Summer traditions at a busy Goat Hill week

While many local golfers know the Shelter Island Country Club (SICC), affectionately known as Goat Hill, as a fun summer golf destination, not everyone realizes it also hosts a number of annual tournaments. Golfers from the Hamptons, golfers arriving by sea, and players from across the East End all make the trip to “The Goat” each summer. This past week alone, the club hosted three of its signature summer traditions.

The week began with the annual SICC and Sag Harbor State Golf Course Ladies Tournament. Each summer, the two clubs face off twice, with each club taking a turn

hosting one of the events. Although wildfire smoke drifted across the course throughout the day, golfers were still treated to a mostly pleasant day and an enjoyable round.

Coming in first place in the gross division were Lisa Benincasa, Belle LaReau, and Maria Razza. Finishing second were Kate Rossi-Snook and Michelle Cottrell, followed by Linda Kraus, Valerie Bell, and Emily O’Sullivan in third. Meanwhile, the net champions were Linda Hacker and Mary Ann Eddy. Second place went to Linda Springer and Valerie Gitday, while Mary Fran Gleason and Kristen Corwin rounded out the top three.

Linda Hacker also claimed Closest to the Pin honors, while Jackie McGovern won Longest Drive. The day wrapped up with lunch at the 1901 Grill, and we look forward to making the return trip to Sag Harbor for the second match of the season on Aug. 5.

The next tradition to return was the 3rd Annual Hummel Invitational. The team from John Hummel and Associates, a local high-end construction company, gathered for a day of friendly competition while taking on the challenge of the hills and blind shots of Goat Hill.

The tournament featured an 18-hole scramble, with the coveted Goat Trophy awarded to Elizabeth Mensch, Stuart Hulke, and Greg Sierocki after they carded a winning score of 61. Mensch also captured the Ladies Long Drive on No. 3, while SICC’s own Tim Sheehan successfully defended his Long Drive title on No. 2, edging Marcus Borowsky by just a few yards. Sheehan also claimed Closest to the Pin on No. 5, despite the hole location being tucked deep into the back-left corner of the green.

While both the Ladies Tournament and the Hummel Invitational are special in their own ways, one Goat Hill tradition stands apart from the rest.

The day after the Hummel Invitational, roughly 20 brave souls made the journey from East Hampton and Montauk by boat for the annual “Boat to the Goat” outing. Torrential rain and lightning did little to deter the group, which suited up for an 18-hole shamble despite the challenging conditions.

Dripping wet and in search of a warm meal and a cold drink, the golfers packed the clubhouse after the round, cleaned the pro shop out of SICC hoodies, and recounted the day’s adventures while gathered around the bar and porch heaters. A brief break in the storms eventually provided a window for a safe trip home before the group boarded their boats for the return voyage.

The Boat to the Goat crew has been making the trip across the water for more years than anyone can seem to count, making it one of the most uniquely Shelter Island traditions at Goat Hill.

While this week showcased some of the club’s longest-running traditions, there’s still plenty to look forward to this season. New this season, many SICC tournaments are also open to the public. If this week’s events sound like something you’d enjoy, consider signing up for one of the remaining public competitions. A Mixed Stableford, Three Clubs and a Putter, Pitch & Putt Classic, and several others are scheduled throughout August and September. Registration information is available in the pro shop.

The pro shop is now operating on its summer schedule. As always, the honor box is available for early-morning and evening golfers — simply drop $20 in the slot next to the pro shop. For those renting carts or checking in during the day, the shop opens at 8 a.m. Monday through Friday and 7 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. The last cart rental is at 6 p.m., and all carts must be returned by 7:30 p.m.

We hope to see you out on the course, or at one of our tournaments, before the summer comes to a close.