Skaneateles Country Club

Skaneateles Country Club sits on elevated terrain above Skaneateles Lake in the Finger Lakes region of central New York. Hal Purdy designed the course, which opened in the 1920s during an era when he was establishing himself as a regional architect with work across upstate New York and neighboring states. The routing takes advantage of the natural topography, with holes moving across rolling ground that offers views of the lake and surrounding countryside. The course reflects Purdy's practical design approach, emphasizing playability while incorporating the natural contours of the land. The layout features a mix of elevation changes and strategic bunkering typical of courses from this period, with greens that require careful approach work. The property's position above the lake means that several holes play with exposure to prevailing winds, adding a variable element to club selection and shot planning. Skaneateles Country Club serves as the golf centerpiece for a small lakeside community known for its well-preserved nineteenth-century architecture and summer resort character. The club maintains a traditional member-focused atmosphere, with the course providing a straightforward test of golf in a scenic Finger Lakes setting. The facility has remained relatively true to its original design intent while adapting to modern maintenance practices and equipment changes over nearly a century of operation.