2022 Spring Issue Golfing Magazine New England by Golfing Magazine

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THE RESORT ISSUE • Travel Thailand, Michigan, Florida • Private Courses You Can Play With Golfing Magazine. • Instruction From Local Pros • Must Play Courses New England Edition Spring 2022

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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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I played more courses this summer than ever. My Golfing Magazine subscription was the best investment I made. I’m definitely renewing. George L. Middletown, CT When my daughter gave me a subscription to your magazine and I received the certificate I thought it meant I got a free round at any one of the listed courses. Then I found out I got a free round at EACH of the courses. I don’t know how you do it but I hope you keep it up. Thanks! Steve C. Worcester, MA

I gave up my country club membership and ended up playing more golf last summer than ever. Playing a different course every week has me hooked all over again. Roger W. Waterbury, CT

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

New England Spring 2022 Volume 52

Issue 1

golfing M A G A Z I N E™

Spring 2022

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

INSTRUCTION

32 Hold The Finish on the Full Swing 33 Going To The Bank

Contributing Writers John DiCocco Claudio DeMarchi Mike May Mike Stinton George Connor, PGA Sue Kaffenburg, PGA Lucas Hitchcock, PGA Ron Beck, PGA Gene Mulak, PGA Contributing Photographer Mark William Paul

8 Thailand Exceeds All Expectations 33 Good Practice Sessions 12 Innisbrook Resort Four Legendary Courses 14 Gaylord, Michigan America’s Summer Golf Mecca

MUST PLAYS

16 Private Courses You Can Play with Golfing Magazine 18 Doubleheader in Maine Sunday River Golf Club & Sugarloaf Golf Club 20 Featured Resorts Omni Mount Washington Resort Mount Snow Resort Bethel Inn Resort Killington Grand Resort Wyndhurst Manor & Club Poland Spring Resort

Wentworth Hills Country Club Heather Hill Country Club Crestview Country Club Elmcrest 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 Crumpin-Fox Club

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Editorial Contributions should be mailed to above address or emailed to the publisher. Material accepted is subject to revisions necessary to meet requirements of the publication. The act of delivering material shall express a warranty by contributor that material is original and does not infringe on the rights of others. Reproduction of the contents of this publication is prohibited with written permission of the publisher. Publisher is not responsible for errors or omissions.

26 Lots Going On in Rhode Island 28 Nine Hole Gems

PERFECT DRIVE

42 Rip Van Winkle Trail in New York

Golfing Magazine is published five times annually. 2022 Home Delivery Subscription Rate: $49.95 per year

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FROM THE PUBLISHER

GET OUT AND PLAY GOLF We believe we are going beyond giving lip service to “growing the game” by offering 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.

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 120 of the top daily fee courses and private tracks in the region. We have worked tirelessly to enhance our course list for 2022 and your subscription promises to be worth more than ever.

We also have a line-up of some of our favorite instructors in the area to get you ready for golf this season. Sue Kaffenburg of Bayberry Hills Golf Course in Yarmouth, MA and New England PGA Teacher of the Year gives thoughts on how to Make Good Practice Sessions. 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 instructor informs you how to Take Your Swing to The Bank.

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.

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.

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 state of 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 Ambassador program, from new age The Club at River Oaks in Kent to venerable layouts such as Farmington Woods Country Club in Farmington, Suffield Country Club in Suffield and Tumble Brook Country Club in Bloomfield.

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. Stay well.

We tell you about a great stay and play opportunity at the Blackhead Mountain and Thunderhart resorts in the Catskills of New York State. The resorts’ courses are part of our Free Golf Offer. For those that like to travel, we bring you the unique golf destinations of Thailand, Gaylord MI – America’s Summer Golf Mecca and Innisbrook Resort in Florida.

All That Is Good,

Tom Landers, Publisher

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This advertisement does not constitute an offer to sell nor the solicitation of an offer to purchase made in any jurisdiction nor made to residents of any jurisdiction, including New York, where registration is required. Tower Kauai Lagoons LLC uses the Timbers Resort,® Timbers Collection® and certain other Timbers brand names under a limited non-transferable license in connection with the sales and marketing of the Hokuala Kauai™ – A Timbers Resort ® (the “Project”). If this license is terminated or expires without renewal, the Project will no longer be identified with nor have any right to use the Timbers ® marks 7 and names. All renderings depicted in this advertisement are illustrative only and may be changed at any time. All rights reserved.

