North Hempstead Town Supervisor Jennifer DeSena and former LPGA golfer Kelley Brooke officially re-opened Harbor Links Golf Course to the public this week with a ribbon-cutting ceremony in front of its recently renovated clubhouse.
Ms. Brooke is the founder of Brooke Holdings LLC and owns Bethpage Golf Group, which runs the pro shop, driving range, carts, and instruction at the nationally renowned Bethpage State Park Golf Course.
She became the first female director of Harbor Links when the town awarded her an exclusive 20-year contract to manage its only municipal golf course this past January.
Under the new agreement, the course is slated to receive extensive capital improvements and upgrades specifically designed to enhance player experience while also delivering greater returns for local taxpayers. “Harbor Links has long been home base for our local golfers, and we’re ready to take things up a notch,” DeSena said. “Thanks to Kelley, we plan to make this one of the premier public courses on Long Island. Our town’s crown jewel is going to shine that much brighter.”
Key improvements to Harbor Links will include a new state-of-the-art driving range that features a fully covered, continuous tee line mat. Each stall will be equipped with InRange Technology, seating, and televisions. Serious golfers can practice while monitoring key ball flight data, while casual golfers can enjoy interactive games, play their favorite courses, or participate in contests — all while watching a game. Other plans include a new Golf Performance Building, a revamped mini-golf course, and a beer garden. Harbor Links will also be the first golf course in the country to offer food and beverage delivery robots that will locate players by GPS.
“Harbor Links is a 168-acre undiscovered gem. I’ve seen something special in it for a long time, so I’m thrilled to finally be able to be a part of it,” Brooke said. “And it’s not just going to be aesthetics. We’re going to give residents an outstanding golf experience but make it accessible and affordable to the public.”
North Hempstead residents will be given a two-week (14-day) preference for reservations and tee times. Reservations will be open to the general public nine days prior to requested tee times. Additionally, greens fees will remain at current levels and are guaranteed not to increase for at least three years.
Harbor Links is located at 1 W Fairway Drive in Port Washington. Reservations can be made at www.harborlinks.com or by calling (516) 767-4816.