2023 Golfing Magazine Summer Issue New England Edition

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New England Edition Summer 2023 • Golf in the Dominican Republic • Western Massachusetts Gems • Road Trip Through Connecticut • Vermont Golf • Maine Golf • New Hamphire Golf • Must Play Courses PLAYMoreGoLf ... forLeSSSeePage2ForDetailS MAGAZINE ™ golfing New England’s #1 Golf Magazine www.GolfingMagazine.net Crumpin-Fox Club Bernardston, MA New England Edition

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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

Great magazine! The free golf deal is outrageous! I hope you do it again next year.

Brian K. Norton, MA

I played more courses this summer than ever. My Golfing Magazine subscription was the best investment I made. I’m definitely renewing.

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!

www.FreeGolf.net

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

My subscription saved me over $600 in greens fees this year.

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www.GolfingMagazine.net 3 Or send a check or money order payable for $49.95 to: Golfing Magazine 1077 Silas Deane Hwy #117, Wethersfield, CT 06109 860-563-1633 Name (Print): Address: City/State/Zip: Telephone:______________________ e-mail: Credit Card #: Credit Card Exp. Date: ____________________Security Code ( 3 digits on back of card) Subscribe Online at www.FREEGOLF.net Subscribe Today Edition: New England RHODE ISLAND COURSES MASSACHUSETTS COURSES Play Availability: Monday – Thursday anytime; Sat & Sun after 1PM* Reservations required within 72 hours of requested play. Cart Fee Required * Some restrictions apply www.FreeGolf.net for details CONNE CTICUT COURSES Blackledge Country Club Blue Fox Run Golf Course Crestbook Park Golf Course Elmridge Country Club Farmington Woods Country Club Gillette Ridge Golf Course Hawk’s Landing Country Club Hunter Golf Course Keney Park Golf Course Laurel View Golf Course Manchester Country Club Norwich Golf Club Portland Golf Course Quarry Ridge Golf Club Simsbury Farms Golf Course Stanley Golf Course Tallwood Country Club The Golf Club at River Oaks The Golf Club at Windham Tumble Brook Country Club Tunxis Country Club Twin Hills Country Club Western Hills Golf Course Whitney Farms Golf Course .... plus 25 more Blackstone National Golf Club Captains Golf Course Cold Spring Country Club
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New England Summer 2023

Contributing

Mike Stinton

George Connor,

Dave Souza

Steve Hancock

Contributing Photographer Mark William Paul

Golfing Magazine • New England Edition 4 Golfing Magazine is published five times annually. 2023 Subscription Rate: $49.95 per year www.FREEGOLF.net Volume 58 Issue 4 Summer 2023 Publisher Tom Landers TLanders@GolfingMagazine.net
Dyer Production@GolfingMagazine.net
Torsiello Editor@GolfingMagazine.net
Creative Director Heidi
Editor John
Writers John DiCocco
Claudio DeMarchi Mike May
PGA
PGA
Sue Kaffenburg,
Golfing Magazine 1077 Silas Deane Hwy #117 Wethersfield, CT 06109 860-563-1633 www.GolfingMagazine.net 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. TABLE OF CONTENTS golfing MAGAZINE ™ FROM THE PUBLISHER 6 Summer is Here and We Help You Play Lots of Golf FEATURES 8 Golf in Dominican Republic 12 Western Massachsetts Gems 16 Golfing Fun in Connecticut This Summer 22 Summer in Vermont Means Golf 24 New Hampshire Golf 26 A Magical Maine Trip Beckons 28 Golf in the New York Catskills 30 Wentworth Hills Country Club Heather Hill Country Club Mill Valley Golf Links Hertitage Country Club Crestview Country Club Crystal Lake Golf Course MUST PLAYS INSTRUCTION 34 Shift Your Focus 35 Poor Contact ??? 36 Mastering High, Soft Pitch Shots 37 Move Your Low Point To Hit Great Golf Shots EQUIPMENT 38 Loudmouth Golf Casa De Campo, Dominican Republic
www.GolfingMagazine.net 5 THE MORE YOU SPEND, THE MORE YOU EARN! START EARNING TODAY! GET 2% BACK ON ALL PURCHASES!* HARTFORD 75 Brainard Road (860) 522-6829 AUBURN 619 Southbridge St. (508) 407-7692 CRANSTON 60 Freeway Dr. (401) 467-8740 DANVERS 4 Newbury St. (978) 777-4653 BRAINTREE 2 Campanelli Dr. (781) 848-9777 *Excludes PING. Additional exclusions may apply. See store for details. Visit us online @ worldwidegolfshops.com NEW ARRIVALS! GET FIT BY OUR EXPERTS IN-STORE FOR FREE! EXPERTS + TECHNOLOGY= THE PERFECT FIT UTILIZING THE BEST FITTING TECHNOLOGY IN THE RETAIL GOLF INDUSTRY! SPEND & SAVE! GET $10 OFF WHEN YOU SPEND $50 OR MORE! ALU-986728 Offer expires 9/30/23. Cannot be combined with other offers. Golf Balls are excluded. Some other exclusions may apply.