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TRAVEL

Covering All the Bases Thailand Exceeds Expectations By CLAUDIO DEMARCHI

On and Off the Course

he far too often used term Bucket List is one that is used regularly to describe a visit to Thailand for North Americans. Whether it is because it seems to be on the other side of the world or because of the overall expectations, its all true. Thus, the label - Amazing Thailand Getting to a bucket list destination should not be about what it takes to get there or how long - it is about the experience. Having been 5 times I can assure that Bucket List cannot be used often enough when it comes to Thailand. Expectations will be met both The Old Course at Siam Country Club on and off the golf course. with the season. World Class, another far • The Central Thailand Golf Tour is too often used term, but when describing the golf courses that we are going to recom- a 10-day escorted tour starting in Bangkok mend you play, that is exactly what they taking you to Kanchanaburi and Hua Hin. are. After all Tiger and Vijay both won at CLICK HERE • The Bangkok / Pattaya Experience is the Thai Country Club and Tiger still has a 14 Day escorted tour with plenty of golf a locker there. Golf, there is a plenty, but you would split between the 2 destinations. CLICK HERE be remiss to not indulge in the diverse culIn all there are over 260 courses in ture. Note: Below you will find a couple of sample golf and touring packages provided Thailand but you will likely want to start a by Asia Golf Experiences a preferred sup- Thai adventure in Bangkok, especially if it plier of the Tourism Authority of Thailand. is your first visit. It won’t take long before All programs can be adjusted cost will vary you understand why Bangkok, “The City

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of Angels” is the #1 most visited city in the world. In the Bangkok area The Thai Country Club is a must stop and it was here that in 1997 Tiger Woods won the Asian Honda Classic. Another real treat is the Royal Gems Golf City – Dream Arena a full replica course, the front 9 is a collection of great holes from around the world plus the back nine from Augusta National for your back nine. The Nikanti Golf Club is one of the newer additions and has quickly risen to must play status with it’s unique 6-6-6 layout, meticulously maintained and you will be spoiled the Thai hospitality the entire day. Since it is not only about the golf, here are some of the things you should expect and enjoy off the greens. Warning!!! The People of Thailand are amongst the friendliest in the world. The “Land of Smiles!” You may not want to leave. Weather, golfers need not worry, it is always warm! Food from local, tasty, sometimes spicy Thai cuisine to international flare beyond compare. Fancy, if you want, from “Michelin” Stars restaurant, dining on

Grand Prix Golf Club Sugarloaf Golf Course, Hole 16 Golfing Magazine • New England Edition Golfing Magazine • New England Edition

Banyan Golf Club Bangkok’s rooftops or take it to the street, and you need to do street food at least once. Learning to cook Thai style is also a fun experience. There are a couple of things that Thailand has set the standard for the world. Thai Massage: It started here and nobody does it better. If you have never had one you don’t know what you are missing. Working you from head to toe, a thera10th Hole at Sugarloaf Golf Course pist utilizes deep pressure point techniques while assisting you in a series of yoga like stretches and contortions. Even you will be

able to make a full turn on your next golf swing. The Caddie Experience: Yup, this too started here! Female caddies are the norm, and again, nobody does it better. Do not underestimate the knowledge of these young ladies. They have been well trained and love what they do for a living. Professional and friendly and it won’t be more than three holes in before they know how far you hit every club in your bag. It is an experience like no other, about $10 – $15 is the standard fee. Please tip gener-

Black Mountain Golf Club

ously – they deserve it! Before leaving Bangkok, make sure that you explore some of the historic, shrines, temples and landmarks such as the Grand Palace, take a longtail boat ride along Chao Phraya River and its mysterious canals, enjoy the nightlife and do some shopping – great bargains to be had throughout Thailand. Pattaya is just over an hour from Bangkok, but a destination unto itself with a collection of golf courses. One stop at the Siam Country Club will put you on to 4 of the best in Asia. The Old Course is home to the Honda LPGA Thailand, the Plantation Course having been the prior host course and newcomer Rolling Hills gives you a unique links experience with a bunker that you do not want to get into. Pattaya is a popular Beach resort on the Gulf of Thailand, hundreds of thousands of visitors are drawn each year to Pattaya for some of the finest seafood and to windsurf, water ski, swim, sunbathe, snorkel, sail, or take trips to nearby Islands…….and just maybe some of the most pulsating nightlife. Hua Hin offers a change of pace. Originally a resort town for Bangkok-based nobility, today, it’s a fashionable mix of where the city meets the sea with lively markets, dining experiences for every pallet, water www.GolfingMagazine.net

parks, excellent accommodation and an ambience that just keeps getting hipper and more cosmopolitan everyday. If you have not yet had your street food, look no further than the fascinating Hua Hin Night Market which sets the standard for the most sophisticated form of street dinning in the heart of the city. This is also where I took a Thai cooking class at Bamboo Tai Cooking School! A yummy experience to say the least. Golf here is top notch, maybe not as many courses as other destinations but 2 of my favorites and also 2 of the best. Black Mountain Golf Club, plenty of wow factor, a Top 100 in the World by Golf Digest (59). #1 Course in Thailand by Golf Digest in 2016 and to top it off IAGTO (International Association of Golf Tour Operators) 2020 Golf Experience of the Year for Thailand. Banyan Golf Club, another multi award winner, “Best in Asia” awards for excellence, in addition to the Order of Zenith, which is the highest and most prestigious golf award in Asia Pacific by Asian Golf in 2018 For something a little different how about a train ride over the Bridge on the River Kwai, after all you won’t want to golf everyday. A couple of hours from Bangkok, Kanchanaburi Province holds a more sombre message from World War II, labelled the Death Railway and Hell Fire Pass is a short ride down the track. History is well documented and a special Thai tourist destination to visit. There is some pretty cool golf here too! The name, Grand Prix Golf Club says it all, or does

