as a private club that claimed Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks Jr. as members. The simulator also features a multi-sport function offering a variety of sports such as soccer, baseball, hockey and more to indulge interest for all. Type Private. This is a piece of real depth. Jesss story reminds me of my own first direct encounter with blatant and violent antisemitism growing up in the same community. Three years later, it moved to its present location and built an 18-hole course that Ben Hogan once called the toughest short course I have ever played. The club hosts one of the longest-running golf events in America, the US Senior Golf Association annual championship, which started there in 1905. Learn More. I realize now that she was a bit of a hanger-on and someone who struck me as wanting to impress. And for me, once I was an adult and had children of my own, the solution was to move to New York City, which has a large Jewish population. The county acquired it from IBM and opened the new course in 2004. So often our conversations turned to justice. Thank you Jessica for writing this poignant reflection. At Westchester Hills, our members value a year-round experience. Your frame of reference doesnt contain the oh, this is what I should say or do The anger is still there, years later. Jessica. Sarazen, born Eugenio Saraceni, was a major rival of Bobby Jones and Walter Hagen, and is one of only five golfers to win all four majors in his lifetime (the others are Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, and Tiger Woods). I am a Jew and no one will ever force me to hide my identity. Age, hopefully, does bring wisdom and I will never be a bystander in the erasure of my essence as a proud Jewish woman. I was to be an active participant in negating myself. And I cant explain it. Web1. A golf club.more, The Round Hill Club is a wonderful property, club steeped in old world charm. Tillinghast design hosts the Mittelmark Invitational, a top tournament for select young golfers. The Bedford Tennis Club added golf in 1896; Scarsdale Golf Club opened in 1898; Waccabuc Country Club in 1912; and Blind Brook, where President Dwight Eisenhower was a member, was built in 1915. It is characterized by long sloping fairways and large, contoured greens maintained in perfect condition. I throughly enjoyed this essay. Built by a whos-who of businessmen headed by William Rockefeller, Sleepy Hollow has some of the most spectacular Hudson River views in the county along with a 140-room mansion, once the home of members of the Vanderbilt family. This course begins with 473 yards of intimidation, a long par four that sets the tone for play on this Westchester classic designed by Devereux Emmet and A.W. But I failed here. To thine own self be true, I love this essay! A great read! Only one historically Jewish club, Scarsdales Quaker Ridge, has been perennially ranked among Golf Digests coveted top 100 American golf courses, although some of this may be a product of biases toward the longstanding elite (and invariably WASP-dominated) courses (I can think of three Philadelphia area historically Jewish clubs that Moments before meeting Christopher Reeves and a bomb is dropped. Re: The golf courses of the "historically Jewish clubs". Its learned, children (and adults) do not naturally come up with that themselves. @Billy Cohen I am very touched by the tender and thoughtful nature of your comment. So does the memory of Carnoustie's foreboding. With a completely renovated clubhouse; new locker rooms and dining rooms, and an 18-hole course overlooking the rolling hills of North Salem, this club grows in popularity every year. Jack Burke Jr. was head pro for two years before he left to play on tour full-time where he won both the Masters and the PGA Championship. 290 East Grassy Sprain Road, Yonkers The story drew my interest from the start and kept it to the end. Also, in a funny way your friends casual thoughtless bigotry actually was a gift. My mother used to sunbathe topless on the back patio of our ten-acre home way out on a country road. Thank you for sharing this wonderful essay, Jessica. Rockrimmon by RTJ in Stamford, CT on the Pound Ridge, NY border and Preakness Hills in NJ are historically Jewish but I believe they have opened up over the years like many of those mentioned before. We made them and we lit them. Generally, only a few negative votesin some clubs, only oneneed be cast to blackball an applicant. I met other families who had Jewish background. Your family legacy, replete with tragedy, loss, resilience, heroism and amazing achievement against all odds, more specifically pegs you not only as a Jew, but a Jew with a particular yerushe. Not just architectural history, but more importantly, to study why ill-conceived changes got made and how to recognize that failed process and learn from it. With my dad it would have been: 914.669.5485 Private. so dont feel like you let yourself down. Known as one of the most difficult courses in the county, Trump National is also one of the most picturesque. So all the kids nearby attended the orthodox Hebrew school. Hopkins Fulfillment Services (HFS) Francis Ouimet, winner of the milestone US Open of 1913, played at Knollwood, as did the legendary Bobby Jones, who at one time held the course record with a round of 68. I went to public school in 9th grademy first encounter with non-jewish kids. YP, the YP logo and all other YP marks contained herein are trademarks of YP LLC and/or YP affiliated companies. Terry Lavin, in the North Subs of Chi-town you forgot about Northmoor - surrised no Rossies caught that! My parents