2021 Golfing Magazine, New England Spring Edition by Golfing Magazine

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• Two Fabulous BOYNE Golf Properties in Maine • Barnstable Golf on Cape Cod • GolfTEC • Private Courses You Can Play With Golfing Magazine. • Golf Bags and Golf Carts • Must Play Courses New England Edition Spring 2021

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PLAY MORE GOLF FOR LESS IN 2021 Golfing Magazine’s Subscription program is “THE BEST DEAL IN GOLF.”

TESTIMONIALS In case you think this program is too good to be true! I only played 4 of the courses and still think this is the best deal in golf. I’m buying one for my 3 buddies I play with each Tuesday. I know I’ll be using it a lot more next year! Dick R. Danbury, CT

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THIS IS A VERY SIMPLE PROGRAM Step 1) Subscribe to Golfing Magazine Purchase a subscription to Golfing Magazine for $49.95 and you become part of the Golfing Magazine Ambassador Program entitling you to complimentary rounds of golf at over 65 courses by just paying a cart fee. You also receive deep discounts at 75 other courses and resorts in the area. Plus receive discount coupons at local retailers including Golfers’ Warehouse. Plus receive Golfing Magazine 4 times annually. Step 2) We’ll mail you the Golf Magazine Ambassador program certificate. This is your ticket to complimentary or discounted rounds of golf at all the participating courses. Step 3) Play lots of golf With over 120 courses to choose from, feel free to play a lot of golf. Call the course as you would normally to book a tee time within 72 hours of your requested tee time. Let them know you have a Golfing Magazine certificate. At check-in, present your certificate and then head out to play golf!

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

New England Spring 2021 Volume 48

Issue 2

golfing m a g a z i ne ™

Spring 2021

Publisher Tom Landers TLanders@GolfingMagazine.net Creative Director Heidi Dyer Production@GolfingMagazine.net Editor John Torsiello Editor@GolfingMagazine.net

The Club at River Oaks FROM THE PUBLISHER

6 Get Out And Play Golf FEATURES

8 BOYNE Golf Properties in Maine

INSTRUCTION

37 Add a Little Flare to Your Setup 38 Hold The Finish on the Full Swing 39 Practice Swings, Get Grounded

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 Gene Mulak, PGA Contributing Photographer Mark William Paul

12 GOLFTEC’s Commitment to Grow 39 Cure Tour Slice the Game for All 14 Barnstable Golf On Cape Cod 16 Private Courses You Can Play with Golfing Magazine

MUST PLAYS

20 Featured Resorts Omni Mount Washington Resort Mount Snow Resort Bethel Inn Resort Killington Grand Resort Wyndhurst Manor & Club Poland Spring Resort 24 Lots Going On in Rhode Island 26 Nine Hole Gems TRAVEL

30 Sea Pines Resort on Hilton Head Island

Wentworth Hills Country Club Heather Hill Country Club Hertitage Country Club Wyckoff Country Club Whitney Farms Golf Course Crestbrook Park Golf Course Cold Spring Country Club Crystal Lake Golf Club Stanley Golf Course Hunter Golf Club Blackstone National Golf Club Blissful Meadows Golf Club Fox Hopyard Golf Club Crumpin-Fox Club

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.

GET AWAY

41 Rip Van Winkle Trail in New York EQUIPMENT

32 The Latest in Cart & Carry Bags 35 The Latest in Carts 4

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olf courses have proved to be oasis where we have been able to reconnect with friends while playing the game we love and enjoy the great outdoors in a safe fashion. More and more people are turning to golf as a way to keep fit and get out of their homes during the long days of summer. What better way to do this than to take advantage of Golfing Magazine New England’s Course Play Stimulus Program and play all the golf you desire. Golfing Magazine is making it easier for readers to “Play Golf for Less” this year with our celebrated “Free Golf ” program that entitles an individual signing up for an annual subscription to the magazine the opportunity to play free or reduced rate golf at over 130 of the top daily fee courses and private tracks in the region. We have worked tirelessly to enhance our course list for 2021 and your subscription promises to be worth more than ever. We believe we are going beyond giving lip service to “growing the game” by offering

GET OUT AND PLAY GOLF Gillette Ridge in Bloomfield, CT explains How to Cure Your Slice. Sue Kaffenburg of Bayberry Hills Golf Course in Yarmouth, MA and New England PGA Teacher of the Year gives thoughts on how to Get Gounded in Your Practice Swings. George Connor of Farmington Woods Country Club and 2-Time CT PGA Teacher of the Year tells us why Holding The Finish is so valuable. Gene Mulak, Head Golf Professional at Silver Springs Country Club in Ridgefield and a Certified Stack& Tilt golf instuctor adds a Little Flare to Your Setup. Also in this issue, you will find some of our “Must Play” New England courses that you can access at a discount with the Golfing Magazine subscription program. Enjoy our Spring Issue, sign up for a subscription and get the sticks sizzling. Golf season has finally arrived and we’ve got a ton of great courses for you to play. We thank you so very much for staying with us, and promise to stay with you so that as we put our clubs in the trunk, we can hit the fairway running. We thank you for your enduring love of golf; good times will return.

this invaluable program. There’s a lot of talk about getting more people out to play the game, we do something about it! To take advantage of this tremendous offer, call 860-563-1633, or visit www.FreeGolf.net. Remember, you get four issues of our digital magazine in addition to discounted rounds of golf when you subscribe. Here at Golfing Magazine, we are certainly looking forward to the golf season, as it seems to be starting. To that end, this digital issue of the year is worth exploring for information, profiles, instructional tips, and more that can be found in the pages that follow. In this digital issue of Golfing Magazine highlight some of the golf resorts in the New England States, we take you on road trips through the states of Maine and Rhode Island and tell you about the best nine-hole layouts in New England. We also bring you a look at the private courses enrolled in our program, from new age The Club at River Oaks in Kent to venerable layouts such as Farmington Woods Country Club in Farmington and Tumble Brook Country Club in Bloomfield. We tell you about a great stay and play opportunity at the Sunny Hill and Thunderhart resorts in the Catskills of New York State. The resorts’ three courses are part of our Free Golf Offer. Check out the golf in Barnstable, Massachusetts and at fabulous Newport National Golf Club in Rhode Island, and what GOLFTEC is doing to make the game more inclusionary for all people. You also will find out about the newest golf bags and push carts. We also have a line-up of some of our favorite instructors in the area to get you ready for golf this season. Lucas Hitchcock of the Arnold Palmer Golf Academy at

All That Is Good,

Tom Landers, Publisher

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Your old clubs can make a big difference Donate Your Clubs to Help Diversify the Game Help GOLFTEC drive the game towards greater accessibility and diversity by donating your old, used golf equipment to “Clubs for a Cause”!

Scan this to start your donation!

Diversity and inclusion are essential to our game’s health, and growth, which is why we are launching GOLFTEC Cares with a “Clubs for a Cause” donation program. When you donate your clubs, 100% of the money raised will go to organizations like Black Girls Golf, Solich Caddie & Leadership Academy, and other efforts to make the game more diverse and accessible.

Start your donation at golftec.com/clubsforacause In partnership with 7 Local New England Training Centers - Find yours at golftec.com www.GolfingMagazine.net

Cover Story

Two Fabulous BOYNE Golf Properties Await in Maine

By TOM LANDERS had the opportunity to visit the Sunday River and Sugarloaf resorts early this fall and came away duly impressed with two of the best courses in New England, both set amid the wild beauty and laid back living western Maine offers to visitors. Boyne Golf, which has a splendid cache of resorts and golf courses in Michigan, acquired Sunday River and Sugarloaf last year. Special Play and Stay packages are available, allowing you to experience both properties, as well as Belgrade Lakes (not a Boyne Golf property) in Belgrade as an option. A nice golf vacation would be a two-day stay at Sunday River followed by a similar length stay at Sugarloaf with a round of golf at Belgrade Lakes thrown in as one travels between the two Boyne Golf properties. Tucked into the unspoiled landscape of western Maine near the Mahoosuc Mountain Range is one of the best golf courses ever designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr., Sunday River Golf Club.

Since it opened in 2005, the track has won raves from reviewers and recreational golfers alike for its beauty, superb routing and challenging holes. In fact, Jones, Jr. has said that Sunday River was one of his most pleasurable undertakings to date. The course sits on a hillside and offers sweeping views across the Sunday River Valley to the Mahoosuc Mountain Range. I had the pleasure of playing a round with head pro Jerry Roman, who gave me the lowdwn onn this special layout. “Sunday Rier is an excellent routing with generous fairways that make the holes approchable for all players. It’s playable for the mid- to highhandicap golfer, with plenty of challenge for the single-digit handicapper.” Jerry told me that driver is usually never out of your hands on the tee boxes and can be employed on almost every par-four and parfive. “The shorter your approach shots, the better your chance you have to score here,” he said. “Bring your best putting stroke, the greens are slopped and can be quick. You

First Hole at Sunday River Golf Club 8 8

Golfing GolfingMagazine Magazine••New NewEngland EnglandEdition Edition

can find yourself over-reading breaks. Pick the right line and they run true.” Jones worked his magic and incorporated the natural terrain and its various physical features into the design of Sunday River, which plays over 7,000 yards from the tips and is rated as one of the toughest layouts in the Northeast. Each hole is pleasingly selfcontained and there are numerous elevation changes as the course winds up and down the hillside. There is no water to speak of and both the fairways and greens are generous. But there are lots of bunkers and forced carries over waste areas that demand precision off the tees and on approaches to the undulating putting surfaces. The par-threes, several of them playing from dramatically elevated tees, as well as the par-fives, are a strength of Sunday River. The 499-yard par-five first hole sets a stunning tone for the remainder of the round. The fairway runs downhill to the green and the putting surface can be reached in two shots, providing you play your ball

BOYNE Golf near Petoskey, Michigan is one of the premiere golf destinations in the country for any type of golf getaway. What is important when you chose a golf vacation? A variety of quality courses, beauty of the landscape, the quality of service, affordability and accommodations are all on the list and BOYNE Golf checks all the marks. BOYNE Golf ’s ten courses and resorts in the northwest portion of Lower Michigan provides perfect summer weather and long summer days, allowing you to play 36 holes or more very easily or 18 and plenty of time to enjoy a Pure Michigan vacation. In the summer their Million Dollar Sunsets are as late as 10pm.! BOYNE Golf has 10 magnificent courses in its impressive cache, including two in the Golf Digest Top 100 and has three distinct resorts located within 30 minutes of one another. BOYNE Golf can accommodate the needs of the most avid golfer and the casual golfer. It is the largest golf resort group in America north of the famous Pinehurst in North Carolina.