it?! As you drive in past automobiles and Formula 1 sponsor signs, if you asked anyone you will learn that all 18 holes have been sponsored by leading automobile companies with signage delicately placed throughout. The high standards of F1 have been implemented in the look and mainte-

nance of the course. Monkeying around at Royal Ratchaburi Golf Club. Monkeys there are a-plenty as we stood on the first tee and must have seen a couple of hundred traverse the fairway. All going in the same direction, Monkey’s on a mission. You’ve got to keep an eye on your ball and other things when they are around. They are very inquisitive. Once they grab something you are not likely to get it back! For more information on Amazing Thailand visit: www.thailandinsider.com For more information or to customize a Thailand Golf Vacation contact aj@asiagolfexperiences.com or visit www.asiagolfexperiences. com

Doral Blue Monster – replica hole at Royal Gems Dream Arena – Bangkok 10 10

Golfing GolfingMagazine Magazine••New NewEngland EnglandEdition Edition

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TRAVEL

Four Legendary Courses One Destination

here are many places to golf in Florida, but there’s only one Innisbrook Resort. Located on 900 sprawling acres of rolling hills and lakes on Florida’s beautiful Gulf Coast, Innisbrook Resort offers the perfect place for epic golf trips and leisurely getaways alike. The Tampa Bay golf resort is home to four outstanding courses, including the famed Copperhead Course, home of the PGA TOUR’s Valspar Championship, and a favorite among some of the world’s finest golf professionals. Designed by the innovative and imaginative architect Lawrence Packard, each of Innisbrook’s four courses feature unique layouts, scenery, and elevation change more reminiscent of the Carolina Sandhills and Georgia Foothills than the typical Florida terrain. Tee off on the Island Course with picturesque views, tight fairways, intimidating water hazards, and abundant bunkers. Or, imagine yourself hitting from the fairways graced by some of the world’s greatest on the Copperhead Course, and challenge yourself to the Snake Pit, where tournaments have been won and lost. The North Course, also known as “Baby Copperhead,” features

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daunting par 3s, tight fairways, and wellbunkered greens — placing a premium on accuracy from tee to green. While the South Course’s undulating terrain, ample bunkers, water hazards, and Gulf of Mexico breezes all combine to make it another great challenge. No matter what your playing ability is, Innisbrook Resort provides a variety of golf experiences for all levels of play, whether you’re breaking 100 for the first time or following in the footsteps of the pros. Three golf packages offer the best year-round value for players, featuring daily tee times, newly renovated accommodations, unlimited access to practice

Golfing GolfingMagazine Magazine••New NewEngland EnglandEdition Edition

facilities, daily breakfast or lunch, and more player perks. Groups of 12 or more can also elevate their golf package with additional discounts on golf, upgraded accommodations, and a dedicated golf service manager to assist with trip details before, during, and after your stay. And, for golfers looking to fine-tune their skills, the Innisbrook Golf Institute provides the perfect place for students to focus on the intricate mechanics of the game. Off the course, guests will enjoy Innisbrook’s amazing resort facilities and a plethora of indoor and outdoor activities, including six swimming pools, four unique restaurants, a full-service spa, and an awardwinning tennis facility. Newly renovated guest accommodations range from Deluxe Guest Rooms to Two-Bedroom Suites highlighted by separate living and dining areas, kitchens, and private balconies or patios. At Innisbrook Resort, your enjoyment has no limits on and off the course. And now it’s your chance to discover for yourself why golfers from all over the world love to tee it up here. www.InnisbrookResort.com

Four Courses. One Destination. Play where the pros play in Tampa Bay, Florida, on the legendary Copperhead Course — home of the PGA TOUR’s Valspar Championship. Tee off on four signature courses, enjoy complimentary breakfast and lunch, and more with our Platinum Golf Package.

