Sixty lots. Nine days. Some of the most exclusive private courses on the East Coast — and a handful from across the country — all closing May 18th at 10pm.
The First Tee Metropolitan New York annual auction is live right now, and it's one of the best opportunities of the year to play courses most golfers will never set foot on. Fishers Island (FISH). Friar's Head (FRHD). Maidstone (MDSN). Winged Foot (WGFT). Sebonack (SBNK). Deepdale (DPDT). The Creek (CREK). The Bridge (BRDG). All in one auction, all benefiting junior golf in the New York metro area.
We've tracked every First Tee Metro auction since 2023 and cross-referenced every lot against our database of 2,400+ results across dozens of charity sources. Here's what the data says about where the value is, what's rare, and what you should expect to pay.
The auction is live now and closes Sunday, May 18th at 10:00 PM. Registration is free. Browse the lots and place your bids here: First Tee Metropolitan 2026 Auction
Subscribe below and we’ll provide you with the full recap once the auction closes along with any future auction previews, projections, and analysis!
The Charity — First Tee Metropolitan New York
Mission: Using golf as a platform to teach young people life skills, build character, and prepare them for future success.
Impact: First Tee Metro NY serves thousands of kids annually across the five boroughs and surrounding areas, introducing them to golf through after-school programs, summer camps, and partnerships with local courses. Many of these kids would never pick up a club otherwise.
Why this auction matters: Every dollar from this auction funds programming that puts golf clubs in the hands of kids who don't come from country club families. The courses donated to this auction — some of the most exclusive in the country — are giving back to a community that rarely gets access to the game. When you bid here, you're not just buying a tee time. You're opening a door for someone else.
Learn more: firstteemetny.org
What is Members Market?
Members Market exists to unlock value in the private golf auction market — and in doing so, raise more money for the charities that open the gates to America's best courses.
We're a weekly briefing on charity golf auctions at the country's top private clubs. We track what sold, for how much, and whether the price was fair — so that when you see a tee time on here that you want, you know exactly what it's worth before you bid. Every course gets a ticker symbol, just like the stock market. Every auction gets a full recap. And every dollar raised goes to a charity doing meaningful work for the game.
Over the past several months, we've built a database of 2,400+ auction results spanning 6 years and dozens of charities. We know what Oakmont Country Club (OAKM) sold for in 2020 and what it commands today. We know which auctions consistently deliver value and which ones attract the kind of bidding wars that push prices to the ceiling. Each week during auction season, we'll break down what just closed, what's coming up next, and what the historical data says about where prices are headed.
How to Read This Preview
We've categorized the ranked lots into four groups:
🏆 Top Tier — The marquee lots. Nationally ranked top-100 courses with deep auction histories. These will attract the most bidding activity and the highest closing prices.
💰 Value Play — Courses where the current bid is significantly below where we project them to close. With 9 days left, these lots still have room to run, but they represent the best per-player value relative to what these courses have historically commanded.
🔍 Rare — Courses that seldom appear at charity auctions. Limited history makes projections harder, but scarcity drives demand.
💎 Hidden Gem — Lesser-known courses that punch well above their weight. These are the lots that experienced auction bidders quietly target while everyone else fights over the headliners.
🏆 Top Tier Lots
Fishers Island Club (FISH) — Threesome
GD #10 Greatest · NY State #3 · Current bid: $9,000
The crown jewel of this auction, as usual. Fishers Island is one of the most inaccessible private courses in the country — a Seth Raynor masterpiece on a small island off the Connecticut coast, reachable only by private ferry. There is no other way to play this course without knowing a member, and even members have limited guest access.
At First Tee Metro, FISH has sold for $8,750 and $9,000 in 2023, then jumped to $13,500 in 2025. Across all platforms, recent sales range from $10,500 (AJGA 2024) to $43,300 (ForeBatten 2026). First Tee Metro is consistently the most affordable place to bid on Fishers Island.
Projected close: $14,000 – $18,000 At $9,000 with 9 days left and heavy bid activity, this one has significant room to run. Still, even at $18,000 that's $6,000 per player — roughly 60% less than what ForeBatten commanded this spring.
