Come and See the ‘New” Wiltwyck

Changes Galore for Iconic Golf Club

The times, they are a changin’ at the Wiltwyck Golf Club.

If you haven’t been keeping up with the news, the venerable golf course and club at 404 Steward Lane has new owners and a new vision that can be seen at the Chamber’s next Business-After-Hours Mixer from 5-7 p.m. on May 22.

“We’re hosting the Mixer to kind of showcase what the new Wiltwyck is, and obviously, the Chamber is an opportunity to get in front of business professionals and the movers and shakers throughout the community,” said Luke Burbach, the new golf pro at Wiltwyck.

“It’s a nice chance for us to show what we’re capable of doing and how many changes we’ve made for the better here.”

Burbach said Chamber members can see the renovations to the Capital Tavern. The golf course will also be open.

“We’d love to give them a tour of the facility and then show them and talk to them about some of the things that are happening on the course, including our membership and leagues,” Burbach said.

A major change is that the fabled golf course is now semi-private and open to the public.

“For the first time in 85 years, we’re basically accepting public play,” Burbach said. “Members of the community can come out here and enjoy the golf course on any day of the week. We’re really looking forward to the opportunity to show the whole community what Wiltwyck is all about.”

Ulster County residents can play 18 holes for $35 on weekdays and $55 on weekends.

“It’s a new focus on making Wiltwyck a fun spot to be, making it a community center, a place for the whole family, so it’s pretty darned exciting,” Burbach said.

Kingston attorney Joe O’Connor, one of 11 investors who bought Wiltwyck when it appeared the club might close, said the Mixer will be a chance to catch the new vision.

“It’s the first opportunity for everyone to see all the physical changes and our mission to kind of open the place up to everyone, the whole community,” O’Connor said. “It’s amazing. When you walk into the restaurant, you won’t even recognize you’re at Wiltwyck.

“We’re in the process of making a whole bunch of other changes, not only to the golf course, but to the facilities, the parking lot and the pool area. This will be the first opportunity for the businesses and Chamber members to see what we’ve done.”

The championship golf course, designed by Robert Trent Jones, remains the centerpiece.

“It’s just a wonderful course,” O’Connor said. “There’s nothing like it not only in Ulster County, but in the Hudson Valley. It’s clearly the preeminent course as far as architecture.”

“We saw a great opportunity to save not just the golf course, but the banquet facility, the restaurant and the pool and we’ve got some great ideas, including possibly a gym/spa area in the clubhouse. There are a whole lot of changes coming that are positive.”

O’Connor said business leaders can look around and ask questions the night of the Mixer.

“We’re going to be out around the course if anyone has any questions about the changes we’ve made and the vision,” he said. “We’ve got some ideas for year two and year three.

“Our main focus this year was to get the course open and in great condition and to get the restaurant open.”

The food and drink on the night of the Mixer will come from the new Capital Tavern, which is the vision of restaurateur David Amato and chef Kenny Callaghan.

“This is my way of showing the business community I appreciate their support,” Amato said. The Capital Tavern will employ 30 to 35 people. “We’ve completely renovated the restaurant,” Amato said. “We’ll be constructing a new outdoor bar overlooking the golf course and the Catskills. We’re going to have outdoor dining and the outdoor bar. We’re bringing a new, hip, exciting restaurant to the area—and catering too.”

Wiltwyck, which also features a pool and tennis courts, was incorporated in Kingston in 1933. It moved to its current location off Lucas Avenue in 1954 due to construction of the state Thruway.

“In our opinion, this is going to be the best year yet and we’re excited about what the future brings,” Burbach said.

For information on membership and Wiltwyck’s full array of offerings, call (845) 331-0700 or go to www. wiltwyck.org.

Chamber mixers are a great way to network and promote your business. Be sure to bring plenty of business cards. This free networking event is open to Chamber members and prospective members. Reservations are a must and can be made by calling the Chamber office at (845) 338-5100 or by registering online at www.ulsterchamber.org.