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TRAVEL

America’s Summer Golf Mecca

Gaylord Michigan 17 Spectacular Courses By TOM LANDERS “My thoughts were short my hair was long. Caught somewhere between a boy and man. She was seventeen, and she was far from in-between. It was summertime in Northern Michigan.” You might recognize these lyrics from one of my favorite rock songs by non other then Kid Rock. We know he didn’t have golf on his mind when he recorded this, no doubt focused on guiding his boat cutting through one of the many pristine lakes in Northern Michigan. I am not even sure if Rock golfed back then. We do know that he is a golfer now, and if he came back to Gaylord now those lyric’s might just be different, or maybe not! Either way, from my visits to Gaylord Michigan, America’s Summer Golf Mecca I am confident to say that your visit will live up to and exceed your expectations, maybe even Rock’s. The focal point of the destination is the Town of Gaylord in Otsego County, offering no fewer than 17 spectacular courses for golfers to choose from. We didn’t have time to get to them all but we were treated to a stellar collection. Two of the iconic resorts in the Gaylord area

are the Treetops Resort and Otsego Resort we split our time between the 2 and for good reason, both have so much to offer. Treetops Resort is home to 81 holes, (5 courses) of exciting and challenging championship golf, spectacular terrain with dramatic views, contours, and rolling hills as far as the eye can see. Once you get to that horizon, you’ll see why it’s called Treetops. www.TreeTops.com We played the Jones Masterpiece which when opened in 1987 was voted 2nd best new course in the country. It is a Robert Trent Jones Sr. “masterpiece” you could say. Jones utilized elevation changes, deep ravines and numerous water hazards to create what might be considered the most challenging course at Treetops. The three other traditional 18-hole courses are no gimee’s either. The Fazio Premier might just have 18 signature holes, because that is just what Tom Fazio does. Rick Smith was most influential over a lot of the Golf at Treetops with his own, Smith Signature course, and the Smith Tradition that might be considered the most player friendly. One course not to be missed and oh so much fun is the 9-hole, par 3, Smith Threetops. Arguably the #1 par 3 course in the country. It

might be the best 90 minutes that you ever spend on a golf course. If you haven’t had enough golf in any one day at Treetops, you can check out The Himalayas a massive 9 hole putting green with contours like no others. It’s no wonder Golf Digest named Treetops an “Ultimate Michigan Buddies’ Trip” destination in 2018. Needless to say, that dining at a world class resort such as Treetops is second to none whether in the Sports Bar or the Tavern on the Hill, a couple of our favorites. The Otsego Resort is home to two uniquelychallenging PGA championship courses – The Classic and The Tribute. Founded in 1939, Otsego Resort has been a prominent fixture in northern Michigan. While golf is the #1 pastime in the summoer months, skiers enjoy meticulously groomed, family friendly ski hillls during the winter. www.OtsegoClub.com The Classic was designed by perhaps the country’s finest golf course architect of his time, William H. Diddel, and became the founding course of the Gaylord Golf Mecca. This course provides great play with the beginning golfers in mind.

Treetops Resort Sugarloaf Golf Course, Hole 16 14 14

Golfing Golfing Magazine Magazine •• New New England England Edition Edition

The Tribute Golf Course: Can you say elevation change? This Gary Koch / Rick Robbins masterpiece covers over 1,100 acres of the majestic, natural forestry of the Sturgeon River Valley. Nearly every tee is elevated, with numbers 3, 6, 11, 14, 16 and 18 being the most stunning. From the tees of the 430 – yard par – 4 3rd hole, players can see the horizon over 30 miles away. Where getting to the green may be considered an experience in itself, the adventure doesn’t stop there as the green complexes are spectacular from hole to hole with huge undulating greens. Other courses we played on this adventure included: The Natural at Beaver Creek Resort, a Jerry Mathews design, located on the west side of Otsego Lake is very deserving of its name. This championship 18-hole golf course has been constructed on one of the most scenic sites in northern Michigan. The course was designed so golfers could enjoy an exciting challenge amidst beautiful land of oak, maple, birch, and pine; rolling terrain and some of the most visually outstanding wetlands in northern Michigan. Tip: play the right set of tees here! A long ball hitter will not have a problem but short hitters may find themselves needing to layup on some holes. www.TheNaturalGolfCourse.com The Lakes of the North Golf Course: A classic very well maintained semi-private course that shows pride of ownership. Keep it on the short stuff if you expect to score well. You will love with our rolling terrain, and expertly manicured greens and tees, the strategically placed hazards, maybe not so much! Got your own plane by chance? They have a landing strip for you! 10th Hole at Sugarloaf Golf Course www.LakesOfTheNorthGC.com We played the Fountains Course at Garland, one of 4 golf courses at the spectacular Garland Lodge & Resort, another spectacular setting and