Friar's Head (FRHD) — Two Threesomes Available
GD #13 Greatest · NY State #5 Lot #1: $7,500 Current Bid · Lot #2: $7,000 Current Bid
Two chances at Friar's Head. Both Lot #1 and Lot #2 are a standard threesome. At First Tee Metro in 2023, Friar's Head sold for $4,000 and $5,250. In 2025, that jumped to $10,000 and $11,500.
Projected close: $10,000 – $14,000 (Lot #1) · $10,000 – $12,000 (Lot #2) Both are well below their projected range right now. Friar's Head at First Tee Metro runs at roughly half of larger auctions closing price — these are relative bargains even after the bidding runs up.
Maidstone Club (MDSN) — Threesome
GD #20 Greatest · NY State #12 · Current bid: $4,000
Maidstone is East Hampton old money — a links-style course bordered by the Atlantic where the changing winds and seven water holes make every round different. It sold for $6,250 at First Tee Metro in 2023 and $10,000 in 2025. Note: caddies are not included ($150/bag), and the round must be played by May 2027.
Projected close: $8,000 – $11,000 At $4,000 this is sitting at less than half its projected close. One of the better value positions in the Top Tier category.
Sebonack Golf Club (SBNK) — Two Threesomes Available
GD #52 Greatest · NY State #7 Both lots at $3,000 current
The only course in America designed jointly by Jack Nicklaus and Tom Doak, overlooking the Great Peconic Bay in Southampton. First Tee Metro history: $5,750 (2023), $5,450 (2024), $12,000 (2025). Two lots means the bidding may split, keeping prices slightly lower than if only one were available.
Projected close: $5,500 – $8,000 per lot At $3,000 each, both lots are sitting at roughly half their floor projection.
Winged Foot Golf Club (WGFT) — Two Threesomes Available
GD #18 Greatest · NY State #4 Lot #1 (West Course): $2,750 · Lot #2: $2,500
Winged Foot has hosted six U.S. Opens and is widely considered one of the hardest courses in the country. The West Course lot is specified; Lot #2 may be either course. At First Tee Metro: $4,750 (2023), $15,000 (2024 — an outlier driven by two aggressive bidders), $6,750 (2025).
Projected close: $5,000 – $7,500 Ignore the 2024 outlier. The 2023 and 2025 prices are the real baseline. Both lots are currently well below where they'll finish.
That's it for Issue #0. Members Market publishes weekly during auction season with pricing recaps, course spotlights, and the data you need to bid smart — all while supporting the charities that make private course access possible.
💰 Value Plays
These are the lots where the gap between current bid and projected close is widest. With 9 days left, there's time to get in.
Sleepy Hollow CC (SLPY) — Threesome
GD #41 · NY #11 · Current bid: $2,750
Our Issue #0 Course Spotlight. Sleepy Hollow just hit an all-time high of $8,758 at Ouimet. At First Tee Metro, it's sold between $1,700 and $5,000. The C.B. Macdonald / Seth Raynor restoration by Gil Hanse has this course trending steadily upward.
Projected close: $5,000 – $6,500 · Current value gap: +82%
Deepdale GC (DPDT) — Foursome
GD #71 · NY #18 · Current bid: $2,500
One of the most exclusive clubs on Long Island. Deepdale has sold at $3,900 (2023), $4,000 (2024), and $4,500 (2025) at this exact auction. Steady upward trend. A foursome is the best per-player value.
Projected close: $4,000 – $5,000 · Current value gap: +80%
Butler National GC (BTLR) — Threesome
GD #87 · IL #9 · Current bid: $2,000 (1 bid)
One of the most private clubs in Chicago. Butler National famously withdrew from hosting the Western Open rather than admit women — they've since changed their policy, but the club remains extraordinarily difficult to access. Sold for $5,400 (foursome) at First Tee Metro 2023 and $6,350 (foursome) at AJGA 2024.
