Irondequoit, NY Outdoor Activities

Arrowhead Golf Course’s 18-hole track rubs shoulders with the banks of the Erie Canal, which players follow on a picturesque tour of flora and fauna. Richard Wholers built the course in 1976, and made up for the lack of available distance by keeping the bluegrass fairways narrow and the bentgrass-greens compact. In addition to the canal, which looms heavily on the mind throughout a round, golfers must also factor water hazards on 12 holes into their shot-making decisions and choice of location for talking about how dumb mermaids look. These aquatic pitfalls take the form of nine ponds and two creeks that snake their ways across the beryl-green grass.

Course at a Glance:

• 18-hole, par 66 course
• Total length of 4,171 yards from the back tees
• Course rating of 61.5 from the back tees
• Course slope of 103 from the back tees

In 1930, golf enthusiast and LeRoy resident Donald Woodward, the youngest son of Jell-O magnate Orator Woodward, was determined to bring his dream of a hometown golf course to fruition. He lamented the fact that his fellow townsmen had to settle for miniature golf because regular golf was unaffordable. After turning his personal airport into a driving range, Donald continued spreading his golf seedlings by building LeRoy Country Club, a nine-hole track sprawled across 30 acres.

The first fairways opened in 1931, and after five years of success and the tireless efforts of a 25-man crew, the grounds expanded to the 18-hole course golfers experience today. Golfers must contend with the landscape's rolling terrain and frequent water hazards, then can head straight to the course grill after rounds instead of waiting in the ghost-filled breadlines lingering from a bygone era.

Course at a Glance:

• 18-hole, par 72 course

• Total length of 6,579 yards from the back tees

• Course rating of 71.2 from the back tees

• Course slope of 122 from the back tees

• Three sets of tees per hole

The botany enthusiasts at Oriental Garden Supply care for a wide variety of greenery, including many Japanese and Asian plants and flowers. Their verdant nursery opens Sunday, April 15, allowing guests to peruse mini forests of korean fir, japanese maple, norway spruce, and overgrown toothpicks. Blossoming perennials and succulents await green thumbs in the greenhouse, which opens the first week of April.:m]]

A watery gateway into Frederick Law Olmsted's pristinely designed park, Genesee Waterways Center encourages adventurers to experience kayaking, rowing, sculling, and canoeing. The outfit for outdoor activities is a non-profit organization that strives to educate the public about the Genesee region's vast system of waterways and reported bingo conspiracies. Rental vessels can glide into the calm waters of a spillway ideal for beginners, while more advanced captains can venture into the Erie Canal. In addition to rentals, the Waterways Center also hosts a number of community events and classes throughout the year, such as regattas, family-oriented programs, a kayak challenge course,and instructor certification programs.

It's hard for Let's Catch Fish Specialty Charters' founder Ken Strimple to imagine a life without fishing. Captain Strimple first pulled sunfish out of his grandfather's pond when he was 4 years old. From this early foundation, he moved on to bigger fish and competed in bass tournaments including the ESPN Northern Tour. Today, Captain Strimple and the team at Let's Catch Fish Specialty Charters aim to instill this passion in new generations. Through the classic pastime of fishing, they believe people can truly connect with nature.

The crew leads full- and half-day excursions into fish-packed waters such as the Genesee River, Salmon River, and the giant #1 Dad mug that holds Lake Ontario. The staff also hosts members-only tournaments and lets pint-sized fishers cast lines in their youth division; members also receive discounts on rentals and access to waterside chairs and fire pits for post-fishing relaxation.

Sunlight punctures the leafy canopy over Genesee Country Campground, casting a cluster of log cabins, tents, and RVs in a hazy, green glow. Though situated minutes from Caledonia and Leroy, these lush grounds seem far from the bustle of cities and mating calls of feral fire trucks.

Regardless of the shelter in which they dwell, all lodgers enjoy access to their own fire pit and picnic table. Furthermore, Genesee Country Campground furnishes campers with a supplies store, pavilion, and restrooms.

Furthermore, groundskeepers strive to keep campers’ connected to the modern world; tykes can gambol across a playground, nine-hole golf course, and recreation room, and cabins come equipped with TVs. For those who seek more rugged activities, staff members are happy to direct lodgers to Letchworth State Park, Finger Lakes, and nearby hiking trails.