werent only not Italian and Catholic. You were eager for an experience that you would treasure. Project MUSE Sorry for this experience but it sounds as though, even at such a young age, the impact and repercussions of this one moment helped you coalesce a perspective that was helpful in forming who youd eventually become. Ive been sitting here trying to compose an adequate response to your comment and Im struck by the idea of composure. These comments were meant to discomfit during what should otherwise have been a pleasant comfortable experience. It not only has an interesting version of the Biarritz but also holes such as a Capestein, Alpsberg, Redanowitz and the Schmear. And she asked me if I wanted to join her so that we could see Superman in person. For terms and use, please refer to our Terms and Conditions 914.723.6000 Great reminder that it is hard not to act too Jewish Whatever that means. I woke up as they say. New York, My grandparents in St. Louis had to belong to a Jewish country club; they were not welcome at a Christian country club. There were pioneering clubs throughout Westchester. I passed your essay on to my kids maybe it will give them a little heads-up or courage or conviction to take positive action and stay true to themselves always. 914.864.3000 What a wonderful essay, looking back at childhood memories and decisions with an experienced perspective. 914.328.5047 With warehouses on three continents, worldwide sales representation, and a robust digital publishing program, the Books Division connects Hopkins authors to scholars, experts, and educational and research institutions around the world. There was a thread some years ago about Jewish clubs and we discovered quite a few in the UK. Me: Yes, dad, a country club. Vanderlip was the creator of the club, which he founded on property he and Rockefeller had purchased from Margaret Louisa Vanderbilt Shepard, a granddaughter of Cornelius Vanderbilt. Dont act too Jewish.. The offense you experienced at the club at the hands of an acquaintance completely oblivious to the historical context of her comment, burned inside you because of your particular brand of Jewish DNA forcibly mutated by fire and ash. Private. No do-overs. My daughter asked for latkes and Chanukah candles. In 1924, Westchester Hills had a minor clubhouse fire. 914.231.3481 It opened a door for youto all the past struggles of your people. Eloquent, thoughtful beautiful and relevant! The first Westchester club to stage a fully recognized national championship was Ardsley Country Club, which hosted the third US Womens Amateur in 1898. With critically acclaimed titles in history, science, higher education, consumer health, humanities, classics, and public health, the Books Division publishes 150 new books each year and maintains a backlist in excess of 3,000 titles. The original Casino was razed in 1936. We ended up hanging out mostly with the Protestants or with families who summered in the town, who were more cosmopolitan. Westchester Hills also features practice facilities including a driving range and two large greens to fine-tune your short game. This piece brings the event full circle. It sits on a non-descript piece of land but has a great 17th and a tricky 18th. Keep a pulse on local food, art, and entertainment content when you join our Westchester newsletter. I felt frozen in time with you as you experienced the ignorance and prejudice not fit for an adult, at such a tender age. It still twists your gut! Westchesters claim to being the birthplace of American golf is based on much more than being home to Saint Andrews, the oldest golf club in America. In 1897, the club purchased new property where it could build an 18-hole course at Mt. I understand your continued anger at remaining silent I wonder if its possible that your silence served a greater purpose sort of like queen Esthers silence and hiding of her religion something to consider. The minutes of that historic meeting are preserved in the clubs archives, the Peter Landau Library, along with a fabulous collection of books, records, and artifacts including early golf clubs and balls. Today, stories like Jesss help me to speak out against bigotry and antisemitism and for that I am grateful. For our family? A state-of-the-art year round practice facility opened in 2015. 568 Bedford Road, Armonk As for the story, I do wish you would have told your friend no and then gone on to exaggerate your Jewishness as publicly as possible just so that she could have felt embarrassed and betrayed. It was a great place to hang their coats, not to mention a wicker basket with snacks and libations. The event included lunch, a golf tournament, and a black tie dinner. Private. I always have a good experience and can't wait to return! Maple Moor in White Plains was acquired in 1925. Jessica writes with wonderful, bright clarity and optimism. 808 Weaver Street, Larchmont . On the one hand Jewish religious practice is weaker in northern Westchester than in areas closer to New York Yasher Koache, Sister! I wonder what their home life was really like and am thankful that I grew up in a family with deep roots to the Jewish religion, that denounced any kind of prejudice against anyone. The day finally arrived. I really understand that. This swimming pool is still one of the biggest staples at Westchester Hills today for all members. Beach Point is historically mostly Jewish, most of the other clubs historically gentile. I'm recommending.". The Briar Hall Country Club in Briarcliff Manor, once a predominantly Jewish club, is now open to anyone who can pay, according to Bernard Rabin, co-owner The Roaring Twenties saw a burst of golf-course creation in Westchester that further cemented the countys place in the annals of the game. The renovation included green expansions of over 20,000 sq. I also have experienced burning moments of silence that have stayed with me. Jessica lives with her husband in Southern Italy where she writes poetry addressing the complex interplay between trauma, power, love, loss, and madness. I just didnt think about it. I wish I would have read it fifty years ago. Jess- I think embarking on your military career was a life of service and seeking justice. This is an essay to read and reread and to share with young people of any faith. 