10th Hole at Sugarloaf Golf Course down the right side and avoid two bunkers on either side of the green. The 425-yard-par four fifth plays shorter than its length because it’s all downhill, and the ninth, a 339-yarder, is a great example of a superb, short par-four. The tee shot and approach must carry waste areas. Number 14 is a demanding, 213-yard par-three that is all carry over another waste area to a redan-style green. While the downhill holes allow big hitters off the tee to approach the putting surfaces with short or mid-irons after a good drive, Jones followed a downhill hole with one working its way back up the hillside. The most notable climbs are found on numbers three, seven, eight and 15, and all call for at least one or two more clubs to get to the right yardage. The par-four 17th is a beast from every tee marker, and according to Jerry has been

BOYNE Golf is comprised of three separate resorts, Boyne Mountain Resort, Inn at Bay Harbor and Boyne Highlands Resort, each offering unique guest experiences and activities. Guests can choose from standard hotel rooms to 5-Star birdied only once from the back tees. Sunday River features a comprehensive accommodations at the Inn at Bay Harbor, A practice range with six target greens ranging Marriot Autograph Resort. Or choose from from 75 to 265 yards in distance, as well as a condominiums, townhomes and cabins on the courses, on the water, or on the mountain. large putting green. The resort has over 700 condominiums, Nearby Traverse City’s Cherry Capital ranging from studio condos to three-bedroom airport offers direct flights from 17 major U.S. townhomes, all with access to indoor and cities including Boston, Newark, LaGuardia, outdoor pools and saunas. Sunday River and Philadelphia, making BOYNE Golf an offers attractive stay and play package at the easy destination for the Northeast golfers. property’s Jordan Hotel, which is just two Other northeast airports such as Hartford miles from the golf course. and Manchester connect through Detroit The litle towns that dot the area have or Chicago to Traverse City. A scenic quaint shops and restaurants, while hiking 90-minute drive from Traverse City along and bike trails abound. There’s fishing, Lake Michigan gets you to Petoskey in time kayaking and canoeing for apres golf. for an afternoon round of golf. There are special golf courses that define and embody a region. Pebble Beach BOYNEGolf.com for reflects the stunning beauty of the Monterey Visit details or call 844.884.4374 Peninsula. Augusta National sums up the charm and grace of the South. Bethpage www.GolfingMagazine.net

Cover Story Black embodies the tumult and challenge of New York City. Tucked into the western mountain region of Maine is a course that brilliantly captures the awesome natural beauty of northern New England: Sugarloaf Golf Club in Carabaset Valley. One of the most scenic and challenging golf courses to be found anywhere, the Robert Trent Jones, Jr. wonder has six holes on the back side where the crystal clear Carabassett River comes into play, including the simply incredible, 216-yard par-three 11th. The tee shot is from a dramatically elevated area that offers a oneof-kind view of the blue-tinged mountains and plays across the Carabassett River to a large green. The 401-yard 14th and the 178-yard 15th also play across the Carabassett Sunday River Golf Club, Hole 17 River. It’s no wonder this stretch of holes has been called “The String of Pearls.” to golfers of all abilities, and shot values at I had a tough time concentrating on the Sugarloaf are high, rewarding golfers for golf as I played “The String of Pearls”, it’s good strikes. It’s no wonder individuals make just that gorgeous a routing. But you need annual treks to the resort during the summer to be sharp because there are forced carries and early fall to not only enjoy the course that demand you hit the ball crisply and but also sample the multitude of recreational accurately. But even if don’t play well, you offerings the area has to offer. will leave with a truly lasting memory. It’s difficult not to be impressed and The course is consistently ranked the best inspired by Sugarloaf. It is not exageraiton for in Maine and New England and among the me to say that the views and scenery, as well as top 100 courses in the country by various the pure playing experience derived from “The publications and rating services. String of Pearls”, are alone worth the price of Jones, Jr. called the course, “One of admission. The resort serves as an ideal base camp the most spectacular courses I’ve ever been associated with.” The layout offers challenge for all kinds of outdoor fun and frolic beyond

great golf. The property has pristine views and access to the Maine wilderness, while its many lodging offerings provide a comfortable place to relax at night. Guest services at Sugarloaf, as at Sunday River, are consistently rated among the best in the industry, ensuring an enjoyable stay for all visitors. And, like at Sunday River, nature is all around you. Be sure to put these two courses on your must play list for 2021. www.SundayRiver.com www.Sugarloaf.com.

Sugarloaf Golf Course, Hole 16 10 10

GolfingMagazine Magazine• •New NewEngland EnglandEdition Edition Golfing

2019 NATIONAL GOLF COURSE OF THE YEAR The Heather BEST GOLF RESORTS IN AMERICA BOYNE Golf — Forbes.com — 100 GREATEST PUBLIC COURSES The Heather #92, Links/Quarry #80 — Golf Digest — EDITOR’S CHOICE BEST GOLF RESORTS IN AMERICA Bay Harbor Golf Club & Inn at Bay Harbor — Golf Digest — TOP 100 RESORTS Buddies Trip BOYNE Golf Luxury Bay Harbor Golf Club & Inn at Bay Harbor — GOLF Magazine & GOLF.com —

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Company Profile

GOLFTEC’s Major Commitment to Grow the Game for All By, JOHN TORSIELLO

onsidered the world leader in golf improvement and club fitting, Denver, Colorado-based GOLFTEC is making a major commitment to go beyond the business of golf to enhance lives around the world with innovative and inclusionary initiatives. With over $2 million in charitable giving in 2020, GOLFTEC is aiming for an even greater impact in 2021 and beyond. GOLFTEC Cares which includes their Clubs for a Cause program is uniting communities through golf and driving the game towards greater accessibility, diversity, and long-lasting charitable impact donation program. The company believes that diversity and inclusion are essential to the game’s health, and growth, thus the establishment of GOLFTEC Cares and Clubs for a Cause club donation program. When individuals donate their clubs, 100 percent of the money raised will go to organizations such

as Black Girls Golf, Solich Caddie & Leadership Academy, and other efforts to make the game more diverse and accessible. “The future of golf is in our hands. We must create a culture that demands diversity and inclusion,” said GOLFTEC CEO and Co-Founder, Joe Assell. “With the launch of GOLFTEC Cares and the “Clubs for a Cause” program, we are using our passion for the game to drive change and make golf accessible to everyone.” For an even greater impact, GOLFTEC Cares is working with several partners in the golf industry, such as Mizuno, PING, 2nd Swing, and others, who are united to make golf inclusive and inviting for all by matching the value of donated clubs. Since 1995, GOLFTEC’s mission has remained the same--to help people play better golf. The GOLFTEC experience is built to offer a place where golfers of all ages and ability levels can work with an expert in golf instruction to build a game improvement plan customized to their specific needs and goals. And with the aid of technology that

Golfing Magazine • New England Edition

gives our students and coaches instant and data-driven feedback, helping people find their potential in ways that accelerate the improvement journey. With millions of lessons given and more than 200 locations across the world, GOLFTEC is the world leader in golf instruction. GOLFTEC has seen explosive growth within the past several years with numerous locations opened worldwide during that time. Locally, the company has locations regionally in New England in Stamford, West Hartford, and Westport in Connecticut, Cranston, Rhode Island, and Needham, Burlington and Danvers in Massachusetts. Several years ago, the company announced a total brand refresh that included the unveiling of a vibrant new in-center design scheme, updated logo, enhanced club-fitting program and advanced in-bay teaching technology. GOLFTEC was founded in 1995 in Denver by Joe Assell, the company’s CEO. His mission was simple, as it remains today; to help people play better golf. Assell saw

an opportunity to leverage technology and well-trained Certified Personal Coaches to produce more fact-based instruction. Among the factors weighing into Assell’s decision to launch GOLFTEC was a growing interest in golf and instruction with no coherent, repeatable path or process for player improvement, particularly at the avid amateur level; an under-utilized base of passionate PGA instructors who were limited by seasonal, outdoor employment opportunities that created hidden capacity; a lack of business vision and organizational structure to connect the first two factors to generate on-course results for golfers; and career viability for PGA professionals, and worthwhile returns for investors. To find more information about GOLFTEC’s “Clubs for a Cause” donation program, go to

golftec.com/clubs-for-a-cause. To find more information about GOLFTEC Cares,

you can watch this short video https://vimeo.com/532437286 or go to golftec.com/cares.

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getaway

Enjoy Golf in Barnstable on Cape Cod

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 warm spring months. It’s not just the golf that is to be enjoyed on Cape Cod, but pretty much everything about this narrow piece of precious land that stretches into the Atlantic Ocean like a flexed arm. When not nailing seven-irons to the green, you can get away from it all on the beaches, hiking trails and shopping in cozy villages. Check out the numerous seafood restaurants and lobster shanties, where you can sample fresh caught seafood and enjoy a beverage while sitting on a picnic table and gazing out into a harbor or the rolling ocean waves. The National Seashore and its remodeled visitor’s center, as well as a number of other wildlife sanctuaries, feature miles of walking and biking trails and strolls along the beach. And it’s easy to find suitable accommodations, whether it’s on the ocean or bay side of the Cape, a fine hotel in Chatham or a cottage in the dunes in Wellfleet. 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 Mungeam-designed 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” 14

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

Golfing Magazine • New England Edition

demands accuracy off the tee and a front bunker guards this two-tier green. 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 par71 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. www.Barnstable.golf.

Barnstable Golf Spring Special $59 for 18 Holes & Cart, Monday- Thursday All Day * Hyannis Golf Course Only Promotion Valid Until May 27, 2021

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Private Eyes

Enjoy These Private Courses

With a Subcription to Golfing Magazine

s if you needed extra incentive to sign up for Golfing Magazine’s Free Golf program, what with all the great daily fee and resort courses we have lined up. But we also have some superb private courses you can play if you join. We have around 130 courses this year in our program, all with no greens fees. To take advantage of this tremendous offer, call 860-563-1633, or visit www.FreeGolf.net. Let’s take a look at these private courses that are part of our overall comprehensive list for 2021. A premier addition to our lineup of private courses is The Golf Club at River Oaks, located on the Sherman/ New Milford town line in western Connecticut. River Oaks 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. PGA star Phil Mickelson was said to have called it a superb layout when he visited.

so don’t be fooled into thinking even the white markers, around 6,100 yards, are easy. They are not, even for the better players. The finishing holes at River Oaks are all very good, which adds to the satisfaction of playing the course. A well-designed golf course should always reach a stirring climax and River Oaks does that. After a nice parthree in the woods at 15 there’s a short par-five (503 from the tips) that can be reached in Farmington Woods Country Club two by the big hitters, and then comes the course’s signaRobert McNeil designed the course that ture hole in my estimation, the opened in 2003, and he built into it chal- 210-yard par-three 17th that plays across lenge and fairness. The fairways are rather a pond to a narrow green. It’s a great look generous on the par-fives and longer par- from an elevated tee. fours and tighter and strewn with fairway Farmington Woods Country Club in bunkers on several of the shorter par-fours. Farmington, Ct. was designed by renowned The greens are fairly large and kept on the American designer Desmond Muirhead, fast side. The rough is manageable and who also crafted the famed Jack Nicklaus the greenside bunkers challenging yet not Muirfield Village course in Ohio. unfair. The late Muirhead is remembered for While the course is no push-over, it is his fully integrated course communities like eminently playable for any golfer, as long McCormick Ranch in Scottsdale; the Dinah as you tee it up from the proper markers. Shore Tournament Course at Mission Hills The tips play 6,730 yards with a slope near Palm Springs, and his six-year partnerof 138 and a course rating of 73.8. The ship with Jack Nicklaus, which produced layout plays to a par of 71 and has five par- the aforementioned Muirfield Village. threes, which cut into the overall length, The layout is unique to the Farmington

