By Scott Kauffman
Integrity Golf Company, one of the leading golf course operators in the world, announced this week it was selected by the Town of Huntington, New York to oversee its two golf facilities.
Under terms of the lease agreement, Integrity Golf assumes control of Crab Meadow Golf Course and Dix Hills Park Short Course effective Jan. 1, 2015. The Town of Huntington properties represent Integrity Golf’s foray into the New York golf market and marks a new beginning for historic Crab Meadow, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2015.
“It’s a privilege for our company to be partners with the Town of Huntington and their highly regarded pair of public golf facilities,” says Integrity Golf chief executive officer Gene Garrote, whose private company is ranked among the “Top 25 Management Companies in the World” by Golf Inc. magazine. “As someone with family ties to Long Island, it’s also a thrill to come home to an area I know well.”
“I grew up playing Crab Meadow as a junior golfer and look forward to making this memorable property even more enjoyable for New York golfers. Our company has a lot of experience partnering with the public sector accustomed to high-quality standards, and we’re dedicated to delivering a continued high-caliber golf experience to Huntington residents and their guests.”
Crab Meadow Golf Course, a par-72, 18-hole championship course designed by William F. Mitchell, is located in Northport, N.Y., along Long Island’s picturesque North Shore. Featuring breathtaking views of the Long Island Sound, Crab Meadow is one of the Met area’s treasured municipal courses and measures 6,598 yards from the blue tees (71.8 rating) and 5,658 yards from the forward red tees (69.9 rating).
Just a short drive away, Dix Hills Golf Course is a fun 9-hole executive layout for golfers and families seeking an alternative golf experience. Nestled in Huntington’s highly popular Dix Hills Park, the picturesque par-31 layout stretches 1,930 yards from the back tees and 1,882 yards from the par-32 forward tees and offers a practice facility and pro shop.
“We are excited to enter into a new partnership with Integrity Golf for the management of both Crab Meadow and Dix Hills Park golf course properties,” says Huntington Supervisor Frank P. Petrone. “Integrity’s proposed capital investment coupled with its strong background in operating an extensive golf course portfolio will benefit our golfing public and taxpayers.”
Crab Meadow and Dix Hills are part of a growing list of municipal courses Integrity Golf now oversees.
The Crab Meadow Golf Course property actually dates back to 1921 when noted golf architect Devereux Emmet first opened the now-defunct Northport County Club. A challenging layout situated on a stretch of marshy coastline some five miles northeast of Huntington, Northport County Club lasted about 20 years and the abandoned clubhouse burned down in 1949.
Ten years later, while former Huntington Supervisor and parks and recreation visionary Robert J. Flynn was campaigning for office, he championed a new comprehensive parks system. Topping the list was a public golf course. After town residents approved a $2.5 million parks program referendum in 1962, town officials settled on a 640-acre tract in Crab Meadow and the former Northport C.C. site as the home of their new public course.
Beyond the opportunity to be new stewards of this historic golf course, Integrity Golf also looks forward to managing Crab Meadow’s newly renovated/modernized clubhouse facility. Featuring the View restaurant and banquet facility, this popular destination and events venue accommodates up to 120 people and affords panoramic views of the Long Island Sound.
About Integrity Golf Company
Headquartered in Winter Garden, Fla., Integrity Golf Company is one of the leading golf course owner/operators in the world. The private company oversees over 26 golf facilities and 30-plus 18-hole courses in Florida, New York, Tennessee, North Carolina, Idaho and South Carolina. For additional news and information, visit www.IntegrityGolfco.com or connect on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/IntegrityGolf
