North Hempstead Country Club

North Hempstead Country Club occupies a wooded property on Long Island's North Shore in Port Washington, roughly twenty miles east of Manhattan. The course was originally designed by A.W. Tillinghast in the 1920s during his prolific period of work in the New York metropolitan area. Tillinghast routed the layout across rolling terrain characteristic of the glacial moraine that defines this part of Long Island, incorporating natural elevation changes and mature tree corridors into the design. The original eighteen holes reflected his preference for strategic bunkering and greens that reward precise approach play. Robert Trent Jones Sr. later modified the course during the mid-twentieth century, a period when he reshaped numerous classic layouts to accommodate modern equipment and tournament standards. His work typically involved lengthening holes, rebuilding greens, and reconfiguring bunker schemes. More recently, Gil Hanse undertook a restoration and renovation project aimed at recapturing elements of the Tillinghast design while addressing contemporary maintenance and playability considerations. Hanse's involvement reflects a broader trend among historic clubs seeking to balance preservation of original design intent with current golfing demands. The course plays through a parkland setting with tree-lined fairways and greens that sit on varied terrain. The property's topography provides natural movement and requires thoughtful club selection on approach shots. North Hempstead serves a private membership and operates as a traditional country club with facilities beyond golf.