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East Hampton Golf Club
Architect: Coore Crenshaw Year: 2000 281 Abrahams Path, East Hampton, NY 11937 Phone: (631) 324-7007 Course Access: Private https://www.ehgc.com/ |
East Hampton Golf Club
Origins and Early Vision (Pre-1978)
The story of the East Hampton Golf Club begins with a 126-acre parcel of land in East Hampton, New York, originally farmland owned by the Bistrian family, a local East Hampton clan with deep roots in the area. For decades, this land was used for agricultural purposes, primarily under the stewardship of Pete Bistrian, a farmer and avid golfer. As early as the mid-20th century—some accounts suggest nearly 50 years before the club’s official opening in 2000—there was talk of transforming this fertile terrain into a golf course. Pete Bistrian himself harbored a personal dream of seeing his land repurposed for the sport he loved, a vision that would take decades to fully materialize.
The site, located at 281 Abrahams Path, was not an obvious choice for a golf course at first glance. Unlike the windswept, coastal dunes that characterize many of Long Island’s famed layouts, this inland property featured a mix of open fields and wooded areas, offering a different kind of canvas. Nonetheless, its potential simmered in the background as East Hampton evolved from a quiet farming and fishing community into a summer retreat for New York’s elite.
The First Nine Holes (1978–1998)
In 1978, the Bistrian family took a significant step toward realizing Pete’s dream by breaking ground on a modest nine-hole golf course. Pete played a hands-on role in its design, leveraging his intimate knowledge of the land and his passion for golf. This initial course was a family-driven endeavor, lacking the polish of professional architecture but serving as a functional layout for local play. Spanning roughly half the eventual 126-acre footprint, it operated for nearly two decades, from 1978 to the late 1990s, as a small, unpretentious facility. During this period, it catered to a niche group of golfers, likely locals and summer residents, but it never achieved the prominence or scale of the Hamptons’ more storied clubs like Shinnecock Hills or Maidstone.
The nine-hole course’s existence reflected a transitional moment for the region. The Hamptons were increasingly becoming a playground for the wealthy, with golf emerging as a centerpiece of its leisure culture. By the 1990s, the Bistrians recognized that their modest setup could no longer compete in this rarified landscape without a major overhaul. The land’s potential, coupled with the area’s growing demand for high-end golf, prompted a bold decision: to transform the property into a prestigious 18-hole course that could stand alongside the East End’s elite.
A New Era: Coore & Crenshaw Take the Helm (1998–2000)
In 1998, the Bistrian family partnered with Credit Suisse First Boston, a financial heavyweight, to fund and execute their ambitious vision. This collaboration marked a turning point, elevating the project from a local curiosity to a serious contender in the Hamptons golf scene. The family embarked on a search for world-class architects, interviewing several candidates before selecting the renowned duo of Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw. Known for their minimalist, naturalistic designs—seen in masterpieces like Bandon Dunes and Sand Hills—Coore and Crenshaw were an inspired choice for a site that demanded both creativity and respect for its terrain.
Construction began shortly after their appointment, with the architects tasked with crafting an 18-hole layout on a relatively compact 126 acres (some sources suggest just over 100 acres for the course itself). The design process was a meticulous one, blending the land’s existing features—open fields, rolling contours, and dense woodlands—into a course that offered variety and challenge. The front nine took shape as an inland links-style stretch, with firm, fescue-lined fairways evoking Scotland’s coastal courses. The back nine, by contrast, wove through thick trees and hills, punctuated by dramatic waste bunkers that drew comparisons to Pine Valley. This duality—links on the front, parkland on the back—became a defining trait, setting East Hampton apart from its neighbors.
The course opened its doors in June 2000, a milestone nearly 50 years in the making from the earliest whispers of a golfing future. Measuring just over 6,400 yards from the longest tees with a par of 71, it was shorter than some of the Hamptons’ behemoths but packed with strategic depth. The greens, known for their challenging undulations, were framed by deep bunkers and sandy waste areas, earning praise for their beauty and difficulty. Golf professionals and writers soon dubbed it a “hidden gem,” a nod to its understated elegance and the quality of its design.
The Clubhouse and Beyond (2005–Present)
While the course debuted in 2000, the East Hampton Golf Club’s modern identity solidified with the completion of its clubhouse in 2005. Designed by Chapman Coyle Chapman and built by local luminary Ben Krupinski Builder, the transitional shingle-style structure was a striking addition. Its sleek, modern aesthetic—highlighted in a 2020 Modern Luxury feature—offered panoramic views of the course and a luxurious hub for members. The 21,000-square-foot facility included a practice range, putting green, and top-tier amenities, cementing the club’s status as a full-fledged private retreat.
