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A Quick Nine: Best N.Y. City-area public golf courses

By T.J. Auclair, Interactive Producer
Published on
A Quick Nine: Best N.Y. City-area public golf courses

The PGA Tour is in New York this week for the first leg of the PGA Tour Playoffs for the FedExCup -- The Barclays at Bethpage Black. As you know, Bethpage Black is one of the most well-known public golf courses in the world and has played host to the 2002 and 2009 U.S. Opens.

Since we love courses that are open to everyone, we asked PGA.com Facebook Nation this week to tell us: What are the best public courses to play in the New York City area?

Check out the answers you submitted below and don't forget to click on the course's name so you can leave a review for others to see.

9. Dunwoodie Golf Course in Yonkers, N.Y. Ringing in at under 6,000 yards, Dunwoodie isn't the longest of golf courses by any means, but it can be sneaky long with all its elevation changes.

Facebook fan quote:

"Dunwoodie, older course with amazing greens!" -- Charles Tusin

8. Timber Point Golf Course in Great River, N.Y. Here's the course description from its website: "The property it occupies is ideally suited for golf. Positioned where the Connetquot River meets the Great South Bay , golfers are treated with magnificent vistas of the south shore that include Fire Island, Hecksher Park and Oakdale. In addition to the great views, the course plays over a variety of terrain comprising of both park and links land settings. The ever-shifting shore breeze guarantees a stern test and a round that never quite plays the same way twice."

Facebook fan quote:

"Timber Point is decent." -- Glenford Gulcharan

7. Ballyowen Golf Club at the Crystal Springs Resort in Sussex County, N.J. OK, so it's roughly 1 hour from New York City, but ask anyone who's played here and they'll tell you it's a can't miss. This Irish-style links course has received tons of accolades, including being ranked among the top 50 public courses in the U.S. by Golf World.

Facebook fan quote:

"Ballyowen." -- Jim Flynn

6. Wild Wood Country Club in Rush, N.Y. A hike from the city? Yes. However, Wild Wood is worth the trip. Golf Digest gave it a four-star award as, "Best Place to Play."

Facebook fan quote:

"Wild Wood Country Club in Rush, N.Y." -- Nick Sacheli

5. Pound Ridge Golf Club in Pound Ridge, N.Y. Designed by mastermind Pete Dye, Pound Ridge is known as one of America's premier public golf courses.

Facebook fan quote:

"Pound Ridge is amazing." -- Jonathan DeMatteis

4. En-Joie Golf Course in Endicott, N.Y. This course has played host to several professional tournaments over the years, including the Dick's Sporting Goods Open on the Champions Tour just last week.

Facebook fan quote:

"En-Joie Golf Course in Endicott, N.Y., really fun course -- ask the Champions Tour." -- Kyle Sherman

3. Bethpage Red in Farmingdale, N.Y. Guess what, folks? The Black course isn't the only bear at the Bethpage State Park. The Red is a Tillinghast course, featuring long par 4s and plenty of dogleg holes.

Facebook fan quotes:

"Don't underestimate Bethpage Red!" -- Dan Hoban

"I wound like to see what can be done with the Red Course at Bethpage. We already know that the Black is a golf course for majors." -- Sean Patrick Calhoun

2. Split Rock Golf Course in Bronx, N.Y. Along with Pelham Bay, Split Rock makes up half of New York City's only 36-hole facility. They say Split Rock is truly a shot-maker's course that will require every club in the bag.

Facebook fan quotes:

"Let's talk city courses. Split Rock and Douglaston! For us muni folk." -- Diego Gerardi

"Diego -- Split Rock is sick! I've always had a blast there and amazing design!" -- Michael Landry

1. Montauk Downs State Park Golf Course in Montauk, N.Y. Here's a look at the description of the course from its website: "Montauk Downs was originally developed in 1927. Robert Trent Jones Sr. redesigned the present course in 1968 with assistance from his son, Rees. Montauk Downs State Park was purchased by State Parks in 1980. The ever-changing wind currents off the ocean and bay can change the way the course plays each day."

Facebook fan quotes:

"Montauk Downs -- amazing course for the buck!" -- Conor Trainor

"A little out there, but Montauk Downs is a great public track." -- Nick Dorian

"As a former caddie and current patron at the Montauk Downs, I must agree that it is the best!" -- Will Harrel

"Besides Bethpage, which is immaculately maintained for a public course, I would have to say for your money's worth Montauk Downs and West Point Golf Course are some really nice courses." -- Neil Vyas