MARGARETVILLE — The tantalizing smell of wood-smoke fills the air as meats sizzle in the big smokers outside of the clubhouse at the Meadows Golf Center in Margaretville. It’s Saturday night and Duane Wilkins, a master at turning out Southern-style barbecue, is on the job, over-seeing the wood-smokers. The fun and good eating is underway.
Barbecue lovers of all ages are heading to The Meadows Golf Center’s clubhouse restaurant for Southern-style barbecue nights now open on Mondays, Wednesdays and Friday, as well as Saturday and Sunday. The clubhouse has always been a popular gathering spot for golfers after a day on the course, but now the public can also enjoy dining in or taking out the specialty-of-the-house----smoked barbecue with all the fixings.
Owners Russel Matson and his wife, Julie Hernandez purchased the golf course in 2001 from a Margaretville couple, Stephen & June Weinstein. Previously, it had been a rudimentary golf course and a driving range. Russ and Julie modified the course and its clubhouse in 2002, bringing new life and energy to the golf Center.
Set in a beautiful meadow that once was farmland, -the Center today is now a nine-hole, par-three course—perfect for both amateurs and professional golfers--as well as a driving range, 18-hole miniature golf course and Southern barbecue restaurant.
The couple had the building raised a couple of years ago on cement pillars to be above flood level. Floor-to-ceiling, roll-back windows face the meadow, providing a stunning view of the course with the mountains in the background. Diners can catch a dramatic sunset in the evening. The interior, made of reclaimed barn wood gives the clubhouse a rustic, homey laid back vibe.
This summer, the couple has reached out to artists in the area to exhibit pieces of their work in the Clubhouse’s restaurant. Currently on view is a pyramid sculpture by local sculptor Dirik Menting, made from 205 golf balls culled from the Center’s inventory. Another colorful piece sits atop the popcorn machine, which sees a lot of action during televised sports nights at the restaurant. They will be looking for more artists to participate in the following two months.
Growing up in Lyndbrook, Long Island, Russ first came to the area on a trip with his sixth- grade class to visit Mount Tremper. He fell in love with the Catskills. “I knew right then and there that I wanted to live here. But, it took me until age forty to do so.” Russ worked for EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) in New York City, leaving the corporate world to become the owner and impresario of the golf center.
Shy as a college student, he is an extrovert on his own turf --his mission helping people have fun and feeding them. “My goal in life is to put smiles on peoples’ faces. In addition to being the affable impresario on barbecue nights, Russel can also be found behind the kitchen counter cooking. His thick fries and all-American sides such as mac &cheese macaroni salad, and coleslaw are classic favorites.
On weekends, Duane Wilkins comes in to fire up the smokers for barbecue nights and make his special sides –such as his Mexican beans with bits of charred meat and Cuban-style black beans. Duane gets his interest in cooking from his father who was the chef at Roxbury’s Keybar restaurant for many years. As a young man, Duane will tell you that he had little interest in cooking but all that changed when his father passed away. He started to appreciate and cook from his Dad’s recipes. His Southern take on barbecuing has customers teasing him that “Barbecue” is his middle name.
This summer’s emphasis on sports events has customers coming in to watch the big games at the Meadows Golf Center. Knicks fans came to see the NBA play-off-game, happily downing barbecue and having a couple of beers while glued to the restaurant’s large TV screen. When the summer season winds down, the Center will hold its annual induction ceremony into its Eagle Club for golfers who have made a hole-in- one. (And, that’s not easy to do).
The Meadows Golf Center is open Monday through Sunday for golf from 8am -8pm. Barbecue nights are from 12-7pm Monday, Wednesday and Friday; and on Saturday and Sunday from 12-7pm as well. The barbecue kitchen closes at 7pm, however the restaurant serves a grill menu until 8pm. The Center’s season ends the last Sunday of October. Phone: 845-586-4104. Address: 42565 Route 28, Margaretville. www.meadowsgolfcenter.com.
