Fall began today... at 11:00am ET to be exact.
Here in Southwestern CT, the past week has been appropriately blustery... and tinged with the burnished colors of late September.
It's been rather a sobering week, for anyone who listens to financial news. Sobering, as in, "the entire world economy has been brought to its knees and is on the verge of a collapse that will plunge us into something worse than the great depression". Other than that, things are pretty good, I guess... the Ryder Cup was great golf, that's for sure.
The world's current economic woes, and what they imply for the future of golf... in this country, and particularly in my area where so many lives are tied to Wall Street and high finance... got me to thinking about Morefar.
Only 10 minutes from my house, on a winding, deep-woods, back road, just over the NY/CT border, is Morefar-Back o'Beyond, arguably the most mysterious, private and cloistered golf course in the world. You've probably never heard of Morefar... and that would be by design. Among avid golfers who have heard of it, Morefar is indeed a mystery. With an exquisite sculpture garden spread artfully across the the course, part of its mystique is that it's extraordinarily tough to even approach. I know something about that because on Saturday, I tried.
For decades, Morefar was under the control of AIG, the embattled insurance giant currently receiving an $85 billion loan from the federal government funded by the American taxpayers. This after being brought to the brink by years of questionable accounting practices and "edge-of-the-envelope risk-taking". It is said that AIG's atmosphere of greed and ruthlessness was established during the reign of the reputedly Machiavellian Maurice Greenberg. who now controls... Morefar. It occurred to me, that if I as a taxpayer was going to be paying for years of Mr. Greenberg's self motivated manipulations, I should at least be able to see the course with its delightful collection of artfully placed sculptures. So I coaxed a reluctant Nick into taking me down that woodsy road past the little revolutionary war cemetery, to the stone gates of Morefar, Back o'Beyond. It looked ominous but alluring, Nick wanted to turn back. But I begged him to press on, so we drove up the narrow shaded drive past cottage-like out buildings, till we came to a cart shed on the crest of a hill. A bit further on through a boarder of small trees and flowering shrubs, I glimpsed a pristine sun-dappled section of fairway.
Just then, in the rear view mirror I spotted a man in a golf cart making his way rapidly towards us. Nick nervously lowered the window, and I feigned naivete, politely asking, "We've heard so much about this course... is there any possibility of...um... playing here?"
The nondescript man answered coldly, "There's no way that can happen and you've got to leave here right now".
"Would it be possible for me to take a photograph or two?" I ventured, again playing it naive.
"We expect our privacy to be respected", he responded with an icy stare...at which point Nick rolled up the window and quickly turned back down the drive towards the stone entrance gate. Nick has no stomach for confrontation... and almost refused to take the photo above, at Morefar's gate. He didn't even take the time to focus.
I'm not done, however. Now I'm determined to find a way to get into Morefar. I'll just have to leave
Reference: "Exclusive Morefar Is Far More Mysterious Than Most Golf Links", WSJ, April 2005
41 comments:
I run by that course all the time. I'm just as fascinated as you. You have to know someone high up at AIG, or, really, you have to be doing business with AIG. Three years ago, there was a front page story in the WSJ about it, so more people have heard about it than you realize. Supposedly, Hank Greenberg lives right nearby. Check out
this link
and it's got a grass tennis court, too, which you can just barely see from the road. I've never played on grass before. Think they'd kick me out if I just went down there to work on my serve?
Oh I'm sure she's heard of the WSJ profise that was done in 2005.
I say this because entire passages in this article were lifted from the original with no attribution and no changes.
Plagiarism is fun, right?
Anon, this is a first person account, I don't see where you're getting the plagiarism from.
Patricia, I was reading some other stuff and saw where they have cameras up in the trees all along the road and across the property. They cameras are monitored by some office in New York. Greenberg is probably more paranoid than ever now so you better proceed with caution.
