↑ The charming and breathtaking property at The Creek (Locust Valley, New York)
Founded in 1922 by a cadre of elite visionaries including the likes of Vincent Astor, J.P. Morgan, Clarence Mackay, and others, The Creek was immediately hailed by The New York Times as the “Million Dollar Golf Club.” It was described as “undoubtedly the richest golf club in the world” and “unique, the finest golf course in the country, if not the world.” Designed by Charles B. Macdonald and Seth Raynor, the course opened in 1923, and has retained its timeless aesthetic through a major restoration overseen by Gil Hanse in 2017, preserving the original vision while refining playability.
A Tale of Two Nines
Holes one through five tread gently through tree-lined, inward-facing terrain. They serve as a calm overture, subduing expectations before the course’s drama unfolds. The holes in this part of the golf course are intentional, restrained, and elegant.
From the sixth hole onward, the course erupts. Perched atop a bluff overlooking Long Island Sound, the sixth hole delivers breathtaking views and embodies the concept of “compression and release” famously championed by Frank Lloyd Wright. The design subtly lulls you into tranquility before revealing the expansive grandeur ahead.
The Headliner: Sixth Hole
The par‑4 450‑yard sixth hole is golf architecture at its best. The slope of the fairway and flanking trees gradually expose a Reverse Redan–Punchbowl green. The risk‑reward architecture demands both precision and creativity. Drive it on line, play around a bunker‑guarded green, and let the contours feed your ball toward the hole. Many call this one of the best greens they’ve ever encountered.
The Seaside Holes: 10 & 11
From here, the routing veers toward the water for the course’s midsection. The 10th and 11th holes, perched almost literally on Long Island Sound, showcase aging dunes, shifting sand, and seaside winds. The 11th—a par‑3 Biarritz style island green at high tide—stands out as both a visual and strategic marvel.
Why The Creek Stays Under The Radar
Despite its pedigree, many fans of golf course architecture lament The Creek’s lack of broader acclaim. Set in the shadow of Long Island’s more prominent venues (think Shinnecock Hills, National Golf Links, Bethpage Black, Garden City), The Creek quietly offers a hybrid experience of parkland precision and links‑style complexity, without the fanfare.
Final Thoughts: Elegance Meets Audacity
The Creek Club is an architectural and experiential marvel. It is rooted in Macdonald’s vision, amplified by Raynor’s strategic bunkering, and polished by Hanse’s restoration. Its evolution from intimate woodland opener to seaside crescendo keeps golfers on edge, giving golfers moments of both confidence and caution. The Creek is both cerebral and physical, and is an intimate invitation to those who love shot-making above all. It might not headline many magazines, but among those who appreciate classic American golf course design, The Creek deserves a top billing.
The Creek is a unique experience set in a specatcular setting. It’s meant to be walked, felt, plotted, played, and will always be remembered.
