Once considered one of the crown jewels of Glen Cove’s recreational offerings, the city’s municipal golf course is undergoing a sweeping restoration following years of gradual decline.
The 18-hole course, in Stanco Park, officially opened for the season on April 5 with a host of improvements already completed and more on the way, including a long-awaited overhaul of its sprinkler system.
The course’s transformation is part of a broader effort to revitalize the city’s parks and recreational spaces.
“The golf course has always been a very important piece of Glen Cove’s history,” Spiro Tsirkas, executive director of the Glen Cove Youth Bureau and the city’s parks director, said. “This year we’ve really taken steps forward to revitalize and create the best possible experience for golfers of all ages.”
One of the most pressing issues has been the course’s sprinkler system, which dates back to the 1950s and has inconsistently irrigated the 85-acre property.
Tsirkas said that last year’s widespread sprinkler failure left parts of the course dry and unplayable, while others areas flooded. Temporary repairs have stabilized the system for now, but a full replacement is expected to begin in late fall.
“The sprinkler system has been the same since the ’50s or ’60s,” he said. “We’ve done enough repairs to get through this season, and once capital funding is finalized, we’re planning to install a brand new system that will completely change the way the course is maintained.”
Mayor Pamela Panzenbeck said the city has already approved the engineering component of the project, working with IMEG Engineers, of New York to finalize plans. The full cost is expected to approach $2.5 million.
“This is the original sprinkler system — it’s ancient,” Panzenbeck said. “But we’re pumping a lot of time and effort into improvements on the course. It’s exciting, and the feedback from residents has been overwhelmingly positive.”
Tsirkas said that the driving range has been repainted, the nets have been repaired, and new garage doors are being installed at the golf course to improve ventilation. The cart barn is also being repainted, and rotten stucco walls are being repaired.
“We’re turning the golf course into a completely different facility,” Tsirkas said. “We’ve mulched around the clubhouse and throughout the grounds, and we’re just waiting for better weather to begin planting.”
Course maintenance has also been a major focus for head groundsman Doug Tuohy and rental coordinator John Garella. The greens on the first, third, eighth, 11th and 17th holes have been aerated, and as part of an effort to restore the most damaged areas, holes 3 and 17 have been covered with breathable tarps to trap heat and moisture, creating a greenhouse effect that helps promote grass growth.
“We’ve seeded, added topsoil and repaired the irrigation system as best we can,” Tsirkas said. “Now it’s just a matter of letting nature do its job.”
The course’s wooden bridges — long a safety concern — are also being addressed. One bridge was recently repaired, and the other two are scheduled for replacement this summer. The City Council has approved funding for one, and officials are hopeful that a grant from Nassau County will help cover the second one.
Panzenbeck,
who took office in 2022, recalled being shocked at the golf course’s condition at the time.
The pro shop was operating out of a trailer due to mold contamination, and the driving range canopy had collapsed. “The course had really been left to fall apart,” she said. “But we’ve been fixing everything little by little, and by next spring, it should be spectacular.”
Lou Fugazy, a member of the Men’s Club and the golf course commission, said the course was in its best condition from 2010 to 2015.
“It’s been neglected, but this course is one of the real gems of Glen Cove,” Fugazy said. “There’s nothing else like it in surrounding communities. It’s a major draw for young families, retirees and people who want public access without joining a private club.”
Fugazy said that about 75 percent of the golfers are Glen Cove residents, who pay $95 for an annual permit — a fraction of the $495 fee for out-of-town players. He added the pricing model ensures that local tax dollars go toward maintaining a city-owned asset that still welcomes visitors.
“There are people moving to Glen Cove just because we have a municipal golf course,” he said. “It’s a competitive advantage, and now, with all the improvements, it’ll be an even greater one.”
Tsirkas said that the improvements will make for a great season this year, but by spring 2026, “You’ll really see this place in full bloom.”