Gaylord Golf Club home to the largest log cabin I have ever set foot in! The course offers a unique 6-6-6 design, with several par 5’s offering dramatic risk and reward opportunities. It is all about the approach shots here, once on the greens your work is just beginning. Like most of the greens at Garland, there are two words “complex” and “undulating.” The Fountains ranked as the number 12 course in Michigan by Golf Advisor in 2017. Definitely a must stop in Northern Michigan. www.GarlandUSA.com Michaywe Pines Course: One of the founding partners of the Gaylord Golf Mecca is impeccably maintained, featuring secluded fairways, winding through beautiful white birch and pine forests along the AuSable River. Strategic bunkering and a minimum of water hazards add to the character of this unique course. www.MichaywePines.com Just to change things up a bit we decided to sit on our butts for a while, not really! We took advantage of the offer by Sturgeon River Paddlesports to take us rafting. Exciting and

exhilarating, ramps up the pace compared to a round of golf. They have all that you could want for a day on the river. Check them out at www.SturgeonRiverPaddle.com All of this outdoor adventure gets one parched and hungry. Other than the great food at our home base resorts we did venture to a couple of other spots for you to enjoy when you visit Gaylord. How can you not love a place called Big Buck Brewery??? Big brews, big tastes, big stuffed heads on the wall, and a big friendly Northern Michigan attitude. Their food comes from the land and the people that surround us, enjoy farm-to-table fare, it sure made us to feel at home. https://www.bigbuckbrewery.com Bennethum’s Northern Inn, ready to kick back? Looking for somewhere cozy? You have just found it! Great friendly staff something for everyone on the menu, beer, a fine selection of wines and just about anything else a visitor could want. In fact, Gaylord, America’s Summer Golf Mecca has just about everything that a visitor might want. Even Kid Rock! Great variety in courses, bars and restaurants, northern hospitality and so many things to do while being surrounded by the pristine beauty of Northern Michigan! Getting there is easier than ever. You would be amazed at the number of direct flights into Traverse City, including, Newark, LaGuardia and Logan from the Northeast. Want to take in a ball game in Detroit, it is then about a 3-hour drive to Gaylord. Might be a fun thing to do! Easy to get, you pick how. For more information visit https://www.GaylordGolfMecca.com

Monarch and Reflection Courses at Garland Lodge & Resort www.GolfingMagazine.net

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

which cut into the overall length, 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 Farmington Woods Country Club tips) that can be reached in two by the big hitters, and superb layout when he visited. then comes the course’s signature hole in Robert McNeil designed the course that my estimation, the 210-yard par-three 17th opened in 2003, and he built into it chalthat plays across a pond to a narrow green. lenge and fairness. The fairways are rather It’s a great look from an elevated tee. generous on the par-fives and longer parFarmington Woods Country Club in fours and tighter and strewn with fairway Farmington, Ct. was designed by renowned bunkers on several of the shorter par-fours. American designer Desmond Muirhead, The greens are fairly large and kept on the who also crafted the famed Jack Nicklaus fast side. The rough is manageable and Muirfield Village course in Ohio. the greenside bunkers challenging yet not The late Muirhead is remembered for unfair. his fully integrated course communities like While the course is no push-over, it is McCormick Ranch in Scottsdale; the Dinah eminently playable for any golfer, as long Shore Tournament Course at Mission Hills as you tee it up from the proper markers. near Palm Springs, and his six-year partnerThe tips play 6,730 yards with a slope of ship with Jack Nicklaus, which produced 138 and a course rating of 73.8. The layout the aforementioned Muirfield Village. plays to a par of 71 and has five par-threes,

Tumble Brook Country Club 16 16

Golfing GolfingMagazine Magazine• •New NewEngland EnglandEdition Edition

The Club at River Oaks, 9th Hole

The layout is unique to the Farmington 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. To have access to these premier private courses, call 860-563-1633, or visit www.FreeGolf.net.

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FEATURED RESORT

Doubleheader in Maine

Mountain Golf at it Best Sugarloaf and Sunday River Golf Clubs By TOM LANDERS

here a few things that I will never forget from my first visit to Sugarloaf Golf Club in Maine. The first and this has become a line that I have used with so many a macho golfer “The woods are full of long hitters.” Oh, so true and if there is one course that you could lose a few of those golfers it is in the woods lining these fairways. The other, the number of moose in the area and plenty of these god-like mammals roaming the resort. My favorite was descending from the clubhouse on route to our condo below. My head turning from side to side keeping an eye out for any moose that might cross. Suddenly a voice from the back seat calls out, “Claudio, if you are looking for moose, look straight ahead.” Sure, enough staring us down, I am guessing well over a thousand pounds of majestic muscle, with a look that said, “this is my road too! We sat patiently and waited for him to mosey on. Golfers in the State of Maine are so fortunate to have 2 resorts that are part of the Boyne Resorts Family, Sugarloaf being one and Sunday River the other. Boyne Resorts is a collection of mountain and lakeside resorts, ski areas, and attractions spanning from British Columbia to Maine. The company owns and operates eleven proper-

Sunday River Golf Club ties and an outdoor lifestyle equipment/ apparel retail division with stores in cities throughout Michigan. An industry leader in multiple U.S. regions, operations include snow sports and year-round mountain recreation, golf, an indoor waterpark, spas, food and beverage, lodging and real estate development. Sugarloaf is Maine’s premier golf destination; the Robert Trent Jones Jr. design provides golfers with stunning panoramic mountain views and an unforgettable experience from first tee to final putt. Panoramic views there are a plenty,