Staff continuity has been a hallmark of the club’s post-2000 era. General Manager Tom Barnard, with experience at resorts and prestigious clubs, has led the operation since its early days, alongside a head golf professional who splits time with Augusta National. Many staff members, including caddies sourced from a professional service and housed on-site, have served for over 20 years, fostering a tight-knit, member-focused culture. This dedication has bolstered the club’s reputation, with its caddies often cited as among the best on Long Island’s East End.
Place in the Hamptons Golf Pantheon
East Hampton Golf Club occupies a unique niche among the Hamptons’ golfing giants. Unlike Shinnecock Hills (founded 1891) or National Golf Links (1911), with their deep historical pedigrees and U.S. Open pedigrees, East Hampton is a relative newcomer. Its 2000 opening places it alongside other modern Hamptons standouts like Atlantic (1992), Friar’s Head (2002), and Sebonack (2006), all born from the region’s late-20th-century wealth boom. Yet, its shorter length (6,414 yards) and walkable layout—compared to, say, Sebonack’s sprawling 7,000+ yards—make it a “fun member’s course,” as one Golf Digest reviewer put it, rather than a championship bruiser.
Critics and players alike praise its variety. The par-3 17th, with its Pine Valley-esque flair, and the bunker-laden 12th and 13th holes stand out, while the front nine’s open, linksy feel contrasts sharply with the wooded back. Though it lacks the oceanfront drama of Maidstone or the pedigree of Shinnecock (ranked No. 4 on Golf Digest’s 2019 Top 100), East Hampton has carved out a reputation for playability and charm. It flies “under the radar,” as some note, due to its exclusivity—membership is tightly controlled, with initiation fees reportedly climbing into six figures and a years-long waiting list—and its inland location.
Legacy and Reflections
From Pete Bistrian’s farmland to a Coore-Crenshaw masterpiece, the East Hampton Golf Club’s history is one of evolution and ambition. What began as a personal dream in the mid-20th century grew into a nine-hole labor of love by 1978, then blossomed into a prestigious 18-hole private club by 2000. Its journey mirrors the Hamptons’ own transformation: from rural outpost to elite enclave. Today, it stands as a testament to thoughtful design and local vision, a course that honors its agricultural roots while embracing the sophistication of modern golf.
As of 2025, the club remains a private haven, its 126 acres a quiet counterpoint to the Hamptons’ flashier scenes. Its legacy is not in hosting majors or boasting centuries of history, but in delivering a distinctive, enjoyable experience—one that, in the words of a 2013 AmateurGolf.com review, makes it “one of the most fun courses you will ever play.”
The story of the East Hampton Golf Club begins with a 126-acre parcel of land in East Hampton, New York, originally farmland owned by the Bistrian family, a local East Hampton clan with deep roots in the area. For decades, this land was used for agricultural purposes, primarily under the stewardship of Pete Bistrian, a farmer and avid golfer. As early as the mid-20th century—some accounts suggest nearly 50 years before the club’s official opening in 2000—there was talk of transforming this fertile terrain into a golf course. Pete Bistrian himself harbored a personal dream of seeing his land repurposed for the sport he loved, a vision that would take decades to fully materialize.
The site, located at 281 Abrahams Path, was not an obvious choice for a golf course at first glance. Unlike the windswept, coastal dunes that characterize many of Long Island’s famed layouts, this inland property featured a mix of open fields and wooded areas, offering a different kind of canvas. Nonetheless, its potential simmered in the background as East Hampton evolved from a quiet farming and fishing community into a summer retreat for New York’s elite.
The First Nine Holes (1978–1998)
In 1978, the Bistrian family took a significant step toward realizing Pete’s dream by breaking ground on a modest nine-hole golf course. Pete played a hands-on role in its design, leveraging his intimate knowledge of the land and his passion for golf. This initial course was a family-driven endeavor, lacking the polish of professional architecture but serving as a functional layout for local play. Spanning roughly half the eventual 126-acre footprint, it operated for nearly two decades, from 1978 to the late 1990s, as a small, unpretentious facility. During this period, it catered to a niche group of golfers, likely locals and summer residents, but it never achieved the prominence or scale of the Hamptons’ more storied clubs like Shinnecock Hills or Maidstone.
The nine-hole course’s existence reflected a transitional moment for the region. The Hamptons were increasingly becoming a playground for the wealthy, with golf emerging as a centerpiece of its leisure culture. By the 1990s, the Bistrians recognized that their modest setup could no longer compete in this rarified landscape without a major overhaul. The land’s potential, coupled with the area’s growing demand for high-end golf, prompted a bold decision: to transform the property into a prestigious 18-hole course that could stand alongside the East End’s elite.
