Rip’s hair is longer in the front than mine but other than that we have similar lifestyles though he journeyed in his sleep and I journey on golf courses!
About mid way through the East Coast Golf Journey I got wind of the Rip Van Winkle Golf Trail and had to venture over to Palenville, NY in the Great Northern Catskills to play the namesake golf course—the Rip Van Winkle CC. ‘The Rip,’ as the local golfers call it, is owned and operated by Sara & John Smith. John is a third generation owner as his grandparents purchased the golf course in 1949. An ‘above par’ guy, apparently Sara moved him into a new pro shop and together they renovated the clubhouse as a restaurant & tavern with other space to host banquets, weddings and other events. ‘The Rip’ has quickly and successfully transformed from a one-season golf course business to a four-season family hospitality business.
CLICK here for a VIDEO INTERVIEW with GM John Smith.
With my golfing buddy, the Back Nine Bud Dog!
Playing ‘The Rip’ is an extraordinary golfing experience. First you have the spectacular Catskill Mountains to gaze up to while walking a very beautiful golf course nestled on the floor of the valley. Second, it is an authentic 1919 Donald Ross design and lastly it is in great shape with a recently upgraded irrigation system. Rumor has it that the golfer Rip Van Winkle fell asleep in the woods to the left of the 4th hole and awakened on the long 15th hole. Sounds like my typical round of golf! ‘The Rip’ is a nine hole golf course with two sets of tees. If you want to play more you hook up with the Back Nine Bud Dog. I found like many locals do that “nine is fine,” as the East Coast Journey continued down to my sister Joanne’s place on Long Island with a side trip out of JFK to the inaugural Caribbean Golf Merchandise Show in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
CLICK here for a GOLFING VIDEO of Andy playing Signature Hole No. 3 at ‘the Rip.’
My only advice to Rip is to wake up, play your namesake golf course and enjoy ‘the rest of your life.’
With John Smith, GM & owner of the Rip Van Winkle Country Club, Banquet Facility & Restaurant.
Like Rip and typical for my golf game, I fell asleep in the middle of the round.
The 5th is my favorite! A tee shot over water to the fairway short of a creek to be carried to the green. Sloped green a la Donald Ross!
I had the tasty Italian Deli Panini in the Tavern after golf. Nice 19th hole with a view of the first tee, golf course and Catskill Mountains.
A close-up of Rip Van Winkle with his golf clubs. I look forward to returning next year and exploring his trail some more in between naps.
A nice place to stop for a break, golf and lunch if you are traveling by on Interstate 87 (Exit 21, 25 miles south of Albany).
