Yorktown, N.Y., – The Lower Hudson Valley flooding brought destruction and tragedy, but this town is the epitome of frustration.
Golfers, their families, and local officials celebrated the grand opening on July 8 with a DJ, ribbon cutting, and a par-3 course owned by the town. The return of a golf course to the land had been a goal for over a decade.
The course was completely submerged by the evening of the 9th.
Tom Diana, Town Supervisor said: “The golf course had been completely submerged with water.”
On that Monday, the 9-hole Links at Valley Fields golf course, located in the Shrub oak hamlet in the north of the town, was closed. Diana reported on Tuesday that the water level had dropped significantly from the course.
The course will reopen on Thursday.
The clubhouse was spared damage or flooding. The pro shop was affected by flooding, and golf carts and other equipment like grounds-keeping and golf carts were also damaged.
Chris Munoz is a partner of the team who operates the facility. He stated on Tuesday that the crew was clearing the water and putting in a lot more manpower to “save everything as much as they could.” He hoped the course would be open by the weekend.
Munoz stated that even if the course reopens, repairs will still be needed. However, he said, “we’d like our public to return to the course as quickly as possible.”
An article published on the United States Golf Association’s website in September 2018 said that one of the keys to a successful golf game is to remove excess water quickly.
The article stated that grass can die if submerged for a long time, especially if the water is salty. This situation, however, does not apply to Yorktown, which is located well inland. “Beyond floodwater damage, deposits of rock, silt and debris can prevent regular maintenance and take weeks or months to clear.”
View of the newly-opened The Links at Valley Fields, Shrub Oak. July 8, 2023. Yorktown officials held a day-long event to celebrate the grand reopening of its golf course after it had been closed for many years. Photo: Mark Vergari/The Journal News
Yorktown, along with a number of other localities and residents in Westchester County, Putnam County, Rockland County, and Orange county, could apply for disaster assistance to offset some of the costs of repair. In these counties, the governor declared a state of emergency as a first step to requesting help from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Residents and towns must determine the damage and value. Experts in towns must assess the structural integrity of roads, bridges, and other structures.
Diana said that the town could use assistance with a variety of issues, including badly damaged culverts.
The financial costs that the flooding could have incurred on the course were unknown. Munoz stated that “we don’t really know at this time” and that “we are just assessing right now.”
Diana cut the ribbon for the grand opening on July 8th, roughly 24 hours prior to the record rainfall in some areas. As he announced, “open for Business,” adults and children stood on either side.
Diana asked for applause, saying, “We’re so happy that this group opened this place after so many decades.” After waiting for more than a decade, this jewel is finally in Yorktown after 14 weeks.
A restaurant/bar is located on the golf course off Taconic Parkway, which borders Route 6 and Lee Boulevard. There’s also an outdoor dining area under a pergola and golf carts are available for people with mobility issues. A fire pit and a place to buy cold drinks are located about half-way along the course. The plan is to allow people to book their tee time online. Nine holes are available for only $40. Golf lessons are also available. The website shows a half hour session for $75, a $100 lesson, and five half-hour sessions for $350.
A five-year contract will see Yorktown Golf Group, who will be operating the facility, pay the town yearly, with an initial payment of $78,000, and increasing each year.
Diana commented, “It is a really beautiful course. These guys did an amazing job.” Diana added that this may be one of the only two public 9-hole golf courses in Westchester.
The construction of the golf course took years. A legal battle that began last year continues at state court.
In 2014, RC Recreation Development Limited Liability Company and the town signed an agreement. RC Recreation Development was to bring the course into existence, operate it and the clubhouse and restaurant for 10 years and then hand it back to the town. The operating license of the company was extended until 2028.
The Town Board voted last year to terminate the agreement after what officials claimed were delays. The board then asked for other proposals and chose Yorktown Golf Group.
RC Recreation Development sued several town officials last year. RC Recreation Development also sued the company that operates the course, and its partners.
Journal News reports that RC spent more than $8 Million on development, including green renovations and code upgrades. RC said that delays were caused by the pandemic and supply-chain problems, as well as bug infestations.
A state judge dismissed seven claims in the lawsuit on June 15. The remaining claims are still being litigated.
Michael McKinney is a growth and development reporter for The Journal News/lohud.com, and the USA Today Network.