Tumble Brook Country Club 16 16

Golfing GolfingMagazine Magazine• •New NewEngland EnglandEdition Edition

The Club at River Oaks, 9th Hole

River Valley area in that there are some dramatic elevation changes in what is usually a rather flat section of Connecticut. The course features ample woods that line many of the fairways and wetlands that, of course, must be cleared or avoided. Tumble Brook Country Club in Bloomfield, Ct. was named for a brook that flows through the property. It was incorporated and organized in October of 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. In 2002 the club began a renovation program for the golf course. Mark McCumber and Associates was the architects for the renovations, and in 2005 the course work was completed. 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. Suffield Country Club Suffield, Ct. is an historic, finely manicured track that is set in a beautiful area. The routing was created by Ian Smyth and is a classic, traditional New England-style course that ambles over the rolling land, and plays only around 3,000 yards for 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, heavy rough and tall oak trees

off the fairways. Only two holes, three and seven, have fairway bunkers. Holes five and eight do not have any greenside bunkers. No par-five is over 500 yards, and no par-four is over 400 yards. The club’s second hole has been rated as the fourth toughest par-three in the state. It can play as far back as 230 yards. Cohasse Country Club is located less than two miles south from the center of Southbridge, Ma. The track was designed by Donald Ross in 1916 and plays 3,061 yards with a par of 35. Known for outstanding conditions and greens that roll true, the course is challenging and at the same time fair and rewarding of good shots. The first hole is a tough, 410yard par-four and the fifth is a great, short par-four that plays 327 yards and doglegs sharply to the left. To have access to these premier private courses, call 860-563-1633, or visit www. FreeGolf.net.

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Private Eyes

Wethersfield Country Club

ethersfield Country Club located in central Connecticut has perhaps the richest golf history in Southern New England, but it also has a strong commitment to the present and future of its membership. They are still celebrating their 100th Anniversary. WCC, incorporated in 1916, is very conscious and proud of its connection to the PGA, its rich tradition of champions at all levels of play and the current players making their mark on the tours. In 1952 WCC hosted the first PGA tour event in the state. Golf professionals regularly frequent the course to test what some believe are the best greens around. While the Club honors its past, it is

the superb golf course and amenities that continue to draw members and corporate outings from throughout the region. A staff with over fifty years of experience maintains the course conditions. There’s an excellent practice facility, which includes two putting greens, teaching sections, a practice bunker

Golfing Magazine • New England Edition

and separate area to hone your short game. The clubhouse offers first class dining and event services along with casual dining both inside or outside on the wrap-around porch with spectacular views of the 1st and 18th holes. WCC is known as ‘The Club of Champions.’ Twelve members of the Club are also members of the Connecticut Golf Hall of Fame. Wethersfield Country Club is accepting appications for membership for 2021. Contact us today to book a tour of the club. Call us today at (959)777-4992. or email Joyce@WethersfieldCC.org

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Massachusetts’ Best Public Course! – Golf Digest

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Featured RESORT

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

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 20

was voted Golfweek’s Best Course You Can Play 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. You will want to stay and play when you visit, as the Omni Mount Washington Resort is a grand masterpiece of Spanish Renaissance architecture, conceived by industrialist Joseph Stickney, and named a National Historic Landmark. The Hotel originally opened in 1902 and has served as a retreat for the famous and every day folk ever since. The all-new Presidential Wing opened in December, 2020, and features views of the surrounding mountains and golf courses from private balconies and patios. www.OmniHotels.com

with the latest in equipment, accessories, and 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.

Golfing Magazine • New England Edition

During your visit, stop by Fairways 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.

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Tournament Featured REsort must plays

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

Bethel Inn Resort

he Bethel Inn Resort golf course in Bethel, Me. is a venerable layout, built over 100 years ago. The course takes full advantage of mountain vistas and the natural beauty of the area. Large, well-trapped greens, treelined fairways and five tee positions make play challenging for golfers of every ability. There is a pleasant mix of short and long par-fours, tough par-threes and demanding par-fives that will test the ability of golfers of all abilities. The course was just nine holes for a number years before an additional nine holes was added in 1988 to bring it to championship caliber. The course was redesigned and expanded by the renowned New England architect Geoffrey Cornish. The existing layout has been recognized not only for its natural beauty but also as a very good test of playing ability.

Golfing Magazine • New England Edition

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 168yard par-three. The course is open mid-May through midOctober. The resort has a new practice facility, as well as a new fleet of golf carts. 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.

The 6,663-yard, par-72 layout was listed by America’s Greatest Golf Resorts among the top 10 resort courses in the Northeast, and Golf Digest magazine awarded it 3 1/2 stars. The Bethel Inn Resort offers complete and affordable stay, play and dine golf getaways and PGA golf school vacation packages. There are 158 guest rooms at the Inn in both traditional accommodations and luxury townhomes. There’s a formal dining room or the more casual Millbrook Tavern and Grille to enjoy. The resort offers a health club with spa services, a lake house, tennis and other lawn games, and several state parks are located nearby for the adventurous. The property offers a truly all-around, fun-packed experience for individuals, couples and families. www.BethelInn.com

Featured REsort

Wyndhurst Manor & Club

he Wyndhurst Manor & Club, located in Lenox, Ma., features an historic 18-hole course (actually 19 holes). It’s a picturesque, traditional New England resort course routed over the hills surrounding the resort and through mature woodlands of the area. The course features tree-lined fairways and naturally contoured greens that have been carefully preserved in the more than 80 years since the course was built. The eighth hole is one of the best on the course. You tee off next to the resort hotel and can cut the distance to the hole on the 347-yard par-four dramatically if you take the drive over trees that hug the left side. It’s all downhill to a small green that is easy to miss if you don’t concentrate on the pitch shot. You need to score well on the front side because the inward nine is much more difficult, with several brutal par-fours and some very good par-threes waiting. The 11th is one of the course’s signature holes, a 200-yard parthree that plays from a chute of trees to a severely slopped green. Huge bunkers guard the putting surface. The finishing hole is a wide open 393-yard par-four that allows you to hit driver and follow up with a mid- or short-iron into the slightly elevated green. Then it’s a bit of a drive, or walk, back to the clubhouse,

which allows you to take in the scenery and tally up your score. And remember that 19th hole? The par-four is situated near the eighth green and plays toward the clubhouse, allowing golfers who need to get back for dinner or a spa treatment to enjoy a shorter round. www.WyndhurstManorAndClub.com

Poland Spring Resort

t the Poland Spring Resort in Poland Spring, Ma. you will find a superb golf course that was established in 1895 by Arthur Fenn and re-designed by the famed Donald Ross in 1912. The Links at Poland Spring in Maine claims to be the first golf course built at a resort in the United States. To warm up for your round, Poland Spring Resort has a 330-yardlong driving range with natural grass, artificial tees, and a spectacular view of the rugged White Mountains. After or après golf you can relax on the clubhouse porch overlooking the championship golf course at Mel’s Hilltop Restaurant, or grab a quick bite at the Pro Shop Café before you join your family for a swim in the large crystal clear swimming pool, all just a few yards from the 18th green. The Inn offers a number of options for dining. Poland Spring Resort’s Lodge includes both an arcade and a general store. Fresh air adventures are to be found everywhere here, with miles of hiking trails that line the golf course and wind through the woods, taking you past the calm waters of Lower Range Pond. Cyndi’s Dockside, a restaurant on the shores of Middle Range Pond, was recently renovated and provides another alternative for family dining by a large fieldstone fireplace or outside next to the lake. Poland Spring Resort is part of the Maine Trifecta giving you the opportunity to play three golf courses in the area: Poland Spring Golf Course, Fox Ridge Golf Course and Spring Meadow Golf Course. Call 207-998-4351 for information, or visit www.MaineTrifecta.com. www.PolandSpringInns.com

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Must Plays

Lots Going on in Rhode Island For Our Subscribers

By, JOHN TORSIELLO

hanks to Golfing Magazine’s Free Golf offer, our subscribers can play top courses in Rhode Island this year. To take advantage of Golfing Magazine’s Free Golf offer, call 860-563-1633, or visit www.FreeGolf.net. 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 Vermontbased 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 24

lined with willow trees and routed over a rolling terrain. There are few bunkers but they are strategically 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

Laurel Lane Country Club 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

Golfing Magazine • New England Edition

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. 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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Must Plays

Nine-Hole Courses for Your Plating Pleasure

By, JOHN TORSIELLO

ine-hole courses serve a valuable role in the golf industry. They allow all players--from beginners to seniors-to enjoy the game in a relaxed setting without having to spend five hours of your day looping the links. Even if we are busy with all that life throws our way, there still is time to fit a quick nine holes into a day. Especially on the weekdays or late afternoons on the weekends, nine holes can be managed in about two hours…or less. The USGA’s “Play 9” campaign is aimed at potential players who don’t have the time or inclination to play a full round. Take advantage of Golfing Magazine’s Free Golf offer and test out the following nine-holers. Call 860-563-1633, or visit www.FreeGolf.net.

