Westfair Online - Frighteningly good Spook Rock

Home

HV Biz

Frighteningly good Spook Rock

Public course celebrates 40 years

Kathy Kahn

Apr-05-09, 07:00 PM

0 Votes

Topics: Golf

They’ve made good use of the first Boy Scout camp in the U.S and turned the 150-acre site where Spook Rock Golf Club now sits one of the sweetest spots in the mid-Hudson regiuon. The municipality took over Kane’s Camp and converted it to a town golf course in 1969, but clippings of the former Scout outings held there remind players of the course’s contribution to children in the Hudson Valley.

It’s been a win-win for the town and for thousands who have taken to the fairways over the past three decades. From Westchester to New Jersey know Spook Rock in the village of Montebello. It is open to the public and staying on its toes to keep up with the recession, says its pro Anthony Musto.

Musto, who owns the pro shop and has been giving lessons for seven years since joining Spook Rock, was a minor league hockey player who never swung a club in his life until he was 22. “The first time the ball connected, I was hooked,” said Musto, who has been perfecting his swing for more than 20 years and says he enjoys teaching the sport to all ages.

“I think that’s what people love most about this game; it is a sport you can play by yourself. You can enjoy it alone or you can play with friends or co-workers. It’s you against the fairway … and for those who don’t understand what the ‘big deal’ is about golf, that’s the allure.”

Because Spook Rock is owned by the town, the course is open to the public and discounted for residents. Out of Rockland’s five towns, four have their own courses. In order for Clarkstown residents to have a place to play, Ramapo has offered them resident status as a courtesy, said Musto.

“We’ve been very fortunate to have a great supervisor in Christopher St. Lawrence. He and the board were willing to invest in the course in 2008, adding a $1.3 million sprinkler system. It’s not only eco-friendly but will service the club for years to come. We’re mindful of the chemicals we use and make sure they are environmentally friendly. Besides the pro shop, we have a snack bar and a full-service restaurant and catering facility. Most of all, we have a friendly and welcoming atmosphere.”

Spook Rock’s 18-hole course opened on March 18, and “We’ve been busy,” said Musto. “We enlarged the driving range for players because we were running out of room.”

Page 1 of 2

«
Start
Prev
1
2
Next
End
»

0 Comments

Add Comment

Articles by This Author

Kathy Kahn

The deeper the recession, the greater the need

Nov-06-09, 11:36 AM

Food Bank of Hudson Valley is honored by Pattern for Progress.

State comptroller updates Orange chamber members

Nov-01-09, 07:00 PM

Suffern firm successfully defends patent

Feb-01-09, 07:00 PM

General Patent Corp. (GPC) based in Suffern, a patent licensing and patent enforcement firm, announced on behalf of client Renhcol Inc. − a wholly-owned subsidiary of Betbrokers PLC (London Stock Exchange: BETB) − that Renhcol had settled its patent infringement lawsuit against Pregame L.L.C. of Las Vegas on January 27.

Grant will promote green for Orange infrastructure

Mar-12-10, 05:53 PM

Green conference focuses on sustainable energy and inter-municipal cooperation.

Working parents seek more than babysitter

Mar-08-09, 07:00 PM

For many families in the Hudson Valley, affordable child care is important – but quality often trumps cost.

Different recovery for this recession

Sep-25-09, 12:28 PM

Economist says adjusting to new world is next order of business.

port authority reaches out to construction community

Push to ease bid process

Mar-15-09, 07:00 PM

There is work out there for those who are willing to sit down and do the paperwork.

Stair Masters

Company adapts in slowdown

Feb-22-09, 07:00 PM

Most companies are finding that in order to stay afloat these days, they’ve got to change their mindsets and start thinking as creatively as possible. It’s no different for the makers of staircases.