First Hole at Sunday River Golf Club 18 18

Golfing GolfingMagazine Magazine••New NewEngland EnglandEdition Edition

but one that you are not likely to forget, I certainly have not, the view from the 11th tee box, the hole appropriately named PRECIPICE. This par 3 is Sugarloaf ’s most famous hole and one of the most photographed holes in New England. Dropping more than 120 feet, the hole plays nearly 2 clubs downhill to a green guarded by bunkers back and right of the green and the Carrabassett River short and left. A par is a great score. The 11th is the “Signature” and the 2nd in a run of 5 holes, 10-15 known as the “String of Peals.” The collection of holes

offers up everything and anything that anyone could want, from risk-reward, intimidating bunkers, flirting with the Carrabassett River, and spectacular views of the Bigelow Mountain Range. Closing out the String, is the 15th hole, Cobbled Stone. Providing a unique challenge, similar to Augusta’s 12th hole, wind will swirl causing indecision on club choice. A successful approach over the Carrabassett River will provide a great chance at par on this receptive green. Sugarloaf Golf Club is a must play and many would agree as accolades have been pouring in year after year. Playing here is no walk in the park, 5 sets of tees allow you to choose the right one’s course ratings and slope, range from Black 75.2 / 150 to Green 72.6 / 135. • GOLFWEEK - #1 Course In Maine 2017 & 2018 • GOLF DIGEST - #1 Course In Maine 28 times since 1985 Sugarloaf Golf Club • GOLF DIGEST America’s 100 Greatest Trent Jones, Jr. design. The course itself is Public Courses 2003, 2005, 2007 perched on a sloping hillside, overlooking • GOLFWEEK - America’s 100 Best Resort the Sunday River Valley with the Mahoosuc 10th 2007, Hole at2009, Sugarloaf Courses 2016Golf Course range towering above offering panoramic A round would be complete without views that stretch all the way to Old Spec, a visit to Strokes Bar & Grill for a madeMaine’s third highest peak. Tree lined fairto-order breakfast before you play, or pick ways take you to dramatic elevation changes something up to take with you to the tee. with natural topography striking the perfect Finish your day with a quiet cocktail on balance between challenge and playability. the patio while soaking in the panoramic Mountain golf at its best! mountain views. The par-threes, several of them playing Just about any style of accommodafrom dramatically elevated tees, as well as tions that anyone could wat are available at the par-fives, are a strength of Sunday River. Sugarloaf, from hotel, to condos to homes. The 499-yard par-five first hole sets a stunMany with views of the roaming moose! ning tone for the remainder of the round. Stay and Play Packages are available at The fairway runs downhill to the green and www.Sugarloaf.com the putting surface can be reached in two Double Your Pleasure, Double Your Fun shots, providing you play your ball down Regardless of where you may be comthe right side and avoid two bunkers on ing from to play in Maine it would behove either side of the green. you to double up your pleasure and include The 425-yard-par four fifth plays shorter a visit to Sunday River Golf Club a than its length because it’s all downhill, and part of the Resort by the same name. the ninth, a 339-yarder, is a great example Approximately 90 miles from Sugarloaf. of a superb, short par-four. The tee shot and Another spectacular Boyne property in a approach must carry waste areas. classic New England setting. Also, Sunday River Golf Club, Holea Robert 17 The 17th, par 4, #1 Handicap hole is

just a beast from whichever tee box you are playing. Finding the fairway cut off the tee of this demanding par-4 is critical for success. Bunkers guard the right and left side of the landing area. Carrying the fairway bunker along right side will allow the best angle of approach from the right center of the fairway to a dramatically elevated green. I hope the 17th did not scare you. Jones does produce a great challenge with his courses. For the most part here, the fairways are generous, greens are spacious a few blind shots and of course uneven lies. The key to scoring is your shot into the green. Pick the right tees for you and you will be OK! Many great accolades for the course as well, so you know you can’t go wrong with either. • GOLF DIGEST - #1 Course in Maine • GOLF MAGAZINE Top 100 Courses You Can Play • G O L F W E E K MAGAZINE - Best Courses You Can Play in Maine • GOLF DIGEST - Top 10 Upscale Public Courses • LINKS MAGAZINE - Best Mountain Courses in New England The resort has over 700 condominiums, ranging from studio condos to three-bedroom townhomes, all with access to indoor and outdoor pools and saunas. Sunday River offers attractive stay and play package at the property’s Jordan Hotel, which is just two miles from the golf course. For more information on Sunday River check out the website at www.SundayRiver.com On either of the Resorts website your will find stay and play options not only for the respective resorts but also the option to make that double header a reality!

