East Hampton's first settlers arrived in 1648 and called the place Maidstone after the town in Kent from which they emigrated. The name was soon changed, but nearly 250 years elapsed before a colony of artists started using East Hampton as a summer resort. By the time the railroad arrived in 1895 the rich were just beginning to nestle in among the artists.
With annual dues of $15 to make it accessible to "impecunious artists" as well as millionaires, the Maidstone Club was born in 1891. There was always a mixture of sports offered, with lawn tennis taken the most seriously. Then, in 1894, three rudimentary golf holes were built at a cost of $28.50. In the succeeding few years the course was enlarged to nine holes.
Golf continued to take a back seat to lawn tennis at Maidstone until the early 1920s, at which time Willie and John Park, a couple of the early Scottish pros who made their mark in the U.S., laid out the basic design of the present course.
The view into the green at the par four third hole.
Maidstone—like Shinnecock Hills—had trouble weathering the Depression. In 1935 the club defaulted on the payments of its bonded indebtedness of a quarter of a million dollars, the money that had been borrowed through the years to pay for its huge, rambling clubhouse on the dunes overlooking the ocean, its lovely grass courts, its two 18-hole golf courses, its Olympic-size swimming pool and adjoining complex of dressing rooms and cabanas.
As was the case with so many overextended country clubs at that time, Maidstone was saved by the manipulations of a group of loyal members who devised a workable reorganization, placing the ownership of the club in the hands of the dues-paying members and freeing it from the grip of the bondholders.
As was the case with so many overextended country clubs at that time, Maidstone was saved by the manipulations of a group of loyal members who devised a workable reorganization, placing the ownership of the club in the hands of the dues-paying members and freeing it from the grip of the bondholders.
In 1938, the Great New England Hurricane struck Long Island, and damaged the club extensively. The hurricane added further financial burden, requiring another $40000 from the members to repair the damage. It was this Hurricane that also brought about the end of the 36 hole facility.
Coore & Crenshaw provided a renovation in 2013, and as part of that removed a lot of brush, restored many sand dune areas, and removed turf to reveal sandy waste areas.
The result is an enhancement of an already brilliant course. The shot above is from the tee of the par five 15th hole. Behind us is the Atlantic Ocean, and ahead a $70 million property.
Nola Faure prepares to hit her approach into the 15th hole.
The tee shot at the short par four 17th. A beautiful and enticing hole. A perfect risk / reward opportunity. The closer you head toward the green, the longer the carry over the water, and then you are faced with a challenging green site.
The very tight green site on the 17th. Surrounded very closely by roads and an intersection, you certainly do not want to go long, or right, or left. If you are brave you can nearly drive the green, but get it wrong, and the numbers rack up.
The view up the par four 18th hole, with the majestic old clubhouse in the distance. It is a very special place, and a great course.
As we arrived, we ran into KHGC Honorary Member, Ian Baker-Finch, who was there as part of a corporate outing with AT&T.
As is always the case with the gentleman of Australian golf, Ian was delighted to see his fellow Kingston Heath members, and came to greet the group before tee off.
Suzanne Jackson found the course to her liking, and won the day today.
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