Summer is Here and We Help You Play Lots of Golf

setts is home to some of the best courses the Bay State has to offer. The area, which includes the Berkshires hills and the scenic Pioneer Valley, is a great area to spend a day playing nine or 18 holes, or even making a week’s vacation out of it and sample a number of courses.

We also take you on a road trip of Connecticut golf courses, We have some of the best layouts in the state in our lineup, including some private courses that you can play for a cart or a small service fee by partnering with us at www.FreeGolf.net.

We also offer up a number of courses in Vermont, a summer playground, full of things to do and see; world-class fly fishing, hiking, biking, canoeing, kayaking, shopping, museums and parks and keep us around for a week or more. The Green Mountain State is also home to some superb golf courses, a number of them located at resorts, making stay and play always an option.

Golfing Magazine is making summer much more enjoyable for our subscribers with our celebrated “Free Golf” offer that entitles an individual signing up for an annual subscription to our magazine free or reduced rate golf at over 120 of the top daily fee courses (and even several top private tracks) the region has to offer. It’s the largest course list ever.

To take advantage of this tremendous offer, call 860-563-1633, or visit www.FreeGolf.net. Remember, you get five issues of our magazine yearly in addition to Free Golf when you subscribe.

Our Summer Issue is filled with information about where to play and how to play the game properly, with tips from top pros.

We take a visit to the Dominican Republic. When it comes to golf in the Caribbean you won’t find anything that comes close to the Dominican Republic. Some 86 holes that provide ocean views amongst those a plethora of holes that provide daily ocean mists to tantalize the spirits for the day

We take you on a tour of some Western Massachusetts gems. Western Massachu-

Subscribers can visit New Hampshire this summer and enjoy a number of the best layouts the Granite State has to offer, including the delightful Newport Golf Club, which has upped the ante on conditions.

We also pay a visit to check in on three courses and two resorts in the northern Catskill Mountains of New York, where you can make a nice weekend or longer stay and play trip.

So, enjoy our Summer issue, sign up for a subscription and play lots of golf. Summer flies by, so keep the sticks in the trunk of your car or SUV and enjoy the greatest game man has ever created.

Hit ‘em straight!

Golfing Magazine • New England Edition 6 golfing MAGAZINE ™
FROM THE PUBLISHER All That Is Good,
www.GolfingMagazine.net 7 (413) 569-9333 • (866) 790-9333 www.theranchgolfclub.com SOUTHWICK, MASSACHUSETTS See us on Call The Ranch now to arrange your tournament, league, or group outing! Massachusetts’ Best Public Course! – Golf Digest

Hunting Birdies on the Island that “Has It All”

When it comes to golf in the Caribbean you won’t find anything that comes close to the Dominican Republic. (Part 1)

Some 86 holes that provide ocean views amongst those a plethora of holes that provide daily ocean mists to tantalize the spirits for the day.

Part one will cover the two primary resorts, Casa de Campo and PGA Oceans 4, located in the proximity of La Romana on the southern seascape of the island, and just over an hour from Puntacana.

With the breathtaking backdrop of the Caribbean, PGA Ocean’s 4 would be the lesser known of the 2 resorts, however a must stop on the southside of the island. The thought of playing ocean golf putts a smile on everyone’s face and there are 4 magnificent holes here. The fab 4 are impressive holes that border the Caribbean Sea, perfectly integrated into the native Caribbean flora, with coconut palms and the characteristic beach grape, white sand and cliff, which, at the same time, give the sensation of playing on the verdant links of

Scotland. Beware the unseen wind blowing blowing through your!

Opening holes will quickly introduce you to the holes surrounded by lakes and beautiful waterfalls, a picturesque and calming Parkland-style setting. Desert style golf more to your liking, they have that too, a number of holes are carved out of rocks and sand while the entire property is surrounded by tropical forest.

Impressive for its variety, diversity and cool modernity, the 18-hole course was masterfully built and designed by Maverick Golf. It is the second PGA golf course developed by Grupo Piñero, combining the area’s most striking elements while meeting its main goal: the enjoyment of all golfers.

PGA Ocean´s 4 has a total of 27 holes distributed into two spectacular golf courses; one 18-hole par 72, for intermediate and advanced level players, and another 9-hole short par 27, ideal for children and beginners.

A couple of great options for accommodations, and you know you are in good hands when you are with Bahia Principe. The adults only Bahia Principe Luxury Bouganville is the perfect place to soak up some sun and consuming your adult bever-

ages of choice while being pampered after golf. My kind of place!