CONNECTICUT. Green Woods Country Club in Winsted (www.GreenWoodsCC.net) is a former private track that went semi-private a few years back. The conditions are very good, even on this early season day. Typical of the old nine-hole courses in New England (Greenwoods was built over 100 years ago) the layout is on the short side, with small, tricky greens as its only defense in these days of powerful drivers and juiced golf balls. Walking onto the Hotchkiss School Golf Course (www.Hotchkiss.org) in Lakeville is akin to stepping back in time, that is, from

Minnechaug Golf Course a golfer’s viewpoint. The course is located on the grounds of a prestigious private school, and has been virtually untouched since it opened in 1924.The course was originally built Seth Raynor, one of the legendary names of American golf course architecture. Raynor’s’ work was routed over the existing terrain, which makes for mounding in the fairways and sometimes wildly undulating greens, as well as deep greenside bunkers. Canaan Countr y Club (www.CanaanCC.com) in Canaan is a scenic

Green Woods Country Club 26

Golfing Magazine • New England Edition

routing in the northwest hills of Connecticut The par-35 course, which borders the Blackberry River and crosses over wetlands, has several holes that feature a picturesque view of Canaan Mountain. The par three eighth, which plays from 170 to 210 yards depending upon tee placement, has made several “Ten Toughest Par 3’s in Connecticut” lists over the years. It plays over a deep gully to an elevated green. The green is deep, so a back pin placement adds 10 to 15 yards to the shot. There’s OB left, but a bailout to the right is possible, which leaves a finesse pitch shot to the green. Eastwoods Country Club (www.EastwoodsCountryClub.com) in Torrington is a great place for beginners and accomplished players alike. The layout plays to around 3,000 yards from the tips and features one of the toughest par-fives in the state. The 564-yard ninth hole demands a right to left tee shot that must steer clear of trees on both sides. The second shot is uphill and needs to clear a pond to set up a mid-iron approach to a table top green. Copper Hill Golf Club (www.CopperHillGolf.com) in East Granby is a very good test of golf, with a nice mix of short and long par-fours, two very demanding par-threes, and two par-fives that are reachable in two for long hitters. Copper Hill measures 3,030 yards and has two par-fives, the 473-yard fourth and 459-yard eighth,

Hotchkiss School Golf Course

that are reachable in two for the big hitters, and a cool par-four, the fifth, measuring 265 yards, where you can drive the green. Pomperaug Golf Course (www.HeritageSouthbury.net) is sited near the Pomperaug River in Southbury. The course isn’t long but there is water on every hole, which can play havoc with your tee and approach shots to the modest-sized greens. Number nine is a good, short par-four. The drive must lay up before the river to set up a wedge across the water to a very wide green. Get too greedy if the pin is tucked up front and your ball might fall back into the river. The par-three ninth hole at Vineyard Valley Golf Club (www.VineyardValleyGolfClub.com) in Pomfret is one of the coolest short holes in the region and is northeast Connecticut’s answer to the famous island green at TPC Sawgrass in Florida. Playing anywhere from 110 to 160 yards, the green is fronted by a marsh that has been the end of many a good score. If you’re even a foot shy of landing on the green your destiny is a double bogey at best. Minnechaug Golf Course (www.MinnechaugGolf.com) in Glastonbury offers excellent conditions and a fun test of golf. It also has one of the few true island greens in New England, the 126-yard eighth, which some consider to be the first of its kind in the nation. Graham Clark did the original routing for the course, and Al Zikorus and William F. Mitchell undertook some redesigns years later. Historic Roseland Golf Course (www.RoselandGolfCourse.com) in Woodstock is one of the oldest nine-hole layouts in the state. Originally built in 1896, Roseland celebrated its 100th birthday more than a decade ago. The course is a modest 2,397 yards in

length, providing golfers of all skill levels with the opportunity for a fun, relaxing and enjoyable round of golf. The track features narrow, tree-lined scenic fairways. Small greens present a challenge to all golfers. With only one moderate hill, the course is relatively flat and is quite easy to walk. The Chanticlair Golf Course (www.Chanticlair.com) in Colchester opened in 1972 and was designed by Hy and Gigi Stollman. The course has undergone continuous improvements. The track measures just under 3,000 yards and its signature hole is a pretty, 138-yard par-three, the fourth that plays to an island green. The layout boasts some of the state’s best conditioned greens. Highland Greens Golf Course (www.HighlandGreens.com) in Prospect is a lighted, nine-hole par-three course that is ideal

for beginner and senior golfers who may shy away for the country club or high-end daily fee golf course scene. You can play nine holes here in about an hour and a half, and those new to golf enjoy the shorter holes that don’t beat them up as they attempt to learn the nuances of the game. Accomplished players can work on their iron play. As mentioned, Highland Greens is lighted, so you can spend a great evening with family and friends at the course. Gainfield Farms Golf Course (www. GainfieldGolf.com) in Southbury is an executive layout located between Waterbury and Danbury. It is ideal for beginners, women and children, as well as for working on your short game or when you have limited time. The course can be played in less than two hours, a plus when trying to fit some swings into a busy work day. Gainfield Farms Golf Course has eight par-threes ranging in length from a short Cohasse Country Club 94 yards up to 195. The latter hole, plus the 188-yard third hole, are tough to par even for the best players. The one par-four plays around 260 yards and can be reached off the tee by big hitters. Quarry View Golf Course (www. QuarryViewGolf.com) in Canaan, along with its full-service golf center, is a great place for the beginner golfer. You won’t feel intimidated if this is your first time out. Experienced players will enjoy the quick play and the ability to concentrate on improving their iron shots and short games. Quarry View has the feeling of playing on two unique types of golf courses, for each hole has fairways lined with fescue similar to a links course, while the surrounding woods is typical of a traditional New England layout. The course, driving range and short game area are well manicured and designed with excellent drainage that enables Quarry View to remain

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Must Plays playable even after a heavy rain when other courses are under water. Sleeping Giant Golf Course (www. SleepingGiantGolfCourse.com) in Hamden is set in the shadows of the Sleeping Giant Mountains southern Connecticut. Drop the notion that you need a collared shirt, a ranger, and the most expensive golf carts in the world to enjoy a round; the club is laid back. The course plays 2.671 yards from the tips and has a par of 35, with six par-fours, two par-threes and one par-five. Several of the par-fours are stern, such as the 407-yard second and the 374-yard fourth. The final four holes are all birdie holes, with the seventh and eighth playing only 207 and 227 yards respectively. The only par-five can be tricky. It plays 459 yards from the back markers and the green can be reached in two shots by long hitters, but it’s three good shots to find the putting surface for most golfers.

MASSACHUSETTS Quaboag Country Club (www.QuaboagCountryClub.com) located in Monson is a splendid 9–hole course with a championship layout and private club conditions. The course offers sweet views and was ranked a 9 out of 10 by the Worcester Telegram & Gazette golf review. The second hole is a 215-yard par-three and the next hole is a very demanding, 440-yard par-four. The seventh, a 255-yard par-four, can be reached from the tee by big hitters. There’s a fully stocked pro shop, full service restaurant, and golfers lounge. Greenock Country Club (www.GreenockCC.com) in Lee was established as one of America’s first courses, dating back to 1895. Redesigned in 1927 by the legendary golf architect Donald Ross, the 9-hole

Rose Hill Golf Course course has stood the test of time, a masterpiece 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 riskreward 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. Unicorn Golf Course (www.UnicornGC.com) in Stoneham has an interesting history. It was originally designed as an 18-hole private golf course. The layout was crafted by the renowned architects Wayne Stiles and John Van Kleek, and covered portions of the towns of Stoneham and Woburn. In 1972, the town of Stoneham purchased the property within Stoneham and redesigned the course to play as a nine-hole course now known as

Kings Crossing Golf Club 28

Golfing Magazine • New England Edition

Unicorn. The course traverses a hilltop piece of land, with some holes playing out in the open, and others surrounded by huge old oak trees lining the fairways. The former Worthington Golf Club is under new ownership and is undergoing numerous improvements to the course, clubhouse and restaurant. Now a fully public course, the newly named Links at Worthington (www.WorthingtonGolf Club.com) is offering many new golf options, such as league-only memberships, unlimited public play, corporate events and packages. Children kids 18 and under are offered free memberships. Newly hired PGA Professional Francis Kringle is on duty to accommodate all your golfing and hospitality needs. For more information visit www.WorthingtonGolfClub.com, or call the golf shop at 413-238-4464. While an 18-holer we include Rockland Golf Course (www.RocklandgGC.com) in Rockland because you can be fit it into a busy day with ease, as it contains all par-threes. The course was carved out of a piece of land featuring tall oaks and rock outcroppings lining some fairways. Due to its friendly layout, the course also provides an ideal learning environment for the beginner golfer, while presenting a challenge to even the most skilled player due to the beefy length of some of its holes. The Blandford Club (413-848-2443) in Blandford is a delightful nine-hole layout nestled in the scenic hills of the western portion of the Commonwealth State. Only 2,722 yards from the tips and playing to a par of 35, this a fun track for all skill levels. The course is one of the oldest in the region, having opened in 1910. It was designed by William Dexter. Maynard Country Club (www.MaynardCC.com) in Maynard,

Ma. offers pleasing atmosphere and a very solid test of golf, with the course playing more difficult than its overall yardage of 2,783 yards suggests. The ninth hole is a 280-yard par-four and has a green that can be reached off the tee by longballers. The Meadows Golf Club (www.MeadowsGolf.com) in Deerfield is a popular nine-hole course believed to have opened sometime in the 1930’s and designed and built by Knappy Greenwood. The surroundings at Meadows GC makes for an aesthetically pleasing round, and the holes are routed through a slightly undulating area adjacent to the Deerfield and Green Rivers. The course plays to a length of 2,800 yards, is a par-36, and has a USGA course rating of 66.5 and slope rating of 104. The Stoneham Oaks Golf Course (www.StonehamOaks.com) in Stoneham is a par-3 executive course open to the public that was established in 1994 and is owned by the Town of Stoneham. Located right off the I-93 highway and only eight miles North of the heart of Boston it is in the perfect location for commuters traveling from around the Boston area to grab a quick nine holes of golf. Featuring a 1,125 yard course Stoneham Oaks recently, has undergone a change of management and is now being operated and maintained by Sterling Golf Management. The course, while short in length, provides golfers with unique challenges and beautiful greens which run true to form. The short length of the course creates the perfect opportunity for players of all ages and abilities to be able to enjoy the course and work on their short-games. B e d ro c k Go l f Club (www.BedrockGolfClub.com) in Rutland is a privately owned, challenging, nine-hole, par36 golf 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 on May 23, 1992. The amenities offered include a scenic course carved through the Rutland woods, fully stocked pro shop, practice putting green, motorized carts, pull carts, tournament schedule and the “Back Nine Pub”, a full service bar and grille. Bedrock is located 10 miles west of Worcester. The well manicured course weaves through woodlands and measures 3,443 yards from the longest tees. The course was designed by Bill Greene and Joe Carr.

RHODE ISLAND 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 is a sweet nine-hole course. The layout is kept in splendid condition, and the routing is 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. Rose Hill Golf Club (401-798-1088) in South Kingstown is a par-three layout in that has holes ranging from 118 to 218 yards. You can play nine in an hour and 18 in perhaps less than two hours. The course is well maintained. Three holes, the second, fourth and fifth, play across water and test your nerves. 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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NEW HAMPSHIRE Brookstone Golf and Driving Range (www.Brookstone-Golf.com) in Derry, New Hampshire is the state’s premier nine-hole, par-three golf facility. The routing was created by noted golf architect, Howard Maurer, who worked to preserve the natural characteristics of the site. The course features large greens, sand traps, rolling hills and water hazards that are strategically placed to create “target style” greens.

