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TABLE OF CONTENTS
New England Late Summer 2020 Volume 45
Issue 3
LATE SUMMER 2020
golfing M A G A Z I N E™
Publisher Tom Landers TLanders@GolfingMagazine.net Creative Director Heidi Dyer Production@GolfingMagazine.net Editor John Torsiello Editor@GolfingMagazine.net Contributing Writers John DiCocco Claudio DeMarchi Mike May Mike Stinton George Connor, PGA Sue Kaffenburg, PGA Lucas Hitchcock, PGA Ron Beck, PGA Jimmy Damiano, PGA Contributing Photographer Mark William Paul
Hyannis Golf Club FROM THE PUBLISHER
6 Get Out And Play Golf FEATURES
8 Newport National Golf Club 10 Barnstable Golf On Cape Cod
INSTRUCTION
31 Ball Striking Your Irons 32 Why Loading the Right Side is Weighing Down Your Game 33 Make Change For Better Chipping 34 Know Your Knuckle Count
12 A Golf Trip Throught Connecticut 18 Western Massachusetts Offers Fine Daily Fee Golf 22 Eastern Massachusetts Golfing Gems 26 Ken Green Keeps Knocking it Down the Fairway 28 The Club at New Seabury 30 Historic Norfolk Country Club
4
Golfing Magazine • New England Edition
EQUIPMENT
36 Training Aid Guide 37 The Latest in Eyewear MUST PLAYS
40
The Captains Golf Course Bayberry Hills Golf Course Bass River Golf Course Cranberry Valley Golf Course Dennis Pines Golf Course Dennis Highlands Golf Course Omni Mount Washington Resort Mount Snow Golf Club Killington Grand Resort Brattleboro Country Club
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Editorial Contributions should be mailed to above address or emailed to the publisher. Material accepted is subject to revisions necessary to meet requirements of the publication. The act of delivering material shall express a warranty by contributor that material is original and does not infringe on the rights of others. Reproduction of the contents of this publication is prohibited with written permission of the publisher. Publisher is not responsible for errors or omissions.
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hanks to golf, the summer of 2020 has been not quite as isolating as we had feared it would be when the COVID-19 pandemic hit with full force in late winter. In fact, most golf courses report play is up considerably this year and pros are seeing new golfers by the dozens taking up the game. That can only bode well for the future of our precious sport. Many of these golfers have been taking advantage of Golfing Magazine New England’s Course Play Stimulus Program and playing all the golf they can ever want. We have half a year of golf left so sign up and join the thousands of individuals who are playing over 150 courses this year, all with no greens fees. And you get four issues of our magazine. Call 860-563-1633, or visit www. FreeGolf.net. In this issue of Golfing Magazine, we take you on a road trip through the state of Connecticut, where you can use your Course Play Stimulus program membership to play the many tracks listed. We also tell you about golf in the great state of Massachusetts, from the bucolic Berkshires to Boston, where you can hang out for a weekend or a week and take in all this special area of New England has to offer. We also tell you about Connecticut resident and former PGA Tour pro Ken Green and his fight back to playing after losing his leg in a terrible accident. Ken, who can be often seen at Danbury, Connecticut’s Richter Park Golf Course during the summer, wrote about his tumultuous life and career in a book published last year.
Golfing Magazine • New England Edition
We visit an historic private course in Norfolk, Connecticut that A.W. Tillinghast is reported to have designed back in the day. Barnstable Golf on Cape Cod and the splendid Newport National Golf Club in Rhode Island are also profiled. You’ll also find valuable instructional tips from our cadre of top-notch golf pros, and read about several courses that you simply must sample this year. Plus a guide to some of the latest training aids and eyewear gor golfers. Enjoy our digital magazine, take advantage of our Course Play Stimulus offer, and keep playing golf. We hope you enjoy this issue and hit ‘em straight and long.
All That Is Good,
Tom Landers, Publisher
golfing M A G A Z I N E™
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PROFILE
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Newport National Golf Club Looks to the Future
here are plans for one of the best daily fee clubs in New England to become even better in the near future. Newport National Golf Club is routed on 200 acres of a former orchard and designed by Arthur Hills and his associate Drew Rogers. The course, which has a wonderful Irish or Scottish links flavor to it, with wide open fairways, tall fescue that grows off the short grass, lots of bunkers and greens that allow for run up shots, offers sweeping vistas of The Sakonnet Passage, the Atlantic Ocean and Narragansett Bay. When fall arrives and the trees surrounding the layout turn colors and the tall grass glistens with the slanting sunlight, Newport National stuns the senses. As for the future, plans call for the construction of a new nine holes across a road from the existing 18-hole layout to be called “The Vineyard Course”, as well as a stately clubhouse. Plans, which have been submitted for review for the new nine holes and the clubhouse, which could open in 2022. The Vineyard Course at Newport National will be set on a gently rolling terrain, and the new holes will be crafted to blend seamlessly with their natural surroundings and preserve historic stone walls and specimen oak trees. Much like the Orchard Course, the new nine will have a decided New England feel that is reminiscent of many classic old golf courses found in the Northeast.
The Vineyard Course, designed by the golf course architect firm Hills Forrest Smith, will also provide a new state-ofthe-art practice facility, which will include a double-ended driving range with over 70,000 square feet of practice tee area and multiple target greens. It also includes a one acre short game area with multiple bunkers and ample fairway surrounds so players can work on virtually any short shot they can imagine. Set at the end of a tree-lined drive, the Newport National Golf Clubhouse, designed by Cordtsen Design Architecture, will welcome guests with a classical colonnade entry way, and will be a two-story shingle style building. The architectural design takes its cues from Aquidneck Island’s rich cultural heritage, blended with clubhouses from around the world. The lower level will feature a lounge connecting to locker rooms. A nearby pro shop will be located in the center of the action with commanding views of the Vineyard Course and practice facility. Two grand stairways will lead to a grill room and function hall, both set with wood trusses topped with soaring wood ceilings. These areas open south to outdoor dining overlooking the tees and greens of the Vineyard Course. The Orchard Course became a must play the day it opened. The layout features greens, tees and fairways consisting of 100 percent seaside bent grass. The wind often blows off
the water, making Newport National play like a true seaside links course. The track plays 7,244 yards from the back markers and has a slope of 138, which tells you something about the challenge you will face here. There are four other sets of tees that make the course playable for golfers of all abilities. Every hole is memorable. It starts right away with a 550-yard par-five that sweeps to the left around a large natural area. The third hole, a 198-yard par-three, is reminiscent of early 20th century designs, with a raised green surrounded by bunkers. The fourth hole is the best short par-four on the layout. It plays just 327 yards from the tips and big hitters can cut off distance by taking the tee shot straight over bunkers and high grass that guard the left side of the fairway. The eighth hole is a dogleg right, 567yard par-five that finishes at a rectangular green that makes one think of the classic Scottish courses and their quirky shaped putting surfaces. Number 17 is a beefy par-four, measuring 489 yards from the back markers. A long and deep snake bunker guards the left side of the fairway, and if the wind is in your face it’s almost impossible to get home in two. Newport National Golf Club Middletown, R.I. 401-848-9690 www.NewportNational.com
Newport National Golf Club 8
Golfing Magazine • New England Edition
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9
GETAWAY
Enjoy Barnstable Golf on Cape Cod
C
ape Cod, Massachusetts is one of the sweetest places in New England to enjoy the game of golf in a relaxed, picturesque setting, perhaps during no other time of the year than the summer and autumn months. Because of the proximity to the breezes off the always nearby ocean, Cape Cod usually avoids the heat experienced inland during summer, making golf at any time of day pleasurable. Barnstable Golf features 36 holes on two great courses. Located in the charming town are two of the best layouts on the Cape, Hyannis Golf Course in Hyannis and Olde Barnstable Fairgrounds, located in Marston Mills. Both courses embody all the best qualities of Cape Cod golf. Olde Barnstable Fairgrounds was formerly home to the Barnstable County Fair, hence its name. The course first opened in 1992 and quickly became one of the most popular in the area. The Mark Mungeamdesigned gem continues to be on the “must play” list of avid golfers each year. The walkable layout in the country features four sets of tees, ample landing areas, and large receptive, well bunkered greens. There is a large spacious clubhouse with a well-stocked golf shop and restaurant that has a deck overlooking the course and neighboring grass
airport. The tee shot on “Olde Barney’s” 505-yard opening hole poses a challenge for golfers of all abilities. Keeping it in the fairway is the key to scoring on this double dogleg left par-five. The left greenside bunkers must be carried to reach the green. This tough hole can set the tone for your round. Perched between the two toughest holes, a good drive on the 372-yard par-four 6th will give you a short iron into this large green and a great chance at birdie on this par 4. The 338-yard 8th hole is a links-type that demands accuracy off the tee and a front bunker guards this two-tier green. Number 11, at 348 yards, is another short par-four with the left side fairway bunkers. There is plenty of room on the right side of fairway that will leave you a short iron in over a greenside bunker. The 176-yard 12th is the first of three par-threes on the back nine, this large elevated green is receptive to shots but has several undulations. Use enough club, because short left will leave you in one of the two pot bunkers. This long, 396 yard par-four 14th has a small landing area, with a fairway bunker on left and moguls on the right. The second shot is a long iron or hybrid in to a green that is protected in front by a large berm.
The 175-yard 17th has a green is flanked by bunkers on right side and drops off on the left and over the back. The green’s undulations can make any birdie putt a challenge. Home to the Cape Cod Open and the 2015 Cape Cod PGA Championship, Hyannis Golf Course sits at the geographical center of Cape Cod, just minutes from downtown Hyannis, the Barnstable Airport and the Ferries to Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket. The course plays to a par of 71 and features the area’s best practice facility, including a 55-station practice range and two practice greens. Hyannis Golf Course is just minutes from historic and chic downtown Hyannis, the Barnstable Airport, and the ferries to Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket. The course is a par-71 with 18 holes and the area’s best practice facility, which includes a 55-station practice range and two practice greens. In addition to being a fun layout, Hyannis Golf Course is known for having greens as nice as you’ll find anywhere--including those at private facilities; they are consistent, fast, and smooth. Visit www.Barnstable.GOLF
Hyannis Golf Club 10
Golfing Magazine • New England Edition
Hyannis Golf Course open year round. Our facility is perfect for outings and special events with a full service banquet facility for large groups, parties and wedding receptions. Plus you can’t beat the outside atmosphere on our new deck!
BARNSTABLE GOLF BARNSTABLE GOLF SPRING SPECIAL Include Us in Your Fall Golf Plans & Take Advantage Off Season Rates 50% OFF ofGREENS FEES!
