Wellesley Island feels like a different world. Once you cross that massive span of the Thousand Islands Bridge and look down at the turquoise swirl of the St. Lawrence River, everything changes. You aren’t just in Upstate New York anymore; you're in the heart of the "Garden of the Great Spirit." And right there, tucked away on the northern tip of the island, sits the 1000 Island Country Club. It’s old. It’s prestigious. Honestly, it’s one of those places that defines the rhythm of the river summer for the people who actually live here, not just the tourists passing through on a Bolt Boat.
The thing about the 1000 Island Country Club is that it isn't just a golf course. People get that wrong all the time. They think it’s just 18 holes and a clubhouse, but it’s actually a living piece of Gilded Age history that managed to survive the collapse of the grand hotel era. While most of the massive wooden palaces of the 1800s burned down or were torn for scrap, this place stuck around.
What You’re Actually Playing: Old Course vs. Tournament Course
Let’s get into the weeds. If you’re heading to the 1000 Island Country Club, you’re dealing with two very different beasts.
The Old Course is the soul of the property. It dates back to 1894. Think about that for a second. When this course was being laid out, people were arriving by steamship. It’s short. It’s quirky. It’s got these tight, narrow fairways that make modern long-hitters lose their minds because you can't just "bomb and gouge" here. You have to think. If you try to overpower the Old Course, the river winds and the ancient oak trees will absolutely punish you. It’s a par 70, and it’s basically a masterclass in "old school" architecture where the land dictated the holes, not a bulldozer.
Then you have the Tournament Course. This is the one people talk about when they want a "real" challenge. It’s a par 72, sprawling out over much more acreage. It’s got those big, undulating greens and much more expansive views. But here is the kicker: the wind. On the Tournament Course, the wind coming off the St. Lawrence isn't just a breeze; it's a structural hazard. One minute you're hitting a 7-iron, the next you're pulling a 5-wood for the same distance because the gusts just swallowed your ball.
The Wellesley Island Vibe
Wellesley Island itself is a weird, beautiful place. To get to the 1000 Island Country Club, you have to drive through the Thousand Island Park (TI Park). If you’ve never been, TI Park is a preserved Victorian community full of "gingerbread" cottages. It’s like stepping into a painting from the 1870s. This proximity matters because the country club serves as the social anchor for this community.
You’ve got kids who have spent every summer of their lives here. You’ve got "river rats" who own multi-million dollar island homes but show up to the club in beat-up flip-flops. It’s a specific kind of low-key wealth. It’s not flashy like the Hamptons. It’s more about how many generations your family has been coming to the River.
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Eating at Horace's and the Social Scene
You can't talk about this place without mentioning the food. Most people end up at Horace's Hall, the main restaurant.
Is it fine dining? Sorta. It’s "River Fine." You can get a great steak or fresh fish, but you’re mostly there for the atmosphere. Sitting on the deck with a drink while the sun goes down over the shipping channel—watching the massive lakers (cargo ships) slide past—is the actual reason people pay their dues.
- The Ships: You are literally yards away from the Seaway.
- The Sunset: It hits different over the water.
- The Locals: You’ll hear more gossip about who’s dock washed away in the spring thaw than you will about the stock market.
The Reality of Maintenance and the "River Factor"
Look, I’m gonna be real with you. Keeping a golf course green in the middle of the St. Lawrence River is a nightmare. The season is short—basically May to October if you’re lucky. The winters are brutal. Ice shove can mess up the shoreline, and the humidity in July is thick enough to chew.
Sometimes, players complain that the fairways aren't "PGA Tour perfect." And they aren't. If you want a manicured, plastic-looking course, go to a resort in Florida. The 1000 Island Country Club is rugged. It’s part of the landscape. You might have a slightly uneven lie on a fairway because of a rock outcropping that's been there for ten thousand years. That’s the charm. If you can’t handle a little bit of "nature" in your golf game, you’re missing the point of playing in the Thousand Islands.
Getting There: Logistics Matter
Don't just plug this into your GPS and assume it's a quick trip. If you're coming from Syracuse, it's about an hour and a half. From Canada? You're crossing the International Bridge at Lansdowne/Alexandria Bay.
- Bring your Passport: If you're coming from the Ontario side, the bridge traffic can be a nightmare on holiday weekends (Victoria Day or July 4th).
- Tolls: The Thousand Islands Bridge Authority takes credit cards now, but it used to be a cash-only struggle.
- Boat Access: This is the best way. The club has dockage. There is something profoundly cool about tying up your Boston Whaler, walking up the hill, and teeing off.
The Impact of the 1000 Islands Legacy
We have to talk about George Boldt for a second. He was the guy who built Boldt Castle (which is just a stone's throw away on Heart Island). Boldt was the one who really put this region on the map for the elite. He was the proprietor of the Waldorf-Astoria in NYC. When he brought his wealthy friends up here, he set a standard for luxury that the 1000 Island Country Club still tries to evoke.
But it’s also faced challenges. The "Country Club" model is changing. Younger families don't necessarily want to spend 6 hours on a golf course. They want pickleball, they want pools, they want fast casual dining. The club has had to evolve. They’ve leaned into the villas and the stay-and-play packages to keep the lights on. It’s working, but it’s a constant balance between preserving the 1894 history and not feeling like a museum.
Common Misconceptions
People think you have to be a member to breathe the air here. You don't. While it's a "Country Club," it is very much open to the public for golf and dining.
Another big one? That it's "just for old people." Actually, the junior golf programs here are pretty robust. Because it's a seasonal destination, you get a huge influx of college kids and families during the summer months. The vibe shifts from "quiet morning rounds" to "hectic family dinners" pretty quickly once school lets out in June.
Why You Should Go (Even if You Don't Golf)
Honestly? Go for the geography. Wellesley Island is a geological marvel. The "Thousand Islands" are actually the tops of an ancient mountain range (the Frontenac Axis) that connects the Canadian Shield to the Adirondacks.
When you stand on the high points of the Tournament Course, you are looking at granite that is billions of years old. The river itself is one of the cleanest, deepest navigable waterways in the world. Even if you're just there to grab a burger and watch the water, you're experiencing a landscape that is fundamentally unique to North America.
Actionable Steps for Your Visit
If you’re planning a trip to the 1000 Island Country Club, don't just wing it. The "River" moves at its own pace, and you need to be prepared.
- Book the Old Course for the History: If you only have time for one round, play the Old Course. It's the one that feels like the 1890s. It's quirky, short, and memorable. Save the Tournament Course for when you want to sweat over your handicap.
- Check the Shipping Schedule: Download a ship tracking app (like MarineTraffic). There is nothing like being on the 1000 Island Country Club grounds when a 700-foot freighter passes by. It makes the ground shake.
- Stay in the Villas: If you’re coming from out of town, stay on-site. Driving off Wellesley Island at night can be tricky with the deer. There are so many deer. Seriously, watch the roads at dusk.
- Visit TI Park After: After your round or meal, drive five minutes down the road to Thousand Island Park. Grab an ice cream at the Guzzle. It’s the law of the river. You have to do it.
- Dress the Part (But Don't Overdo It): Collared shirts are expected on the course, but this isn't Augusta National. A clean polo and decent shorts are fine. On the River, "functional" usually beats "fashionable."
The 1000 Island Country Club isn't a relic; it's a survivor. It represents a time when travel was an event and the destination was the point. Whether you're there to shave a stroke off your game or just to see the sun dip below the St. Lawrence, it remains the definitive anchor of Wellesley Island. Just remember to bring your camera—and maybe a few extra golf balls for the water hazards. You’re going to need them.