Course Tour

Harold Neiss,

Superintendent, GCSAA

Harold Neiss, has been entrusted with Hillendale's care since 2012. Harold manages the grounds of the semi-private 18-hole course that hosts about 15,000 rounds annually. He possesses the business skills to manage expenses while keeping the course tournament ready all season. In addition to construction and general contracting skills he is up to date on state and federal laws regarding golf course operation, and monthly and annual equipment, chemical, fertilizer and seed inventories. He has strong leadership and management skills, allowing him to work in close coordination with club staff, including the golf professional and club manager. Harold also socializes with the members, and plays in 3 men’s leagues, and the couple’s league. Harold and his staff have taken pride in retaining the Tompkins County Top Course Award since 1992.

Frank Novickas,

Retired Superintendent, GCSAA

In Memoriam” Frank Novickas, was a member of the Golf Course Superintendent Association of America. He oversaw the maintenance, operation and management of the course, including safety and environmental standards from 1982 until 2013. He took a nine hole very poorly conditioned golf course with dandelions covering the fairways and gravel roughs to an outstanding 18 hole golf course. His work on the golf course is legendary to his staff and the members. Although he will be remembered for many remarkable achievements throughout his life, Hillendale Golf Course is part of his legacy. He will never be forgotten. Currently he is happily mowing the fairways of heaven.

Hillendale's Self Guided Tour

(Visit individual holes by selecting its corresponding number from the table below)

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18

Weather Permitting

PRO COMMENTS

Mary:

"Great skin hole, 2 tier green, good second shot a must"

- Back To The Top -

Bk. Tee 307

Par 4

Hdcp.11

Bk. Tee 307

Par 4

Hdcp.11

Fwd. Tee 258

Par 4

Hdcp.11

PRO COMMENTS

Mary:

"This is a blind tee shot to a straight par 4. Out of bounds is 8 feet left! The

right side of the green is bunkered the key here to is to keep the ball straight. This hole is going to have some major changes in the future. We are presently adding a new green surrounded by water and approximately 150yds in length. It will definitely make this hole play a lot tougher."

- Back To The Top -

Bk. Tee 304

Par 4

Hdcp.13

Fwd. Tee 300

Par 4

Hdcp.13

PRO COMMENTS

Mary:

"This Par 5 makes players stay slightly right off the tee because most drives will end up down in the valley if they land left of center off the tee. This is a short Par 5 and during the dry months can be reached easily in two. Easy green to putt. Par is very common here."

- Back To The Top -

Bk. Tee 474

Par 5

Hdcp. 5

Fwd. Tee 410

Par 5

Hdcp. 3

PRO COMMENTS

Mary:

"Play to left side on this one. This is a long par 3. Out of bounds runs the

length of the hole along the right side."

- Back To The Top -

Bk. Tee 185

Par 3

Hdcp. 15

Fwd. Tee 155

Par 3

Hdcp. 15

PRO COMMENTS

Mary:

" This green is hidden. It sits elevated large elm tree. Hit it high and let it fly!"

- Back To The Top -

Bk. Tee 412

Par 4

Hdcp. 1

Fwd. Tee 372

Par 4

Hdcp. 1

PRO COMMENTS

Mary:

"Sloping green. Try to stay below the pin."

- Back To The Top -

Bk. Tee 311

Par 4

Hdcp. 9

Fwd. Tee 265

Par 4

Hdcp. 9

PRO COMMENTS

Mary:

"Aim left, or bank the the ball off hill on the left side. Most of our hole in ones have occurred on this one."

- Back To The Top -

Bk. Tee 139

Par 3

Hdcp. 17

Bk. Tee 139

Par 3

Hdcp. 17

PRO COMMENTS

Mary:

"The second shot is the make it or break shot, green slopes away from the

player. Hit the Maxfli Spin ball and you shouldn't have a problem holding the green."

- Back To The Top -

Bk. Tee 338

Par 4

Hdcp. 7

Fwd. Tee 324

Par 4

Hdcp. 5

PRO COMMENTS

Mary:

"Second shot to the green up hill gaining about 40 feet in elevation. It doesn't seem like much but take out an extra club to be safe."

- Back To The Top -

Bk. Tee 406

Par 4

Hdcp. 3

Fwd. Tee 251

Par 4

Hdcp. 7

PRO COMMENTS

Mary:

"Hit a straight drive or back up club. Water hazard comes into play around

250 yards."

- Back To The Top -

Bk. Tee 338

Par 4

Hdcp. 10

Fwd. Tee 296

Par 4

Hdcp. 10

PRO COMMENTS

Mary:

"No Problem easy par 3. Good birdie hole."

- Back To The Top -

Bk. Tee 134

Par 3

Hdcp. 18

Fwd. Tee 131

Par 3

Hdcp. 18

PRO COMMENTS

Mary:

"Elevated tee. Long par 4. Plays the toughest when the west wind is in your face."

- Back To The Top -

Bk. Tee 458

Par 4

Hdcp. 8

Fwd. Tee 338

Par 4

Hdcp. 6

PRO COMMENTS

Mary:

"Wake up and smell the coffee. Up to now you've played in a wide open fairway with not much trouble. A great drive is needed here for second shot positioning. If you're in trouble off the tee, lay up."

- Back To The Top -

Bk. Tee 432

Par 4

Hdcp. 4

Fwd. Tee 360

Par 5

Hdcp. 12

PRO COMMENTS

Mary:

"This is the prettiest hole on the back nine. The green is surrounded by white pines. This is the start of the "Devil's Triangle". The fairway slopes left to right and the green slope is severe. If I didn't know better I'd say it was designed by a left handed architect."

- Back To The Top -

Bk. Tee 315

Par 4

Hdcp. 14

Fwd. Tee 301

Par 5

Hdcp. 16

PRO COMMENTS

Mary:

"This hole has trees that come out and grab the ball. If in doubt always

announce a provisional. The green is elongated and also have trees that grab the ball."

- Back To The Top -

Bk. Tee 332

Par 4

Hdcp. 16

Fwd. Tee 315

Par 4

Hdcp. 8

PRO COMMENTS

Mary:

"The final hole of the "Devils Triangle". From the back tee choose your weapon carefully. Your target should be the double pine. Keep it in your sights and pray. If you get in the fairway ignore the tree lines when lining up your second shot. They are there to confuse you and they'll send you into the woods every time."

- Back To The Top -

Bk. Tee 395

Par 4

Hdcp. 2

Fwd. Tee 293

Par 4

Hdcp. 4