$59for for1818Holes Holes & Cart, Monday - Thursday Hyannis ONLY $59 & Cart, MondayThursday All Day at & Sunday atfer 11 AM Now Through April 30, Play Either Course and Get 50% OFF $69 for 18 Holes & Cart, Wednesday ONLY at Olde * Hyannis Golf Course Only Barnstable Fairgrounds Promotion Valid Through September 30, 2020 Promotion Valid August and September 2018 Your Greens Fees The Next Day at Either Course!
www.BarnstableGolf.com www.BARNSTABLE.GOLF
*Present your receipt at time of play to receive discount. Offer not good with other promotions or pre-paid time
Olde Barnstable Fairgrounds Golf Course, a perennial favorite and must play Cape Cod course that needs to be on your golf bucket list. Come play a course ranked in the Top 25 public courses in New England for 5 years in a row!
9
Golfing Magazine • New England Edition
www.BARNSTABLEGOLF.com OBF • 508-420-1141 HGC • 508-362-2606 www.GolfingMagazine.net www.GolfingMagazine.net 911
CONNECTICUT MUST PLAYS
A Golf Trip Through Connecticut By, JOHN TORSIELLO
T
hanks to Golfing Magazine’s “Free Golf ” program you get a complimentary round of golf on a number of courses in Connecticut when you sign up. Call 860-563-1633, or visit www.FreeGolf.net to get aboard. There is still a lot of time left to enjoy the courses on our list. Here are the layouts, some private that you can play for a cart or a small service fee by partnering with us. PRIVATE COURSES The Golf Club at River Oaks (www. ClubRiverOaks.com) is located on the Sherman/New Milford town line in western Connecticut. The courses has a number of holes on its back nine that hug the Housatonic River, which is visible through the trees in late autumn or early spring. The look from the tee box on the par-four dogleg left ninth hole reminds one of playing golf in northern New England rather than Connecticut. Many consider this to be one of the top two or three courses in the state. Robert McNeil designed the course that opened in 2003, and he built into it challenge
The Club at River Oaks and fairness. Farmington Woods Country Club (www.FarmingtonWoods.com) in Avon was designed by American designer Desmond Muirhead, who also crafted the famed Jack
Shennecossett Golf Course
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Golfing Magazine • New England Edition
Nicklaus Muirfield Village course in Ohio. The layout is unique to the Farmington River Valley area in that there are dramatic elevation changes in what is usually a rather flat section of Connecticut. The course features woods
that line many of the fairways, as well as wetlands. Hop Meadow Country Club (www.HopMeadow.club) in Simsbury was designed by Geoffrey Cornish and the architect used the terrain available to him to create dramatic elevation changes, especially on the parthree ninth and 16th holes. Both begin from elevated tees and finish at greens that are fronted by a pond (the ninth) and a small stream (the 16th). One of the best holes in the course is the finisher, a 521-yard par-five that has water hiding on the right side and water to the left and cutting into the fairway about 30 yards out from the putting surface. Tumble Brook Country Club (www.TumbleBrookCC. com) was incorporated and organized in 1922 and features 27 holes. Willie Park, one of the foremost golf course architects of the time, was commissioned to design the first nine. A second nine, designed by Orrin E. Smith, was opened to play in the spring of 1949. The third nine, designed by George Fazio, opened for limited play in the fall of 1970, and was eventually integrated with the rest of the golf course in 1971.The seventh hole on the “Green Course,� a combination of two of the three nines, is a 440-yard beast where par is an accomplishment for any level of player. Chippanee Country Club (www.Chippanee.com) in Bristol is always in great condition thanks to an aggressive maintenance program and course updates. Although the layout plays to a par-70 from the blue tees (a modest 6,310 yards), Chippanee has small, challenging greens and tight narrow fairways. Water comes into play on the par-five fourth hole, the parfour 10th hole, and the par-three 11th hole. Suffield Country Club (www.SuffieldCC.com) is an historic track crafted by Ian Smyth in a classic, traditional New England-style. The course ambles over the rolling land, and plays around 3,000 yards for
Stanley Golf Course
nine holes. The short distance of the course is offset by tight fairways and small, fast undulating greens. Out-of-bounds borders holes three through six, and heavy rough and tall oak trees lurk off the fairways. Only two holes, three and seven, have fairway bunkers. THE GREATER HARTFORD AREA Blue Fox Run Golf Course (www. BlueFoxEnt.com) in Avon has 27 holes of golf. A new nine was added several years ago and these holes are a pleasing mix of those
that are open in nature and several that are lined by trees. There is ample bunkering in the fairways and around the modest-sized greens. One of the best new holes is the 512-yard parfive fourth on the White Course. If you can steer clear of fairway bunkers to the left of the fairway and high grass on the right, you may be left with an opportunity to go for a large, oblong green in two. Simsbury Farms Golf Course (www. SimsburyFarms.com), which measures 6,509
Keney Park Golf Course www.GolfingMagazine.net
13
CONNECTICUT MUST PLAYS yards in length from the championship markers, was designed by Geoffrey Cornish and opened for play in 1972. Recognized as one of the top 100 courses in New England by one New England publication, he course provides an excellent test of golf and a visually pleasing round. A driving range and large practice green, as well as a newly constructed clubhouse compliment the golfing complex. The Kemp family of purchased the Airways Golf Course (www.AirwaysGolfCourse.com) in West Suffield in 1996 with the intent of providing good, affordable and friendly golf to the town and surrounding communities. Their course is on the short side, 5,845 yards from the tips, and you can score here as long as you drive the ball well. Included in the final five holes of the front side are four par-fours measuring around 300 yards, including the ninth at 273 yards. The 16th is a strong parfive playing 481 yards from the tips. The hole doglegs to the right and there is water to worry about off the tee and on the second shot. Keney Park Golf Course (www. KeneyParkGolfCourse.com) in Hartford underwent renovations and upgrades that turned what was a rundown layout into a very good course again. The par-70 track occupies Hartford’s historic 700-acre Keney Park, located in the city’s north end. The first nine holes of the course were finished in 1927, and the remaining nine were completed in 1930. Keney was designed by notable early 20th century American architect Devereux Emmet, who has several illustrious courses to his credit, including Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Md., the site of several U.S. Opens. Goodwin Park Golf Course (www. GoodwinParkGolfCourse.com) in Hartford
offers 27 holes, with the shortish North Course (2,544 yards) a great place for beginners and senior players to hone their skills and enjoy a leisurely round. The more demanding 18-hole course plays around 6,000 yards from the back markers and features a number of par-fours that are drivable, or approachable, off the tee for long hitters. The 381-yard ninth hole may be the toughest par-four on the track. East Hartford Golf Club (www. EastHartfordGC.com) was designed by Al Zikorus, plays around 6,200 yards from the tips, and has a nice mix of short par-fours that can be attacked with driver, reachable-in-two par-fives and solid par-threes. There are a number of tee settings to cater to every ability. This classical design is great for newcomers to the game, but tree-lined fairways and small greens present a challenge to even the most skilled golfer. The 27-hole Stanley Golf Course (www. StanleyGolf.com) in New Britain has long been considered one of the premier daily fee facilities in the state. With three distinct nines to select from and some of the best conditions in the Greater Hartford area, Stanley has a dedicated following among the state’s golfers. Some modifications were made a few years back to the course, with several new or reshaped holes created and some shifting of the nines, which made the course even more interesting and more challenging. Hunter Golf Club (www.HunterGolfClub. com) in Meriden offers a well-rounded test of golf, with great views of surrounding trap rock ridges and Castle Craig in Meriden’s Hubbard Park, which can be seen while playing the fifth hole. The layout has one of the most challeng-
Mohegan Sun Golf Club 14
Golfing Magazine • New England Edition
ing and perplexing opening holes you will find anywhere. It’s only 368 yards from the back tees, but a stream dissects the fairway a little over halfway to the green, so the dilemma is to take driver and risk hitting it short or right and into the water, or lay up and be left with a long approach to an elevated green. The 10th hole is a demanding 587-yard par-five that bends to the left and has water hazards on the left side of the fairway and near the green, which makes the second shot and approach tricky. Manchester Country Club (www. ManchesterCountryClub.com) opened in 1917 and was designed by two early 20th century course architects, Tom Bendelow and Devereaux Emmett, the latter creating famed Congressional Country Club in Washington, D.C., and Keney Park’s golf course. Manchester features bunkers placed strategically around the fairway landing areas and putting surfaces, which puts a premium on accuracy both off the tee and on approaches to medium-sized greens. The course plays 6,339 yards from the tips and has a par of 72, but the slope of 128 gives you an idea about the challenge you will face here. There are some elevation changes and water comes into play on several holes. One of the best-conditioned, playerfriendly tracks in Connecticut is Rockledge Country Club (www.GolfRockledge.com) in West Hartford. The relatively flat layout is routed in a parkland setting and offers a pleasing mix of holes. Rockledge has a number of very good holes, ranging from short par-fours, like the 290-yard second and 317-yard 11th, where birdies await, to classic risk/reward par-fives.