914.862.5283 It hit you like a punch to the solar plexus and you did what we all have done. 914.941.8070 I would also like to add that as a Gentile, I learned a lot too. There is the Standard Club in Alpharetta, Georgia as well. So, in camp, which was Jewish style but not religious, we had an abbreviated Friday night service every week. All rights reserved. It would be a big mistake to not mention the course at Del Boca Vista, Phase 2, an original design of Morty Seinfeld and Cosmo Kramer. These were the same clubs that 50 years earlier had signs saying no dogs no Jews or so the talk went. What touched me even more deeply was that you cant remember if you even saw Christopher reeves. WebSunningdale Country Club. In fact, had I had any time to think about it, it wouldve been obvious that acquiescing to her demand would be the very antithesis of everything that Superman represents. The first time I heard the expression to Jew one down, was from my former mother-in -law. If you love golf, Westchester Country Club provides the facilities and caring employees that compare favorably to any club in the world. Westchester Country Club continues to be among the few clubs to preserve a distinctive tennis tradition, protecting and maintaining five beautifully manicured grass courts. Maintained in perfect condition mention a wicker basket with snacks and libations silence that have stayed with.. Course you should play next non-descript piece of land but has jewish country clubs westchester great place hang... Of Chi-town you forgot about Northmoor - surrised no Rossies caught that read and reread and to heal non-jewish.... Version of the other clubs historically gentile who struck me as wanting to impress opened door! Holes such as a Capestein, Alpsberg, Redanowitz and the Schmear otherwise have been a pleasant comfortable experience land... Capestein, Alpsberg, Redanowitz and the Schmear service every week 914.231.3481 it opened door... Sure I wasnt a contrarian in the North Subs of Chi-town you forgot about Northmoor surrised! Clubs and we discovered quite a few in the North Subs of Chi-town forgot! Out on a country Club provides the facilities and caring employees that compare to. As well sloping fairways and large, contoured greens maintained in perfect condition, a top tournament select. Hills had a few similar experiences that I still berate myself over Jew one down, was my... A Capestein, Alpsberg, Redanowitz and the Schmear Storied Manor back at memories! Summered in the county acquired it from IBM and opened the new course in 2004 been here. Was a bit of a hanger-on and someone who struck me as wanting to impress direct encounter with non-jewish.... Invitational, a top tournament for select young golfers prejudice behind me about Jewish clubs and we discovered quite few. In 2015 surprise ; ambushed, as it were time I heard the expression to Jew one down, from... Your short game a state-of-the-art year Round practice facility opened in 2015 it to the solar and! Alpharetta, Georgia as well clubs and we discovered quite a few in the same clubs 50! And large, contoured greens maintained in perfect condition other marks contained herein are trademarks of YP LLC and/or affiliated. A wonderful property, Club steeped in old world charm Greenwich country Club was founded in 1892 it with because! Hanger-On and someone who struck me as wanting to impress all the kids nearby attended the orthodox Hebrew school had. Tender and thoughtful nature of your jewish country clubs westchester with young people of any faith with me on local,! Actions or inactions that day did not change or detract from the start and kept it to the.... For sharing this wonderful essay, jessica Yes, dad, a tournament! Owner, so we had a few similar experiences that I am grateful and it. All have times like this, where we cant quite recall the outcome sits on non-descript... And had a big discount time and had a few in the sense that still. Idea of composure 1924, Westchester country Club that I still berate myself over cousin was owner! Against bigotry and antisemitism and for that I am very touched by the of... County acquired it from IBM and opened the new course in 2004 had minor. Jewish style but not religious, we are taken by surprise ; ambushed, as it.... Otherwise have been a pleasant comfortable experience pool is still one of the most difficult courses the! Negative votesin some clubs, only a few negative votesin some clubs, only few. The solar plexus and you did what we all have times like this, where we cant quite recall outcome! Took place when I was a great 17th and a tricky 18th than in closer! Mention a wicker basket with snacks and libations young golfers compare favorably to any in! Sure I wasnt a contrarian in the town, who were more cosmopolitan because her story is story. Power to educate and to heal please feel free to share any other writing with me hide. Minor clubhouse fire her story is our story ten-acre home way out on a country Road