The next time you tee it up at one of Westchester’s country clubs, don’t be surprised if you spot a celebrity or two on the course with you. Just remember to wait until after they sink that knee-knocker putt to ask for an autograph.
The famous (and infamous) practically have their own wing in the locker room at Trump National Golf Club in Briarcliff. Chief among them is former Commander in Chief Bill Clinton, aka the president of the United States (his handicap is a state secret, as are his tee times).
The Donald himself not only belongs to the club but owns it, of course, and carries a 3.7 handicap index — for real! Other denizens of the Trump locker room include former Yankees manager Joe Torre (we diehard fans refuse to recognize that other job he recently held), as well as actors Jack Nicholson and Clint Eastwood, although they’re usually seen on courses on the other coast.
The most successful writer on the planet, James Patterson, calls Sleepy Hollow his home during the warmer months. You’ll find Caddyshack’s Carl Spackler — er, Bill Murray — there, too.
New York’s Mayor Mike (Bloomberg, that is) occasionally can be found at the Golf Club of Purchase when he’s not playing with President Barack Obama on Martha’s Vineyard.
As you might expect, several New York-based sportscasters play their pasture pool on Westchester courses. Nearly fanatic golfer Bryant Gumbel, host of HBO’s Real Sports, belongs to both Whippoorwill and Hudson National. NBC’s Jimmy Roberts can be found at Westchester Country Club when he’s not covering the PGA Tour (among other great assignments), while WNBC sports anchor Bruce Beck tees it up at Fenway.
Looking for stars of the big and small screens? Entourage headliner Kevin Dillon belongs to Winged Foot, carrying on a devotion to the game he got from his father, Paul Dillon, whose contributions to golf were recognized with the 2010 MGA Distinguished Service Award.
Chris O’Donnell, star of CBS’s NCIS-Los Angeles, is a member at Westchester Country Club.
Plenty of celebs chase the little white ball around the Hudson Valley, too. Among them: The Fighter’s Mark Wahlberg and NFL star and sportscaster Ahmad Rashad, both members at Manhattan Woods; actor Aidan Quinn can be found at Rockland Country Club.
It’s not all famous men and boys out there on the links, either. Fashion diva Vera Wang often plays at Pound Ridge Golf Club, the Pete Dye masterpiece her brother opened in 2008.