Timberlin Golf Club (www. TimberlinGolf.com) in Berlin has a park-like routing, and was given a facelift a few years back in the form of new bunker complexes, fairway and green complex work, an effort led by noted golf course architects Stephen Kay and Doug Smith. The track is kept in immaculate condition and the renovations added a few more teeth to this scenic track, originally designed by Al Zikorus. NEW HAVEN AREA Laurel View Country Club (www.LaurelViewCC.com) in Hamden is a classic Geoffrey Cornish track, the overall conditions of which have been enhanced mightily in recent years. The course continues to be a stern test of playing ability. The course can be stretched beyond 7,000 yards and features some of the toughest par-fours in the state, like the 479-yard fifth. There’s a pond guarding the right side of the green, which often must be attacked with a long iron or fairway wood. Number nine is 450 yards from the back markers, and climbs up a hill to the putting surface, making the hole play 20 to 30 yards longer than its listed yardage. GREATER WATERBURY AREA Established in 1902, Pequabuck Golf Course (www.PequabuckGolf.com) in Bristol is a par-69 course that has a pleasing mix of two par-fives, 11 par-fours and five par-threes. Here, you will be called upon to use every club in your bag and strategy plays a vital role in success as you navigate this well-manicured layout that has the distinction recently of being voted on Golf Advisor as the “13th Most Improved Golf Course in the United States”. While on the short side at just over 6,015 yards from the tips, Pequabuck is no pushover. It starts with a relaxing par-four that measures around 300 yards and gets you off and on your way with a chance to make birdie. Originally a nine-hole private golf club, purchased by the town of Watertown in 1975, a second nine holes were added in 1980 to make Crestbrook Park Golf Course (www. CrestbrookPark.com) one of the best daily fee tracts in the Greater Waterbury area. Crestbrook features fast, sloping greens and has four sets of tees for all levels of play. The course, which plays almost 7,000 yards from
Hawk’s Landing Country Club
the tips and features a number of elevation changes, has an interesting mix of holes, from par-fives that demand thoughtful tee and approach shots to beefy par-threes, like the 228-yard seventh where the tee shot must clear a pond to reach the putting surface. Southington Country Club (www. SouthingtonCountryClub.com ) in Southington is fairly wide open with a few delightfully quirky holes, such as the deceptively short 306-yard par-four second and the 120-yard par-three 12th. The course is well maintained and the new ownership has made improvements to the layout course and the facilities. It’s a track that is approachable for golfers of all levels. Hawk’s Landing Country Club (www. HawksLandingCC.com) in Southington is not long, 5,825 yards from the tips, but the course has great par-threes and some interesting par-fours. The seventh and ninth holes both play around 230 yards, while the 18th is 190 yards from the back markers with the tee shot having to carry a pond. The 360-yard par-four fifth is a good test. It doglegs to the right and the drive and approach must steer clear of water. Whitney Farms Golf Club (www. WhitneyFarmsGC.com) in Monroe was designed by Hal Purdy and yardages range from 5,480 yards to 6,714 yards, with slope levels of 127 to 134. The layout starts in stern fashion, with three holes that will test you immediately. The first is a 426 yard par-four, the second another par-four measuring over 400 yards, and the third a 526 yard par-five. After letting up a bit, the front nine again
rears its head with four difficult holes to end the outward journey. There are two par-fives that play over or around 500 yards and a pair of par-threes that play 200 yards or longer. The back nine is a bit less severe with shorter par-fours where birdie awaits. But you’ll also encounter two par-fives that play over 560 yards from the tips, and the final hole is a brutal, 442-yard par-four that can make or break a round. HEADING EAST Coventry’s Twin Hills Country Club (www.TwinHillsCountryClub.com) was built on a former farm and offers golf in a rural setting yet it is convenient to Hartford and other cities off Rt. 84. Twin Hills has the country charm of stone walls, a covered bridge and its signature stone bridge located on hole number three (a massive 600-yard par-five) that makes one think of the famous bridge crossing to the 12th green at Augusta National Golf Club. Nestled into the rolling hills of the tiny town of Hebron is Blackledge Country Club (www.BlackledgeCC.net) that boasts two 18-hole courses. The club’s owners added nine holes in 1995 and another nine in 2000, creating what is called the Gilead Highlands course. The newest nine on Gilead Highlands is a bit reminiscent of Carolina courses, with wide fairways, bunkering, and tall pines and oaks framing many of the landing areas and large greens. Anderson’s Glen has the club’s original 18 holes and is another very solid test. The fairways are tree lined and the greens undulating. Quarry Ridge Golf Club (www. QuarryRidge.com), located on the slopes
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of the Connecticut River valley in Portland, offers some of the best views in Connecticut. This is a true shotmaker’s delight, with dramatic elevation changes, an interesting mix of long and short holes, and tricky greens. The course is regularly listed among the best in Connecticut. The course plays 6,369 yards from the back tees, but it’s all about proper club selection and accurate shot making at Quarry Ridge. Portland Golf Course (www. PortlandGolfCourse.com), which measures just over 6,200 yards from the tips and plays to a par of 71, is also set in the rolling hills of the Connecticut River Valley. Its tree-lined fairways, various elevation changes, and doglegs make the track challenging and enjoyable for all players. The 405-yard par-four first hole is a strong way to begin a round. The tee shot is relatively easy, but the second shot is down a 60-foot drop to the green, making club selection difficult. Fox Hopyard Golf Club (www. GolfTheFox.com) in East Haddam, designed by Roger Rulewich, is considered one of the premier daily fee layouts in southern New England. The club offers a blend of challenging golf, first-class customer care and a setting that is difficult to beat. There isn’t a weak hole at Fox Hopyard. At almost 7,000 yards from the back markers, which carry a slope rating of 136, the par-71 track offers a stern test for even the best players. But five sets of tees allow the course to be enjoyed by golfers of all abilities. The par-three fourth and par-five fifth may be the best one-two punch in the region. The Golf Club at Windham (www. WindhamClub.com) first opened in 1922 and was once maintained as a private facility. The putting surfaces are medium in size with some undulation. They roll true and reward good approach shots with makeable birdie opportunities. The rough areas are kept at a height to punish wayward tee shots but still allow players to advance the ball to the greens. NEAR THE CONNECTICUT CASINOS Robert McNeil re-worked Mohegan Sun Golf Club in Pautipaug (www. MoheganSunGolfClub.com) and took a layout first designed by Geoffrey Cornish and reworked by Stephen Kay in 2002 and created something new and special. McNeil opened up to course to give it somewhat of a links feel on many holes, with mounded fairway and greenside bunkers and tall fescue grass grow16
Pequabuck Golf Course ing in the rough areas. In all, five holes were totally rebuilt, the bunkers redesigned and all new greens installed. Shennecossett Golf Course (www. Groton-Ct.Gov) in Groton, built in 1898, is as close to a true links course as you will find in the Nutmeg State. The flat layout has the design features--pot bunkers, tall fescue grass off the fairways and even three holes on or near Long Island Sound. When the wind blows hard it can bend the flagsticks and make some par-fours almost impossible to reach in two. The “new” holes here (the course was originally designed by Donald Ross) are 15, 16 and 17, with the 16th, a 400-yard par-four, finishing on a green that lies within a chip shot of Long Island Sound. Connecticut National Golf Club (www. CTNationalGolf.com) in Putnam was reborn after extensive renovations several years ago added 800 yards of length to the original 6,169 yards, as well as modern styling. In all, some 4,000 trees were removed, new fairways seeded and sodded, bunkers added or altered, and new green complexes built. It’s now one of the best daily fee layouts on Southern New England. Connecticut National Golf Club is a pleasant mix of links-style and parkland holes. Elmridge Golf Club (www.ElmridgeGolf. com) in Pawcatuck features three nines that are eminently playable for golfers of all abilities. The par-fours are on the short side, most measuring between 340 and 370 yards from the middle tees, but a number of them are dogleg designs. The par-threes are strengths of the layout and several measure close to or over 200 yards. One of the best par-fives on the course is the 525-yard (back tees) seventh on the Blue Course. The hole bends slightly to the right and a good drive will leave you with a shot to go for the green in two. But there are bunkers guarding the putting surface and the
Golfing Magazine • New England Edition
green is elevated. Designed in 1958 by Wendell Ross, Pequot Golf Club (www.PequotGolf.com) in Stonington has been played by such greats of the game as Jack Nicklaus, who in 1966 set the “official” course record of 65 that stands today. Pequot’s par 70, 18-hole layout is an enjoyable track routed through mature woodlands. The course measures 5,903 yards from the longest tees, has a slope rating of 118, and a 68.7 USGA rating. Norwich Golf Club (www.NorwichGolf. com) is known for its fine playing conditions and is a tricky layout that is approachable and interesting for players of all abilities. The course opened in 1925 on July 4th. It was designed by Tull and Tull, a famous golf course architectural firm of the day, and there is some indication that Walter Travis, a noted designer and legendary amateur player, had a hand in the routing, or at least offered suggestions. Norwich isn’t long, just 6,191 yards from the tips. But its slope of 131 from the championship markers gives you an idea of just how difficult it can be. River Ridge Golf Course (www. RiverRidgeGolf.com) in Jewett City opened in May of 1999 and is a carefully maintained course that features a tee-to-green watering system, and many player friendly amenities. The first three holes were built on open space that was formerly an apple orchard. The other 15 holes are characterized by rolling hills and scenic vistas that present various challenges. The front side plays to a par of 37 and is a demanding nine holes. It has three of the course’s par-fives, all pretty much asking for three good shots to find the green in regulation.
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WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS MUST PLAYS
Western Massachusetts Offers Fine Daily Fee Golf By JOHN TORSIELLO
T
he Berkshire Hills and the Pioneer Valley in western Massachusetts boast some of the best semi-private and daily fee courses in New England. And what a beautiful place to spend a day playing nine or 18 holes! The area’s courses are routed over open land and gently rising hills that seem to climb into the blue skies of summer. After golf, spend a few hours visiting the quaint villages and towns of the area, where you will find a variety of restaurants, shopping, museums and landmarks, and miles of hiking trails, if you are so included. Why don’t you make a week’s vacation out of if, play as many courses as you can, and drink in this special part of the region? Thanks to Golfing Magazine’s comprehensive Course Play Stimulus Program, our subscribers can try out a multitude of courses in this portion of Massachusetts. Check out the details of this can’t miss offer in this issue. Call 860-563-1633, or visit www.FreeGolf.net to sign up. New to our program this year is Wyckoff Country Club (www.WycoffCountryClub.com)
in Holyoke is an 18-hole, par 69, 6100-yard championship golf course built on the beautiful rolling property at the base of Mount Tom. Wycoff has an interesting mix of holes; a number of short par--fours that can be attacked with a lusty drive and a short-iron or wedge to the putting surface, only two par-fives, one of which, the 478-yard 13th, can also yield birdie to long hitters that can reach the green in two, two par-fours that play over 400 yards from the tips, and several strong par-threes (there are five short holes in all on the layout). The 18th is perhaps the most difficult par-three and a cool way to finish a round. It’s a whopping 229 yards from the tips. Also new to our fabulous line-up of Program courses this year is East Mountain Country Club (www.EastMountainCC.com) in Westfield was designed by owner Ted Perez, Sr., who wanted to have a course that is approachable for golfers of all skill levels and fun to play. The layout measures around 6,200 yards from the tips and all but one of the par-fives is reachable in two by the big hitters. There are several short par-fours where birdie
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can be made, and a fun mix of holes on the back side, which has three par-threes, three par-fours, and three par-fives, including back-to-backers at 11 and 12. The toughest hole on the course may be the 429-yard par four 16th. The club prides itself on the quality of its greens. Cold Spring Country Club (www. ColdSpringCC.com), an 18-hole semi-private course located about midway between Springfield and Worcester in Belchertown. Designed by Mary Armstrong, completed in 2010 and opened for play in 2012, Cold Spring Country Club is a par-71 course with 6,521 yards set on rolling hills that boast of vistas in nearly every direction. Each hole has up to five sets of tees, enabling golfers of all levels to play an exciting mix of six par-threes, seven par-fours and five par-fives. It all starts with a tough 216-yard par-three. From the highest tee box on the course, enjoy a panoramic view of central Massachusetts facing south. Normally you will need one less club because of the steep drop, but watch the wind
here. If prevailing winds are in player’s face it will require one or two more clubs. The trees on either side of the tee box will keep players honest, by making them hit down the chute. But there’s lots of wide open room the rest of the way. Also in Belchertown you will find Mill Valley Golf Links (www.MillValleyGolfLinks.com), which features some of the toughest par-threes in the area, with one playing 240 yards from the back markers. The course starts with back-to-back parfives, both of which are reachable in two for big hitters. There is a great mix of short and long parfours and those tough par-threes, including the aforementioned fifth hole. The 468-yard par-four 14th demands two lusty shots to find the putting surface on the dogleg right hole. The layout ends with a long par-four, 422 yards, and a short four par, the 323-yard 18th, where a birdie will be a nice way to finish a round. Greenock Country Club (www.GreenockCC. com ) in Lee dates back to 1895. Redesigned in 1927 by the legendary golf architect Donald Ross, the nine-hole course is an example of craftsmanship and original style. The club is located just one mile from Exit 2 off Interstate 90, within minutes of the historic town of Stockbridge, and just a few short miles from Tanglewood, the summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. The sixth hole is a risk-reward par-five, measuring only 465 yards, but there is water left and right of the green if you are thinking about going for it in two. The Links at Worthington Golf Club (www. WorthingtonGolfClub.com) is actually a 10-hole course with small sloping greens and tight treelined fairways, a bothersome creek, thick rough, and 15 strategically placed bunkers. It provides a challenge for the low handicappers, as well as an enjoyable round for the recreational golfer. Great Barrington’s Egremont Country Club (www.EgremontCountryClub.com) features an 18-hole course surrounded by rolling hills, beautiful views and winding streams. The track is on the short side and there are a number of modest par-fours where birdie awaits after a good tee shot and careful approach. The ninth is a fun hole, a par-three playing 165 yards. The tee shot must carry a pond that fronts the green. Gardner Municipal Golf Course (www. gardnergolfcourse.com ) is considered one of the “hidden gems” of the region. The layout is nestled compactly along the shores of Crystal Lake on the north side of the city, and offers challenging approach shots due to its small, fast greens. Several of the holes, the 311-yard par-four 10th and 480yard par-five 11th, play near Crystal Lake and afford golfers a nice moment of relaxation before tackling both. Agawam Golf Course (www.AgawamGC. com) in Feeding Hills claims to be a “user friendly” track with a rolling terrain and undulating greens. The course can play anywhere from 4,658 to
Waubeeka Golf Links 5,679 yards. A number of the par-fours are reachable or almost reachable, for big hitters and are perfect opportunities for birdie. The number one handicap hole is the fourth, a 430-yarder that plays as a four or a five. As a four it’s a tough par, but as a five a birdie chance awaits. Wyndhurst Manor and Club (www. WyndhurstManorAndClub.com), located in Lenox, is a traditional New England course that is over 90 years old and designed by the noted architects of the early 20th century, Wayne Stiles and John Van Kleek. The course features treelined fairways and naturally contoured greens that have been carefully preserved. The first three holes wander near a small clubhouse. The tee box on the third hole, a little 152-yarder, has a huge pine tree guarding the left side of the putting surface.
