It’s interesting to go places with new people. That’s one of the great joys of golf. It’s an opportunity to make new connections, but also a chance to see how other people travel, how they cook and what’s important to them. It’s a way to evolve your own way of living.
I’m lucky to be invited to places and to do things with people like Jon Buscemi, the founder of Redan, who reached out to see if I wanted to be part of this group going to Fishers Island. The plan was for a two-day lark with some other interesting folks. We were to stay on the island for two days, play, and then head back to Manhattan. Buscemi is a hero and great guy, so passing up a few days with him to play fall golf on one of America’s greatest courses was not something I would consider.
What is Redan? Well, it’s not easy to define, even for the founders. In some ways it’s a club. It has member events, a logo, special merchandise, and trips. Merch is a bad way to describe it — it's more of a luxury in-house clothing brand than hats with logos (though there are hats with logos). More simply put, Redan is the culmination of all of Jon Buscemi’s obsessions. Good food, travel, great golf, finely-made stylish things. It’s a unique concept and something pure of heart considering its origins. I have admired Buscemi’s taste and approach for as long as I have known him. He’s a true mensch. Buscemi is both fun to be around and good at what he does. In a world filled with fluff and tribal differences, he’s both talented and everyone’s friend. It’s refreshing, and I think Redan is a captivating venture that reflects his sensibilities. I appreciated the opportunity to spend more one-on-one time with Jon and to be included in this Redan outing.
The trip to Fishers began at Teterboro Airport in New Jersey. I drove over from Manhattan and had an hour to spare before our call time, so I took the opportunity to stop at a classic New Jersey diner. Soon we were walking on the tarmac towards the Cessna Grand Caravan for the short hop to Fishers Island. Having only ever gone by boat, this was an exciting development.
The plane flew over Northern New Jersey, across Westchester and then up the Connecticut coast. It was a smooth, scenic trip, and before long we were banking hard left to land at the Fishers Island airstrip. With no services, tower, or other planes, it really felt like an adventure. Two Tacomas waited for us in the lot. We loaded up our golf bags and supplies within minutes and were on our way.
I’m really not one who values ocean views on a golf course. I don’t hate them, but that’s not really what gets me going. Fishers is the exception. The meandering golf course just offers up one beautiful view after another. I can’t think of a course in America I like more than Fishers. Every hole is interesting. The club's vibe is relaxed. The logo is incredible. Everything is right about this place and it was a real treat to visit one week from the close of the season.
After golf it was a quick drive to the house where Jon and some of the Redan guys on the trip took charge of dinner prep with some clams and steaks they hand-carried from the city. It was an impressive display of dinner party cooking. The approach and execution emphasized just how much of a bonus it is to be a skilled cook. I’ve been on a lot of predominantly male fishing, golfing, and camping trips, and none have even come close to this dinner. It was impressive work all around, including the great wine from co-host Knights Bridge.
After golf the next day, we were back at the airport and home to the bustle of the city. To be so close to New York but mentally worlds away at Fishers was truly something special. If I don’t play again this season, this will certainly sustain me for a long time.
