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FEATURES
Newport National Golf Club
Looks to the Future
There are plans for one of the best daily The Vineyard Course, designed by the water, making Newport National play fee clubs in New England to become the golf course architect firm Hills Forrest like a true seaside links course. The track even better in the near future. Smith, will also provide a new state-ofplays 7,244 yards from the back markers and
Newport National Golf Club is routed on the-art practice facility, which will include has a slope of 138, which tells you something 200 acres of a former orchard and designed a double-ended driving range with over about the challenge you will face here. There by Arthur Hills and his associate Drew 70,000 square feet of practice tee area and are four other sets of tees that make the Rogers. The course, which has a wonderful multiple target greens. It also includes a one course playable for golfers of all abilities. Irish or Scottish links flavor to it, with wide acre short game area with multiple bunkers Every hole is memorable. It starts right open fairways, tall fescue that grows off the and ample fairway surrounds so players can away with a 550-yard par-five that sweeps to short grass, lots of bunkers and greens that work on virtually any short shot they can the left around a large natural area. The third allow for run up shots, offers sweeping vistas imagine. hole, a 198-yard par-three, is reminiscent of The Sakonnet Passage, the Atlantic Ocean Set at the end of a tree-lined drive, the of early 20th century designs, with a raised and Narragansett Bay. When fall arrives and Newport National Golf Clubhouse, designed green surrounded by bunkers. the trees surrounding the layout turn colors by Cordtsen Design Architecture, will The fourth hole is the best short par-four and the tall grass glistens with the slanting welcome guests with a classical colonnade on the layout. It plays just 327 yards from sunlight, Newport National stuns the senses. entry way, and will be a two-story shingle the tips and big hitters can cut off distance
As for the future, plans call for the style building. The architectural design by taking the tee shot straight over bunkers construction of a new nine holes across a takes its cues from Aquidneck Island’s rich and high grass that guard the left side of the road from the existing 18-hole layout to be cultural heritage, blended with clubhouses fairway. called “The Vineyard Course”, as well as a from around the world. The lower level The eighth hole is a dogleg right, 567- stately clubhouse. Plans, which have been will feature a lounge connecting to locker yard par-five that finishes at a rectangular submitted for review for the new nine holes rooms. A nearby pro shop will be located in green that makes one think of the classic and the clubhouse, which could open in the center of the action with commanding Scottish courses and their quirky shaped 2022. views of the Vineyard Course and practice putting surfaces.
The Vineyard Course at Newport facility. Two grand stairways will lead to a Number 17 is a beefy par-four, measuring National will be set on a gently rolling grill room and function hall, both set with 489 yards from the back markers. A long and terrain, and the new holes will be crafted wood trusses topped with soaring wood deep snake bunker guards the left side of the to blend seamlessly with their natural ceilings. These areas open south to outdoor fairway, and if the wind is in your face it’s surroundings and preserve historic stone dining overlooking the tees and greens of the almost impossible to get home in two. walls and specimen oak trees. Much like the Vineyard Course. Orchard Course, the new nine will have a The Orchard Course became a must play Newport National Golf Club decided New England feel that is reminiscent the day it opened. The layout features greens, Middletown, R.I. of many classic old golf courses found in the tees and fairways consisting of 100 percent 401-848-9690 Northeast. seaside bent grass. The wind often blows off www.NewportNational.com