Summer is finally here, and with warmer weather, longer days and plenty of sunshine, it’s time to get out of the house and play outside (play isn’t just for the kids, folks). Whether you prefer a round of golf, or an exciting ATV ride, or some time out on the water, the Catskill Region has something for you!

On the Links

The College Golf Course at Delhi
The College Golf Course at Delhi is the area’s premier 18-hole public course. The course’s front nine is a classic 1960’s design renowned for its natural beauty and challenging, undulating greens. In fact, the 7th hole has been rated among the top 18 in the Southern Tier.

The back nine, which opened in June 1996, is routed through the rolling terrain of the surrounding mountains. It is a magnificent natural design developed with the input and support of national leaders in the golf industry. Special features include state-of-the-art grasses and irrigation, panoramic views, and tee options that make it challenging and fun for golfers of every ability.

The College Golf Course is located at 85 Scotch Mountain Road in Delhi. For more information, call 607 746 GOLF or visit www.delhi.edu/golfcourse.

Colonial Country Club
Constructed on the natural lay of the land in the early 1920s, Colonial Country Club in Tannersville has many characteristics of an old-style traditional layout. The USGA-rated 9-hole course features 2,718 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 35. The clubhouse is newly renovated, and there is also a new teaching range and teaching center. Tim Leach manages the course as the Golf Professional.

Colonial Country Club is located at 6158 Main Street (Route 23A) in Tannersville, NY. For more information, call 518 589 9807.

Hanah Mountain Resort and Country Club
The beautiful layout at Hanah Mountain Resort and Country Club in Margaretville will leave you in awe of the Catskill Mountains. The golf course offers three magnificant layouts: nine holes riddled with hidden water, five holes featuring open fairways, large open waters, and four holes that will put you a little closer to heaven. Play the signature 13th hole and find out why Golf Digest dubbed it the “Terminator” and gave it a rating of 3.5 stars. The beautiful par three 19th hole is a new addition and is perfect for for sudden death matches, and finishes at the doorstep of the new clubhouse. Whether a newcomer to the game or a seasoned professional, Hanah will challenge golfers of all skill levels. With five sets of tees, the course can accommodate advanced, intermediate and average players. Long hitters can enjoy the black tees, which stretch the course to 7195 yards, and give it a rating of 17 out of 700 golf courses in the Northeast.

Hanah Mountain Resort is located at 576 West Hubbell Hill Road in Margaretville. For more information, call 1 800 752 6494 or visit www.hanahgolfresort.com.

Meadowgreens Golf Course
Opened in 2006, the 9-hole Meadowgreens Golf Course in Ghent features 3,011 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 36 . The course rating is 80 and it has a slope rating of 108.

This course, located in a country setting, is surrounded by woods. Even though the fairways are tree-lined, they still provide generous landing areas. The greens are well manicured, and water hazards come into play on several holes.

Meadowgreens Golf Course is located at 1238 Route 9H in Ghent. For more information, call 518 828 0663 or visit www.meadowgreensresort.com.

Rainbow Golf Club
Rainbow Golf Club is an 18-hole, USGA-rated golf facility nestled in the northern foothills of the Catskill Mountains. Despite its challenging layout featuring one of the area’s only island greens, the course is still one of the Capital District’s best kep secrets.

Rainbow Golf Club is located at 3822 County Route 26 in Greenville. For more information, call 518 966 5343 or visit www.rainbowgolfclub.com.

Thunderhart and Sunny Hill
Thunderhart Golf Course is an 18-hole, par 72 course featuring over 6,400 yards of scenic and professionally manicured beauty. Three sets of tees allow golfers of all skill and experience levels to enjoy themselves.

The front nine provides a traditional golf experience with three holes measuring over 500 yards. The back nine was created in the Parkland style, which has each hole cut through the beautiful forest of the Catskill Mountains. Thunderhart offers 11 ponds and 15 sand traps to challenge the most experienced golfer, while providing breathtaking views.

Set in the highest foothills overlooking the northern Catskill Mountains, the USGA-rated Sunny Hill Golf Course is characterized by breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains. With elevations ranging from 700 to 1000 feet, this Par 66 course offers a unique and challenging golf experience for both the beginning and seasoned golfer.

The front nine has been developed as an Executive style course, mixing in par 3s and par 4s. It offers many opportunities to sharpen your iron play while protecting par with crowned and undulating greens. The front nine remains a favorite for golfers of all ages who prefer to walk during their round.

The back nine affords you the opportunity to use your woods while still requiring you to be accurate with your irons. Mountain views are particularly spectacular on the back nine. Greens remain crowned and undulating, enabling proficient putters to score well.

Thunderhart Golf Course is located at 2740 County Route 67 in Freehold. For more information, call 518 634 7816 or visit www.ThunderhartGolf.com.