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travel

GOLF IS KING ON HILTON HEAD ISLAND

The Sea Pines Resort Leads the Way with Three Award-Winning By, JOHN TORSIELLO

n Hilton Head, an island known for its golf, the crown jewel is Harbour Town Golf Links, the area’s number-one-rated course and since 1969 the home of the PGA Tour’s RBC Heritage Presented by Boeing. One of three incredible courses that are part of The Sea Pines Resort, Harbour Town Golf Links is set amid scenic Lowcountry landscapes and a must-play golf destination in the Southeast. That’s no surprise, given the fame of this celebrated layout, designed by Pete Dye in association with Jack Nicklaus. The par -71 Harbour Town Golf Links places a premium on finesse, imagination, and shot making. Its diverse collection of par 3s is among the finest anywhere, while the 18th hole – with the iconic Harbour Town Lighthouse in the backdrop and Calibogue Sound hugging its left side–is one of the game’s most recognizable finishes. Guests of the resort and visitors to the island will also want to play the highly

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acclaimed Heron Point, also designed by Pete Dye. The course is a happy marriage of charm and challenge that encourages strategic risk-reward shot making on dramatic fairways and into small greens protected by Dye’s signature mounds and swales. The resort’s third course, Atlantic Dunes, is a reconstruction of The Sea Pines Resort’s historic Ocean Course, the first layout built on Hilton Head Island in 1961 by George Cobb. The total makeover by Davis Love III debuted in October 2016 and retraces the original routing while giving it a new look, new feel, and new challenge. Love, a five-time winner of the PGA Tour event at Harbour Town, rebuilt every hole to accommodate modern shot values. Just as important was protecting and enhancing the course’s seaside setting, which he accomplished by incorporating coquina shells, seaside grasses, the surrounding beachfront, and a bounty of native pines and oaks to line the fairways. The “new” course is more spacious than the original with wider, more scenic corridors, smaller water hazards, and larger,

GolfingMagazine Magazine• •New NewEngland EnglandEdition Edition Golfing

more welcoming greens. All three courses are listed in Golfweek’s top 10 courses in South Carolina – Harbour Town (#2), Atlantic Dunes (#9), and Heron Point (#10) – creating a stellar trifecta for any golfer. And there’s much more golf for the truly committed: Combining the options on the island, in nearby Bluffton, and others within 30 minutes totals more than 25, enough great golf—created by a who’s who of acclaimed architects—to satisfy for a month of exciting play without ever visiting any course twice. Visitors also will be overwhelmed by the choices at The Sea Pines Resort, which includes the island’s premier hotel, The Inn & Club at Harbour Town, as well as luxurious private homes, Beach Villas, and Golf Villas of all shapes and sizes to suit from 2 to 12 guests. Select villas are pet friendly. Spanning the southern third of Hilton Head Island, and located along 5,000 oceanfront acres, The Sea Pines Resort has been a quiet retreat for more than 60 years. Beyond its acclaimed golf, The Resort offers an array

of outdoor activities for individuals, families, and groups, including five miles of sandy beach shoreline and a 15-mile network of manicured paths. Guests also can enjoy a fitness center, boating and water sports, and swimming pool, not to mention award-winning environmental explorations including beach walks, bike tours, hay wagon rides, kayaking excursions, equestrian, stargazing, and more. There’s also choice in how to enjoy it all, The Sea Pines Resort offering numerous golf packages throughout the year, including popular favorites the Villa Golf Package, the Inn Golf Package, and the Ultimate Buddy Golf Package. There are even special packages when the PGA Tour comes to the island every April, that combine playing and spectating. The Sea Pines Resort is also a premier tennis facility, offering several playing packages of its own. Guests also can enjoy a variety of instructional programs suitable for tennis players of all skill levels, from novices to those perfecting their competitive and tournament skills. Stan Smith, the former U.S. Open and Wimbledon Champion and coach of the 2000 U.S. Olympic Men’s team, first brought his expertise to The Sea Pines Resort more than 40 years ago. Since then, he has developed a world-class program for players of all ages and skill levels. Today, The Sea Pines Resort enjoys premier status in the region as the number-one resort for programs devoted to the sport, as rated by TENNIS Magazine. After all that playing, visitors will need to refuel, and The Resort features a tasty selection of restaurant options including Links, An American Grill, Sea Pines

Beach Club, Fraser’s Tavern, Harbour Town Bakery, Harbourside and, coming in 2022, complete redevelopment of The Quarterdeck restaurant, which will include a new rooftop oyster bar offering 270-degree views of the famed Harbour Town Yacht Basin and Calibogue Sound. In addition, there is graband-go food and beverage at all the resort

golf courses, sundeck pool concessions, and Cups & Cones, a great place to grab a cup of coffee or an ice cream cone. For general and package information on The Sea Pines Resort, visit www.seapines.com or call (843) 785-3333

Hilton Head Factoids Hilton Head is a little less than 5 miles wide and 12 miles long but is ribboned with nearly 60 miles of bicycle trails. Renting bicycles from the resort is a great way to explore the island. Ever hear someone mention the “toe” of Hilton Head and wonder what they meant? Look at a map and you’ll realize the island is shaped like a foot. As a result, people commonly refer to the heel, toe, or ankle when describing locations. Despite its shape, the red-and-white-striped lighthouse overlooking Harbour Town yacht basin was never a functioning lighthouse. It was built as a gift shop and tourist attraction and remains both today. Visitors can climb to the top of the lighthouse, where panoramic views of the Lowcountry await, as does a live web cam.

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Golf Bags Datrek Go-Lite Hybrid

$169 www.Datrek.com The Go-Lite has a rubberized putter and driver wells integrated in the top. Top-Lok technology is a patented bag-to-cart attachment system that makes it a breeze to strap the bag onto your golf course transportation. Six zippered pockets include an oversized insulated cooler pocket, a fleece-lined valuables pocket, two garment pockets for all your gear, a large ball pocket and an accessory pocket. Other features include an ergonomic, double-shoulder strap and cushioned hip pad for comfort, an easy-grip handle that is integrated into the bag’s top, and a 14-way organizer top with full-length dividers. WHAT WE LIKE: Bag-to-cart attachment system, ergonomic handle. 14-way organizer top. .

Bag Boy Chiller

$199 www.BagBoy.com The Chiller does just that on the golf course, keeps your beverages cold with a removable, insulated cooler bag that holds up to six, 12-ounce cans. The bag also features Top-Lok technology, a patented bag-to-cart attachment system, and nine zippered pockets, including two large apparel pockets for rain gear and wind shirts, and a sleeve for a ball retriever. There’s also a fleece-lined valuables pocket and an oversized ball pocket. A 14-way organizer top on the Chiller has full-length individual dividers to keep your sticks from clashing against one another when traveling over rough terrain or up and down hills. WHAT WE LIKE: Large beverage holder, 14-way organizer top.

Datrek DG Lite II

$159 www.Datrek.com This is one of the lightest cart bags on the market at just 4.3 pounds. The DG Lite II is designed with cart use in mind, as all pockets are forward-facing and accessible while the golf bag is on the cart. Soft-grip lift-assist handles are integrated into the bag top for ease of use, and there’s Top-Lok technology, a patented bag-to-cart attachment system. Other elements include an umbrella holder, a towel ring with glove holder, a 14-way organizer top with full-length individual dividers that keeps your clubs from hitting against one another, and seven zippered pockets, including an oversized insulated cooler pocket, a fleece-lined valuables pocket, a large ball pocket, two full-size garment pockets, and two accessory pockets. WHAT WE LIKE: Light weight, soft-grip lift-assist handles, 14-way organizer top. 32

Golfing Magazine • New England Edition

Sun Mountain VX

$319 www.SunMountain.com The new VX Bag is constructed with sailcloth, which is known to be more water and abrasion resistant than many fabrics commonly used in outdoor gear. Weighing in at five pounds, the VX has seven pockets, including a full-length gear pocket, two velour-lined valuables pockets, and a beverage pouch. In addition, several enhancements, such as climbing rope handles, an anodized carabineer, ladder locks, and helicopter legs have been added. The VX bag comes in a multitude of colors, which is another attraction. There’s Gunmetal/Black/Lime, White/Black/Inferno, Yellow/Black, and Sky/Blue/ Black/Gray, something for every taste. WHAT WE LIKE: Water resistant, light weight, multiple colors.

Sun Mountain Maverick

$209 www.SunMountain.com The Maverick is designed specifically for use on riding carts. Features include a cart strap pass-through runs behind two side pockets and the range finder pocket, allowing full access to the pockets during use. All the pockets on the Maverick are accessible when the bag is on the cart. There’s a 10-inch, 15-way top with individual, full-length dividers that protect and organize clubs…all of your clubs. And there is an integrated putter compartment to keep your magic wand at the ready. Eleven pockets on the maverick include a water-resistant, a velour-lined, valuables pocket, a rangefinder pocket, a full-length clothing pocket, a ventilated cooler pocket, and multiple accessory pockets. The bag’s fabric has been reinforced in wear areas. Two lift-assist handles molded into the top help load and unload the bag on a cart, and a band keeps the single strap out of one’s way when the bag is loaded. WHAT WE LIKE: 15-way top, eleven pockets, two lift-assist handles.

Bag Boy Revolver XP

$229 www.BagBoy.com Take your clubs for a spin with the Revolver XP, the next generation of the legendary Bag Boy Revolver, featuring a 360-degree rotating top with Clip-Lok Technology and a Grip-Lok base. There’s a newly-added external putter tube designed for wands with larger grips, and a 14-way rotating top with full-length individual dividers to keep your clubs apart. The exclusive CLIPLOK Technology and Grip-Lok base holds clubs in place, Top-Lok technology is a patented bag-to-cart attachment system that is easy to manage and keeps your clubs secure. The Revolver XP features no fewer than nine zippered pockets that includes a waterproof fleecelined pocket, a valuables pocket for peace of mind when playing and travelling over rough terrain, and an insulated cooler pocket to keep a cold refreshment on hand for those long rounds of in the heat of summer. WHAT WE LIKE: 360-degree rotating top, external putter tube, nine zippered pockets. www.GolfingMagazine.net

Golf Bags Wilson Staff EXO II

$179 www.Wilson.com The EXO II Carry is an innovative, premium golf bag that features five divided club sections, a non-skid base, 3D foam padded straps, a DryTech valuables pocket, large garment pocket, accessories pocket, water bottle sleeve and large ball pocket to organize and protect your gear while a fully integrated stand keeps everything at hand. 9.5× 8-inch, five-way top with three molded handles. two full-length dividers a full-length garment pocket, one DryTech valuable pocket, a large ball pocket, three accessories pockets, and a large open pocket for a rangefinder or drink. There’s an improved stand mechanism that features a completely redesigned stand trigger that deploys the bag legs farther out for rock-solid stability and ease of use. Two-in-one self-balancing strap technology improves fit and comfort. There’s an umbrella holder, a towel ring, glove holder, and a snap-on rain hood. WHAT WE LIKE: Improved stand mechanism, padded straps, snap-on-rain hood.

