Hillendale Golf Course

Hillendale Golf Course occupies rolling terrain in the Finger Lakes region near Ithaca, New York, where the landscape's natural contours and elevation changes shape the routing. The course was designed by Mary Novickas and Darlene Sommer, part of a generation of women architects who brought fresh perspectives to golf course design in the latter decades of the twentieth century. The layout reflects the topographical character common to this part of central New York, where glacial activity left behind varied terrain that lends itself to strategic golf holes. The course serves the Ithaca community and visitors to the Finger Lakes area, a region better known for its gorges, lakes, and vineyards than for golf, though the same geological features that define the landscape also provide natural interest for golf routing. Hillendale's setting offers views of the surrounding hills and valleys typical of the region, and the design works with rather than against the property's existing grades and drainage patterns. As a public facility, Hillendale provides accessible golf in an area where courses must contend with a relatively short playing season due to upstate New York winters. The course fits into the fabric of Ithaca's recreational offerings, serving both local players and those drawn to the region's colleges and natural attractions. The design emphasizes playability across different skill levels while incorporating the natural movement of the land.