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Hudson National Golf Club
Architect: Tom Fazio Year: 1996 40 Arrowcrest Dr, Croton-On-Hudson, NY 10520 Phone: (914) 271-7600 Course Access: Private https://www.hudsonnational.org/ |
Hudson National Golf Club
Hudson National Golf Club, located in Croton-on-Hudson, New York, is a prestigious private golf club that opened in June 1996. Designed by renowned architect Tom Fazio, it has earned a reputation as one of the top golf courses in the United States, consistently ranked among Golf Digest’s Top 100 courses and a standout in New York State. Its history is deeply tied to both the land it occupies and the vision to create a modern classic that honors golf’s traditions.
The site itself has a rich historical backdrop. Long before the club’s creation, the land was inhabited by the Kitchawank Indians in 1609, when Henry Hudson sailed up the river that now bears his name. During the Revolutionary War, the area’s commanding views of the Hudson River made it a strategic vantage point for General George Washington and his troops to monitor the British fleet’s movements northward from New York City. In the early 20th century, the property hosted the Hessian Hills Country Club, a nine-hole course established in the 1920s. That venture faltered during the Great Depression, and its clubhouse succumbed to a fire in the 1930s, leaving behind ruins that would later become a signature feature of Hudson National.
The transformation of this rugged terrain into a world-class golf course began in the 1990s. The 260-acre site, perched at one of the highest elevations in Westchester County, was initially deemed “unworkable” by Fazio due to its rocky, uneven landscape. To make it viable, construction crews blasted over 130,000 cubic yards of granite, reshaping the land to accommodate 18 holes. Rather than removing the rock entirely—an astronomically expensive proposition—the developers cleverly repurposed it to build stone walls throughout the property, adding a distinctive aesthetic that ties the modern course to its historical roots. The remnants of the Hessian Hills clubhouse, including its stone foundation and chimney, were preserved near the fourth green and fifth tee, serving as a nod to the past.
Fazio, along with collaborator Tom Marzolf, designed Hudson National to evoke the feel of golf’s Golden Era while leveraging modern construction techniques. Opened in 1996, the par-70 layout stretches to over 7,300 yards from the back tees, with a slope rating of 147 and a course rating of 76.4, reflecting its challenging nature. The course features dramatic elevation changes, fast greens, deep bunkers, and wispy fescue rough, all framed by stunning views of the Hudson River and, on clear days, the New York City skyline 30 miles away. Fazio’s design emphasizes playability alongside difficulty, with multiple tee options (up to eight on some holes) and strategic bunkering that rewards thoughtful shot-making.
The club quickly established itself as a premier golf destination. Its traditional ethos is reinforced by a walking-only policy—no carts are allowed—and a reliance on caddies, enhancing the classic golfing experience. In its first eight years, Hudson National hosted three Metropolitan Golf Association events, a record for a new club: the Carey Cup in 1996, the Metropolitan Amateur in 2001, and the Metropolitan Open in 2004. It also welcomed the Met PGA Championship in 2000, cementing its status among the region’s elite venues.
The clubhouse, a 22,500-square-foot English stone manor originally built in 1911 for the Larkin family, was renovated to serve as the club’s social hub. Situated at the widest point of the Hudson River, it offers panoramic 200-degree views and exudes rustic elegance, providing members with a luxurious retreat. The club’s vision, as articulated from its founding, was to create a sanctuary for those who revere golf’s history and traditions, blending exceptional golf with camaraderie and top-tier service.
In 2023, Hudson National underwent a significant renovation led by the Fazio team, who returned to refine their original vision. The course closed temporarily for a complete overhaul: all 18 holes were re-grassed with modern bentgrass, bunkers were reshaped and repositioned, and greens were enlarged and reoriented, some with new low-mow chipping areas. Standout changes included a more sculpted fifth green and a repositioned 14th green tighter against an expanded lake, adding drama and strategy. The remodel, completed by 2025, elevated the course’s conditioning and playability, ensuring it remains competitive with the nation’s best.