Wilson ECO

$149 www.Wilson.com Each and every ECO carry bag is made from over 50 recycled plastic water bottles. This production method uses less energy than employing new material, reduces CO2 emissions, and keeps plastic out of landfills. The Eco is the lightest weight full-size carry bag the market, weighing in at just three pounds. The bag features a super-light Nanlon fabric that is both durable and water resistant, and there is a six-way club divider and mesh-wrapped protection. The bag also has a Swivelmax four-way strap that makes it very easy to carry and dive waterproof pockets. WHAT WE LIKE: Environmentally-conscious manufacturing, water-resistance, light weight.

Titleist Player 4 Plus

$225 www.Titleist.com The all-new Players 4 Plus Stand Bag features a clean and versatile design, with added storage, a premium double strap and reliable aluminum legs to help you get more out of your rounds. The 4 Plus features and benefits include a premium double strap that allows the golfer to haul the bag for long distances in comfort, an expandable full-length apparel pocket for tucking away a wind shirt or extra jersey until it’s needed, a quick-access magnetic accessories pocket, two player-preferred external water bottle pockets, high-grade aluminum legs and advanced hinged bottom that create bestin-class stability, a waterproof valuables pocket, two Velcro glove pockets, and a lightweight, low profile top cuff with full-length dividers to keep your clubs from hitting together when passing over rough terrain and up and down hills. WHAT WE LIKE: Added storage, stability, low profile top cuff. 34

Golfing Magazine • New England Edition

Golf carts Bag Boy Nitron

$259 www.BagBoy.com A key feature of the Nitron is its lightning-fast assisted open capabilities with Nitro-Piston Technology. It’s an easy one-step process to get the cart open to onto the course in no time. The Nitro also has a compact fold-size and is lightweight for quick storage and transport to and from the course. There’s Top-Lok Technology, a patented bag-to-cart attachment system. Other elements include a full-feature scorecard console with integrated beverage holder, mobile device holder and golf ball storage; an umbrella holder with a storage clip; an integrated umbrella storage with loop and storage notch; an extra-large accessory bag under the scorecard console for storage; a handle mounted parking brake for quick and safe usage, and bungee straps to secure your golf bag. One of the sweetest attributes of the Nitron, which weighs just 16.75 pounds, is it’s tool-free assembly. WHAT WE LIKE Lightweight construction, compact fold size, tool-free assembly.

Bag Boy Quad XL

$229 www.BagBoy.com The Quad XL has a compact fold-size for storage and transport and measures only 24x17 x16 inches. There are four wheels to provide superior stability with the added benefit of lightweight, solid, maintenance-free tires. The Quad XL features TOP-LOK Technology, a patented bag-to-cart attachment system. The Quad XL weighs only 14.2 pounds. Additional features include a full-feature, extra-deep scorecard console with integrated beverage holder, a mobile device holder and golf ball storage; an umbrella holder that is included with a storage clip; an extra-large accessory bag under the scorecard console; a handle mounted parking brake; tool-free assembly; and tracking adjustment. The wheel diameter measures 9.5 inches for the front and 11 inches for the back. WHAT WE LIKE: Light weight, integrated beverage holder, tool-free assembly.

Alphard Club BoosterV2 Motorized Cart

$799 www.AlphardGolf.com The Booster V2 motorized cart is the impressive New Age rocket ship of the golf course. One of the biggest reasons Alphard designed the motorized Club Booster V2 is specifically to help golfers get up and down hills with more ease, and isn’t that nice of the company’s designers? A dual hub motor has more than enough juice to conquer any golf courses. The Booster V2 takes about 15 to 20 minutes to install and seconds to set up at the golf course. Despite its high-tech capabilities does. All the golfer needs to do is extend the axles on the eWheels and then attach the cart brackets to the axle, and you are ready to take on the terrain of any course, smooth or hilly. There’s also a remote control on the Booster V2, as well as a handle strap, a Micro USB cable, a set of brackets, a set of “wheelie” bars, and an AC/DC charger. WHAT WE LIKE: Power, easy set up and use, great appearance.

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Golf carts ClicGear 4.0 Push Cart

$279 www.GlicGearUSA.com The 4.0 features a new silicone bag strap system that makes it sturdy and reliable. Other elements include a new adjustable upper saddle, a lower saddle, a large console (scorecard, ball, pencil and tee holders), a large storage net, and an umbrella mount and bracket for those rainy days. The Club Gear 4.0 quickly folds down to a compact 13 x15 x24-inches, making it easy to put in the truck of your vehicle with little strain on the back and legs. There’s a front-wheel engaged hand brake that can be quickly accessed when needed, an independent handle bar adjustments, and an accessory mount with a standard cup holder included. The Club Gear 4.0 accommodates most stand bags and has a 21-pound heavy-duty frame that makes it durable yet lightweight enough to glide easily over hill and dale. WHAT WE LIKE: Sturdy but lightweight, new silicone bag strap system, front-wheel-engaged hand brake.

Sun Mountain PX4

$229-$239 www.SunMountain.com On the heels of exponential growth in golf push cart use in 2020, Sun Mountain rolled out the new-for-2021 PX3 and PX4 push carts. Offering improvements on the past Pathfinder models, notable PX3 and PX4 advancements include a new handle and new accessory tray, while retaining the main benefits of smaller folded size and easy opening. Improvements on the PX3 and PX4. Key features include a new, continuous handle that allows the cart to be pushed with one hand, a new accessory console to conveniently hold balls, tees, scorecard and mobile phone, a mobile phone holder that includes a slot that allows a charging plug to be used when the phone is in place, dual umbrella holders so an umbrella can be placed on either side of the console tray; and a mesh basket and velourlined pouch for additional storage. Opening and folding PX3 and PX4 is the same simple, one-latch process as the previous Pathfinder models. The carts feature bungee cords to secure the golf bag in place, and an adjustable upper bag bracket accommodates a wide array of golf bag sizes and shapes including stand bags. WHAT WE LIKE: New accessory tray, easy to handle, accommodates a wide array of golf bags.

Bat Caddy XR4 Electric Golf Cart

$949-$1,099 www.BatCaddy.com The X4R is one of the most innovative and unique remote- controlled carts on the market. In its ninth model year, it features an amazingly lightweight, high-tech aluminum frame the weighs in at only 24 pounds. It has an easy two-step, two-click set up design, folding into a package that is smaller than most regular push carts. The XR4 is propelled by two powerful independently controlled quiet 200 watt motors, and features a wide range remote control systems that gives you full control up to 100 yards. The XR4 comes with a powerful, long-lasting sealed lead-acid battery, or a super-light, compact and environmentally friendly lithium battery. The trolley of the XR4 can be operated manually with a seamless rheostat and cruise control and can be easily pushed even without battery power, so you will never be stuck out on the course. The X4R differentiates itself from the X3R by the innovative, European inspired frame design, an adjustable handle height, and a slightly more compact size. WHAT WE LIKE: Power, looks, long-range remote control. 36

Golfing Magazine • New England Edition

must plays Tournament Instruction

Add a Little Flare to Your Setup!

By Gene Mulak

There are many elements to a golfer’s set-up position that will either set them up for success or failure. Starting from the ground up, many golfers will incorrectly position their feet. This will produce a host of issues in the motion that either will not work or will need major compensations. Very rarely will I see a player position their feet with enough outward flare to allow their hips to turn fully. The legions of golfers tend to set their feet very squared off or even pigeon toed inward. When the feet are flared outward at address, the golfer can turn the hips more on the back swing but it will also allow the golfer to have the necessary hip slide forward on the downswing. Yes HIP SLIDE! All great players have a linear component to their downswing. If a golfer only turned and returned on the downswing, it would make it impossible to have the entire player’s weight get forward at the finish. The hip-slide component is one of the biggest moves that separate the expert player from the everyday player. The famed club pro at Winged Foot, Claude Harmon said Ben Hogan’s “secret” was his hip-slide! A key move to incorporate into your swing should be to flare both feet outward. Generally the right or trail foot is overlooked. When practicing over exaggerate the flare. You will see that the trail leg will extend more as the hips and tailbone push forward. Pushing your entire hip girdle forward will support your lumbar and thoracic. So in your set-up position try being more like a Mallard and not a Pigeon! Gene Mulak is the Director of Golf at Silver Spring Country Club in Ridgefield, CT . Gene is a certified Stack & Tilt instructor. He can be reached at (774) 406-1549 or Golf@SilverSpringCountryCC.org

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Hold The Finish

By George Connor

An amazing thing happens to me many times a week. During a lesson I will intend to show the student a position in the finish that we would want to change. They might be out of balance, have too much weight on their trail foot, inadequate turn from the lower body etc. I will film a swing and ask them to “hold the finish.” Invariably, the student swings to a good balanced finish with full rotation, knees next to each other. I’m talking cover of New England Golfing Magazine quality poses! Bad news: I don’t get to point out the flaw on that swing. Good news: The finish being as balanced and proper as it is results in a good shot. I am telling you this observation as a way to help you. This is as close to the “secret of golf ” as it comes. If you intention is to make a swing that ends in a proper and balanced finished, the resulting shot will most likely be something pleasing to you as well as your scorecard. How can this be? A balanced finish is a product of a proper swing and using the proper engines to create that swing. If a golfer gets violent with their arms and shoulders when the club transitions from back swing to forward swing, the golfer will tend to be off balance at the finish. Do this experiment at home. Step out into the backyard and swing a club around you, on a horizontal plane. Keep your lower body motionless during the entire swing. With any speed at all from the club you will feel the centrifugal pulling you forward. (Side note, this is the main cause of people “standing up” during their golf swing despite their determination to keep their “head down”) If the golfer uses the rotation of their lower body to turn to the balanced finish, that rotation will counter balance the centrifugal force of the golf club. This counter balancing that allows for a balanced finish also allows the golfer to stay in good posture beyond impact. It is easy for golfers to get a bunch of swing thoughts in their head when on the golf course. Each bad shot has the risk of adding another one. Take this one thought to the golf course for your next round. Once you have planned the shot, picked the target are over the ball and ready to execute the swing, put your focus solely on achieving a perfect balanced finish. Not every shot will be perfect but if you achieve a classic finish position you will hit a lot of great shots, and your misses won’t be so bad either.