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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, plus the prestigious New England Open Championship, the New England Senior Amateur Championship and several New Hampshire Mid-Am, Senior and High School Golf Championships. 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

www.OmniHotels.com/MountWashington

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

Hotel and surrounding mountains. The Omni Mount Washington Golf Course was voted Golfweek’s Best Course You Can Play in New Hampshire since 2009. 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. A full-service spa, year-round canopy tour and seemingly endless outdoor recreation are sure to enhance your golf getaway.

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 MUST PLAYS

FEATURED RESORT

Killington Grand Resort

illington Grand Resort’s 18-hole golf course, designed by noted New England architect Geoffrey S. Cornish, was skillfully routed high in the lush Green Mountains of Vermont. Here, you will find panoramic views and plenty of challenge. Cornish designed the course to take full advantage of the mountain terrain, and Killington’s rushing snowmelt streams and elevation changes make for an exciting and strategic round. Generous greens allow players to attack the flag with confidence. The 6,186-yard, par-72 layout presents an enjoyable round for any golfer, no matter what skill level or handicap. And at a 2,000-foot elevation, gentle breezes offer a soothing respite from the summer sun. The longest hole on the course is number two, a par-five that plays 510 yards from the back markers. The shortest hole on the course is the sixth, a tricky par-three that plays to 147 yards from the championship tees. And, watch out for number five, a beefy 473-yard par-four and the number one handicap hole on the course. Perhaps the most approachable hole on the track is the 17th, a 168-yard par-three. The course is open mid-May through mid-October. The resort has a new practice facility, as well as a new fleet of golf carts. 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

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, tree-lined 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. 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 22

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.

Golfing Magazine • New England Edition

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, funpacked experience for individuals, couples and families. www.BethelInn.com

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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 24

Golfing Magazine • New England Edition

Massachusetts’ Best Public Course! – Golf Digest

Call The Ranch now to arrange your tournament, league, or group outing!

SOUTHWICK, MASSACHUSETTS

(413) 569-9333 • (866) 790-9333 www.theranchgolfclub.com

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Includes 2 nights lodging at Poland Spring Presidential Inn with breakfast, 18 holes with cart at Poland Spring, Spring Meadows and Fox Ridge, and driving range balls . You may upgrade to the Maine Inn for additional fee.

Call (207) 998-4351

All rates per person, double occupancy, plus Maine sales tax.

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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 26

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 28

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 30

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. 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 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. Bedrock Golf 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

Rockland Golf Course 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.

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Copper Hill Golf Course

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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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 32

Golfing Magazine • New England Edition

INSTRUCTION

Going to the Bank Over the years Jack Nicklaus has always spoken about many facets of his golf swing. One piece that Jack seemed to always speak about was his footwork that he learned from his instructor Jack Grout. He always described the “rolling of his ankles” and playing between his feet” as vital components to his motion. As an expert player reaches the impact position and beyond, watch their trial foot and how it will “bank” inward toward the lead foot. This is an important component to a good downswing to assist in getting the golfers weight moving in a forward fashion. As the outside of the trail foot raises up off the ground, it banks or rolls toward the target. The heel should not be coming off the ground at this point. This is happening in large part because the expert golfer will move their hips in a linear fashion first. A slide, a bump or whatever you want to call it is very necessary to move the weight forward.

By Gene Mulak

If there is only a turning component, not enough weight is moving through the shot. This is generally what is seen in the club golfer who is conditioned to only turn. As the recreational golfer turns from the top of their backswing starting down, this will have them moving up on their trail toe and only turning their hips. In most cases this will cause them to hit across the ball. For the expert player, as the hips move forward, they can then start to rotate. As the rotation happens at this stage in the swing, their heel will begin to ascend. So, the benefits of banking your trail foot will lead to having better linear motion and a better turning rate throughout the entire swing. Lifting the heel too early can prevent weight transfer by stalling the hips and not hitting solid golf shots.

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

CREATE YOUR OWN DISCOVERY CHANNEL for GOOD PRACTICE SESSIONS It’s that time of year when grabbing your clubs from the garage for the season’s first driving range session fills you with excitement. Hopefully, you have some notes on your phone (or in a notebook) from last summer to help you remember the key moves you used last season when you hit it well. WHAT?? You say you never write anything down? Well, it’s not too late. START with today’s session! Use the NOTES section of your phone or get a notebook to make this your new habit for 2022. Take the time during and at the end of your practice sessions to write down key “commandments” that produced better ball strikes! Create your personal DISCOVERY CHANNEL where you can document and record what works for you! When you make notes, identify the motions and key feelings that produce the ball flight you like. Remember, your notes are not limited to keys just for your full swing. Create a section for keys to your putting, chipping, pitching and bunker play, too. These will become your swing thoughts and reference points to help you practice better. But, what about playing better? You won’t be able to play well with all those swing thoughts in your head. It’s good to have clues that give a framework and a way to evaluate your practice. You would think that all you need to do to improve is follow that framework. But there’s more! While you should be experiencing better ball flight, the purpose of your practice now is to find the Triggers that you can take to the golf course. This is where your Discovery Channel approach needs to kick in. You need