The 11th is one of the course’s signature holes, a 200-yard par-three that plays from a chute of trees to a severely slopped green. Huge bunkers guard the putting surface. The Crumpin-Fox Club (www.GolfTheFox. com) in Bernardston, 7,007 yards long from the tips and with a par of 72, is considered one of the most challenging tests of golfing ability in the Northeast. Many of the holes are tree-lined with ample bunking and enough water to create a few jangled nerves. The eighth hole is one of the best on the course. It begins from an elevated tee box and a lake plays a factor on the first, second and third shots, as it must be avoided and then cleared on any approach to a rather large green protected by bunkers.
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The Ledges Golf Club (www.LedgesGC. com ) in South Hadley is routed through woodlands and over and around wetlands and natural areas. You won’t find two holes alike and they range from long and difficult par-fours, like the 448-yard second, to the 106-yard par-three third, short par-fours, such as the back-to-back drivable 15th and 16th holes, long par-threes, and very good par-fives that range from 489 to 579 yards. You have to think your way around the track and proper placement off the tee will likely leave you with a very solid shot at making birdie, especially on the short par-fours. But wander with the driver and you’ll pay a steep price. The Ranch Golf Club (www. TheRanchGolfClub.com) in Southwick is considered one of the top tracks in the state. The conditions are always top notch as is the routing. The 540-yard par-five ninth and 618-yard parfive 16th roll dramatically downhill and afford great views of the surrounding countryside. A well struck tee shot on the ninth will tumble down a hill and leave the player with a choice of either laying up for a short third shot, or going for the green in two by challenging a wetlands area in front of the putting surface. The 195-yard par-three 17th, which plays across water, is the best short hole on the track. Westfield’s Tekoa Country Club (www. TekoaCC.com), located in the scenic foothills of the Berkshire Hills, can trace its lineage back to Donald Ross. He laid out the original nine holes of Tekoa, and although only five of the original holes remain intact--the second, third, fourth, 14th and 15th--the owners of Tekoa have taken great care to insure Ross’s touch remains a big part of their course’s appeal. Gene Cornish, one of the most prolific of all New England architects, redesigned the course in 1961 and added 13 holes of his own to the present routing. While on the short side, just 6,285 yards from the tips, Shaker Farms Country Club (www. ShakerFarmsCC.com) in Westfield is a unique track that contains some interesting holes. The front side has two great par-threes, the demanding 225-yard seventh and the 165-yard ninth, the latter playing across a small pond. The back side features a nice mix of holes. The 318-yard parfour 10th plays uphill from the fairway landing area. The 12th, a 144-yard par-three, has a green flanked by tall pines and is the first of two very pretty short holes on the side. The Blandford Club (www.MassGolfTennis. com) is a nine-hole private layout. Only 2,722 yards from the tips and playing to a par of 35, this is a fun, playable track for all levels. Beginners will enjoy the friendliness of the routing and rather short overall distance, while more advanced players can work on their iron and short game skills. The course is one of the oldest in the region, having opened in 1910, and was 20
Tekoa Country Club designed by William Dexter. Waubeeka Golf Links (www.Waubeeka. com) in South Williamstown is known for its stunning views. There have been renovations of the 1st, 2nd, 8th, 10th, 11th, 13th, 14th, 16th, 17th and 18th holes, which ranged from the addition of new tees and bunkers to completely new holes being created. Two of the best holes are the 11th, a 420-yard beast of a par-four that has a deep bunker to the right side of the green that makes getting up and down from there very difficult, and the 501-yard 17th, which has out of bounds the entire length along the right side and a lateral hazard almost all the way on the left side. Oak Ridge Golf Club (www.OakRidgeGC. com) in Feeding Hills is another approachable course for players of all skill levels. The15th hole is a great par-four, playing as a dogleg right. Your
Golfing Magazine • New England Edition
tee shot must be hit as close to a pond as possible to leave a manageable approach shot over water to the green. The course hosts prominent tournaments and charity events each year. In addition to golf, Oak Ridge Golf Club offers an exceptional banquet facility. Edgewood Golf Course (www. Edgewood4Golf.com) in Southwick is an 18-hole course in Southwick, at the foot of the Berkshire Hills. It’s a family and senior-friendly course. Geoffrey Cornish designed the course, and it measures 6,500 yards from the championship tees, with a par of 71. The course rating is 69.1, with a slope of 115.While the front nine gives one room to warm up because of its openness, the back side is carved out of woods and includes three scenic par threes.
Cold Spring Country Club
Come enjoy the day at one of the top 10 public courses in Massachusetts. Relax before or after your round on the new Heron’s Nest deck with lunch, dinner or your favorite 19th hole refreshments!
BLACKstone national golf club 227 Putnam hill road, Sutton, MA 01590 508-865-2111 • www.bngc.net
50 minutes from Boston, 15 minutes from Worcester and 40 minutes from Hartford
BLISSFUL MEADOWS Golf Club www.blissfulmeadows.com 8 0 1 CH O CK A LO G ROA D UX B R I D G E , M A 0 1 5 6 9 5 0 8 . 2 7 8 . 6 1 1 0
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EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS MUST PLAYS
Head to Eastern Massachusetts And Enjoy these Fine Layouts By JOHN TORSIELLO
E
astern Massachusetts offers a plethora of great daily fee golf courses. Here are some you can enjoy this summer and
fall. Thanks to Golfing Magazine’s fabulous “Free Golf ” subscription offer you’ll get a complimentary, or greatly discounted, round on the following layouts. Check out the details of this offer in this issue, call 860-563-1633, or visit www.FreeGolf.net to sign up. There is lots of time to enjoy all the courses on our list. New to our line-up this year is Heritage Country Club (www.HeritageCountryClub. com) in Charlton has long been a favorite of locals and those golfers who like to throw their sticks in the trunk and drive a bit to play a real good course. Heritage offers private club conditions and amenities at affordable rates. There is a mix of holes at Heritage CC that will keep you entertained through your entire round. Some of the fairways are rather tight, so accuracy is called for off the tee to get you involved in the hole from the tee box.