This financial crisis should be opening everyone's eyes to the abuses ...yes, blatant abuses by some of these executives and CEOs...guys like this Greenberg and others were getting these huge pay packages and just always wanted more. Now we're going to bail them out?? The sign should be changed from "No Trespassing - Keep out" to "Welcome to Morefar - Thanks for bailing me out".
The best thing that could happen, and maybe it will, is that Greenberg might be forced to give up the course and it would become a public course.
You get Nick into some pretty strange situations. The guy must have the patience of a Saint ;)
LOL - Lisa - we may not see eye to eye on economics and pay packages - but that sign idea would be CLASSIC !! :-) Maybe Patricia could make one and retake the picture.
Joseph - grass courts are rare, but if you ever get a chance to play on one, it's great, and not as easy as it looks. Oh - be sure to take or borrow a wood racket. My brother used to be a pro at a Florida club that had clay, hard (US Open and Australian Open surfaces), and grass courts. They would have "Around the World" tournaments where you would have to play rounds on all four surfaces.
This is pretty cool - you can at least get an overhead look at Morefar on Mapquest (probably Google Earth, too). Search on Brewster, NY and zoom in on the area around the state line and hwy 84, then switch to Overhead View. The course actually crosses the state line into CT.
I'm watching the financial news now and I'm thinking if I lived near that course I would take my clubs, walk up to the first tee, hit my drive and start my round. Let them arrest me for playing at a course I'm paying for.
Morefar, like the financial institutions, is "totally lacking in transparency".
It would be kind of awesome if a group of golfing taxpayers decided to storm the gates of Morefar.
They don't have a remote controlled gate or a security guard? I'm surprised!
I drive by the the front gate of Augusta National all the time, and if it's off season, the gate is very firmly closed. When the club is open for members, the gate is left open, but never, ever unguarded. I know some who have tried to drive down Magnolia Lane and they didn't get very far.
I congratulate you for trying to get in Morefar. That took some balls. :)
A course like Augusta is a different story. That course is on TV and everyone knows where it is, what it looks like, and what it's about. Morefar, OTOH, is supposed to be a secret. I'm surprised they even have that sign out front. If you put a big electronic gate up, with cameras, you become an object of scrutiny, and this place wants to be low-profile. You know, David Letterman lives in the area and his driveway doesn't even look like a driveway; it looks like a dirt path into the woods leading nowhere. The same principle is at work.
Would any other US taxpaying golfers like to play Morefar with me? Let me know and we'll see what we can do.
I'd love to go with you. I have no trouble getting up there from Jersey either, but my husband will kill me if I get arrested and he has to babysit while I'm in jail. ;)
I'd go, but, thanks to my stock market losses of late, I won't be paying any taxes for a while.
The following is from a press release regarding the security system and GPS used at the facility. This press release was dated March, 2006.
"Morefar is a privately owned and unusual 18-hole course, featuring 25 bronze sculptures throughout the course telling of its Asian history. Formerly owned by AIG, Morefar is currently owned by CV Starr International, who acquired ownership in 2005 under the direction of Mr. Hank Greenberg, former CEO of AIG.
"We are an exclusive private course, and we knew all our members would benefit from having a GPS system," says Ans deBeus, Morefar's General Manager. "But we are also very happy with the total software system, and we are now able to monitor and control our wireless security system from a secure location far away from the golf course, helping us to bring down security costs."
The club's 500 acres, which includes the golf course, residences and guest houses in both New York State and Connecticut, are protected by GPSI's wireless security cameras with remote viewing capability from anywhere in the world."
Perhaps they realized they wouldn't have their little oasis and ultra uber exclusive playground if they didn't divulge it from AIG. My guess is Greenberg built or purchased and renovated the facility with AIG money sheltered by fuzzy accounting practices and then purchased it from AIG for a song. Unfortunately this happens far more often than the general public is aware. I know because I was an accountant in the 80's for a company that executed more then one transaction of this nature. Ironically enough, it was a financial concern with ties to Wall Street. Unfortunately these companies make more money than is managable and the greed that is exhibited by those who run these companies is mind boggling!!! Don't get me wrong, I'm all for capitalism. However, it seems impossible in our times for Capitalism to be managed appropriately by our government and business leaders.