By Sue Kaffenburg

to discover and choose the main TRIGGER that gets the motion to sequence correctly. You might use a 1 or 2 word trigger or a “feel” that can serve as your “go to” thought for your motion. That’s what you must search for in your practice sessions: one swing thought or feeling that gets the whole job done in each of the separate areas of your game. Don’t be surprised to find the same trigger pertains to a variety of shots, from big to small. Keep it simple! THEN, practice using the trigger until it becomes natural and comfortable. Make sure that part of your practice includes aiming at a target, one ball at a time. In other words, develop a pre-shot routine and blend it with your trigger focus. Then, and ONLY THEN, can you really say you’re practicing something that can directly apply to when you’re on the course. Practice with the goal of DISCOVERING your Triggers. Formulating those “Triggers” is key…not just an activity for people who feel home, home on the range…or are named Roy Rogers. 😊

Sue Kaffenburgh, PGA/LPGA Bayberry Hills Golf Course, Yarmouth, MA. www.GolfLessonsCapeCod.com SusiePGA@comcast.net 508-364-GOLF (4653) 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 34

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

Crestview Country Club

he setting is amazing for this semi-private Country Club which exudes pride of ownership. From the moment you enter the property, making the quarter mile country side drive you can’t miss the rolling manicured greens. Serving golfers in scenic Agawam, MA, and Suffield, CT, area, Crestview Country Club features panoramic views of the Pioneer Valley. Known as the “Gem of Western Mass,” a renowned Geoffrey Cornish design. The course is challenging enough to have played host to the PGA TOUR Travelers Championship Open Qualifier in 2015, the CT Section PGA Championship in 2013, the LPGA Friendly’s Classic from 19951998, as well as several US Amateur qualifiers. With it’s 5 sets of tees it is very playable for all levels of golfers. Best to be ready to take on the course right out of the gate. Best not to be tying up your laces on the first tee because the first 2 holes are challenging to say the least. Even from the white tees you are looking at an opening hole (#3 hdcp) of 400 plus yards backed up by a 526-yard part 5. A scenic collection of challenging par 3’s await as you are guided through the meticulously maintained rolling fairways with a number of risk reward par 4’s and 5’s to round out you round. Plus, a 19th hole to

settle those bets. Big hitters can tee it up from as far back as 7,100 yards, the reds tees bring that down to a very manageable 5,500. There is no excuse for not being ready when you get to the first as the club has an expansive driving range, practice green and pitching area. If by chance your game needs a little tune up, the professional staff is there offering lessons, clinics and specialized instruction. Not just for the adults in the room but Juniors as well. Dining here is an art unto itself and you will want that experience, whether indoors or outdoors. The VIEW Restaurant and The California Grill feature panoramic views of the Connecticut River Valley, sumptuous food and an impressive array of cocktails and wine selections. If you are lucky enough to live close by membership at Crestview Country Club should be a consideration. A classic country club, one of the best semi-private golf courses in the area, other amenities include: pool, tennis courts and fitness area. www.CrestviewCC.org Or to book a tee time call: (413) 786-0917

Elmcrest County Club

he once private Elmcrest Country Club is now semiprivate, under new ownership of the well-respected Crest Family, owners of Crestview Country Club. Public tee-times will be available for the 2022 season as well as the option for dual membership with its “Double Eagle” membership program. The Crest Family is pleased to offer top quality golf and value to patrons on both sides of the river. The only dual membership available in Western Massachusetts. Elmcrest Country Club is uniquely located in the quaint Town of East Longmeadow, Massachusetts on the border of Somers, Connecticut. Rock walls, rustic bridges, and floral accents are just some of the allures of this classic New England course that winds through beautifully wooded, rollingClub terrain past picturesque ponds Blackhead Mountain Country and streams. The design of this well-conditioned course is an enjoy-

able round for any level of player. The course also hosted the Joe Pagos Western Massachusetts Amateur Championships and MIAA Division I Golf Championships. Elmcrest’s expansive facilities, situated on over 110 acres of private land, offer a sanctuary to all who become members. Our professional team of PGA professionals, event planners, culinary and service staff, as well as our GCSAA certified golf maintenance team have one goal in mind; making your every visit at Elmcrest a special one. Join us, and see why you will want Elmcrest Country Club will become your home away from home! To book a tee time or speak to someone in the Pro Shop: (413)525-4653 For the Main Office: (413)525-6641 www.ElmcrestCC.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 36

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

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

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

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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

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

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 38

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

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.

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.

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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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PERFECT DRIVE

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 two of our member courses, Thuderhart Golf Course and Blackhead Mountain. Both are resort courses. Thunderhart Golf Course is a championship 18-hole golf course. The 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 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 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 beauti-

Blackhead Mountain Country Club ful 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

Golfing Magazine • New England Edition

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.

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