Family vacation? They have you covered, Bahia Principe Grand La Romana, is ideal for that family vacation, a peaceful oasis, with all the comforts your heart could desire. An idyllic setting that invites you to relax in its gorgeous bay. For more information:

www.PGAOceans4.com

The Grandaddy of Golf Resorts

The granddaddy of golf resorts in the Dominican is without a doubt Casa de Campo Resort & Villa’s. Luxury in an exclusive gated community, a setting that has hosted discerning travellers and celebrities for over 50 years. Boasting three golf courses designed by the legendary Pete Dye, Teeth of the Dog is the #1 ranked course in the Caribbean.

One of the most unique features of the resort is that every guest has their own golf cart for their stay and believe me that comes in very handy while trying to navigate the over 7,000 acres that await. Also available are resort shuttles for those who may want to visit the breathtaking replica of a 16th century Mediterranean village

TRAVEL
TRAVEL
Casa de CampoTeeth of the Dog

Altos De Chavon overlooking the Dye Fore course and the river of the same name.

Other than the outstanding world class golf this might be my most favorite resort experience. Meticulously designed by Dominican architect, Jose Antonio Caro, and Italian master designer and cinematographer, Roberto Coppa, every detail of Altos de Chavón was handcrafted by local artisans. The village is a cultural center for residents, tourists, and working artists from all over the world. Active studios for artists of every medium from pottery to weaving, silk screening, and everything in between line the cobblestone streets alongside shops and boutiques showcasing their unique creations. The Art Gallery features works from noted Dominican artists, as well as

artists from around the world which helps to foster a dialogue of creativity and cultural exchange.

Everything offered at Casa de Campo is world class, yours to enjoy is the stunning Minitas Beach Club, a Marina, Equestrian Center featuring Polo, Shooting Course, great shopping, and 3 private pristine white sand beaches. Restaurants are also second to none, and yes you can also dine up top at Altos De Chavon, one of my favorites there is La Piazzetta with its selection of Italian classics. Waterside favorites include Minitas Beach Club with its sweeping views of the Caribbean and the Spanish inspired La Casita located within the marina complex, watch as the sun sinks from the sky into the calm ocean beyond.

What More Can One Add to the Golf……

When you have accolades like these…… and there are probably many more non golf related.

Teeth of the Dog: Ranked No. 7 in GOLF Magazine’s Top 100 Courses You Can Play 2020-2021

Teeth of the Dog: Ranked No. 59 in GOLF Magazine’s Top 100 Courses in the World

Teeth of the Dog: Ranked #27 in World’s 100 Greatest Courses outside the U.S., by Golf Digest

Best Caribbean Golf Course/ Teeth of the Dog at Casa de Campo (ranked #2) By USA Today 10

There are 3 fabulous Pete Dye Golf Course a casa de Campo, but any way you slice it golfers are coming to play the world renowned and breathtaking ocean holes on Teeth of the Dog, and those holes keep them coming back year after year!

Dye did a masterful job carving from the rugged rock and coral and he loved his work here so much that you will find a plaque on one of his favorite holes that denotes that somewhere around this green his ashes are buried. Just so happens I made my first birdie of the year on this par 4, second shot into a deep grassy swale, lofted a 1 hop wedge into the hole. You will know it when you get there. Thanks’ Pete!

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Gassan Khuntan Golf Resort PGA Oceans4 Course Casa de CampoTeeth of the Dog

Not to be discounted are the other holes that make up Teeth of the Dog. There is plenty of sand, a few lava rock formations and strategically placed ponds for you to deal with throughout the round.

27 Holes to Dye Fore

Not nearly as popular as the Teeth, but definitely a really, really great golf course. We expect nothing less from Dye. The Dye Fore Course is about a 15-minute ride from the main resort, high above the Chavron River and eyelevel to Altos de Chavon.

3 very different nines await. The Chavron and Marina nines are the original 2, with the Lagos nine being added in 2011. Ocean views here are from afar, but the golf course drama continues as you navigate the cliffs along the Chavron nine, with views from some 300 feet above and the jungle below. The Marina course 4th and 5th holes are most memorable guiding you down to the mouth of the river with views of the Marina.

There are some that will say the Dye Fore is the better of the 2 tracks at Casa de Campo. A testament to just how good it is. For my money you can’t compare the WOW Factor of playing on the rugged shores of the Caribbean. Any way you cut it; Casa de Campo is a World Class “Bucket list” experience.

Casa de Campo Resort
TRAVEL
Casa de CampoTeeth of the Dog

Where Aloha Begins...

