Lakes/Pines (Alternate) at Colonial Springs Golf Club

Colonial Springs Golf Club sits in East Farmingdale on Long Island, roughly midway between the island's North and South Shores in a region historically characterized by flat to gently rolling terrain and sandy soils. The facility offers multiple nine-hole layouts that can be combined into different eighteen-hole configurations, with the Lakes/Pines routing representing one such combination. Arthur Hills, who designed the course, built a substantial portfolio across the United States from the 1960s through the 2000s, typically emphasizing strategic variety and playability across different skill levels.

The Lakes nine, as its name suggests, incorporates water features that come into play on several holes, requiring golfers to navigate carries or manage hazards along fairway corridors. The Pines nine likely moves through more wooded sections where mature trees frame holes and influence shot selection. Hills generally favored clear sightlines from the tee while introducing complexity around greens, and his Long Island work would have adapted to the relatively modest elevation changes typical of the area.

Colonial Springs functions as a public-access facility serving the Long Island golfing community, offering a straightforward test without the severe length or hazard density found at championship venues. The combination of water hazards and tree-lined holes provides variety within the round, and the multiple-nine format allows for operational flexibility and different playing experiences depending on which combination is in use.