Rochester: An intriguing destination on the New York Golf Trail rich in country clubs and public courses

ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Golf is woven into the fabric of this interesting city in upstate New York. Venerable Oak Hill Country Club -- the only club in America to host the PGA Championship, the Ryder Cup, the United States Open, the U.S. Amateur, the U.S. Senior Open and the Senior PGA Championship -- sets the standard for the region’s best private clubs, although the Country Club of Rochester, Locust Hill Country Club and Monroe Country Club, both in Pittsford; and Cobblestone Creek Country Club in Victor feature strong courses, too.

Excellent public playgrounds ring the city out in the suburbs and rolling farmland. Five of the best -- Ravenwood Golf Club in Victor, Greystone Golf Club in Walworth, Mill Creek Golf Club in Churchville, Bristol Harbour Resort in Canandaigua and Wayne Hills Country Club in Lyons -- all belong to the New York Golf Trail, a collection of the state's best public/resort courses (Mendon Golf Club is private but on the Trail as well). Ravenwood stays consistently in top shape with plenty of elevated tees and greens to keep things interesting. Greystone boasts the best combination of holes and scenery. Mill Creek's layout, designed by Michigan architects Ray Hearn and Paul Albanese, spills off of the highest point in the region, affording some spectacular vistas from elevated tees and tough climbs up steep fairways. Bristol Harbour, a Robert Trent Jones classic dating to 1972, sports two distinct personalities, open and forgiving on the front nine and narrow, wooded corridors on the hilly back nine.

Jason Scott Deegan has reviewed and photographed more than 1,100 courses and written about golf destinations in 25 countries for some of the industry's biggest publications. His work has been honored by the Golf Writer's Association of America and the Michigan Press Association. Follow him on Instagram at @jasondeegangolfpass and Twitter at @WorldGolfer.
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Rochester: An intriguing destination on the New York Golf Trail rich in country clubs and public courses