Hmmm.....
Sigh - this has nothing to do with "taxpayers" anymore than the idea that you have a "right" to order a police officer around because some of your tax dollars might be paying his paycheck.
Greenberg doesn't own Morefar - it is owned by a company. He just happens to be the head of that company.
Augusta National also has strong gates and walls because it is IN Augusta - inside the perimeter - and not exactly in the nicest part of town. (but you CAN get to Hooters just a couple of blocks from the gate) :-D
And if Jennifer goes - someone help her with directions - if she goes to New Jersey, she's going to miss the whole thing. :-)
there goes courtgolf again making such stupid comments. the accountant- golfadx - said very plainly that the crook greenberg probably transfered ownership from aig into the current corp and then bopught that corp for a song - why are you such an apologist for a scumbag like greenberg who has been pulling dirty corporate get rich tricks for years.
please don't answer this, i can't take any more of your stupid naive comments.
"Would any other US taxpaying golfers like to play Morefar with me? Let me know and we'll see what we can do."
Now this is just a tease, correct? You know what would have been grand, playing @MrBusinessGolf's Charity Tournament, then flying up to meet up with @golfgirl to play Morefar. Talk about some fun!!! Would have made for great TV and Internetlalaland coverage!!
Truth be told, yes I would like to play.
~Oddly
Cameron
ah yes - the mystery coward strikes again.
Anon - by your comments, are we to assume that you are a high level accountant type who has SEEN the AIG and Greenberg books, so these accusations you are making have legal standing and not just some sort of weak, class warfare, lunacy ? Words like "probably" can get you into a lot of trouble.
I'll say it again - Greenberg did not personally own the course - it is owned by a corporation. That is not an apology - that is a fact. I can't comment on him being a "criminal" as you so easily toss around.
Your grasp of economics and ownership are truly frightening - but at least you don't hide your hatred for people who have more money than you. I'm guessing that green is your favorite color ?
Hey this is Cindy, I’m a student at Fairfield University, a hooters girl ( in Milford, CT come check me out) and (almost) a scratch golfer. GG I’ve been reading your blog for a while, it’s great, but this opportunity to storm Morefar got me really excited. I grew up playing at brooklawn and remember hearing my dad who was an insurance guy talk of Morefar. When do we do it? I think we’ve all earned the "privilege". BTW Joseph, I have a couple of wooden tennis rackets from my dad…….
Well I’ll have to come down on the side of anon 5:20 on this one. perhaps court would allow a corrupt cop to run amok in his town because he doesn’t feel that he has the “right” to order him around even though his tax dollar are involved.
Sounds dodgy. Could there be more than just golf going on here?
aussie - most of us are just Golf Girl worshippers. :-)
ok - this "logic" is amazing. Now you think you will be able to order a CORRUPT cop around ??
You still haven't made a case for storming the gates of a privately owned golf course because of a government bailout. Anon 5:20 wants to jump right to anarchy when times get tough. Brilliant. Once again - if Greenberg has broken the law - throw his butt in jail for the rest of his miserable life - but RIGHT NOW - you can't jump to that conclusion.
I'm guessing that Anon 5:20 was a big Bill Clinton supporter and thought doing interns in the oval office was a good idea. BUT - what did you say when he committed purgery and got away with it, or when Hilary got away with fraud ?
"Augusta National also has strong gates and walls because it is IN Augusta - inside the perimeter - and not exactly in the nicest part of town"
Hey, the National Hills section of Augusta isn't THAT bad. It's not where the new money lives, but it is well kept up. And on the other side of ANGC you have the old money Hill section and Augusta Country Club.