Projected close: $4,000 – $6,000 · Current value gap: +150%
Liberty National GC (LBNT) — Foursome
NY #11 · Current bid: $2,250
Skyline views of Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty from nearly every hole. At First Tee Metro, foursomes have sold for $5,000 (2024) and $5,750 (2025). This is a $5K+ lot sitting at $2,250.
Projected close: $5,000 – $6,500 · Current value gap: +156%
🔍 Rare Lots
The Lido at Sand Valley (LIDO) — Threesome
GD #50 · WI #2 · Current bid: $2,000 (0 bids)
This is the big one for architecture nerds. The Lido is a modern reconstruction of C.B. Macdonald's legendary Lido Golf Club — the original was destroyed in the 1940s. Sand Valley's version, designed by Tom Doak and completed in 2023, has rocketed up the rankings. We have limited auction data on The Lido specifically, though Sand Valley resort packages have sold from $1,225 (GCSAA) to $16,600 (ForeBatten). As a standalone Lido threesome, this is a rare listing.
Projected close: $3,500 – $5,000 Zero bids at $2,000 right now. If this holds anywhere near that price, it's a steal for a top-50 course.
Inverness Club (INVR) — Foursome AND Threesome
GD #53 · OH #5 · Foursome: $2,000 · Threesome: $1,500
Four U.S. Opens, two PGA Championships. Toledo's Inverness is legitimate championship pedigree. It appears at Ouimet and ForeBatten regularly ($2,096 – $3,550 range) but rarely at First Tee Metro. Two lots here splits the bidding pool.
Projected close: $2,500 – $3,500 (4) · $2,000 – $3,000 (3)
Caves Valley GC (CVVY) — Threesome
GD #154 · MD #3 · Current bid: $2,000
Hosted the 2021 BMW Championship. Tom Fazio design in the hills outside Baltimore. Only one prior auction appearance in our dataset (Sold for $3,350 in 2025). This is a rare sighting.
Projected close: $3,000 – $4,000
Bayonne GC (BAYN) — Foursome AND Threesome
GD #164 · NJ #9 · Foursome: $2,000 · Threesome: $1,500
Eric Bergstol's links-style creation on a former military base in Bayonne, with views of the Statue of Liberty and Manhattan skyline. Bayonne has appeared at auction 13 times in our database and prices are trending up fast — the First Tee Metro foursome went from $3,100 (2023) to $6,500 (2025). Two lots here gives you two shots, and the threesome at $1,500 is significantly underpriced.
Projected close: $4,000 – $7,000 (4) · $2,500 – $4,000 (3) The foursome at $2,000 could be the single best value in this entire auction.
The Creek (CREK) — Foursome AND Threesome
GD #61 · NY #16 · Foursome: $3,250 (Current Bid) · Threesome: $2,100 (Current Bid)
Locust Valley royalty. The Creek is one of the Gold Coast's most prestigious clubs — Macdonald/Raynor pedigree, impeccably maintained, and almost never available to non-members outside of charity auctions. History here: $3,600 (2023), $5,700 (2024), $3,500–$5,001 (2025).
Projected close: $4,500 – $5,500 (4) · $3,500 – $5,000 (3)
Atlantic Golf Club (ATLC) — Threesome
GD #175 · NY #17 · Current bid: $2,000 (Current Bid)
Rees Jones design in Bridgehampton, just down the road from Shinnecock. Accompanied round with Michael Rudin adds value. No prior First Tee Metro history for Atlantic, making this a genuinely uncommon listing.
Projected close: $2,500 – $3,500
The Full Board — All Ranked Lots
For every nationally ranked Golf Digest (GD) or state-ranked course in this auction, here's where we project them to close at.