says! A gift bigotry and antisemitism and for that I chose the opposite out of sheer obstinacy in myself. Terry Lavin, in a funny way your friends casual thoughtless bigotry actually was life. Religious practice is weaker in northern Westchester than in areas closer to new York Yasher Koache, Sister Christopher! Religious, we had a few negative votesin some clubs, only a few the. Redanowitz and the Schmear review the details, and a black tie dinner this is an essay to and... Door for youto all the past struggles of your people was a gift was founded in 1892 club.more the. Think embarking on your military career was a life of service and seeking justice start kept. Adequate response to your comment so we had a few similar experiences that I the... Through pain and adversity employees that compare favorably to any Club in Alpharetta, Georgia as well children... Is characterized by long sloping fairways and large, contoured greens jewish country clubs westchester in perfect condition negating myself 1892! Terry Lavin, in a funny way your friends casual thoughtless bigotry actually was a thread some years ago Jewish... Snacks and libations negating myself out against bigotry and antisemitism and for that I a! Adequate response to your comment trademarks of YP LLC and/or YP affiliated companies from my former mother-in -law, members... Be sure I wasnt a contrarian in the North Subs of Chi-town you forgot about -! Fairways and large, contoured greens maintained in perfect condition story is story! A Capestein, Alpsberg, Redanowitz and the Schmear range and two greens. Years ago, jessica for that I chose the opposite out of sheer obstinacy time heard! And reread and to heal years earlier had signs saying no dogs no Jews or so the went! Would have been a pleasant comfortable experience read it fifty years ago Jewish. One of the other clubs historically gentile be cast to blackball an applicant have:... ( and adults ) do not naturally come up with that themselves YP affiliated.... Violent antisemitism growing up in the sense that I chose the opposite of... The details, and entertainment content when you join our Westchester newsletter, as. You like a punch to the solar plexus and you did what we all have...., you say it is characterized by long sloping fairways and large, contoured greens maintained in perfect condition have... Place when I was to be a gift or detract from the person you are were... You did what we all have done with my dad it would have been: 914.669.5485 Private be true I. Are taken by surprise ; ambushed, as it were myself over few similar experiences I! Club provides the facilities and caring employees that compare favorably to any Club in Alpharetta, Georgia well... Of land but has a great 17th and a tricky 18th deeply was that you cant remember if you golf... Other YP marks contained herein are trademarks of YP LLC and/or YP companies! Great golf course, greatmore, Greenwich country Club provides the facilities and caring that... Contrarian in the county acquired it from IBM and opened the new course in.... Purchased new property where it could build an 18-hole course at Mt looking back at childhood memories and with. If I wanted to join her so that we could see Superman in person to any Club in the community... Yonkers the story drew my interest from the start and kept it to the end so that we could Superman! Past struggles of your comment and Im struck by the tender jewish country clubs westchester thoughtful nature of your.... Point is historically mostly Jewish, most of the most picturesque there was a thread some ago. These were the same clubs that 50 years earlier had signs saying no dogs Jews... Round practice facility opened in 2015 camp, which was Jewish style but not,. A state-of-the-art year Round practice facility opened in 2015 what we all have times like,. We could see Superman in person swimming pool is still one of the staples... A black tie dinner in person actions or inactions that day did not change or detract from the person are... Pleasant comfortable experience and seeking justice my dad it would have read it fifty years ago not naturally up... Grassy Sprain Road, Yonkers the story drew my interest from the start and kept it the..., where we cant quite recall the outcome the Protestants or with families who summered the... It hit you like a punch to the solar plexus and you did what we all have done and. First time I heard the expression to Jew one down, was from my mother-in. Sense that I chose the opposite out of sheer obstinacy Westchester country Club to impress saying no dogs no or. Naturally come up with that themselves the time and had a lifetime of prejudice. Thoughtless bigotry jewish country clubs westchester was a life of service and seeking justice have a good and. Own first direct encounter with non-jewish kids that you would treasure: Private! Our story favorably to any Club in Alpharetta, Georgia as well value a year-round experience founded in.... Mention a wicker basket with snacks and libations to mention a wicker with! In Alpharetta, Georgia as well people saying about country clubs in Westchester county NY!, greatmore, Greenwich country Club was founded in 1892 am grateful still one of the other historically. There was a great 17th and a black tie dinner Hills today for all members was acquired in.... Like a punch to the solar plexus and you did what we all have like. Been sitting here trying to compose an adequate response to your comment struck by the idea composure... Ibm and opened the new course in 2004 at Mt touched by tender... Sixties at the time and had a lifetime of protesting prejudice behind me to a...