Now if you really want to see a bad section of town, just drive down to MCG, take a right over the railroad tracks, and look for the areas where packs of semi-feral dogs run wild. We here in Augusta truly have the best government that money can buy. :)
Sorry for the thread jack. Now back to your regularly scheduled ranting and raving.
siberian - my bad - didn't mean to make it sound like the National is centered in a ghetto. I know it's not - but it's not what you usually picture when you think of a world renowned golf club. The old shopping centers and across the street from the gate on Washington are a bit run down...and Hooters isn't a Ruth's Chris Steak House. :-)
In "Civil Disobedience", Henry David Thoreau wrote that citizens should not allow governments to overrule or atrophy their consciences... and that people have a duty to avoid allowing such acquiescence to enable the government to make them the agents of injustice.
If you've been watching the hearings these past couple of days,and if you're a thinking person, you have to realize that we, as the American public, have in fact allowed the government and the robber barons of Wall Street to atrophy our consciences.
Sadly Court, the American people don't have the power to throw Greenberg (and his ilk) in jail. Those guys will remain rich and powerful enough to be above the law.
I think the "storming of Morefar" would be a brilliant way to raise awareness and a beautiful act of civil disobedience.
court
you are a very stupid man.
just so very fucking stupid, i can't believe i jut read all of your comments on this string. you really are very dumb.
I think it's fairly safe to assume that the man chased Patricia away as the AIG bigwigs were collected around a barbecue having a massive jolly - they'd cocked up big time yet the government has stepped in to fund their christmas bonuses, which they can grab and then jump ship. They're laughing. But they couldn't have a possible investigative reporter/Golf Girl Diarist on the premises to catch them in the act in such turbulent times as this.
Someone should tell them that "Back o'beyond" is an Irish phrase meaning a hole, somewhere you would never want to go or visit, so if it's an accurate description Patricia you're better off out of it.
I'd like to see gg's Back O'beyond!!
The best view appears to be maps.live.com in "bird's eye view". That can get you pretty close, you can even see the statues. As far as playing..., maybe a job change is in order?
Cindy, if you wear your Hooter's outfit, I bet I can get you and I on quite a few private courses. Forget Morefar! Golf girl you and Nick can join us.
I worked at Morefar through college (early 1980s). The property of the house I grew up in bordered the course. I would walk to the end of my street, climb through a hole in the fence and walk up the hill (5th hole I think) to work. They used to host corporate overnight meetings. I did everything - reservations, serving meals, cleaning, laundry, landscaping. I sprayed the roses on Greenburg's property. Once I was sent to Motor Vehicles to register one of his cars. I ran in the course for many years throughout my teenage years. We even used to sleigh ride - Back then, they didn't throw us out. My brother used to put on scuba gear and collect the balls at the bottom of the ponds! The greenskeeper spent may years trying to catch him. It became a game for the two of them.
When I played Richter Golf Course (a very nice, if crowded, public course), I could see Morefar across one of the lakes. In two years of weekend golf, I never saw a SINGLE golfer on that course during the weekend. I, on the other hand, had to play a 5 hour round on the crowded course.
BTW - I know at least 3 people who have played it. If you are in the insurance industry, it is "getable" if you play your cards right. Greenberg hated golf and only allowed execs to use the course to "get" business. Nobody plays a "casual" round there after work.
As for the allegations about its origin, I had heard the course was built on the former ground of CV Starr's estate (that would be the founder of AIG) after he died and donated the land to the company.
I play Richter all the time as well, and on the 12th hole you get a pretty good view (from far of course) of Morefar across the lake. I would suggest a water assualt across Boggs Pond as the best way to get on. I was at Richter walking my dog this winter, and with the lake completely frozen, was very tempted to run back home to get my skates. Maybe next winter...
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Hey! My friends and I are always trying to get into morefar. We live in danbury and are really interested in this too. Were headin there right now. Where abouts do you live?
I went to Westconn. On the road going past morefar used to be these crazy ancient trees. One of them was called the Jesus tree because it looked like the crucifixion. That was the 80s. I bet the trees are long gone.
Morefar is a great course and i love playing it. Maybe i'll see you guys out there oneday... but I doubt it.
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