Shelter Island Country Club
Established in 1901, Shelter Island Country Club, also known as "Goat Hill," is a historic nine-hole public golf course located in Shelter Island Heights, New York. The course was developed by the Shelter Island Heights Association for the exclusive use of the association and its guests. Later, it opened to the public.
The course covers 2,512 yards of widely varying, hilly terrain, and is situated on one of the highest points on the island with scenic views of Peconic Bay and Dering Harbor. Wesley Smith, the first grounds superintendent, sculpted the links with pick and shovel, horses, and donkey carts. The clubhouse was built by Charles Corwin with wood delivered in schooners from Connecticut to Piccozzi's dock and hauled by wagon to the hilltop.
The golf operation, which has been continuous since its founding, was run by William Congdon and his wife, Olive, beginning in 1942. In the late 1970s, the Town of Shelter Island bought the property from the Heights Association. The club became a not-for-profit organization in 2019.
The course features seven blind holes, which make for an interesting round each time. Notable holes include the 407-yard par-4 No. 2, the 183-yard par-3 No. 6, and the 201-yard par-3 No. 9, which runs uphill with a great view of the clubhouse at the top. Shelter Island also has a seven-station driving range for golfers to warm up before their rounds.
Shelter Island Country Club has withstood hurricanes, nor'easters, wars, pandemics, and economic hard times in its more than 120-year history. The mission of the Shelter Island Municipal Golf Course is to preserve, maintain and manage the historic nine-hole public golf course so that it remains a vibrant centerpiece of Shelter Island living. In doing so, Goat Hill will continue to be a center for social, recreational and educational activities now and into the future, preserving the game of golf as it was meant to be played.