Boasting the longest stretch of ocean front holes in all of Hawaii, the Ocean Course Hokuala will test your golf and your photography skills as you maneuver through the mango groves of the rainforest terrain and play along the cliffside of the beautiful Pacific on this Jack Nicklaus signature layout.

HI 96766

www.GolfingMagazine.net 11
3351
Lihue,
www.golfhokuala.com
Ho’Olaulea Way

Tee It Up in the Scenic Berkshire and Pioneer Valley Areas of Massachusetts

Western Massachusetts is home to some of the best courses the Bay State has to offer. The area, which includes the Berkshires hills and the scenic Pioneer Valley, is a great area to spend a day playing nine or 18 holes, or even making a week’s vacation out of it and sample a number of courses. After or before golf you can spend a few hours visiting the villages and towns of the area, where you can discover fine restaurants and pubs, boutiques, museums, historic landmarks and hiking trails.

Thanks to Golfing Magazine’s comprehensive Course Play Stimulus Program, you can try out a number of courses in this area of Massachusetts. Check out the details of this can’t miss offer in this issue. Call 860-563-1633, or visit www.FreeGolf.net to sign up.

Greenock Country Club (www.GreenockCC.com) in Lee dates back to 1895. Redesigned in 1927 by the legendary golf architect Donald Ross, the ninehole course is an example of craftsmanship and original style. The club is located just one mile from Exit 2 off Interstate 90, within minutes of the historic town

of Stockbridge, and just a few miles from Tanglewood, the summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. The sixth hole is a risk-reward par-five, measuring only 465 yards, but there is water left and right of the green if you are thinking about going for it in two.

Cold Spring Country Club (www.ColdSpringCC.com) is an 18-hole semi-private course located about midway between Springfield and Worcester in Belchertown. Designed by Mary Armstrong, completed in 2010 and opened for play in 2012, Cold Spring Country Club is a par71 course with 6,521 yards set on rolling hills that boast of vistas in nearly every direction. Each hole has up to five sets of tees, enabling golfers of all levels to play an exciting mix of six par-threes, seven par-fours and five par-fives. It all starts with a tough 216-yard par-three. From the highest tee box on the course, enjoy a panoramic view of central Massachusetts facing south. Normally you will need one less club because of the steep drop, but watch the wind here. If prevailing winds are in player’s face it will require one or two more clubs. The trees on either side of the tee box will keep players honest, by making them hit

down the chute. But there’s lots of wide open room the rest of the way.

Also in Belchertown you will find Mill Valley Golf Links (www.MillValleyGolfLinks.com), which features some of the toughest par-threes in the area, with one playing 240 yards from the back markers. There is a great mix of short and long par-fours and those tough par-threes, including the aforementioned fifth hole. The 468-yard par-four 14th demands two lusty shots to find the putting surface on the dogleg right hole. The layout ends with a long par-four, 422 yards, and a short four par, the 323-yard 18th, where a birdie will be a nice way to finish a round.

Gardner Municipal Golf Course (www.gardnergolfcourse.com) is considered one of the “hidden gems” of the region. The layout is nestled compactly along the shores of Crystal Lake on the north side of the city, and offers challenging approach shots due to its small, fast greens. Several of the holes, the 311-yard par-four 10th and 480-yard par-five 11th, play near Crystal Lake and afford golfers a nice moment of relaxation before tackling both.

Agawam Golf Course

(www.AgawamGC.com) in Feeding Hills

MUST PLAYS
12 Golfing Magazine • New England Edition
Golf Club
The Ranch

claims to be a “user friendly” track with a rolling terrain and undulating greens. The course can play anywhere from 4,658 to 5,679 yards. A number of the par-fours are reachable, or almost reachable, for big hitters and are present opportunities for birdie. The number one handicap hole is

the fourth, a 430-yarder that plays as a par four or a five. As a four it’s a tough par, but as a five a birdie chance awaits.

The Ledges Golf Club (www.LedgesGC.com) in South Hadley is routed through woodlands and over and around wetlands and natural areas. You

won’t find two holes alike and they range from long and difficult par-fours, like the 448-yard second, to the 106-yard par-three third, short par-fours, such as the back-toback drivable 15th and 16th holes, long par-threes, and very good par-fives that range from 489 to 579 yards. You have to think your way around the track and proper placement off the tee will likely leave you with a very solid shot at making birdie, especially on the short par-fours. But wander with the driver and you’ll pay a steep price.

The Ranch Golf Club (www.TheRanchGolfClub.com) in Southwick is considered one of the top tracks in the state. The conditions are always top notch as is the routing. The 540-yard par-five ninth and 618-yard parfive 16th roll dramatically downhill and afford great views of the surrounding countryside. A well struck tee shot on the ninth will tumble down a hill and leave the player with a choice of either laying up for a short third shot, or going for the green in two by challenging a wetlands area in front of the

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Chicoppee Country Club Crumpin-Fox Club

putting surface. The 195-yard par-three 17th, which plays across water, is the best short hole on the track.

