Golf Courses: A look at the Most Exclusive in America

Pocantico Hills Golf Course,

Mount Pleasant, New York

Many people consider John D Rockefeller the wealthiest American in history. At it’s peak, his company Standard Oil controlled 90% of the country’s oil refineries.

In the early 1900’s Rockefeller purchased a 3400 acre estate in Mount Pleasant, NY (45 minutes north of New York City). After building a 40,000 square foot residence (Kykuit), Rockefeller commissioned Willie Dunn to build a golf course on the property. Dunn was fresh off extending Shinnecock from 12 holes to its current 18 holes.

Dunn’s designed course at Pocantico Hills was 12 holes and would exist for over four decades. In 1937 Rockefeller (who had become increasingly smitten by the game) brought in William Flynn to modernize the golf course; Flynn having built Merion’s famed east course as well as renovated Shinnecock.

Flynn transformed Pocantico Hills into a 9 hole reversible “C shaped” course. The routing has nine fairways and 13 greens, however it’s played as an 18-hole course. Five greens are played twice, from different directions. Covering a modest 5673 yards with a par of 36-34 – 70 the course is known for its beautiful views of the surrounding countryside.

In the book The Rockefeller Family Home: Kykuit, Steven Rockefeller Jr. talks glowingly about time spent with his grandfather on the golf course. “Riding with him on the golf cart was one of the great treats; you always got a series of terrific hugs and slaps on the back – it was very special. We often played without shoes or shirts. We even played with our dogs. It lends itself to beginners. You don’t feel the pressure of playing in front of a huge membership.”

From the most recent satellite images of the property it appears that only 4 of the 13 greens are being kept up; apparently none of the current generation of Rockefeller’s are golfers.

Let’s hope that changes soon!