The layout starts off in stern fashion, with a pair of fairly long par-fours followed by a 200-yard par-three where par is a good score indeed. The fourth is a 452-yard par-five that is reachable in two shots for long hitters. Crystal Lake Golf Club (www. CrystalLake-Golf.com) in Haverhill, located only 35 minutes from downtown Boston. The course offers some of the finest rolling bent grass greens in the area, lush wide fairways, light rough, manicured bunkers, rolling treelined terrain, and a well-thought out design by Geoffrey Cornish. Crystal Lake provides a fun, yet challenging round of golf that will be played under four and half hours on weekends. Every club in your bag will be used and a memorable golf experience is guaranteed. Acquired by Sterling Golf Management in 2018, Crystal Lake Golf Club continues to provide guests and members with a unique golf experience. Close to “Beantown” you will find Newton Commonwealth Golf Course (www.SterlingGolf.com), an exceptionally groomed course that was opened in 1907
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Golfing Magazine • New England Edition
and redesigned in 1920 by Donald Ross. The layout offers a short but challenging round of golf, featuring quick greens and relatively narrow fairways. Course management is essential, as many a big hitter has discovered, with water and sand bunkers scattered about. The sixth hole, a 276yard par-four, can be reached by the longest of hitters, but a narrow fairway slopes severely from left to right, and the hole features the most difficult green on the course. There is no such thing as a “straight putt” on the multisloped and undulating green. Norwood Country Club (www. SterlingGolf.com) is a decidedly fun and interesting layout to play for players of all skills. Designed by Sam Mitchell, built by Frank Simoni and opened in 1975, Norwood Country Club is one of the best kept golf secrets in the area. A par-71, 5,630-yard layout, the track has fairly flat terrain with medium size, wellmanicured greens. The course features a number of short par-fours and reachable-intwo par-fives, but don’t let its overall short
length fool you, as it has enough bite to keep even the best players on their toes. Established in 1936, Gardner Municipal Golf Course (www. GardnerGolfCourse. com) is an 18-hole facility featuring outstanding conditions and excellent greens. Four sets of tees meet the playing abilities of all golfers. Beginners can shorten the course to a playable 4,898 yards, or you can challenge yourself and step back to the tips (par-71, 6131 yards). Bedrock Golf Club (www.BedRockGolfClub. com) in Rutland is a ninehole course operated by the Carr Family. Former PGA Tour Professional and current PGA of America member Joe Carr has served as Bedrock’s Golf Professional since the club’s inception in 1992. This is a scenic course carved through the woods, and has a fully stocked pro shop, a practice putting green, and the “Back Nine Pub”, a full service bar and grille. The course plays 3,463 yards from the longest tees and was designed by Bill Greene and Joe Carr. Ellinwood Country Club (www. EllinwoodGolf.com) in Athol was opened in 1929. The original Donald Ross design consisted of nine holes. With the help of local and renowned designer Geoffrey Cornish, Ellinwood grew to 18 holes in 1965, and Cornish carefully shaped and placed nine new holes in and around the existing nine. The 10th is a brutal par-three that plays 225 yards from the tips and demands a fairway wood from even the best places to find the green. Pine Ridge Golf Club ( w w w. p i n e r i d g e g o l f . net), located just south of Worcester in North Oxford, is a shot-maker’s delight, with several
Blackstone National Golf Club drivable par-fours, reachable-in-two par-fives, and tough par-threes that demand sound club selection and pinpoint accuracy. A pleasingly eclectic mixture of relatively easy and demanding holes can be found right out of the box. The first is a 308-yard par-four; number two is a short, 150-yard par-three; the third is a beefy, 202-yard par-three; and the fifth is a demanding, 403-yard par-four. Maplegate Country Club (www. MapleGate.com), located in a scenic, quiet area near Bellingham and Franklin, features a challenging 6,815-yard, well-conditioned
layout that hosted U.S. Open qualifiers in 1998 and 2001. The course has a great mix of holes; from short par-fours that may be drivable by big hitters to difficult fours. Water comes into play on a number of holes and makes tee shots and approaches to the rather large and undulating greens occasionally dicey. The par-five fourth hole is only 522 yards from the back tees. But the layup must be hit as close to a pond as possible if you entertain any thoughts of getting on in two shots. Number five, a 431-yard parfour, has water running across its fairway and
Wentworth Hills Golf Club
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a fairway bunker guarding the right side of the landing area. Blackstone National Golf Club (www.BlackstoneGolfClub.com) in Sutton was designed by noted architect Rees Jones, and is tucked into the wooded countryside of the Blackstone Valley area of southeastern part of the Bay State. Blackstone National, which can stretch to almost 7,000 yards from the tips and plays to a par of 72, has some good short holes. One of the most stunning parthrees is the 173-yard 11th, which demands a tee shot over a small pond. The par-fours are solid and can be tough, like the 486-yard 15th for example. It bends to the left after a large ridge that cuts across the fairway. Hit a tee shot to the right side of the fairway and the ball will tumble down a hill and shorten the hole by 50 to 100 yards. Blissful Meadows Golf Club (www. BlissfulMeadows.com) in Uxbridge is a Geoffrey Cornish and Brian Silva design and winds its way through mature stands of tree. The course plays around 6,700 yards from the tips. Surrounded by the aforementioned woods as well as open meadows, the course presents a secluded golfing experience. The front nine is more open than the back, which features several dramatic elevation changes and two of the best par-threes you’ll find anywhere. The conditions are always very good. The opening hole is a 353-yard par-four that demands a precise downhill tee shot to find a fairway that bends slightly to the left. The approach is to an elevated green with bunkers guarding the right side. The varied natural topography of Wentworth Hills Golf Club (www.WentworthHillsGolf.com) in Plainville presents a beautiful round of golf, with rolling, treelined fairways, large, receptive greens, ponds and lakes protecting holes, and 60 strategically-placed bunkers. Designed by Howard Maurer, the 18-hole, par-71, 6,202-yard layout offers multiple tees to accommodate golfers of all skill levels. Classic risk/reward decisions dare low-handicappers to “go for it,” and all holes allow alternate routes for less experienced golfers. 24
Blissful Meadows Golf Club Heather Hill Country Club (www. HeatherHillCountryClub.com) in Plainville offers one regulation 18-hole course and one nine-hole course. The North Course (nine holes) has a few hills that can cause uneven lies. The fairways are narrow, and the greens are small. The South Course (18 holes) has many more hills than the North Course, but doesn’t have a lot of sand bunkers. The fairways are wide open, but most are tree lined, so you just can’t spray it around and get away with it. The greens are large, and water hazards come into play on three holes.
Golfing Magazine • New England Edition
The 18-hole course plays around 6,000 yards from the tips and has a mix of short- and medium-length par-fours, tricky par-threes, and two par-fives that can reached in two shots by big hitters. The back side has three short par-fours that allow you a real chance at birdie, the 334-yard 13th, the 317-yard 14th, and the final hole, a 317-yarder. Number 12 is a good par-five that plays 516 yards from the tips, with the hole doglegging to the right, which may demand a precise layup shot to set up a wedge approach.
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25
PROFILE
Ken Green
Keeps Knocking It Down the Fairway
C
onnecticut professional golfer Ken Green is still standing tall these days, thanks to the use of a prosthetic right leg. He vowed after the accident that occurred in Mississippi in 2009 while travelling to and from golf tournaments that he would once again swing a golf club in competition, even as he lay in a hospital bed after doctors had removed the lower portion of his right leg. Well, Green, who lives part time in the Nutmeg State and Florida, made good on that vow and built himself physically and mentally to return to competitive golf, playing in Champions Tour, regional and state tournaments. And, playing well, we might add, with his low score being a 69 on the Champions Tour, a laudable score for any golfer let alone one playing with a prosthetic leg to go along with the physical and emotional scars that Green carries with him every day. He finished fourth at the Connecticut Senior Open at Shennecossett Golf Course in Groton in 2019, and tied for second at both the 2018 and 2016 state Senior opens. “I’ve have had so many crazy things happen to me,” said Green, who splits his time between West Palm Beach, Florida and New Fairfield. “I guess it’s the Ken Green reverse one percent law. I don’t think many people have had things happen to me, good and bad, like I have.” Green was born in Danbury and moved to Honduras with his family where his father, Martin Green, whom he claimed was an alcoholic, was principal of the American School in that country. Having to choose between soccer and golf, young Green chose the latter and he wound up quitting school at the age of 16, telling his mother that he wanted to pursue his dream of playing professionally. He wound up finishing his high school education and attending Palm Beach Junior College in Florida for a year before he was recruited to play for the University of Florida, earning second team All-Southern Conference honors in 1979. Green indeed did turn professional in 1979 and joined the PGA Tour the following year. He became a proficient player, known for his all-out style of play and fierce competiveness. He posted five wins on the PGA Tour, lost two tournaments in 26
playoffs, and captured five international events. His selection to the U.S. Ryder Cup team in 1989 was a highlight of his career. Even after his life and golf game began to break down in the late 80’s and 1990’s, Green could occasionally rise up. He finished seventh at the 1996 U.S. Open. “I had a great run during the 1980’s and I felt like I was getting better every year,” said Green, now 61. “I was winning tournaments on the PGA Tour, was on the Ryder Cup team, and winning overseas, which I am equally as proud of as my wins in the states. I would love to have been able to see what I was capable of if I didn’t lose my focus. I was still young and probably had another six or seven really good years ahead of me when things broke down.” Green’s sister, Shelley, caddied for him for several years while on Tour. “Things broke down”, he said, because of a nasty divorce with his first wife and losing custody of his children. He began drinking more than socially, gambling, fell into the deep hole of depressions, started missing cuts and continuing to pile up fines from the PGA Tour. He had over two dozen fines levied against him, some of them for seemingly rather silly and harmless antics, like sneaking friends
Golfing Magazine • New England Edition
into The Masters in the trunk of his car, toasting Arnold Palmer with a beer while playing in The Masters, swearing on the course, burying or flinging into the water several putters, and signing autographs for fans while playing. In June 2009, Green was seriously injured in a motor vehicle accident when his motor home left the road. Green was in his recreational vehicle traveling on Interstate 20 near Meridian, Mississippi when the right front tire blew, causing the vehicle to veer off the road and go down a deep embankment before hitting a tree. The accident killed the passengers: William Green, his brother; Jeanne Hodgin, his girlfriend; and his dog, Nip. The following year his estranged son, Hunter, died of a drug overdose in Dallas, Texas. Green used golf as a way to keep himself going, although his journey back to the golf course was one filled with pain and long hours of therapy and rehab. But back he came, the guy whose life has had more twists and turns than a double dogleg hole. He was fitted with a prosthetic and basically taught himself how to play the game again. He began hitting balls on the range, playing practice rounds and then got himself fit enough that he was able to play several events on the Champions Tour, as well as local and regional events. Green authored a book released in 2019 entitled, Hunter of Hope: Life In, Outside and on the Ropes, in which he details his life in honest fashion, the good and the bad. “The book gave me the opportunity to show what I went through and maybe it can help people out there that have gone through or are going through similar things as I have; the loss of a son, a nasty marriage and divorce, depression, and the tragic accident. I can give my point of view and maybe help people and get them back on the right track. If I can do it then people reading the book may say that they can do the same thing.” When at his home in New Fairfield, Green spends much of his golfing time at Danbury’s Richter Park Golf Course and Ridgewood Country Club, “courses that I grew up playing.” He added, “The pros around the state are very kind to me, probably because I was a former Tour pro, and I can play pretty much anywhere I’d like.”
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27
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ape Cod in late summer and early autumn is a splendid destination for golfers. The crowds are fewer, the air is fresh and clean, perfect for golf and other outdoor activities, and the nights are crisp and comfortable. The Club at New Seabury is an ideal place to visit and stay for awhile at this time of year. Stunning ocean views frame the 1,500-acre property, which boasts two, recently renovated championship golf courses and Sea Quarters accommodations. Whether you are visiting, exploring a club membership or second/new home, The Club at New Seabury offers is all. The premier private golf community boasts resort amenities, as well as fine and casual dining all with spectacular views of Nantucket Sound. Golf enthusiasts will be delighted and challenged at the Ocean and Dunes courses and also have unlimited use of the resort’s practice facility and professional instruction. If you want to complement your golf experience with other recreational
interests there is no shortage of activities at New Seabury between the Athletic Club (fitness, pool and tennis) and a nearby beach
through Columbus Day. If you stay on property, you can dine at the upscale “95 Shore” restaurant and bar, visit “The Sand Wedge Bistro” for breakfast and lunch, or check out nearby classic Cape Cod venues. “The best way to discover Cape Cod is through New Seabury,” said Chris Card, President and Executive Director of The Club at New Seabury. “We have polished our jewel and believe we offer one of the most welcoming, stunning experiences in New England. You can stay put here and enjoy our allinclusive accommodations and world-class amenities. The fall is the ideal time to visit us with beautiful weather and fewer people. There’s so much to do, or you can sit back, relax and enjoy doing nothing.” For reservations, call 508-539-8322, or visit www.NewSeabury.com.