A New Era: Coore & Crenshaw Take the Helm (1998–2000)
In 1998, the Bistrian family partnered with Credit Suisse First Boston, a financial heavyweight, to fund and execute their ambitious vision. This collaboration marked a turning point, elevating the project from a local curiosity to a serious contender in the Hamptons golf scene. The family embarked on a search for world-class architects, interviewing several candidates before selecting the renowned duo of Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw. Known for their minimalist, naturalistic designs—seen in masterpieces like Bandon Dunes and Sand Hills—Coore and Crenshaw were an inspired choice for a site that demanded both creativity and respect for its terrain.
Construction began shortly after their appointment, with the architects tasked with crafting an 18-hole layout on a relatively compact 126 acres (some sources suggest just over 100 acres for the course itself). The design process was a meticulous one, blending the land’s existing features—open fields, rolling contours, and dense woodlands—into a course that offered variety and challenge. The front nine took shape as an inland links-style stretch, with firm, fescue-lined fairways evoking Scotland’s coastal courses. The back nine, by contrast, wove through thick trees and hills, punctuated by dramatic waste bunkers that drew comparisons to Pine Valley. This duality—links on the front, parkland on the back—became a defining trait, setting East Hampton apart from its neighbors.
The course opened its doors in June 2000, a milestone nearly 50 years in the making from the earliest whispers of a golfing future. Measuring just over 6,400 yards from the longest tees with a par of 71, it was shorter than some of the Hamptons’ behemoths but packed with strategic depth. The greens, known for their challenging undulations, were framed by deep bunkers and sandy waste areas, earning praise for their beauty and difficulty. Golf professionals and writers soon dubbed it a “hidden gem,” a nod to its understated elegance and the quality of its design.
The Clubhouse and Beyond (2005–Present)
While the course debuted in 2000, the East Hampton Golf Club’s modern identity solidified with the completion of its clubhouse in 2005. Designed by Chapman Coyle Chapman and built by local luminary Ben Krupinski Builder, the transitional shingle-style structure was a striking addition. Its sleek, modern aesthetic—highlighted in a 2020 Modern Luxury feature—offered panoramic views of the course and a luxurious hub for members. The 21,000-square-foot facility included a practice range, putting green, and top-tier amenities, cementing the club’s status as a full-fledged private retreat.
Staff continuity has been a hallmark of the club’s post-2000 era. General Manager Tom Barnard, with experience at resorts and prestigious clubs, has led the operation since its early days, alongside a head golf professional who splits time with Augusta National. Many staff members, including caddies sourced from a professional service and housed on-site, have served for over 20 years, fostering a tight-knit, member-focused culture. This dedication has bolstered the club’s reputation, with its caddies often cited as among the best on Long Island’s East End.
Place in the Hamptons Golf Pantheon
East Hampton Golf Club occupies a unique niche among the Hamptons’ golfing giants. Unlike Shinnecock Hills (founded 1891) or National Golf Links (1911), with their deep historical pedigrees and U.S. Open pedigrees, East Hampton is a relative newcomer. Its 2000 opening places it alongside other modern Hamptons standouts like Atlantic (1992), Friar’s Head (2002), and Sebonack (2006), all born from the region’s late-20th-century wealth boom. Yet, its shorter length (6,414 yards) and walkable layout—compared to, say, Sebonack’s sprawling 7,000+ yards—make it a “fun member’s course,” as one Golf Digest reviewer put it, rather than a championship bruiser.
Critics and players alike praise its variety. The par-3 17th, with its Pine Valley-esque flair, and the bunker-laden 12th and 13th holes stand out, while the front nine’s open, linksy feel contrasts sharply with the wooded back. Though it lacks the oceanfront drama of Maidstone or the pedigree of Shinnecock (ranked No. 4 on Golf Digest’s 2019 Top 100), East Hampton has carved out a reputation for playability and charm. It flies “under the radar,” as some note, due to its exclusivity—membership is tightly controlled, with initiation fees reportedly climbing into six figures and a years-long waiting list—and its inland location.
Legacy and Reflections
From Pete Bistrian’s farmland to a Coore-Crenshaw masterpiece, the East Hampton Golf Club’s history is one of evolution and ambition. What began as a personal dream in the mid-20th century grew into a nine-hole labor of love by 1978, then blossomed into a prestigious 18-hole private club by 2000. Its journey mirrors the Hamptons’ own transformation: from rural outpost to elite enclave. Today, it stands as a testament to thoughtful design and local vision, a course that honors its agricultural roots while embracing the sophistication of modern golf.
As of 2025, the club remains a private haven, its 126 acres a quiet counterpoint to the Hamptons’ flashier scenes. Its legacy is not in hosting majors or boasting centuries of history, but in delivering a distinctive, enjoyable experience—one that, in the words of a 2013 AmateurGolf.com review, makes it “one of the most fun courses you will ever play.”