They”™ve made good use of the first Boy Scout camp in the U.S and turned the 150-acre site where Spook Rock Golf Club now sits one of the sweetest spots in the mid-Hudson regiuon. The municipality took over Kane”™s Camp and converted it to a town golf course in 1969, but clippings of the former Scout outings held there remind players of the course”™s contribution to children in the Hudson Valley.
It”™s been a win-win for the town and for thousands who have taken to the fairways over the past three decades. From Westchester to New Jersey know Spook Rock in the village of Montebello. It is open to the public and staying on its toes to keep up with the recession, says its pro Anthony Musto.
Musto, who owns the pro shop and has been giving lessons for seven years since joining Spook Rock, was a minor league hockey player who never swung a club in his life until he was 22. “The first time the ball connected, I was hooked,” said Musto, who has been perfecting his swing for more than 20 years and says he enjoys teaching the sport to all ages. Â
“I think that”™s what people love most about this game; it is a sport you can play by yourself.  You can enjoy it alone or you can play with friends or co-workers. It”™s you against the fairway ”¦ and for those who don”™t understand what the ”˜big deal”™ is about golf, that”™s the allure.”
Because Spook Rock is owned by the town, the course is open to the public and discounted for residents. Out of Rockland”™s five towns, four have their own courses. In order for Clarkstown residents to have a place to play, Ramapo has offered them resident status as a courtesy, said Musto.Â
“We”™ve been very fortunate to have a great supervisor in Christopher St. Lawrence. He and the board were willing to invest in the course in 2008, adding a $1.3 million sprinkler system. It”™s not only eco-friendly but will service the club for years to come. We”™re mindful of the chemicals we use and make sure they are environmentally friendly. Besides the pro shop, we have a snack bar and a full-service restaurant and catering facility. Most of all, we have a friendly and welcoming atmosphere.”
Spook Rock”™s 18-hole course opened on March 18, and “We”™ve been busy,” said Musto. “We enlarged the driving range for players because we were running out of room.”
The club also offers a summer camp, which Musto said runs throughout the school vacation. “Yes, a few make use of it for ”˜babysitting,”™ but you would be surprised how many of the kids really take to the game.”
Musto also teaches golf for Rockland Community College as well as giving private lessons. “I never thought I”™d be golf pro when I was in minor league hockey. In that sport, there”™s a team to back you up when you”™re playing. In golf, you”™re your own person. It”™s you against the course.”Â
Yes, it”™s competitive, too, and people do bet on the game, but all in good sport. “It”™s also a good way to measure a person”™s character. You can tell by the way they play what kind of temperament they have. You”™d be surprised how many business people bring prospective hires out for a few rounds. It”™s a good way to tell if the person is going to be easy to work with or a challenge. If you”™re going to throw a temper tantrum if you miss a shot, chances are you won”™t be a very good fit in an office if things don”™t go your way.”
Musto said the town is keeping its eye on the economy and working not only to keep attracting residents who use the park, but nonresidents, as well. “Because of our location, we are within driving distance from Westchester, New Jersey and Orange County, right off the interstate, but you”™d never know it,” said Musto. “You don”™t hear the highway, you can just enjoy being out on the course and relax.”
That”™s what most people were doing on Friday, March 27. Skies were blue and temperatures hovered at 60, filling Spook Rock”™s parking lot quickly.Â
“Everyone is worried about the cost of everything, from food to driving distances, even if they aren”™t worried about losing their jobs,” said Musto. “We”™re mindful of keeping it affordable. It”™s $24 to play for residents and $15 for seniors 60 or older and we have seen an upswing in people who have given up their private memberships and are prioritizing.
“I think people who were in private clubs are finding they can enjoy the game just as well on a municipal course as they can on a private one and not feel like they have given something up. We offer a lot to our residents and guests and it doesn”™t have to cost a fortune.”
Spook Rock, selected as one of the best public courses in the country by Golf Digest, was designed by Francis Duane and features 6,895 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 72.Â
Spook Rock already has 33 golf outings on its calendar, as well as the U.S. Kids”™ World Qualifier and four county tournaments on its 2009 events list.
“We”™re in a great location and, again, we”™ve got the town”™s support, which is a key factor,” said Musto. “We have so many programs here for kids as young as 6 to seniors well into their 80s. I think we”™ll do well, despite the times. People still want to get out and enjoy a game and if it is affordable, they are going to continue.
“We aim to keep it that way.”