The Ocean Course 28 28
Golfing GolfingMagazine Magazine• •New NewEngland EnglandEdition Edition
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29
PRIVATE EYES
An Historic `Tillie’ Golf Course in Norfolk, CT.
By, John Torsiello
W
hile most non-golfers don’t know A.W. Tillinghast from A& W Root Beer, for those who swing the sticks in a determined quest for par “Tillie” is a big name in the golf architecture business and a treat to play one of his courses. But perhaps even the golfers among us do not know that Tillinghast is credited with one of the area’s most historic and oldest courses, the nine-hole layout at Norfolk Country Club in Norfolk, Connecticut. A little background on Tillinghast: He laid out such notable major golf tournament venues as the Bethpage Black Course and two courses each at Winged Foot and Baltusrol golf clubs. Norfolk’s members and officials weren’t exactly sure who designed their nine-hole course in 1928, but notes were later found in minutes of meetings conducted around the time that showed money being owed to Tillinghast for work done at Norfolk. Club historian Mike Kelly said that members of the A.W. Tillinghast Association came to Norfolk Country Club several years back. They apparently took one look at the course and said that it was indeed a Tillinghast course because of all his design principles that were in play in the course’s routing. What a neat designation to hang outside your club’s pro shop. By the way, the must-have book for any golfer, “The Finest Nines: The Best NineHole Golf Courses in North America” by Middletown, Ct. writer Anthony Pioppi, ranks the NCC course as number 11 out of his 25 best such courses. Pioppi ranked the courses solely by course architecture. He called NCC’s ninth hole “delightful and quirky”. Norfolk Country Club had its inception in 1912 when it opened as a tennis club in the center the small town. Sixteen years later, 30
members purchased land for a nine-hole course, which was to be located a bit away from the town’s center in a rural area and adjacent to a public course, Norfolk Downs, which had opened in 1897. There was talk of
merging the two courses and making an 18hole layout. It was said that Tillinghast came to Norfolk in 1934, met with the pro at the time, and drew up a plan to combine the two courses. But the effects of the Depression and World War II put an end to such hopes and Norfolk Downs eventually closed. There apparently was a lot of camaraderie between the two clubs, Kelly said. At the time, players on one course would wave to those playing on the other and there was some intermingling of play when they were both open. Norfolk Country Club has, of course, survived quite nicely and was fun to play when I toured it. The first hole starts very near the clubhouse, which celebrated its 100th anniversary a few years back. The first is considered the toughest hole on the course, as the par-five bends dramatically to the left and plays almost 500 yards from the
Golfing Magazine • New England Edition
tips. The course unfolds pleasantly and immerses the player in nature. Norfolk is a decidedly early 20th century course, on the short side (2,795 yards) and made during a time when little earth was moved. As a result holes amble over hill and dale, resulting in elevated tees and greens, a few blind approach shots, and side hill lies in some fairways. The third hole, a par-four, plays only 235 yards, but demands a steady tee shot over a deep gully in front of the tee box. The downhill, 345-yard par-four sixth hole that has its green framed by tall pines. The seventh hole calls for a drive between wetlands to the left and water to the right. The approach must also avoid water on both sides of the green. The finisher is a nice little 255yard par-four that works its way up a hill to a green that sits near the club’s tennis courts. Interestingly the clubhouse at Norfolk was designed by Alfredo Taylor, a noted architect of the early 1900’s, who was an avid tennis player and member of the club. He donated his time and services to design the building. The clubhouse has an oldtime laid back feel to its inside, with a large central room, several fireplaces, sitting areas, a cozy bar, and an elegant dining room that overlooks the course. There is also ample seating on several porches and verandas, where members wile away summer afternoons and evenings in style. The club used to be open only from Memorial Day until Labor Day, but that has since changed to where the club opens in early May and shuts down in early October. The course conditions are impeccable with longtime superintendent Joseph Bunk overseeing maintenance. Ronnie Pfaefflin serves as the club’s PGA Professional. Thanks to “Tillie”, Norfolk is both a historic and eminently well-designed golf course that must be played if one gets an invitation.
MUST PLAYS TOURNAMENT INSTRUCTION
Ball Striking (irons) By: Lucas Hitchcock A very important factor in striking the ball solidly and consistently with your irons is getting the “bottom” of your swing in front of the ball (i.e., the lowest spot in the swing’s arc on the target side of the ball -- see picture) This promotes contacting the ball before the ground. You can develop a feel for this by putting a tee in the ground about three inches in front of your ball, with the objective being to rip the tee out of the ground during your normal swing. In order to accomplish this, you’ll need to continue club head speed beyond impact, allowing you to reach the tee and the bottom of your swing with ease. Once you can do this, you’ll hit your iron shots much more solidly and with more control.
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Lucas Hitchcock Director of Instruction Arnold Palmer Golf Academy at Gillette Ridge Golf Club. Bloomfield, CT (860) 726-1430 LHitchcock@centurygolf.com www.GolfingMagazine.net
31
MUST PLAYS TOURNAMENT
INSTRUCTION
Why Loading the Right Side Is Weighing Down By George Connor Your Game There are a number of age-old sayings in golf that are not at all helpful for playing better golf. “Swing Slow” “Keep your head down” etc. Today I want to talk to you about “Loading the right side.” The phrase itself is not bad advice but the interpretation is where golfers get in trouble. Literally, someone with a surface level knowledge of the swing will undoubtedly interpret loading the right side with a continuous flow of weight into the right (trail side) during the backswing. This thinking leads to golfers that begin the transition while still having 60 even 80% of their weight still on the trail leg. This complicates the golfers ability to synchronize impact, is a huge power leak and generally forces the golfer to work in what I can only call an unathletic motion. Think about all other throwing, swinging, hitting sports and how you would use your legs. If you were to throw a ball, swing a tennis racket, throw a punch or swing an axe at a tree, before the body makes any rotation towards the target the lead leg is established as the pivotal axis of rotation. Go ahead, stand up and pretend you are going to hit
PICTURE #1 a tennis forehand, or pretend to throw a ball. These motions perhaps make more sense because we lift the lead foot and even take a small step towards the target. You will notice however that while you are making this little step your upper body is not yet rotating. The upper body in all these motions does not begin until the lead leg has been established as the axis that you will then rotate around. Therefore, lets discuss when the backswing actually ends and the forward swing begins. Once there is rotation towards the target begins I think we would all agree that the backswing is over and the forward swing has begun. So, the backswing is NOT completed when you are loaded in your right side. In fact, when the backswing is competed the golfer should have returned to roughly a 50/50 weight distribution. 32
Golfing Magazine • New England Edition
When this is the case we can be certain than any rotation in the forward direction will be done on the lead leg rather than trying to get into the left side as the upper body, arms and club are already racing towards the ball. As you are processing this, let me answer the question I always get when I have this conversation with a student. Yes, the lower body is already starting to move towards the target while the upper body is still moving away from the target. We do this in all sports. The tennis racquet is still moving away from the target as you step into your front foot. The quarteback’s arm is moving backwards as he strides into his left side. That same sequence should be happening in golf. In the pictures below, Pic. #1 is what I tend to see in many golfers. The weight has been loaded into the trail leg and the golfer will struggle to get to a consistent impact position. In Pic. #2 you can see that I have “re-centered” which is the end of the backswing.
PICTURE #2 One final note, I am not advocating a golf swing that works only on the left leg. The weight flowing through the right side and into the left is a source of power. I would not want to eliminate that. The key here is that the weight flows through the trail side and into the lead side as opposed to accumulating in the trail leg.
George Connor is the Head Golf Instructor at Farmington Woods Country Club in Avon, CT. 860-830-6969 or George@ConnorGolf.com
INSTRUCTION
MAKE CHANGE FOR BETTER CHIPPING By Sue Kaffenburg We’ve all been asked to make changes in our lives because of Covid-19. I’m going to suggest that you make change part of your approach for better chipping. That little shot near the edge of the green has been costing you so many wasted shots and inflating your score. You’ve always wanted to be able to bank on having your ball pop up in the air to clear that small area between you and the putting surface. But, I know that more times than not, you either hit a skulled shot over the green, or you hit the green ball, known as the earth, before you hit the real ball, and your shot fails to make it onto the putting surface. Time to get some change. You’ll need a few dimes and twice as many nickels. Don’t forget a few clubs and golf balls. Set a ball to chip a few feet off the green with a dime behind it and (change for a dime) 2 nickels in front, side by side. When you set up to the ball, make sure the ball is positioned back of center in your stance, with your feet close to each other. And, don’t forget to put most of your weight on your front foot, keeping it there for the whole shot. No balance transfer needed!! Keep your weight on that target side foot. Your assignment is to deliver the club downward into the ball WITHOUT touching the dime that is directly behind it, and then hitting the 2 nickels in front of the ball as you exit. Making the club go down is what makes the ball go up! Your club has been delivered going UP in the past. Time for this change. You make change, 2 nickels for 1 dime! Allow your eyes to follow the nickels as the fly onto the green, as this will ensure that you turn through the shot. Yes, your body will follow your eyes! Hitting the nickels IN FRONT of the ball maintains the downward delivery of your club. You see, most shots in golf require hitting the ball FIRST, and THEN the ground. You’ll often hear the expression…Golf is Ball, Turf. Hit the ball first and then the ground! It’s no fun playing turf first, then ball! With the coins in front of the ball, your eyes tell your hands to continue delivering the clubhead downward. You’ll likely hear the club edge hitting the metal Click Here to See coins making them pop up and move forward. Sue Kaffenburg’s Video Turn and watch then fly and you’ll see your ball fly into the air and roll to the flag! Check this out and know you can BANK on it! Sue Kaffenburgh, PGA/LPGA Bayberry Hills Golf Course,
Yarmouth, MA. www.GolfLessonsCapeCod.com SusiePGA@comcast.net 508-364-GOLF (4653)
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INSTRUCTION
Know Your Knuckle Count to Control Your Ball Flight and Distance By Jimmy Damiano, PGA Do you struggle with distance loss or shots that fly offline? More than likely your club face is out of position. One of the most critical attachments in golf is your grip. Your hands are the only part of your body that touch the golf club. So it is important to get them to work properly. An old reliable test I give my players to monitor club face position I learned from one of my mentors Jim McLean. To begin the test apply your grip to the club. While in your address position look down and note how may knuckles you see on your top hand. Generally speaking of course and not including what your lower hand grip position is: if you see 0 to 1 knuckles on your top hand then you have an open face grip. If you see 1 to 2 knuckles you have a square face grip and if you see 3 or more then you have closed face grip. Now the the most important part of the test. After you are in your address position and have your knuckle count. 1. Close your eyes 2. Make a backswing to where your lead arm is roughly parallel to the ground. Short of a full swing. 3. Open your eyes and count the knuckles you see on your top hand. Ok now what? The number knuckles you see can have a direct affect on your ball flight and distance output. 1. See more knuckles- club face open. 2. See the same- club face square. 3. See less- club face closed.. An overwhelmingly majority of the players that I coach at the club level SEE MORE knuckles at the lead arm parallel position than they did at address. An indication that they have rolled or twisted the club into an open face position. This can be deadly to both distance and direction. Remember this position is short of a full backswing which means if you have opened the club from address to here you inevitably will open it even more as you swing back further to the top. This puts the player’s club face in a precarious position having to make some sizable compensations coming into impact. One move or feel that I advocate often to combat the rolling or opening of the club face on the takeaway is to “Hide the Knuckles”. Hiding them from your perspective as the golfer helps keep the club face from getting too open. The number one cause of weak offline shots. Do you struggle with distance loss? And shots that go to the right (or slice)? Chances are your club face is open. Here’s a great way to check in and see if your club face is opening on the backswing. Tip # 1 Square Club Face First you want to put your left hand grip on the club and check to see how many knuckles you see. The golfer should see 1 to 2 knuckles from their perspective. Put your right hand on the club and make a half way back swing. By doing this you’ll see less shots to the right and your shots should fly the appropriate distance. Tip # 2. Open Club Face Golfers that see more knuckles( 3 to 4) from their perspective are more likely to slice (and go right) resulting 34
Golfing Magazine • New England Edition
Square Club Face Open Club Face in a loss of distance To control the curve you want to monitor your knuckle count and wrist position on backswing. This needs to be done long before the follow through. So many of my students see more knuckles and as a result they slice! Jimmy was recently named 2019 NEPGA Cape Cod Chapter Teacher of the Year. He has served as Lead Instructor at the McLean School at The Doral Resort in Miami, Florida, and spent countless hours honing his craft under the watchful eye of Jim McLean. As a longtime owner and advocate of Trackman, Damiano utilizes state-of-the-art technology to deliver an understandable message to his wide range of players.
