Daniela Tolchinsky

On Dec. 21 Hampshire Country Club, located on Cove Road in Mamaroneck, announced its decision to discontinue normal operations. Due to significant financial problems, the club has been deemed unable to continue functioning, and it will remain closed until further notice.  

Members were made aware of this pressing issue through a letter sent out by Hampshire’s Board of Governors, outlining the club’s plans for the future.

The club’s Board of Governors commented on the decision. The Board announced a statement through the letter sent to all club members that said, “While this is a very difficult and unpleasant decision, the economic realities of the situation require this step.”

Hampshire, founded in 1944, is a private, member-owned golf, tennis, and pool club. Before its apparent closing, the club consisted of over ___ members, 78 of whom have either resigned or requested a leave of absence for the upcoming season. 

            The halting of the club’s functioning will begin by the stopping of all normal activity.  This means that all pool, tennis and golf facilities will be made unavailable and that the club will only maintain essential personnel and services.

            The Board of Governors wishes to take whatever measures necessary in order to reopen, including the possible sale of club assets. Even if they are successful in their endeavors, however, it is unclear as to whether Hampshire would survive these difficult financial times.

            The club spent large sums of money in 2002 when it underwent significant renovations to its 18-hole golf course. Hampshire also upgraded its clubhouse, pool house and tennis facilities from 2004 to 2006. These huge expenses, in addition to the steep drop in membership, have amounted to a loss in revenue of over $1.4 million.

            The main issue in question now is the decision as to what will happen to the 120-acre property formerly occupied by Hampshire Country Club. The selling worth of the club is an estimated $14.9 million. 

Prospective buyers include the Village and Town of Mamaroneck and numerous different developers who may wish to construct houses or condos on the expansive property. 

            Mamaroneck officials have been considering the purchase due to the large revenue a public golf course such as Hampshire’s could generate for the village and town. 

            According to the Larchmont Gazette, Mamaroneck Town Supervisor Valerie O’Keeffe said, “People have a lot of creative ideas, but we need to sit down and digest them.”                       

            Many wish to take advantage of the space.  One anonymous, former Hampshire member and Mamaroneck resident said, “I hope it becomes open land the whole community can enjoy because of what a beautiful place it is.”

            It is a significant loss to the community, and many have similar feelings about the closing of Hampshire.

Lori Rotskoff, a club member for seven years said, “We really enjoyed the golf, the tennis, the pool and especially the people we met there and who worked there.”

Rotskoff said, “It's a shame that the club had to close.”