Chicopee Country Club (www.ChicopeeCountryClub.com) in Chicopee, with its rolling terrain, treelined fairway and fast, sloping greens is generally regarded as a fine championship course by area golfers. Through the years, this picturesque golf course has received accolades from publications such as Golf Digest, USA Today, and the New England Journal of Golf. It has been touted as being among the best public courses in Massachusetts, named one of New England’s top 100 golf courses, and among the courses that provide the best value in Massachusetts.

The setting is superb at the semiprivate Crestview Country Club (www. CrestviewCC.org) in Agawam, which has a beautiful, quarter mile drive form the entrance to the course. A Geoffrey Cornish design, the course is challenging enough to have played host to the PGA Tour Travelers Championship Open Qualifier in 2015, the Connecticut Section PGA Championship in 2013, the LPGA Friendly’s Classic from 1995-1998, as well as several US Amateur qualifiers. A scenic collection of challenging par-threes await as you are guided through the meticulously maintained rolling fairways with a number of risk reward par-fours and par-fives. Big hitters can tee it up from as far back as 7,100 yards, with the red tees bringing that down to a very manageable 5,500.

(www.Elmcrestcc.com) is located in the quaint Town of East Longmeadow 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 y wooded, rolling terrain and past ponds and streams. The design of this well-conditioned course makes for an enjoyable round for any level of player. The course has hosted the Joe Pagos Western Massachusetts Amateur Championship and MIAA Division I Golf Championships.

Wyckoff Country Club

(www.WyckoffCountryClub.com) in Holyoke is an 18-hole, par 69, 6100-yard championship golf course built on the rolling property at the base of Mount Tom.

Wyckoff has an interesting mix of holes; a number of short par--fours that can be attacked with a lusty drive and a short-iron or wedge to the putting surface, only two par-fives, one of which, the 478-yard 13th, can also yield birdie to long hitters that can reach the green in two, two par-fours that play over 400 yards from the tips, and several strong par-threes (there are five short holes in all on the layout). The 18th is perhaps the most difficult par-three and a cool way to finish a round. It’s a challenging 229 yards from the tips.

East Mountain Country Club (www.EastMountainCC.com) in Westfield was designed by owner Ted Perez, Sr., who wanted to have a course that is approachable for golfers of all skill levels and one that is fun to play. The layout measures around 6,200 yards from the tips and all but one of the par-fives is reachable in two by the big hitters. There are several short par-fours where birdie can be made, and a nice mix of holes on the back side, which has three par-threes, three par-fours, and three parfives including back-to-backers at 11 and 12. The toughest hole on the course may be the 429-yard par four 16th. The club prides itself on the quality of its greens.

Wyndhurst Manor and Club (www.WyndhurstManorAndClub.com), located in Lenox, is a traditional New England course that is over 90 years old and designed by noted architects of the early 20th century, Wayne Stiles and John Van Kleek. The course features tree-lined fairways and naturally contoured greens that have been carefully preserved. The first three holes wander near a small club-

MUST PLAYS
Crestview Country Club Doi Suthep temple Greenock Country Club

house. The tee box on the third hole, a little 152-yarder, has a huge pine tree guarding the left side of the putting surface. The 11th is one of the course’s signature holes, a 200-yard par-three that plays from a chute of trees to a severely slopped green. Huge bunkers guard the putting surface.

The Crumpin-Fox Club (www.GolfTheFox.com) in Bernardston, 7,007 yards long from the tips and with a par of 72, is considered one of the most challenging tests of golfing ability in the Northeast. Many of the holes are tree-lined with ample bunking and enough water to create a few jangled nerves. The eighth hole is one of the best on the course. It begins from an elevated tee box and a lake plays a factor on the first, second and third shots, as it must be avoided and then cleared on any approach to a rather large green protected by bunkers.

Westfield’s Tekoa Country Club (www.TekoaCC.com), located in the scenic foothills of the Berkshire Hills, can trace its lineage back to Donald Ross. He laid out the original nine holes of Tekoa, and although only five of the original holes remain intact--the second, third, fourth,

course in 1961 and added 13 holes of his own to the present routing.

Shaker Farms Country Club (www.ShakerFarmsCC.com) in Westfield is a unique track that contains interesting holes. The front side has two great parthrees, the demanding 225-yard seventh and the 165-yard ninth, the latter playing across a small pond. The back side features a nice mix of holes. The 318-yard par-four 10th plays uphill from the fairway landing area. The 12th, a 144-yard par-three, has a green flanked by tall pines and is the first of two very pretty short holes on the side.