Click Here to See Jimmy Damiano’s Video By Jimmy Damiano, PGA Director of Instruction The Club at New Seabury Mashpee, MA 508-539-8320 JDamiano@NewSeabury.com
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35
TRAINING AIDS
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The SwingRite is the only training aid that is recommended by the International PGA and has been around since 1960. We sell to golf teaching professionals, club fitters, and golfers of all skill levels, all over the world. Everyone loves the SwingRite because it works! Our customers quickly see improvement in their distance and accuracy. This training aid will give you immediate feedback by a “Clicking” sound telling you exactly where the moment of impact is in your swing. the SwingRite is adjustable for swing speeds from 40 mph to over 100 mph simply by turning the head clockwise. To ensure our belief in our product, we offer a 90-day money back guarantee. We maintain our goal to create a solid customer base based on the quality of our products and the results they produce. The SwingRite has been around for over 60 years and is still going strong which shows you that the SwingRite really works. Please visit our site and read some of the testimonials which are all unsolicited. www.SwingRite.com 36
Golfing Magazine • New England Edition
MACRO GOLF POWERSTROKE GOLF GRIPS
START PLAYING AGAIN …BUT THIS TIME…START PLAYING A LOT BETTER Put the “bat-like” USGA conforming shape of PowerStroke Grips in your hands and automatically get the confident feeling at address of the club control you seldom, if ever, have had with the anti-ergonomic shapes of “traditional” golf grips. Why?... Because PowerStroke’s patented new shape promotes the same tension-free on-plane arm/shaft/spine full extension at address that happens again at impact without any inconsistent mid-swing timing manipulations. PowerStroke Golf Grips: The confident, no worries feeling that you can take the swing at address and will make the shot at impact. “An easy, no-worries swing… like hitting soft balls at a picnic.” Ken Rose, Hollywood, CA www.MacroGolf.com or call 877-270-9402 to order and/or speak to a clubmaker.
IMPACT SNAP
Knowing whether your hands and wrists are in good position at key points in the swing can be a challenge. With the Impact Snap, you receive instant feedback. Begin with half-swings to get accustomed to the timing, then build up to full swings. Grip the unit so the yellow ball is below your trail forearm. Swing back normally, and when your lead arm is parallel to the ground, the device should make a snapping sound. That means you’ve hinged your wrists properly. As you swing down, you should hear the snap again—but not until you get to the impact zone. Another check at impact is the yellow ball: It should touch the underside of your trail forearm. That means your lead wrist is bowed, your lead forearm is rotating counterclockwise, and your body is turning through. www.ImpactSnap.com
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TRAINING AIDS PowerStroke® Golf Grips START PLAYING AGAIN...BUT THIS TIME...START PLAYING A LOT BETTER Put the “bat-like” USGA conforming shape of PowerStroke® Grips in your hands and automatically get the confident feeling at address of the club control you seldom, if ever, have had with the anti-ergonomic shapes of “traditional” golf grips. Why?...Because PowerStroke’s patented new shape promotes the same tensionfree on-plane arm/shaft/spine full extension at address that happens again at impact without any inconsistent mid-swing timing manipulations.
PowerStroke® Golf Grips: The confident, no-worries feeling that you can take the swing at address and will make the shot at impact. “An easy, no-worries swing…like hitting soft balls at a picnic.” - Ken Rose, hollywood, ca
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#1 Most Used Putting Training Aid for the past five years, as rated by 250 of the top teaching pros in the USA!* Used by over 1500 touring and teaching pros for well over 1500 pro wins. Known users have won every professional major multiple times on the US and European Tours. Five of the six 2016 Olympic golf medalists are known Putting Arc users. Three models to choose from, with prices starting at $35.95 – less than the cost of a dozen golf balls. www.thePuttingArc.com or 800-898-0701 *2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 & 2018 GRAA Magazine Surveys
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Golfing Magazine • New England Edition
OR CALL (877) 270-9402 to order and/or speak to a clubmaker.
Eyewear MAUI JIM HEMA
The HEMA features MauiPure® LT, their thinnest and most lightweight lens material. MauiPure LT delivers light-as-afeather comfort that feels barely there. HEMA is impact and scratch resistance, all while delivering the breathtaking views you expect from PolarizedPlus2 technology. The frames have been designed with performance in mind. Total weight of the frame and lenses is a mere 10 grams (1/3 of an ounce)! The temple tip pads have been minimized, and the nose pads have been designed for advanced airflow technology to give you better grip and less slip. $189 • www.MauiJim.com
TIFOSI TYRANT 2.0
The lightweight frame design of Tyrant 2.0 is a stylish and durable companion for any sports enthusiast. Tyrant 2.0 will stay secure because of its adjustable nose and ear pieces and the vented lenses prevent fogging while keeping you cool. Perfect for enhancing your performance whether you’re running, cycling, or golfing. $49.95 • www.TifosiOptics.com
MAUI JIM BLUE HAWAII CLIFF HOUSE
Located at the top of Waipi`o Valley on the Big Island, Cliff House provides unprecedented, panoramic views of Hawaii’s natural beauty. Like their namesake, these classic aviators from Maui Jim come with polarized lenses that offer bright, clear views everywhere you look. $299 • www.MauiJim.com
TIFOSI SWANK SL
Swank SL is a lighter, streamlined version of Swank with a rimless lens. This model has photochromic lenses with a tint that becomes darker as the day becomes brighter. $49.95 • www.TifosiOptics.com
MAUI JIM POKOWAI ARCH
These traditional, rectangular polarized sunglasses feature a lightweight grilamid frame available in a variety of colors. Constructed with adjustable nose pads and rubber inserts on the inner temples, Pokowai Arch has all the comfort needed for your next adventure. $229 • www.MauiJim.com
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Book tee times on-line at www.golfrockledge.com
MUST PLAYS TOURNAMENT MUST PLAYS
An award-winning public golf course with all the amenities of a private club
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• 36 picturesque holes • Practice greens, driving range, carts and club rentals • Friendly, highly-trained PGA Staff • Customized planning for corporate groups, tournaments and special events “Top Ten in the U.S.” -Golf Digest
“Brian Silva, Architect of the Year.” -Golf World Magazine
...Now with Tee Times Available Online!
1000 Freeman’s Way Brewster, MA 02631 Toll-Free: 877-843-9081 www.captainsgolfcourse.com
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The Captains Golf Course
he Captains Golf Course in Brewster, Ma. features two very distinct 18-hole layouts. The Captains’ Port Course plays to a yardage of 6,724 yards from the tips and has a slope of 131 and a rating above its posted par of 72. So, it’s no pushover. One of the best holes on the Port Course is the beefy 573-yard, par-five eighth. There is a pond that guards the putting surface and several large fairway bunkers are placed along the hole to make precision on the drive and layup a prerequisite to making birdie or par. The Captains’ Starboard Course plays a tad longer than the Port Course, around 6,800 yards, and has a slope of 122. Most players who tackle both tracks say the Starboard Course it also a bit more player friendly than its sister layout, with wider fairways, large greens, and fewer bunkers than the Port Course, which makes it more suitable for mid- and higher handicap players. But we are here to tell you that it isn’t a pushover either. The course’s 18th is a great finishing hole, a challenging 534-yard par-five that can be reached in two by big hitters. But the smarter play is two strong shots followed by a wedge into the green. The conditioning on both course, which have
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Yarmouth Golf
armouth is home to 45 holes of golf that encompasses the newly renovated Bayberry Hills Golf Course, the Links 9, and Bass River Golf Course. Changes were made to make the nearly 7,300yard Bayberry Hills Golf Course friendlier to the average golfer, yet maintain or even enhance the course’s challenge to the low handicap player. Embracing the Bob Jones/Alistair MacKenzie (Augusta National Golf Club) design style, bunkers have been renovated and re-positioned to enhance play options. Plus, bunkers have been replaced with closely mown collection areas on some holes, providing multiple options for greenside recoveries, fairway corridors have been widened, and green surrounds have been expanded. Rough areas in the front of greens have been replaced by tightly mown fairway to create the illusion of false fronts in many cases. Forward teeing areas on four holes were added for more options in course setup and to provide additional user friendliness. The Links 9, which is on the property at Bayberry, opened in 1999 and is a real fun layout to play, with its wide open fairways, solid parthrees and exposure to the Cape’s wind, which makes the course play different from day to day. A 40
Golfing Magazine • New England Edition
very affordable greens fees, is always excellent at all times of the year, the golf is challenging but approachable for players of all abilities, there are two practice greens and a driving range, a restaurant, a friendly staff that is available for lessons, and a fully-stocked pro shop. Indeed, what more could locals and visitors to this special section of New England want in a daily fee golf club. www.CaptainsGolfCourse.com.
