Overview
Overview
Our family-friendly private club is conveniently located on the Gold Coast of Long Island within the Village of Sands Point, just minutes from the Long Island Expressway and 40 minutes by train from New York City.
Built in 1916 by Isaac Guggenheim, with the rich ambiance of an Italian Renaissance style mansion, the Guggenheim Estate remains one of the finest and most impressive in New York. Formerly the IBM Country Club, the Village of Sands Point purchased the estate in 1994. The Club property, facing Long Island Sound covers approximately 210 acres of sprawling lawns, estate gardens and prime waterfront views.
A unique facility, the Village Club of Sands Point provides:
- 18 Hole Championship Golf Course
- Newly Renovated Golf Practice Facility with Toptracer Range Technology & Short Game Area
- Swimming Pool Overlooking Hempstead Harbor
- 12 Champion Har-Tru Tennis Courts
- 6 Platform Courts
- 8 Pickleball Courts
- Formal Dining & Event Space at the Guggenheim Mansion
- 9 Luxurious overnight lodging rooms.
- Casual Dining at the Grille
A Brief History
Founded on the estate of Isaac Guggenheim in 1918, the Guggenheim family held ownership of the property until 1953, when it was purchased by the IBM Corporation as a corporate country club and retreat for New York area employees. The facility and on-site mansion held numerous corporate training and executive development seminars until being purchased by its current owner, the Village of Sands Point, in 1994.
On November 7th, 2017 KemperSports announced that it had been selected by the Village of Sands Point, NY, to manage The Village Club of Sands Point. Widely considered one of the most vibrant and active clubs on Long Island, the Club enjoys a rich history of exceptional golf and amenities for its members and their guests.
Golf Course History
Originally designed as a 9-hole layout by Robert Trent Jones, Sr., the course was expanded to its current 18-hole routing by renowned golf course architect Tom Doak in 2001. Doak is considered one of the finest modern architects for his designs at Pacific Dunes, Old Macdonald and Streamsong Blue. Doak’s design at The Village Club of Sands Point features a par-71 classic layout with views of the New York skyline and Hempstead Harbor throughout.
Membership
- Open to Residents and Non-Residents of Sands Point
- Approximately 900 family memberships, including ~400 Golf members
Meet the Team
Jeff Shepard
Will Blackman, PGA
Assistant General Manager
Director of Membership Sales
Tel: 516-944-4374
[email protected]
Will joined the club in September 2022. Prior to joining the Village Club of Sands Point team, Will worked at The Club at Twin Lakes in Allentown, PA as General Manager and Heron Glen Golf Course in New Jersey as PGA Head Golf Professional. Will is very excited to have joined us and looks forward to promoting the club, not just through his passion for golf, but in helping to create & implement marketing strategies that break down traditional barriers and reach new audiences.
Will is a Class “A” PGA Member and holds a Business Management degree from University of Delaware.
meet
Rachel Burke
Director of Member Experience & Communications
Tel: 516-944-7400
[email protected]
Rachel joined the club team in November 2018 with a magnitude of excitement and creative ideas! With a background in advertising and hospitality, Rachel’s responsibilities not only include the Club wide marketing and design of all flyers, emails, and newsletter’s, but she is also responsible for our Member Events. Rachel works hand-in-hand with our Director of Food and Beverage; Pete Kovac, as together they create and execute all of our incredible Member Events. Rachel is truly an asset Club wide, and her creativity is reflected throughout.
Pete Kovac
Director of Food and Beverage
Tel: 516-944-4318
pete@villageclub.org
Pete Kovac brings more than 22 years of experience in country club food and beverage, most recently as Food and Beverage Director at Rolling Green Country Club in Arlington Heights, Illinois.
The youngest of seven from the Chicago suburbs, Pete started in the industry as a bar back at the age of sixteen and from there has worked his way through every role. Pete brings with him a fresh and knowledgeable perspective with a focus on staff and attention to detail.
Pete is looking forward to bringing his comprehensive background to the club with a paramount focus on staffing and the overall food and beverage member experience.
Meet The Team
Karl Obermeyer, PGA
Director of Golf
Tel:516-944-5482
[email protected]
Karl is the Director of Golf since 2002 and has been a part of the Village Club team since 2000. He was here to see the course transform from 9 holes to 18 holes. Karl is a 1987 Cum Laude graduate of Saint Joseph's College of Maine and grew up in Kennebunk, Maine. Karl and wife Ann are both Golf Professionals at the Club; residing in Port Washington.
Liz Jaffe, USPTA, PPTA
Director of Racquet Sports
Tel:516-944-7843
[email protected]
Liz Jaffe has been a part of the Village Club of Sands Point since its inception in 1995. Five years later, she became Director of Tennis in 2000 & in 2012 became the Director of Racquet Sports which included all Tennis and Platform Tennis programs. She is a certified professional in Tennis and Platform tennis as she holds the USPTA and PPTA certificates. Her passion for tennis has driven her to the top as she ranked #1 in the country in the finals of the National Championship in 2011.
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Ethan Johnson, GCSAA
Director of Agronomy
Tel:516-944-4371
[email protected]
Ethan joined the club in June 2018 with a wealth of knowledge from over 10 year’s experience as an Assistant Superintendent at Engineers Country Club. In the short time he has been here, the members have already enjoyed experiencing a new level of Course conditions. The fruit of Ethan's passion and dedication can be seen throughout the 216 acres of the Village Club of Sands Point.
Jack Clarke
Executive Chef
Tel:516-944-4305
[email protected]
Jack is a 1983 graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, leading to over 35 years in the hospitality industry. He has developed his culinary skills and food style while working in some of the finest New York City hotels, restaurants and private clubs on Long Island. Starting at the Muttontown Country Club in 1989, then as Executive Chef of Fresh Meadow and Middle Bay Country Clubs. Now in his 10th season here VCSP, Jack and his culinary team have transformed the food program in the visible use of the freshest ingredients and proper technique, cooking with passion to produce bold and balanced flavors. Jack strongly believes in the team concept, working with all departments to achieve the common goal of member satisfaction.