Today, Hudson National stands as a testament to thoughtful design and historical reverence. Its dramatic bluffs, diverse landscapes, and meticulous upkeep—combined with a rich past that spans Native American habitation, wartime strategy, and an earlier golfing chapter—make it a unique and cherished institution in American golf.
The site itself has a rich historical backdrop. Long before the club’s creation, the land was inhabited by the Kitchawank Indians in 1609, when Henry Hudson sailed up the river that now bears his name. During the Revolutionary War, the area’s commanding views of the Hudson River made it a strategic vantage point for General George Washington and his troops to monitor the British fleet’s movements northward from New York City. In the early 20th century, the property hosted the Hessian Hills Country Club, a nine-hole course established in the 1920s. That venture faltered during the Great Depression, and its clubhouse succumbed to a fire in the 1930s, leaving behind ruins that would later become a signature feature of Hudson National.
The transformation of this rugged terrain into a world-class golf course began in the 1990s. The 260-acre site, perched at one of the highest elevations in Westchester County, was initially deemed “unworkable” by Fazio due to its rocky, uneven landscape. To make it viable, construction crews blasted over 130,000 cubic yards of granite, reshaping the land to accommodate 18 holes. Rather than removing the rock entirely—an astronomically expensive proposition—the developers cleverly repurposed it to build stone walls throughout the property, adding a distinctive aesthetic that ties the modern course to its historical roots. The remnants of the Hessian Hills clubhouse, including its stone foundation and chimney, were preserved near the fourth green and fifth tee, serving as a nod to the past.
Fazio, along with collaborator Tom Marzolf, designed Hudson National to evoke the feel of golf’s Golden Era while leveraging modern construction techniques. Opened in 1996, the par-70 layout stretches to over 7,300 yards from the back tees, with a slope rating of 147 and a course rating of 76.4, reflecting its challenging nature. The course features dramatic elevation changes, fast greens, deep bunkers, and wispy fescue rough, all framed by stunning views of the Hudson River and, on clear days, the New York City skyline 30 miles away. Fazio’s design emphasizes playability alongside difficulty, with multiple tee options (up to eight on some holes) and strategic bunkering that rewards thoughtful shot-making.
The club quickly established itself as a premier golf destination. Its traditional ethos is reinforced by a walking-only policy—no carts are allowed—and a reliance on caddies, enhancing the classic golfing experience. In its first eight years, Hudson National hosted three Metropolitan Golf Association events, a record for a new club: the Carey Cup in 1996, the Metropolitan Amateur in 2001, and the Metropolitan Open in 2004. It also welcomed the Met PGA Championship in 2000, cementing its status among the region’s elite venues.
The clubhouse, a 22,500-square-foot English stone manor originally built in 1911 for the Larkin family, was renovated to serve as the club’s social hub. Situated at the widest point of the Hudson River, it offers panoramic 200-degree views and exudes rustic elegance, providing members with a luxurious retreat. The club’s vision, as articulated from its founding, was to create a sanctuary for those who revere golf’s history and traditions, blending exceptional golf with camaraderie and top-tier service.
In 2023, Hudson National underwent a significant renovation led by the Fazio team, who returned to refine their original vision. The course closed temporarily for a complete overhaul: all 18 holes were re-grassed with modern bentgrass, bunkers were reshaped and repositioned, and greens were enlarged and reoriented, some with new low-mow chipping areas. Standout changes included a more sculpted fifth green and a repositioned 14th green tighter against an expanded lake, adding drama and strategy. The remodel, completed by 2025, elevated the course’s conditioning and playability, ensuring it remains competitive with the nation’s best.
Today, Hudson National stands as a testament to thoughtful design and historical reverence. Its dramatic bluffs, diverse landscapes, and meticulous upkeep—combined with a rich past that spans Native American habitation, wartime strategy, and an earlier golfing chapter—make it a unique and cherished institution in American golf.