number of the holes are doglegs, which makes approach shots tricky if you don’t put your tee shot in the proper position. Number nine is a 195-yard par-three that demands an accurate shot over water to reach the green. Bass River is a 100-plus-year-old course that the legendary Donald Ross renovated and expanded in 1914. The layout rolls along among trees and sandy hills and features narrow fairways, small greens and views of nearby Bass River. The club’s signature hole is the sixth, a 169-yard par-three that plays across the river. Overall, the layout is on the short side, but the holes demand good shot making and a good short game, a typical Donald Ross demand on the player. www.GolfYarmouthCapeCod.com
Cranberry Valley Golf Course
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ranberry Valley Golf Course, located in Harwich, Ma., is a well maintained layout that features a solid routing flowing over and past beautiful terrain that includes marshes and, of course as the name suggests, a few cranberry bogs. The course plays host to several high profile tournaments and is generally considered one of the most stringent tests of golf on the Cape. Geoffrey Cornish and Bill Robinson designed a layout where no two holes are the same. The par-threes are strong and the final three holes are extremely challenging. Noted architect Mark Mungeum enhanced the course a few years ago through an extensive bunker redesign and restoration. Several fairway bunkers were relocated so as to come into play to protect par against today’s modern equipment, although the best players can fly the traps off the tee. Within the past decade, the club has also added a clubhouse, maintenance building and a new irrigation system to enhance playing conditions. There’s also a new practice facility. Cranberry Valley isn’t long, 6,745 yards from the tips, but there are a number of dog-
leg holes and the course and demands proper club selection and shot placement off the tee. Par is 72, with the course rated 73.4 and a slope of 133 from the back tees, There are four sets of tees in all to meet the playing ability of any visitor. Most of the par-fours measure less than 400 yards, including the 309-yard 15th, which is approachable off the tee for long hitters. All of the par-fives, except for perhaps the 18th hole, are reachable in two for the longballers. Again, the par-threes here are very demanding, none more so than the penultimate hole, a brutal 229-yarder. www.CranberryGolfCourse.com
CRANBERRY VALLEY Golf Course OPEN TO THE PUBLIC • FULLY STOCKED PRO SHOP • Breakfast – Lunch • Golf Lessons • Club Rentals • 18 Holes of Championship Golf • Practice Green • Driving Range D
183 Oak Street, Harwich, MA www.CranberryGolfCourse.com
508-430-7560
Dennis Highlands and Dennis Pines Golf Courses
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ennis Highlands Golf Course in Dennis, Ma. is a perfect start to a golf vacation on Cape Cod. The Highlands tends to be forgiving off the tee, but don’t get too comfortable around the greens, as the rolling terrain requires focus and concentration on tee shots and approaches to the greens. Dennis Highlands is situated on 175 acres of pine and oak forest on the north side of Dennis. Designed by Jack Kidwell and Mike Hardpan and opened for play in 1984, Dennis Highlands is considered by some to be one of the “crown jewels” in the traditional list of fine Cape Cod golf courses. It boasts a spectacular practice range and a visually enjoyable golf experience. The Pines Course is a bit more dramatic and challenging than the Highlands, with pine groves squeezing the fairways, putting a premium on more accurate shot-making. The Golf Committee for the Town
of Dennis, Massachusetts approved a Comprehensive Enhancement Plan developed with noted golf architect, Robert McNeil, for far-reaching improvements at Dennis Highlands Golf Course and its sister course, Dennis Pines. The improvements will include all new bunkering, new tees, cart path revisions, drainage, tree management, and fairway recontouring. www.DennisGolf.com
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MUST PLAYS
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Omni Mount Washington Resort
he 18-hole Omni Mount Washington Golf Course was designed by legendary Scottish architect Donald Ross and was completed in 1915. Its backdrop features New Hampshire’s spectacular Presidential Mountain Range. The par-72, 7,004-yard-course has hosted four New Hampshire Opens and the prestigious New England Open Championship in September 2010. Reopened in August of 2008, the Omni Mount Washington Golf Course has been restored to Donald Ross’ original plans by noted golf course architect Brian Silva, including bunkers crafted in a classic flair and infinite varieties of recovery shots in the closely cropped areas around the putting greens. The par-five 11th hole and the par-three fifth hole feature stunning views of Omni Mount Washington Hotel and surrounding mountains. The Omni Mount Washington Golf Course was voted Golfweek’s Best Course You Can Play
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Vermont’s Mount Snow
eoffrey Cornish designed the18-hole, 6,943-yard (there are three other sets of tees) championship Mount Snow Golf Club has also been named one of the top 10 resort courses in the country by SKI Magazine. It has also been rated one of the top five courses in Vermont by Golf Digest. The course meanders through stunning picturesque countryside and provides stunning views of the Green Mountains, including the peaks of Mount Snow and Haystack Mountain. Tamaracks, oaks, birches, and sugar maples line the fairways while the mountains provide a majestic backdrop. The front nine is spread over rather wide expanses and the back nine winds its way through wooded terrain. Water comes into play on no fewer than 11 holes, and 41 sand traps are strategically located around nearly every hole. The resort also has a fully-stocked pro shop with the latest in equipment, accessories, and 42
in New Hampshire from 2009 through 2017. The nine-hole Mount Pleasant Course first opened in 1895, and has been host to generations of golfing enthusiasts from New Hampshire and beyond. Greats like U.S. Pro Golfer Gilbert Nicholls, Golf Course Designer Alex Findlay, British Golf Champions Harry Vardon and J.W. Taylor, and U.S. Open Golf Champion Willie Anderson have all played the historic par-35 course.
In 1989, the course was restored and upgraded by Cornish & Silva Golf Course Architects, with advice from world-renowned golfers Gene Sarazen and Ken Venturi, and now offers players a more challenging round alongside New Hampshire’s scenic Ammonoosuc River. Throughout its history, the Resort has been renowned for natural beauty and luxurious extras. Indoor and outdoor pools, Jacuzzis and fireplaces are just a few of the amenities comforting year-round guests. From the Tiffany stained glass to the crystal chandeliers, you’ll find the interior is just as impressive as the exterior. The hotel’s elegant Four Diamond Dining Room serves four-course dinners with orchestra accompaniment nightly. Every detail, from the serenading orchestra to the menu that changes daily, reminds you that this is a place unlike any other. www.OmniHotels.com
apparel. Mount Snow’s Original Golf School, founded in 1978, was one of the country’s first golf schools and continues to be a trusted program for those looking to improve their games. There is a multi-day curriculum that includes instruction and evaluation on every aspect of play, with daily on-course instruction. During your visit, stop by Fairways
Golfing Magazine • New England Edition
Restaurant, where you can enjoy fresh food, cold beer, or your favorite cocktail on a large deck overlooking the course. Or relax inside watching the game on flat screen televisions. Fairways is open daily for lunch with frequent menu specials and to-go service, as well as Sunday brunch. The area around Mount Snow has historic towns, antique shops, artisans, craft producers, farms open to visitation, performing arts venues, and outlet shopping centers. Extend a vacation with a few days of hiking, mountain biking, scenic chairlift rides, and horseback riding, learn fly fishing, or go canoeing, sailing, and kayaking on any of the numerous pristine rivers and lakes. www.MountSnow.com, or 802-464-4254.
MUST PLAYS
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Killington Grand Resort
illington Grand Resort’s 18-hole golf course, designed by noted New England architect Geoffrey S. Cornish, was skillfully routed high in the lush Green Mountains of Vermont. Here, you will find panoramic views and plenty of challenge. Cornish designed the course to take full advantage of the mountain terrain, and Killington’s rushing snowmelt streams and elevation changes make for an exciting and strategic round. Generous greens allow players to attack the flag with confidence. The 6,186-yard, par-72 layout presents an enjoyable round for any golfer, no matter what skill level or handicap. And at a 2,000-foot elevation, gentle breezes offer a soothing respite from the summer sun. The longest hole on the course is number two, a par-five that plays 510 yards from the back markers. The shortest hole on the course is the sixth, a tricky par-three that plays to 147 yards from the championship tees. And, watch out for number five, a beefy 473-yard par-four and the number one handicap hole on the course. Perhaps the most approachable hole on the track is the 17th, a 168-yard par-three. The course is open mid-May through mid-October. The resort has a new practice facility, as well as a new fleet of golf carts.
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There is a fully-stocked pro shop and professionals offer golf lessons and clinics, as well as golf schools. There is a clubhouse bar and grill with indoor and outdoor seating. Killington is an all-around family resort with an adventure center, a bike park, a spa, and a fitness center. There is shopping on and off-site, as well as several dining venues. www.Killington.com.
Brattleboro Country Club
rattleboro Country Club in Vermont was established in 1914 and was originally a six-hole course located called the Wantastiquet Golf Club. The course as it exists today grew out of a 1930 re-do by Wayne Stiles, and a 2000 expansion and partial rerouting by Vermont native Steve Durkee. Eight classic Stiles holes remain (9 through 12 and 15 through 18), with 10 Durkee holes added (1 through eight and 13 and 14). The course features elevation changes, variety, rolling, tree-lined fairways and pleasing views. Brattleboro plays 6,533 from the tips (a rating of 71.1 and a 126 slope means it’s no pushover), 6,073 from the regular tees (69.1/122), 5,051 from the forward tees (64.2/112 for men; 69.8/114 for women).
ting surface in two, made dangerous by a pond that runs up to the green. The club has hosted numerous state championship tournaments and been the qualifying site for USGA Men’s Amateur and USGA Men’s Senior Amateur events. There are two practice greens, a driving range, a fully-stocked pro shop and the Fairway Tavern, where you can enjoy a post-round cocktail and good meal.
The second hole, a 532-yard par-five, has water right of the fairway to complicate your tee shot and a large bunker and water left of the green. The sixth is a nice par-four. It’s a drivable at 260 yards. The seventh is another strong par-five, playing 507 yards from the tips, with the layup, or second shot if you try for the put-
Brattleboro Country Club Brattleboro, Vt. 802-257-7380 www.BrattleboroCountryClub.com
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Great
Golf
Ocean City, Maryland
17 Championship Courses 10 Miles of Beach 3 Mile Boardwalk
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Golfing Magazine • New England Edition
2 Nights, 3 Rounds Starting: Spring / Fall Weekdays - $170 Weekends - $191
First Class Accommodations Excellent Dining Exciting Nightlife
“Great Golf is Just the Beginning” Ocean City, Maryland