The Blandford Club (www.MassGolfTennis.com) is a nine-hole private layout. Only 2,722 yards from the tips and playing to a par of 35, this is a fun, playable track for all levels. Beginners will enjoy the friendliness of the routing and rather short overall distance, while more advanced players can work on their iron and short game skills. The course is one of the oldest in the region, having opened in 1910, and was designed by William Dexter.

Waubeeka Golf Links

(www.Waubeeka.com) in South Williamstown is known for its stunning

are the 11th, a 420-yard beast of a par-four that has a deep bunker to the right side of the green that makes getting up and down from there very difficult, and the 501-yard 17th, which has out-of-bounds the entire length along the right side and a lateral hazard almost all the way to the green on the left side.

Oak Ridge Golf Club

(www.OakRidgeGC.com) in Feeding Hills is another approachable course for players of all skill levels. The 15th hole is a great parfour, playing as a dogleg right. Your tee shot must be hit as close to a pond as possible to leave a manageable approach shot over water to the green. The course hosts prominent tournaments and charity events each year. In addition to golf, Oak Ridge Golf Club offers an exceptional banquet facility.

E dgewood Golf Course (www. Edgewood4Golf.com) in Southwick is an 18-hole course in Southwick, at the foot of the Berkshire Hills. It’s a family and seniorfriendly course. Geoffrey Cornish designed the course, and it measures 6,500 yards from the championship tees, with a par of 71. The course rating is 69.1, with a slope of 115. While the front nine gives one room to

Waubeeka Golf Links

Golfing Fun in Connecticut

Golfing Magazine’s “Free Golf” program you get a complimentary round of golf on a number of courses in Connecticut when you sign up. Call 860563-1633, or visit www.FreeGolf.net to get aboard and take a road trip through the Nutmeg State.

Here are the layouts, some of which are private, that you can play for a cart or a small service fee by partnering with us.

PRIVATE COURSES

The Golf Club at River Oaks (www.ClubRiverOaks.com) is located on the Sherman/New Milford town line in western Connecticut. The courses has a number of holes on its back nine that hug the Housatonic River, which is visible through the trees in late autumn or early spring. The look from the tee box on the par-four dogleg left ninth hole reminds one of playing golf in northern New England rather than Connecticut. Many consider this to be one of the top two or three courses in the state. Robert McNeil designed the course that opened in 2003, and he built

into it challenge and fairness.

Farmington Woods Country Club (www.FarmingtonWoods.com) in Avon was designed by American designer Desmond Muirhead, who also crafted the famed Jack Nicklaus Muirfield Village course in Ohio. The layout is unique to the Farmington River Valley area in that there are dramatic elevation changes in what is usually a rather flat section of Connecticut. The course features woods that line many of the fairways, as well as wetlands.

Tumble Brook Country Club (www.TumbleBrookCC.com) was incorporated and organized in 1922 and features 27 holes. Willie Park, one of the foremost golf course architects of the time, was commissioned to design the first nine. A second nine, designed by Orrin E. Smith, was opened to play in the spring of 1949. The third nine, designed by George Fazio, opened for limited play in the fall of 1970, and was eventually integrated with the rest of the golf course in 1971.The seventh hole on the “Green Course,” a combination of two of the three

nines, is a 440-yard beast where par is an accomplishment for any level of player

THE GREATER HARTFORD AREA

Simsbury Farms Golf Course (www.SimsburyFarms.com), which measures 6,509 yards in length from the championship markers, was designed by Geoffrey Cornish and opened for play in 1972. Recognized as one of the top 100 courses in New England by one New England publication, the course provides an excellent test of golf and a visually pleasing round. A driving range and large practice green, as well as a newly constructed clubhouse compliment the golfing complex.

Blue Fox Run Golf Course (www.BlueFoxEnt.com) in Avon has 27 holes of golf. A new nine was added several years ago and these holes are a pleasing mix of those that are open in nature and several that are lined by trees. There is ample bunkering in the fairways and around the modest-sized greens. One of the best new holes is the 512yard par-five fourth on the White Course. If you can steer clear of fairway bunkers to the left of the fairway and high grass on the right,

MUST PLAYS
16 Golfing Magazine • New England Edition
Keney Park Golf Course

you may be left with an opportunity to go for a large, oblong green in two.

The Kemp family of purchased the Airways Golf Course (www.AirwaysGolfCourse.com) in West Suffield in 1996 with the intent of providing good, affordable and friendly golf to the town and surrounding communities. Their course is on the short side, 5,845 yards from the tips, and you can score here as long as you drive the ball well. Included in the final five holes of the front side are four par-fours measuring around 300 yards, including the ninth at 273 yards. The 16th is a strong par-five playing 481 yards from the tips. The hole doglegs to the right and there is water to worry about off the tee and on the second shot.