George Connor is the Head Golf Instructor at Farmington Woods Country Club in Avon, CT. 860-830-6969 or George@ConnorGolf.com 38

Golfing Magazine • New England Edition

Instruction

PRACTICE SWINGS: GET GROUNDED The sunshine is warmer. The daffodils are blooming. The ground has been waiting to burst with growth, indicating that the start of the golf season is here! Spring is your opportunity to give attention to that same ground. It holds clues for how to make your practice swings produce better results on the golf course! You’ve probably been to the range searching for keys from last year’s good ball striking moments. Unfortunately, many of you have to practice on mats. That surface can mask your sense of what constitutes efficient ball/club contact. The truth is that pure contact involves hitting the whole ball first and then the ground. Mats can disguise that. As you transition to the golf course, you might think that taking 6 practice air swings will prepare you for your best shot ever. Not true! In fact, that air swing is reinforcing missing the ball and the ground! The number one factor you seem to be rehearsing is speed. You make impressive noise, but the motion is too fast and is nothing more than a blurry flail…with NO ground contact! Have a look at the practice motions the Tour Pros rely on. They are almost always SLOW and deliberate, involving ground feedback. With your excessive speed, you gain no clear picture of anything. Impressing your buddies with speed will not produce the good shots you seek! The on course iron approach shot you’re about to hit demands that your club hit the ground. How about practicing that! Make it your intention to hit the ground, crisply. That allows your hands

Cure Your Slice

By Sue Kaffenburg

to be part of the solution, since your hands are the only connection you have with the club! This is especially important when you have any kind of abnormal or uneven lie. WHERE the club’s edge hits the ground is critical for you to observe, so you can choose the adjusted ball position for your shot. Your new rehearsal practice swings should be done with purpose, seeking ground contact, and without Mach 1 speed! 1. Pick a small object on the ground to aim at. 2. Make a motion that produces a strike through that object into the ground. Register that feel and remember it as you step into your real shot’s launching pad. 3. Intend to HIT down through the ground on your way to your full balanced finish! The days of multiple practice air swings are over. Commit to taking practice hits encountering the ground with intention. The results will be groundbreaking!

Sue Kaffenburgh, PGA/LPGA Bayberry Hills Golf Course, Yarmouth, MA. www.GolfLessonsCapeCod.com SusiePGA@comcast.net 508-364-GOLF (4653)

By Lucas Hitchcock

The majority of golfers suffer from an “illness” we refer to as a slice. The golf shot is like the gears in a watch; if you turn one gear clockwise, it turns a second gear counter-clockwise. A slice will occur when the club head makes contact on the outside half of the golf ball. This will result in a ball flight that will move from left to right (for a right-handed golfer). Instead, concentrate on fixing this by making contact on the inside half of the ball, which is the side closest to you. A good way to practice this is by using your everyday golf club head cover. For a right-handed player, fold up the head cover and wedge it underneath your right armpit. Make a couple of practice swings but do not let the head cover drop until you finish your swing. This will keep your right elbow in closer to your body, forcing you to get a fuller turn on the backswing with your left side. The descending swing path is inside to outside, allowing the club head to make proper contact with the golf ball. This will allow the clubhead more “travel time”, which should increase clubhead speed and result in greater distance on your drives.

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

MUST PLAYS

Wentworth Hills Country Club

e know golfing is fun. The ownership at Wentworth Hills Country Club in Plainville, Ma. is intent on making it even more enjoyable. The club has purchased a new fleet of “Shark” golf carts that allows players to remain in contact with the clubhouse throughout a round. They can order food and refreshments while playing the front nine and pick up orders at the turn. In addition, the carts offer yardages and golfers can even watch video tips from Greg Norman between their own shots. The club has a unique “challenge” that gets golfers who ante up $5 or $10 on top of their greens fees a shot at a $10,000 or $20,000 prize if they make a hole-in-one on the par-three 17th hole. And, the club has developed an app for cell phones that make the user a member of the “Wentworth Hills community” once they get the app. Individuals are notified of discounts on greens fees and other promotions and specials. A map of the course and yardages are automatically available on the user’s phone when accessing the app. ”We are trying to keep up with the younger generation that is so into technology,” said one of the club’s owners, Constant Poholek. “The hole-inone challenge is a game within the game and money

WentworthHillsCountryClub.com

Heather Hill County Club

ith 27 holes of golf, Heather Hill Country Club in Plainville, Ma., makes for a full day of golfing fun. The club 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. 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. One of those par-fives is the 478yard third that is very straightforward with few hazards complicating matters, although there are two bunkers near the putting surface. The seventh and eighth are solid back-to-back par-threes, playing almost 200 yards and 180 respectively. 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. The nine-hole layout measures 3,368 yards from the tips. It begins with a 157-yard par-three, with the toughest stretch of holes coming at three through five. The third, a par-four, plays 400 yards, while the fourth is a challenging 500-yard par-five. The club has a restaurant and bar for after-round enjoyment. www.HeatherHillCountryClub.com 40

we receive helps out charitable causes. We are trying to do things to make golf even more fun and keep people coming back.” The club also continues its popular “cigar nights” where players get a round of nine holes, a cigar and dinner for a reasonable fee that changes according to the dinner provided by the club. Wentworth Hills is a fun course to play, offering classic risk/reward holes that dare low-handicappers to “go for it,” while allowing for alternate routes to the green for less experienced golfers. The varied natural topography here features rolling, treelined fairways, large, receptive greens, ponds and lakes protecting holes, and 60 strategically-placed bunkers. The course, while playing just over 6,200 yards from the tips, has a slope of 128 and a rating equal to its par of 71. The track places emphasis on proper club selection and accurate approach shots to the putting surfaces. Wentworth Hills is located between Boston and Providence and only minutes from Route 495, which makes it an ideal destination for golfers from the Metro Boston area to Federal Hill in Providence.

Golfing Magazine • New England Edition

Travel to New York’s Catskills

for Great Stay and Play

ubscribers to Golfing Magazine’s award-winning Course Play Stimulus Program, where they receive access to some of the best golf courses in New England and beyond for a small “service” or cart fee, are in for a treat when they head to the northern Catskills of New York State to visit three of our member courses, Sunny Hill (two courses) and Blackhead Mountain. Both are resort courses. At Sunny Hill (www. SunnyHill.com) in Greenville they will find two courses, the Thunderhart Golf Course, a championship 18-hole golf course, and an 18-hole “executive” layout, the latter making for a fun and quick play if you also want to chill out for the day and enjoy all the resort has to offer. Thunderhart Golf Course is set in the scenic Catskill Basin, and has 11 ponds and 15 sand traps to navigate around and over. The 6,482- yard course plays to a par of 72. The front nine provides a traditional golf experience. The back nine was created in the Parkland style, which has each hole

Blackhead Mountain Country Club

cut through forest. Acquired in 2007 by the Nicholsen family, owners of Sunny Hill Resort and Golf Course, Thunderhart has been transformed into one of the region’s premier golf complexes Sunny Hill is an all-inclusive resort where guests are treated like family. It’s a tradition that goes back nearly 100 years when the resort first welcomed guests to vacation in the Catskill Mountains. Sunny Hill Resort offers several properties for larger groups and/or families, including lodging where rooms can be adjoined.

The Homestead suites each sleep six and can be rented together to allow for groups of up to 12 to vacation together. The Edmonton Combo allows for rooms to be connected to accommodate up to four, and the building features a separate lounge area with tables and chairs for game nights, group activities or family gatherings. There are also smaller family accommodations and rooms. There are dining options and a day spa at the resort. The adventures found on Sunny Hill Resort’s 600 acres can transform a visit into a dream getaway. After golf you can lounge on a picnic blanket for family movies and concerts under the stars, or drop a line into Lake Loree and catch a lunker bass. Nearby Blackhead Mountain Resort (www.BlackheadMtn.com) in Round Top features a course designed by USGA architect Nicholas Psiahas. An original nine holes were opened in 1990, and a second nine holes were added in 1999. This is one of the best 18-hole, par-72 championship courses in the region. The layout was carved into the natural terrain of the beautiful and majestic Blackhead Mountains of the Northern Catskills. It offers not only stunning scenery, but offers a tremendous playing challenge as well. There are water hazards, bunkers, doglegs and two-tiered greens that complicate your round. Because of the extreme amount of care placed into the maintenance of the course by USGA Superintendent Edward Maassmann and his staff, the layout has the reputation of always being beautifully manicured and in great condition. At the cozy Blackhead Mountain resort there are 22 rooms that can accommodate small to mid-size groups for overnight stays. There is dining and a fitness facility on the premises. The resort can customize packages to suit your needs and requirements. www.GreatNorthernCatskills.com. www.GolfingMagazine.net

Must Plays

Heritage Country Club

eritage Country Club in Charlton, Massachusetts 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. Heritage CC has joined Golfing Magazine’s growing list of courses you can play when you subscribe to our magazine. You get a complimentary round of golf with a small service fee charged when you arrive to take care of a motorized cart for the round. The 18-hole course at Heritage Country Club features 6,335 yards from the longest tees and a par of 71. The course rating is 69.3 and it has a slope rating of 118. The layout was designed by Donald Hoenig, with the track opening for play in 1964. Shane Bayer manages the course as General Manager. There are a mix of holes at Heritage CC that will keep you entertained through your entire round. Some of the fairways are rather tight,

Wycoff Country Club

family-owned and operated, a semi-private country club in Holyoke, Massachusetts, Wyckoff Country Club is an 18-hole, par 69, 6100-yard championship golf course built on the beautiful rolling property at the base of Mount Tom. Wycoff CC has an interesting mix of holes; a number of short par--fours that can be attacked with a lusty drive and a shortiron 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 parthrees (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. The course begins with a 301-yard-par four that can get your day off to a nice start. Then 42

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 200yard 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. The fifth hole is a beast of a par-five, playing around 600 yards and it’s a true three-shot hole to get the putting surface. Number eight is

a par-four of around 300 yards where birdie awaits before moving on to the monstrous 490-yard parfour ninth. The ninth can also be played as a parfive, which makes sense for most golfers. The back side also starts off tough, with two par-fours of around 400 yards sandwiched around another long par-five of about 600 yards. The 305yard par-four 14th is a birdie hole and then it is on to a demanding finish that includes another parfive that measures almost 600 yards from the back tees. Better bring a great long game when you play here and tee off from the tips. The wise option the first visit may be playing from one tee up, which will put the total yardage to around 6,000, shortening some of those long par-fives. 85 Sampson Road Charlton, Ma. www.HeritageCountryClub.com

it’s on to one of those long par-fours, 401-yards from the tips, followed by a very good, 531-yard par-five that is a three-shot hole to get the green for all but the longest hitters. The toughest hole on the front side is the 421-yard par-four sixth where par is never a given, even for the best players. The front side ends with two par-trees of modest length sandwiched around a 389-yard par-four. The back side has a mix of short and medium-length par-fours, in addition to a 478-yard

Golfing Magazine • New England Edition

par-five at the 14th. The 16th is another tough parthree, playing 213 yards from the back markers, followed by a 345-yard parfour and then the closing par-three hole. You will be called upon to hit pretty much every club in your bag at Wycoff. If your driver and fairway woods and hybrids are on fire, you can score low here. But nothing is a given at this track. While only around 6,000 yards from the tips, the layout has plenty of bite, especially if you get wayward on your tee shots and approaches. Wycoff Country Club is accessible to our subscribers this year as part of our Course Play Stimulus Program. It is certainly worth a visit. Wycoff Country Club Holyoke, Ma. 413-536-3602 www.WycoffCountryClub.com

Must Plays

Whitney Farms Golf Course

From Horses and Cows to a Superb Golf Course

he Whitney Family originally established the property on which Whitney Farms Golf Club in Monroe, Ct. now sits as a farm with rare race horse breeding stables. A dairy farm existed on this land as well. The land was purchased in the mid-1970’s by Chris Bargas, Sr. and after a three-year design project, Whitney Farms opened as a public course in 1982. During this time, over three hundred homes were added to form a desirable golf community. In the process of re-designing the land, the architects took advantage of the ponds, scenic views and natural wildlife in its overall routing. The 18-hole course was designed by Hal Purdy and built by Bargas, Sr. 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 parfour 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-trees 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. Whitney Farms has been recognized for its value and has received top marks for its condition by Golf Digest, Connecticut Magazine, Connecticut Post and Connecticut Golf Magazine. Stop by the Sand Trap Grille and Bar for a bit to eat and libations after your round. The Grille has a relaxed, Scottish pub feel to it, which only enhances your visit to this very fine upper Fairfield County club. www.WhitneyFarmsGC.com.

