Lots Going On in Rhode Island for Our Subscribers

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While it might not make you play any better it should make you feel good when you realize that when you take a loop around Laurel Lane Country Club (www.LaurelLaneCountryClub.com) in West Kingston is what owner Joe Videtta called the only totally solar powered golf club in New England, and maybe the Northeast.

Videtta, who owns the course with his brother Mike, installed a solar farm on about an acre of property the course sits on. The farm, which houses 14 solar arrays near the course’s eighth, ninth and 11th holes, were purchased from All Earth Renewables, a Vermont-based firm, and installed by general contractor Anthony Barrow. The units came on line last fall and power the entire golf course, from the pump station that controls irrigation to the clubhouse.

“Laurel Lane is located on about 180 acres, so it was an ideal location to install a solar farm,” said Joe Videtta, who also owns Country Club and Country View Golf Club in Rhode Island and Pine Ridge Country Club in Massachusetts. “We already had an electrical source near the pump station, which cut down on the total cost,” which was half a million dollars.

Laurel Lane Country Club in West Kingston is a par-71, 6,128-yard course that has relatively few bunkers and is a place where all skill levels to play. He course begins in demanding fashion. The first hole is a 412-yard par-four, the second, a 482-yard par-five that tempts payers to go for the green in two after a big drive, and the third a 189-yard par-three. The backside has several short par-fours where birdie awaits and a 548-yard par-five to end your round.

Another Videtta owned and managed course, Country View Golf Club (www.CountryViewGolf.net) in Harrisville is lined with willow trees and routed over a rolling terrain. There are few bunkers but they are stra-

tegically placed, and the greens are on the small side and rather difficult to hit, which places a premium on chipping ability. The par-fours on the front side are risk-reward holes, while the only par-five on the outward nine being the 475-yard sixth, which is reachable in two for long hitters. The back side toughens up, with two tough par-fours, and two strong par-threes, including the 199-yard 17th.

Kings Crossing Golf Club (www.KingsCrossingGolfClub.com) in North Kingston was originally designed by renowned golf architect, Geoffrey Cornish and opened in 1964. From the beginning of the round players

will find an unexpectedly meandering and flowing landscape with holes that offer variety, aesthetic charm and flexibility. The course is uniquely laid out to allow players to enjoy a round of 4 holes…which we call the “shorty”, a solid 9-hole test or, with a truly flexible tee marker system, 18 holes that provide enough variety to challenge all abilities. The greens are softly moving and fair, while the bunkering on the course bring a classic style to the eye. Another characteristic of Kings Crossing is playability.

Pinecrest Golf Club (www.PinecrestRI. com) in Carolina, which opened for play about 13 years ago, is a well-thought out-routing and fun and challenging at the same time. While not overly long, Pinecrest is fairly tight and has several doglegs and uphill shots that complicate navigation. The third hole is a par-four that goes straight uphill from the tee box, which makes its relatively short yardage somewhat misleading. This nine-holer is well worth a second trip around.

North Kingston Golf Course (www.NKGC.com) in North Kingston is a favorite of locals and visitors alike. The layout was designed by Walter Johnson, an associate of the legendary Donald Ross. While the total yardage of North Kingston GC is 6,200 yards, with a par of 70, the breezes off the Narragansett Bay add to the challenge of the course.

Winnapaug Country Club (www.WinnapaugCountryClub.com) in Westerly is a solid routing, one that rambles over hill and dale and that affords several views of the ocean in the distance. The layout plays around 6,400 yards from the tips. The par-fives are all under 500 yards, which makes birdie a real possibility on each. The par-fours are an eclectic bunch, ranging from the difficult 425- yard fourth hole to the 339- yard fifth. The par-threes are a strength of the course.

Although it is only nine holes, Rose Hill Golf Club (401-788-1088) in South Kingstown is a par-three layout in allows you to work on your iron play and has holes ranging from 118 to 218 yards. It is a favorite of locals and tourists alike because you can play nine, or even 18, in less than two hours. The course is well maintained. Three holes, the second, fourth and fifth, play across water and test your nerves and ability as a ball striker.

The owners and management at Coventry Pines Golf Course (www.CoventryPines.com) in Coventry have invested dollars and labor into refurbishing their nine-hole course. Coventry Pines is a little tester, measuring 3,170 yards. Two of the toughest holes are back to back, the 408-yard par-four fifth and the 520-yard par-five sixth. The latter is listed as the course’s number one handicap hole.

Midville Golf Club (www.MidvilleGolfClub.com) in West Warwick is a sweet nine-hole course. Ownership and the superintendent place a premium on superb playing conditions. The layout measures just under 3,000 yards from the tips, and there are several par-fours that are almost reachable off the tee by big hitters. The number one handicap hole is the 6th, a par-five that measures 535 yards.

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