Vanderbilt Cup Races

Close-Ups

The actual marker that is recreated on the hat sits on the northern part of the golf course near an intact piece of the original Motor Parkway that was paved over for a golf cart path.

On the southern end of the property is another marker in stone with a bit more in-depth property history. The author is unknown.

Historical Site

"Parkland by the Parkways"

Through Wheatley Hills early years, the club's property was bisected by the Long Island Motor Parkway, which divided the golf course into two nearly equal pieces.  The parkway was the vision of William K. Vanderbilt, Jr. and was constructed during the years 1906-1910 [sic]. A millionaire  industrialist and sportsman, Vanderbilt initially viewed the parkway as a safe place to conduct the Vanderbilt Cup Automobile Race, an annual contest of international importance that originally had been routed through the streets Nassau County Hempstead and Jericho Turnpike in particular, Ironically, auto racing was outlawed on Long Island in 1917 and the Motor Parkway became a fenced-in toll road connecting Flushing with Lake Ronkonkoma. The bridges and overpasses over existing roads and all rail lines became "the place" for a pleasure drive on a Sunday afternoon. The road ultimately became antiquated, superseded by the Northern and Southern State Parkways, and was closed on Easter Day, 1938. In 1940, Wheatley Hills purchased its part of the parkway's right-o-way and had it landscaped. In the meantime, LILCO's power lines had been installed across the course, paralleling the Motor Parkway's right of way. A portion of the original Motor Parkway still exists between the third green and fourth tee. See plaque marking actual location.

From the history write-up on the Wheatley Hills Golf Club website;

"The Titus farmhouse, a white, two-story, Southern Colonial structure situated to the north of the present clubhouse, served as Wheatley Hills’ first home. An old ship bell, located behind the house and used to signal farm workers at mealtime and the end of the workday, is the only reminder of that period. Now located in the middle of the practice putting green, it once was used to salute the victor in the club’s championship tournament, and is now used to signal the start of shotgun tournaments."

Hats, long-sleeve T's and hoodies of all colors available to Motor Parkway fans.

Howard gets a hoodie

Nov. 11, 2024

The Motor Parkway sat just under the high-tension wires that bisect the course. The northern marker is way off in the distance to the left. The golfway bridge would be approximately in the center of this photo.

Nov. 12, 2024

Yes! There are posts!

Any Motor Parkway enthusiast can take note of the original posts on either side of the former North embankment of the Hillside Avenue Bridge along Williston Ave. close to the main entrance to the club.

Curiously, these posts are either side and not typically how these posts would have been arranged. It is presumed these posts might have been dug up and placed here by the golf course or someone else.

Then & Now: The Motor Parkway in Wheatley Hills Golf Club, East Williston