Storm King sale left our readers wondering
Following the announcement of the sale of the Storm King Golf Club to the Hudson Valley Golf Foundation, some readers were left with more questions than answers. We went back to Trey Owen, president of Hudson Valley Golf Foundation, to get some more information.
Will the Hudson Valley Golf Foundation honor previously booked events at the clubhouse?
“Part of the agreement in the purchase was to honor events that were on the books prior to the transaction. There is every intention to do that. The clubhouse is open even now for private events as well.”
Why would the West Point golf team and the larger West Point community want to use Storm King Golf Club if a new clubhouse is being built at West Point?
“There is no affiliation between the Hudson Valley Golf Foundation and West Point or the Association of Graduates. The foundation, doing renovations to the golf course, we think Cornwall and the whole surrounding area will be proud of what comes out of that. We want to have Storm King Golf Club for a variety of constituents. The West Point golf team can use it as a home away from home. That’s only one aspect of what the foundation is trying to do which is give access for disabled veteran organizations and initiatives and youth initiatives, as well as to local and national foundation supporters. The idea is to have another facility to accomplish goals and provide access.”
Will the public be given last priority to use the course?
“Gaining access to the course will be through a donation to the foundation which, from a structure standpoint, is functionally the same thing as somebody paying a green fee to play at a public golf course. In this case it will be a foundation which will be a 501c3 organization. Instead of it being a green fee, it will be designated as a donation. Storm King Golf Club functioned as a private club for most of its history and most recently it’s functioned as a semi-private club with public access. Just because the primary mission of the foundation is trying to host the golf team, veterans, and youth doesn’t mean there will be no access or limited access for foundation supporters. It’s going to function similarly to any other golf club where there is public access. If somebody calls the day before and says I want a tee time at 10 a.m. tomorrow, there may be a high probability there won’t be availability then. But if somebody calls two weeks or a month in advance and says I want to play in the next 30 days, we’re going to be able to find availability. It’s not any different going to a restaurant.”
Is the foundation a nonprofit organization? “Yes, the 501c3 status is pending.”
Would this status make the golf club tax exempt: Although Owen didn’t have an answer to this question, Supervisor Richard Randazzo said the property would become tax exempt under state law. He said the foundation would have to file paperwork with the assessor’s office notifying staff of the status change. According to Orange County assessment records, taxes levied for 18 Ridge Road in 2020 totaled $30,283.19 in county and town taxes and $19,026.84 in school taxes. While avid golfers may be looking ahead to spring, they won’t be able to use the course anytime soon. The course and clubhouse are set to go through renovations and improvements with mid-2022 as the target reopening date
