Chasing the Sun: Coastal Culture and Championship Golf

Trading the dramatic elevation of Shining Rock Golf Club for the shingle-style lanes of the South Fork was an absolute dream. As I laid out in my travel preview, Coastal Culture and Flavors on the Road to the US Open, Wednesday belonged entirely to me.

My mission was immersing our headstrong foursome into the sophisticated coastal lifestyle and culinary heritage that defines the East End—a region that always reminds me of my summer travels with Mark.

We began our elegant pause in East Hampton at Carissa's The Bakery, a minimalist sanctuary where we marveled at the craftsmanship of their whimsical pastries and cult-favorite pickled rye loaves. As a former pastry chef myself, I was utterly captivated by the texture of their sourdough. Next, we took a contemplative stroll through the stunning contemporary visual art exhibitions at Guild Hall, absorbing the legendary, high-society cultural legacy of the South Fork.

To put the ultimate exclamation point on the evening, I routed our SUV all the way to the end of the fork for a breathtaking, sunset waterfront dinner at Duryea's in Montauk. Sharing an exceptional seafood spread by the water with three brilliant women was the perfect prelude to the weekend.

🏆 The Theater of Shinnecock: Poise Amid the Fescue

The tournament itself was an elegant yet brutal theater. By Friday, the field was already being visually separated by Shinnecock's punishing, fescue-lined layout. Players like Xander Schauffele put on a gorgeous display of consistency, beautifully navigating his way into the weekend to eventually secure his tenth career top-15 finish at a U.S. Open. All eyes on Saturday and Sunday naturally drifted toward Scottie Scheffler, who celebrated his 30th birthday paired in the final group, carrying the thunderous energy of a New York gallery hoping to witness history and the completion of a career Grand Slam.

The real high drama, however, reached a fever pitch on Father's Day afternoon. Wyndham Clark entered Sunday with a commanding six-stroke advantage, but Shinnecock rarely permits an easy coronation. A brilliant, clipping Sunday charge from Sam Burns cut that massive lead to a single, breathless stroke down the stretch. Simultaneously, young Tom Kim—also celebrating a birthday—put on a magnificent charge of his own to get within two strokes of the lead at 2-under par, delivering an electric moment on the 16th when he turned to the gallery and screamed, "C'mon!" before a heartbreaking bogey on the 17th derailed his chase.

Ultimately, it was a masterclass in psychological poise. Facing a fiercely partisan crowd and immense pressure, Clark showcased a spectacular resolve—highlighted by a staggering 24-foot birdie on the par-5 16th—to secure a thrilling, wire-to-wire victory by a single stroke. Watching these elite athletes balance immense grace with such raw, visible emotion under the Hamptons sun was unforgettable.

🚗 Tales from the Road: Sophisticated Detours

While the golf was undeniably riveting, the true art of travel lies in the curation of the moments between the roars. On Friday afternoon, when the sun reached its peak, I gently insisted we take a temporary leave from the grandstands. I guided the girls to Tate's Bake Shop in Southampton—the original, charming green-shingle cottage on North Sea Road. We sat at a white garden table in the shade, indulging in their signature, ultra-thin crispy chocolate chip cookies and iced matcha lattes. It was a sweet, civilized sanctuary. Hannah initially protested the break, claiming we were missing key groups on the 4th hole, but one bite of a fresh white chocolate macadamia cookie completely silenced her. 

Our evening rituals were defined by effortless luxury. Each night, after shedding our walking shoes, I transformed our rental's patio into a coastal salon. I arranged artisanal cheese boards featuring local Long Island goat cheeses and poured chilled glasses of local Wolffer Estate Rosé. We sat wrapped in oversized linen blankets, listening to the distant crash of the Atlantic surf. I can safely say the Hamptons at twilight holds a very special kind of magic.

On Saturday evening, I orchestrated our finest culinary outing yet at The 1770 House Restaurant & Inn in East Hampton. Descending into the intimate, candlelit downstairs tavern, we indulged in sophisticated, upscale comfort food—unbelievable meatloaf, premium steaks, and house-made cavatelli. It was an extraordinary atmosphere of historic sophistication where we toasted to the exceptional final round ahead.

Naturally, my visit to the merchandise pavilion required a discerning eye. I bypassed the standard souvenir racks in favor of timeless heirloom pieces. I selected a stunning, silk-twill printed scarf featuring an elegant, hand-painted watercolor motif of the Shinnecock clubhouse and surrounding fescue lanes. To complement it, I found an exquisite, heavy-gauge crystal whiskey decanter etched with the 2026 U.S. Open crest, and a beautiful navy and gold leather luggage tag that will look immaculate on my next flight.

🥂 Next on the Menu

While the coastal flavors of Long Island were spectacular, my regional culinary tour isn't quite finished. Stay tuned to the Shining Rock lifestyle pages this week, because I am finally publishing my highly anticipated, hyper-local guide to the absolute best artisan cannoli in our neck of the woods. You won't want to miss these local hidden gems!

⛳ Bring the High Life Home

While the Hamptons offers a very specific kind of coastal magic, you don't have to travel to the South Fork to indulge in a beautifully curated day. Exceptional flavor and pristine fairways are waiting right in your backyard.

Reserve Your Next Tee Time to experience our own breathtaking vistas and immaculate greens.

Book a Dining Reservation to enjoy a sophisticated, chef-crafted meal and a perfectly chilled glass of rosé on the patio.