Salem Golf Club Improves Look, Upgrades Facility

NORTH SALEM, N.Y. – North Salem’s 18-hole golf course, the Salem Golf Club, has undergone a recent face lift.

You may have noticed the new signs and entranceway as you drive past on Bloomer Road, but much more has developed on the property. There are new bunkers, new wings and general renovations have been made to the clubhouse and a new outdoor terrace.

“This is an incredibly scenic course,” said Marketing Director Hilary Perettine, indicating the rolling greens and beautiful vistas, some overlooking Peach Lake. The property was once a dairy farm, and can be dated back to its 18th century owner, Quaker David Palmer.

“It’s one of the more prestigious clubs around,” Perettine added. “And it fills a unique niche because there’s no tennis and no pool. It’s strictly golf -- and socializing.”

“It’s a good, challenging course,” added Todd Zorn, general manager. “It plays in a different way every day, so it never gets old. That’s partly because it’s on top of a hill, so it changes according to how the wind is blowing.”

Zorn said when making changes, the club was careful to keep to its original look.

“It was designed by Edward Ryder in 1965.” Ryder was the architect of several courses around the country, including the award-winning Richter Golf Course in Danbury, Conn.

“It’s very flexible,” Zorn said. “We’ve got all kinds of members. Some play in tournaments, some don’t. Some are competitive, others just play with their families. If you’re looking for just golf and social atmosphere, this is the place to be.”

Perettine said the club offers a variety of memberships.

“There’s a weekdays membership, a young executive membership, a family membership, a social membership and more. The best thing is that this is a privately-owned, non-equity club with no board of directors," he said. "The owners are the decision-makers. This means, among other things, that there are no assessments to club members when we make capital improvements.”

Zorn added, “There’s no tee-time, which means there’s no scheduling and no worrying about cancellation. Members love it because they can go out when they want to.”

The Salem Golf Club is closed to the membership Mondays, when it is usually  devoted to golf outings organized by nonprofit groups. The newly renovated clubhouse and its culinary staff is available to the public for weddings, bar mitzvahs, fundraisers and other special occasions.

For more information, call (914) 669-5485 or go to the club's website.

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