"If more membership courses were as modest and as compelling as this, the private club market would be much more secure."

Brad Klein files a story and rater's notebook on yet another Long Island gem, St. George's Golf And Country Club. It surely gets overlooked because it's only 6,232 yards, and that's why golf's in the toilet.

At 6,232 yards, this par-71 layout (70.8 rating/130 slope) is not long or severe. But it is fun, and it does demand ball control. And what a relief to see only three sets of tee markers on each hole. Surely, the proliferation of tees in the name of liberal social values is among the most regrettable in all of golf design.