Emmett's Castle at Blue Hill Taking Shape

Emmett Woods won the bid to take over the bar and restaurant at the Blue Hill Golf Course at the end of April.

Approximately two months later, he held a grand opening for Emmett's Castle at Blue Hill, showing off a renovated bar and patio, with the final renovations set to be completed in the next week or so. He has put approximately $130,000 into the restaurant, with the idea of drawing use beyond just golfers.

"It's been crazy and stressful trying to do it all and remain open at the same time and cater to the golfers," Woods said. "It has been a challenge.

"I just want to let the public know we are open for business. Up until (last week), it was mainly for the golfers. I want to make it more of a restaurant that the people in the neighborhood will go to."

Woods opened for business May 18, less than a week after signing his contract with the town of Orangetown May 12, though the renovations are ongoing.

"I heard he had guys working 24 hours there," said Orangetown Councilman Michael Maturo, the town board's liaison to the Blue Hill Golf Course Advisory Committee. "I can't believe how they pulled it together"

The bar and the back patio, which combine to seat approximately 170 people already in operation. The dining room should be open within a week or so and will seat another 120 people.

"I've made a lot of changes," Woods said. "I renovated the bar area. I've redecorated it. I'm in the process of doing the dining room. We have a new sound system and new lighting. It looks really good."

"I think the place looks a heck of a lot better," said Orangetown Councilman Denis Troy. "I like the look a lot better. To me, it's more comfortable. (Before) it was more like a lounge. I like the pub atmosphere."

Not all of the changes are visible to the public.

"I cleaned it up and I've done a lot of work in the kitchen," Woods said. "We moved things around and updated some old stuff. I did the same in the bar, updated old equipment and put in new. Now we have to get people in the door and show them how good of food we have."

Woods said there is a full bar menu with a few entrees, with a larger menu to come when the dining room opens. Woods, who is also the president of Rockland GAA football, has is looking to build on the success he had starting Mahoney's on the Green and Mahoney's at Casperkill Country Club.

"I think he and the organization are showing a lot of care and attention to detail," Maturo said. "That's the important thing. They are really putting their hearts in it."

The work on the Blue Hill Golf Course is still ongoing as well, with the new plumbing expected to be installed in the next three weeks.

"We are doing well," Maturo said. "It's been a hard year for a variety of reasons, but with them coming in and helping out and everybody working together, I'm happy with where things are despite the delays."