Renovations are a hole in one at oldest course

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Paul Sliva knows a thing or two about Van Cortlandt Park Golf Course. He knows about its rich history in the sport, the famous people who have played its challenging 18 holes and he knows — mostly on a first-name basis — the legions of regulars who call it their golf home.

But he also knew this New York City gem had lost a lot of its luster since it opened in 1895, and the old course was more than showing her age. In this last several years, however, Van Cortlandt’s historic links have undergone a dramatic transformation, one that has restored its past glory and amazed both regular duffers and newcomers alike.

“I can’t believe the difference,” said Sliva, the head golf professional and tournament director at the course. “The entire atmosphere and culture has changed. There was a long time when this course was run by the City of New York and run into disrepair.”

The course, known simply as “Vanny” to the locals, had become a shell of its former self. But Van Cortlandt’s fortunes began to change when a company called Van Cortlandt LLC stepped in with a vision to restore the grounds to their former grandeur.

“Eight years ago this course went out to a private concession and it’s run by golf guys,” said Sliva, who has been at Van Cortlandt for the past 16 years. “They understand golf. They understand what we sell here is golf and the experience of being at the oldest public golf course in America. It is a destination. It is an historic location.”

Van Cortlandt LLC wasted little time in pouring money into renovating the course — over $5 million according to Sliva — and the results are nothing short of stunning.

“The renovations for the golf course have been extensive,” Sliva said. “Seven greens complexes have been completely dug out of the ground and been redone. You have a dozen new tee boxes built in. You have sand traps that have been reshaped and redone. They are excellent. Some of the things that have been really big have been in the maintenance of the golf course.”

Paul Sliva, Van Cortlandt Park, golf, Sean Brennan
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