Keney Park Golf Course (www. KeneyParkGolfCourse.com)

in Hartford underwent renovations and upgrades that turned the par-70 track in the 700-acre Keney Park into a beauty. The first nine holes of the course were finished in 1927, and the remaining nine were completed in 1930. Keney was designed by notable early 20th century American architect Devereux Emmet, who has several illustrious courses to his credit, including Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Md., the site of several U.S. Opens.

Goodwin Park Golf Course (www.GoodwinParkGolfCourse.com) in Hartford offers 27 holes, with the shortish North Course (2,544 yards) a great place for beginners and senior players to hone their skills and enjoy a leisurely round. The more demanding 18-hole course plays around 6,000 yards from the back markers and features a number of par-fours that are drivable, or approachable, off the tee for long hitters. The 381-yard ninth hole may be the toughest par-four on the track.

Gillette Ridge Golf Club (www.GilletteRidgeGolf.com) in Bloomfield is an Arnold Palmer Signature course and a layout that fits nicely into the existing natural landscape. Great care was taken to preserve the numerous trees that serve to frame fairways and greens, as well as the ample wetlands

on the property.

The architects built a number of peninsula or island greens, using granite from the site to construct walls near several greens and tee boxes. There are some forced carries at Gillette Ridge, both off the tee and on approach shots to the medium size, undulating putting sur-

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.

The 27-hole Stanley Golf Course (www.StanleyGolf. com) in New Britain has long been considered one of the premier daily fee facilities in the state. With three distinct nines to select from and some of the best conditions in the Greater Hartford area, Stanley has a dedicated following among the state’s golfers. Some modifications were made a few years back to the course, with several new or reshaped holes created and some shifting of the nines, which made the course even more interesting and more challenging.

faces, but nothing so daunting to scare away the average player. Bunkers, ponds or wetlands come into play on almost half the holes. The fairway landing areas are ample.

East Hartford Golf Club (www.EastHartfordGC.com) was designed by Al Zikorus, plays around 6,200 yards from the tips, and has a nice mix of short par-fours that can be attacked with driver, reachable-intwo par-fives and solid par-threes. There are a number of tee settings to cater to all abilities. This classical design is great for newcomers to the game, but tree-lined fairways and small greens present a challenge to even the most skilled golfer.

Hunter Golf Club (www.HunterGolfClub.com) in Meriden offers great views of surrounding trap rock ridges and Castle Craig in Meriden’s Hubbard Park, which can be seen while playing the fifth hole. The layout has one of the most

Manchester Country Club

(www.ManchesterCountryClub.com) opened in 1917 and was designed by two early 20th century course architects, Tom Bendelow and Devereaux Emmett, the latter creating famed Congressional Country Club in Washington, D.C., and Keney Park’s golf course. Manchester has bunkers placed strategically around fairway landing areas and putting surfaces, which puts a premium on accuracy both off the tee and on approaches to medium-sized greens. The course plays 6,339 yards from the tips and has a par of 72. There are some elevation changes and water comes into play on several holes.

In Glastonbury, you will find the nine-hole Minnechaug Golf Course (www.MinnechaugGolf.com). The well-manicured layout is only 2,668 yards from the back markers and plays to a par of 35. But the fairways are narrow and the par-threes

www.GolfingMagazine.net 17
The Club at River Oaks Keney Park Golf Course

demanding. The course features a true island green, a 125-yarder that plays from an elevated tee box.

One of the best-conditioned, playerfriendly tracks in Connecticut is Rockledge Country Club (www.GolfRockledge.com) in West Hartford. The relatively flat layout has a parkland setting and offers a pleasing mix of holes. Rockledge has a mix of holes, ranging from short par-fours, like the 290yard second and 317-yard 11th, where birdies await, to classic risk/reward par-fives.

Timberlin Golf Club (www.TimberlinGolf.com) in Berlin also has a park-like routing, and was given a facelift a few years back in the form of new bunker complexes, fairway and green complex work, an effort led by noted golf course architects Stephen Kay and Doug Smith. The track is kept in immaculate condition and the renovations added more teeth to this scenic track, originally designed by Al Zikorus.

THE GREATER WATERBURY AREA

Established in 1902, Pequabuck Golf Course (www.PequabuckGolf.com) in Bristol is a par-69 course that has a pleasing mix of two par-fives, 11 par-fours and five par-threes. Here, you will be called upon to use every club in your bag and strategy plays a vital role in success as you navigate this well-manicured layout that has the distinction recently of being voted on Golf Advisor as the “13th Most Improved Golf Course in the United States”. While on the short side at just over

6,015 yards from the tips, Pequabuck is no pushover. It starts with a relaxing par-four that measures around 300 yards and gets you off and on your way with a chance to make birdie.