Crestbrook Park Golf Course Great Golf, Great Dining.

riginally 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 one of the best daily fee tracts in the Greater Waterbury, Ct. area. Crestbrook, always in good condition, features fast sloping greens and has four sets of tees for all levels of play. It is complete with a full service pro shop and a five-acre practice facility. The course, which plays almost 7,000 yards from 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. The sixth hole is another beautiful design. The par-five plays 527 yards from the back tees and the drive

must come close to a small stream that dissects the fairway, which will leave you with a legitimate shot to hit the green in two. Jan Wivestad, PGA, offers group and private lessons, both indoor and outdoor, and oversees the leagues that operate out of Crestbrook every day, including the men, women, junior and special golf programs. From apparel for men

and women, bags, clubs, all brands of golf balls to shoes and training aids, the pro shop offers a very wide variety of choices for any golfer. In addition to the course, players and non-golfers can enjoy the newly renovated Sunset Grille at Crestbrook Park, which offers “family dining with a view.” There’s an 85-seat dining room and outdoor deck with a majestic view of Merriman Pond, as well as an intimate 55-seat private dining room on the lower level with an outdoor patio. It’s a great place to hang out with friends and enjoy liquid refreshments and some well crafted dishes after a round on the challenging 18-hole championship track. Visit www.CrestbrookPark.com.

www.GolfingMagazine.net

Must Plays

Cold Spring Country Club

esigned to bring world class golf to Western Massachusetts, Cold Spring Country Club, is an 18-hole semi-private course located about midway between Springfield and Worcester in scenic Belchertown, Ma. Designed by Mary Armstrong, completed in 2010 and opened for play in 2012, Cold Spring Country Club is an up-and-coming par 71 golf course, with its 6,521 yards set on rolling hills that boast of breathtaking vistas in nearly every direction. Each hole has up to 5 sets of tees, enabling golfers of all levels to play an exciting mix of six par 3s, seven par 4s and five par 5s. It all starts with a tough 216-yard parthree. From the highest tee box on the course, enjoy a complete panoramic view of Central Massachusetts facing south. Normally you will need one less club because of the steep

Crystal Lake Golf Club

ince 1960, Crystal Lake Golf Club in Haverhill, Ma. has been one of the premiere public golf courses in the Merrimack Valley, 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 tree-lined terrain, and a well-thought out design by Geoffrey Cornish of Cornish Golf Designs. 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. The club is also known as one of the 44

drop, but watch the wind here. If constant 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. The par-five 495-yard seventh hole plays right to left off the tee and with a good

tee shot a player can get home in two. The best shot is a driver with a big draw to a large landing area. Just beware of the bunkers on the right side. How well you score depends on your 3rd shot into the green. You will need to pick which side of the green to shoot for-choose right or left depending on the placement of the pin. There are unique double approaches created by a large “bump” that protects the center of the green. The 18th is a nice finisher, a 386-yard par-four that plays quite a bit longer. There is plenty of room off the tee with fairway bunkers on the left. If you play from the back tees you must hit a good drive, with the tee shot taking you over Roaring Brook, and your second shot is severely uphill to a very well-bunkered green with a false front. www.ColdSpringCC.com.

a unique and affordable golf experience. Situated near Crystal Lake, the course features a multitude of challenging yet approachable holes for all types of players. Take the fifth for instance. The par-five plays around 500 yards from the tips and bends ever so softly to the right, which makes going for the green in two shots risky. best priced courses for the value in New England, with a caring staff, and a proactive membership program, including a “fun” tournament event calendar. Acquired by Sterling Golf Management in 2018, Crystal Lake Golf Club continues to provide guests and members with

Golfing Magazine • New England Edition

The 18th is a very reachable-in-two 448-yard par five where birdie, or perhaps even an eagle, can really bring your round to a delightful conclusion. www.CrystalLake-Golf.com

MUST PLAYS

Stanley Golf Course

he 27-hole Stanley Golf Course in New Britain, Ct. 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 a tad more challenging. The White Nine is a friendly track that has a nice mix of holes. The first hole, a 510-yard par-five, is a straight forward test and the green is reachable in two for big hitters. The second hole plays 442 yards from the back tees and par is well defended by the hole’s length and

bunkers that guard the putting surface. The 330-yard par-four sixth hole and 123yard par-three seventh conspire to offer wonderful back-to-back birdie opportunities. The Red Course is also mostly friendly, with a few toughies, like the 424 yard par-four sixth, which presents perhaps the meanest challenge. The Red Nine’s seventh hole, a 508-yard par-five, is a strong design and doglegs from left to right. There is water about halfway to the green that must be avoided off the tee. The Blue Course is a very fair, tough

routing that has two strong par-fives and one of the most demanding par-fours at the club, the 434yard seventh that has a pond guarding the right side of the green. The Red, in fact has its own Amen Corner, with the sixth hole, a short, 331-yard par-four that doglegs sharply left near the approach to the green, the aforementioned seventh, the 147-yard par-three eighth that has water guarding the green, and the 461-yard ninth, which can be reached in two shots with a strong drive that sets up a hard draw with a fairway wood to a green that sits a bit to the left. Stanley Golf Course New Britain, CT (860) 827-8570 www.StanleyGolf.com

Hunter Golf Club

he Hunter Golf Club in Meriden, Ct. offers a wellrounded 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 course has in the past been named the number seven public golf course in the state by Golfing Magazine, and has been named a top 10 course by Connecticut Magazine. The track played host to the 2001 Connecticut Women’s State Amateur, as well as the Senior New England Public Links Championship, and the yearly City Championship for Meriden residents. The layout has one of the most challenging 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. Water again complicates matters on the 182-yard par-three 11th, with ponds

flanking the putting surface. Choose your club for the tee shot wisely because if you wander even a bit left or right you will find trouble. The 513-yard par five 18th is a truly superb finishing hole. You will want to hit your drive as close as you can to a stream that runs across the fairway about two thirds of the way to the green. Then it’s a decision on whether to try for the putting surface in two shots or lay up and have a wedge for your third shot. The hole can make or break a round and decide a match. The course plays 6,604 yards from the tips and has four sets of tees to meet the talent of any player. Hunter Golf Club Meriden, CT (203) 634-3366 www.HunterGolfClub.com www.GolfingMagazine.net

MUST PLAYS

Fox Hopyard Golf Club

ox Hopyard Golf Club in East Haddam, Ct. offers a blend of challenging golf, first-class customer care and a setting that is difficult to beat. The course, designed by Roger Rulewich, is always in top condition, with large, fair greens, full and thick rough and cuts, and definition between the fairways/ rough and greens/fringe; always the sign of a well-maintained course. There really 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 course offers a test for even the best players. But five sets of tees allow the track to be enjoyed by golfers of all abilities. The 506-yard fifth hole is classic risk versus reward. Big hitters can go for two with a lusty drive off another dramatically elevated tee box. But there is a stream that guards the front side of the green and danger left and right all the way. The 18th is a solid finishing hole. At 551 yards it is best attacked in three shots,

outcropping where golfers or guests can relax and enjoy a drink and meal. East Haddam, CT (800) 943-1903 www.GolfTheFox.com

Crumpin-Fox Club

he Crumpin-Fox Club in Bernardston, Ma., near the Vermont bordcr, is a challenging test of golfing ability. Many of the holes are tree-lined, and gorgeous in the with ample bunkering and enough water to create a few jangled nerves as the round proceeds. Some of the greens are elevated, further complicating proper club selection, especially when the breeze kicks up. The course blends perfectly with the stunning natural landscape that is this section of New England. The layout plays a little over 7,000 yards from the tips and has several of the best holes in the region. The eighth is an amazing par-five and is certainly the most difficult hole on the course. The eighth starts 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. Make a five here, never mind a birdie, and you have done something special indeed. 46

as a pond is to the right side of the hole from about 150 yards and hugs the putting surface. Miss the approach ever so slightly right and you are in the drink. The club has a top-notch clubhouse and an outdoor pavilion that sits upon a rock

The 14th hole is a par-five that measures 527 yards from the tips. It’s fairly narrow and guarded by trees on both sides of the fairway. The third shot is to a green that has water fronting its left side and bunkers short and long.

Golfing Magazine • New England Edition

Crumpin Fox Golf Club Bernardston, Ma. 413-648-9101 www.GolfTheFox.com

Blackstone National Golf Club

he par-five 18th at Blackstone National Golf Club in Sutton. Ma, is a favorite for anyone who has played it. The hole measures just 485 yards from the tips, but it’s loaded with all kinds of trouble if you wander. The tee shot must be true to find a landing area protected by wetlands and woods. Big hitters can reach the putting surface in two shots after a strong drive, but the approach is uphill and there are a number of deep bunkers guarding the putting surface. The smart play is to lay up in front of the green and knock the ball onto the putting surface with a wedge. The 18th is a solid finisher and just one indication of the thoughtful approach Rees Jones put into the layout. The course is tucked into the wooded countryside of the Blackstone Valley area of southeastern part of the Bay State. One of the sweetest aspects of the track is that while it is challenging for the best players, Jones incorporated only a few forced carries, which makes it playable for mid- and even high-handicappers. Ample

fairways allow a player to stay in the hole even after a less than perfect tee shot. There is bunkering guarding the rather large greens, so it is important to choose the proper club to find the target. Blackstone National, which can stretch to almost 7,000 yards from the tips and plays to a par of 72, has some superb short holes that are also visually enticing. One of the most stunning par-threes on the layout is the 173-yard 11th, which demands a tee shot over a small pond. It shouldn’t be difficult to find the green. But any pulled tee shot may find the wet stuff. Blackstone National GC Sutton, MA 508-865-2111 www.BNGC.net

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

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