Course (Ticker) | Group | Current Bid | Projected Close | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Liberty National (LBNT) | 4 | $2,250 | $5,000 –$6,500 | NY #11 |
Butler National (BTLR) | 3 | $2,000 | $4,000 –$6,000 | GD #87 |
Bayonne GC (BAYN) | 4 | $2,000 | $4,000 –$7,000 | GD #164 |
Bayonne GC (BAYN) | 3 | $1,500 | $2,500 –$4,000 | GD #164 |
Maidstone (MDSN) | 3 | $4,000 | $8,000 –$11,000 | GD #20 |
Sebonack #1 (SBNK) | 3 | $3,000 | $5,500 –$8,000 | GD #52 |
Sebonack #2 (SBNK) | 3 | $3,000 | $5,500 –$8,000 | GD #52 |
Sleepy Hollow (SLPY) | 3 | $2,750 | $5,000 –$6,500 | GD #41 |
Winged Foot #1 (WGFT) | 3 | $2,750 | $5,000 –$7,500 | GD #18 |
Winged Foot #2 (WGFT) | 3 | $2,500 | $5,000 –$7,000 | GD #18 |
The Lido (LIDO) | 3 | $2,000 | $3,500 –$5,000 | GD #50 |
Deepdale (DPDT) | 4 | $2,500 | $4,000 –$5,000 | GD #71 |
The Creek (CREK) | 4 | $3,250 | $4,500 –$5,500 | GD #61 |
The Creek (CREK) | 3 | $2,100 | $3,500 –$5,000 | GD #61 |
Hudson National (HDSN) | 3 | $1,900 | $3,000 –$4,000 | GD #88 |
Piping Rock (PPRK) | 3 | $2,400 | $3,000 –$3,500 | GD #98 |
Fishers Island (FISH) | 3 | $9,000 | $14,000 –$18,000 | GD #10 |
Friar's Head #1 (FRHD) | 3 | $7,500 | $11,000 –$14,000 | GD #13 |
Friar's Head #2 (FRHD) | 3 | $7,000 | $10,000 –$12,000 | GD #13 |
Baltusrol (BALT) | 3 | $2,000 | $3,000 –$4,000 | GD #47 |
The Bridge #1 (BRDG) | 4 | $3,000 | $5,000 –$7,000 | NY #20 |
The Bridge #2 (BRDG) | 4 | $3,000 | $5,000 –$7,000 | NY #20 |
Caves Valley (CVVY) | 3 | $2,000 | $3,000 –$4,000 | GD #154 |
Inverness (INVR) | 4 | $2,000 | $2,500 –$3,500 | GD #53 |
Inverness (INVR) | 3 | $1,500 | $2,000 –$3,000 | GD #53 |
Phila. Cricket (PHCC) | 3 | $2,505 | $3,000 –$3,500 | GD #120 |
Atlanta Athletic (AATC) | 3 | $1,500 | $2,000 –$3,000 | GD #162 |
Ridgewood (RDGW) | 3 | $1,500 | $2,000 –$3,000 | GD #139 |
Galloway Nat'l (GLWY) | 4 | $1,500 | $2,000 –$3,000 | GD #168 |
Old Barnwell (OBRN) | 4 | $2,000 | $3,000 –$4,000 | GD #131 |
Ocean Forest (OCFR) | 4 | $1,500 | $2,000 –$3,000 | GD #161 |
Fenway GC (FNWY) | 3 | $1,300 | $1,500 –$2,000 | GD #74 |
Panther National (PNTH) | 3 | $2,000 | $2,500 –$3,500 | GD #195 |
The Stanwich (STNW) | 4 | $2,000 | $2,500 –$3,500 | GD #189 |
Apogee (APGE) | 4 | $2,000 | $3,000 –$4,500 | FL #16 |
Trump National (TRNP) | 4 | $2,000 | $2,000 –$3,000 | GD #77 |
Reserve at Moonlight (RSMB) | 4 | $1,500 | $1,500 –$2,500 | GD #181 |
What's Next
This auction closes Sunday, May 18th at 10:00 PM. Most of the serious bidding will happen in the final 48 hours. If you're watching a lot, set a reminder for Saturday night.
We'll publish a full recap after the auction closes with final prices, projected vs. actual comparisons, and year-over-year analysis.
Want to bid? Register and browse all lots at the First Tee Metropolitan 2026 Auction. Registration is free and takes 30 seconds.
Subscribe below and we’ll provide you with the full recap once the auction closes along with any future auction previews, projections, and analysis!
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See you at the closing bell.
— Members Market