Sunny Hill Golf Course is located at 352 Sunny Hill Road in Greenville. For more information, call 518 634 7698 or visit www.sunnyhill.com

On the Water

Albany Aqua Ducks
The Albany Aqua Ducks & Trolleys, an amphibious tour and trolley tour company, features historic tours of the Capital City of Albany. The Ducks offer unique, educational and fun-filled tours. In Albany, see the historic sites and then Splash into the Hudson River for a mariner’s view of the city’s skyline. The Trolleys operate a seasonal Trolley loop tour and are available year round for charters and events. For more information, call 518 462 DUCK or visit www.albanyaquaducks.com.

Kingston Kayak Festival
On Saturday, June 13, Kenco hosts The Kingston Kayak Festival at Kingston Point Beach. From 10 am to 4 pm, try out some kayaks, pick up some new skills, see some great products and get a great deal on a new boat!

A family owned business, Kenco, started supplying gear out of the basement and at shows in 1982. Whether you paddle, ski, hike, climb, run, walk, sit or sleep, Kenco carries the necessities to “outfit your life.”

Kenco’s large showroom is located at 1000 Hurley Mountain Road in Kingston. For more information, call 1 800 872 2964 or visit www.atkenco.com

Riverview Marine Services
Riverview Marine Services offers a wide variety of new and pre-owned boats and other watercraft, including pontoons, fishing boats, canoes and kayaks, as well as SeaDoo watercraft. Their Service and Parts Departments will ensure that your crafts are in good working order, and there’s even a Rental Department.

Riverview’s convenient location is easily accessible by land or water, and they are open seven days a week in season.

Riverview Marine Services is located at 103 Main St. in Catskill. For more information, call 518 943 5311 or visit www.riverviewmarineservices.com.

Town Tinker Tube Rental
For 30 seasons, folks have tubed on the Esopus Creek with tubes and gear rented from The Town Tinker Tube Rental.

Propped on an old truck inner tube, with little more than a few words of instruction from Town Tinker Tube Rental’s well-trained staff, you’re off—floating down the sometimes raging Esopus Creek, soaking up the sun and the nature around you in the great wide open.

Town Tinker Tube Rental delivers visitors to two different put-ins: the upper course, which is two miles long and the lower course which is about a half mile longer.

Town Tinker Tube Rental is located on Bridge Street in Phoenicia, just off Route 28. For more information, call 845 688 5553 or visit www.towntinker.com.

On the Trails

Rip van Winkle Ranch
Rip Van Winkle Ranch is located at 5305 Route 23A in Haines Falls, 7 miles east of Hunter Mountain Ski Resort. The Ranch rents All-Terrain Vehicles on mountain trails through the woods. Scenic guided tours are approximately 30 minutes long. Hours are from 9 am to 5 pm on weekends and holidays, from noon to 4 pm on weekdays. Reservations are not required. Rip Van Winkle Ranch is open year-round, rain or shine. During the winter they have snowmobile rentals on the same trails. Children under 16 ride for 1/2 price. Call for group rates for groups of 20 or more people. For more information, call 518 589 5999

Stone Tavern Farm
Stone Tavern Farm is a 400-acre horse farm that offers a horseback riding camp, trail rides, ATV rides, B&B, and is a fantastic wedding location. Stone Tavern Farm also has some of the darkest skies in the northeast, making it a superb location for star gazing: see page 45 in this month’s issue of the Guide for a complete description of their monthly star parties, held from May through October.

Stone Tavern Farm is located at 2080 Upper Meeker Hollow Rd. in Roxbury. For more information, call 607 326 3600 or visit www.stonetavernfarm.com.

Equipment, Gear and Services

Aqua Jet
Family owned and operated for over 40 years, Aqua Jet is your source for pools, spas, hot tubs and patio furniture—everything you need to make your backyard a vacation spot unto itself. They also offer a wide range of pool services such as custom inground pool installation, pool openings and closings, repairs and inground liner replacements.

Aqua Jet has three locations: 1606 Route 9W in Kingston (845 336 8080), 604 Route 299 in Highland (845 883 5566) and at 4291 Route 9 in Hyde Park (845 229 8080). For more information, visit www.aquajetpools.com.

Campers’ Barn
Campers’ Barn is your RV headquarters in the Hudson Valley, featuring tousands of RV’s, accessories and parts in stock, including many hard to find items. Their newly expanded service department will keep your RV in good working order.

Campers’ Barn is located at 124 Route 28 in Kingston, just off the New York State Thruway. For more information, call 845 338 8200 or visit www.campersbarn.com.

Hunter Mountain
Hunter Mountain’s Expeditions & Sports Center, located in the Base Lodge, carries all the gear you need for your outdoor adventure, be it fly-fishing, hiking or camping. They also offer half- and full-day fly-fishing instruction services. For more information, call 800 HUNTERMTN or visit www.HunterMtn.com.