Originally a nine-hole private golf club, purchased by the town of Watertown in 1975, a second nine holes were added in 1980 to make Crestbrook Park Golf Course (www.CrestbrookPark.com) one of the best daily fee tracts in the area. Crestbrook features fast, sloping greens and has four sets of tees for all levels of play. The course, which plays almost 7,000 yards from the tips and features a number of elevation changes, has par-fives that demand thoughtful tee and approach shots and beefy par-threes, like the 228-yard seventh where the tee shot must clear a pond

to reach the putting surface.

Southington Country Club

(www.SouthingtonCountryClub.com) is fairly wide open with a few delightfully quirky holes, such as the deceptively short 306-yard par-four second and the 120-yard par-three 12th. The course is well maintained and the new ownership has made improvements to the layout and the facilities. It’s a track that is approachable for golfers of all levels.

Hawk’s Landing Country Club (www.HawksLandingCC.com) in Southington is not long, 5,825 yards from the tips, but the course has great par-threes and some interesting par-fours. The seventh and ninth holes both play around 230 yards, while the 18th is 190 yards from the back markers with the tee shot having to carry a

18 Golfing Magazine • New England Edition MUST PLAYS
Tumble Brook Country Club Elmridge Golf Club

pond. The 360-yard par-four fifth is a good test. It doglegs to the right and the drive and approach must steer clear of water.

Whitney Farms Golf Club (www.WhitneyFarmsGC.com) in Monroe was designed by Hal Purdy and yardages range from 5,480 yards to 6,714 yards, with slope levels of 127 to 134. The layout starts in stern fashion, with three holes that will test you immediately. The first is a 426 yard par-four, the second another par-four measuring over 400 yards, and the third a 526 yard par-five. After letting up a bit, the front nine again rears its head with four difficult holes to end the outward journey. There are two par-fives that play over or around 500 yards and a pair of par-threes that are 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.

Laurel View Country Club (www.LaurelView.com) in Hamden is a classic Geoffrey Cornish track, and a stern test of playing ability. The course can be stretched beyond 7,000 yards and features some of the toughest par-fours in the state, like the 479-yard fifth. There’s a pond guarding the right side of the green, which often must be attacked with a long iron or fairway wood. Number nine is 450 yards from the back markers, and climbs up a hill to the putting surface, making the hole play 20 to 30 yards longer than its listed yardage.

The seventh hole is a monstrous par-three, measuring around 250 yards from the tips, leaving even the best players with a fairway wood in their hands on the tee box.

HEADING EAST

Coventry’s Twin Hills Country Club (www.TwinHillsCountryClub.com) was built on a former farm and offers golf in a rural setting yet convenient to Hartford and other cities off Rt. 84. Twin Hills has the country charm of stone walls, a covered bridge and its signature stone bridge located on hole number three (a massive 600-yard par-five) that makes one think of the famous bridge crossing to the 12th green at Augusta National Golf Club.

Nestled into the rolling hills of the tiny town of Hebron is Blackledge Country Club (www.BlackledgeCC.net) that boasts two 18-hole courses. The club’s owners added nine holes in 1995 and another nine in 2000, creating what is called the Gilead Highlands course. The newest nine on Gilead Highlands is a bit reminiscent of Carolina courses, with wide fairways, bunkering, and tall pines and oaks framing many of the landing areas and large greens. Anderson’s Glen has the club’s original 18 holes and is another very solid test. The fairways are tree lined and the greens undulating.

Tallwood Country Club (www.TallwoodCountryClub.com ) in Hebron is known for its classic New England landscape. Situated on over 200 acres of rolling country farmland, it’s another perfect place for a quiet golf getaway. The course offers a pleasingly eclectic mix of strong par-threes, long and demanding and then shorter and tricky par-fours, as well as par-fives that sometimes are reachable in two for long hitters and other times, not so much.

Quarry Ridge Golf Club (www.QuarryRidge.com), located on the slopes of the Connecticut River valley in Portland, offers some of the best views in Connecticut. This is a true shot-maker’s delight, with dramatic elevation changes, a mix of long and short holes, and tricky greens. The course is regularly listed among the best in Connecticut. The course plays 6,369 yards from the back tees, but it’s all about proper club selection and accuracy at

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Gillette Ridge Golf Club Whitney Farms Golf Club

Quarry Ridge. Portland Golf Course (www.PortlandGolfCourse.com), which measures just over 6,200 yards from the tips and plays to a par of 71, is also set in the rolling hills of the Connecticut River Valley. Its tree-lined fairways, various elevation changes, and doglegs make the track challenging and enjoyable for all players. The 405-yard par-four first hole is a strong way to begin a round. The tee shot is relatively easy, but the second shot is down a 60-foot drop to the green, making club selection difficult.

Black Birch Golf Club (www.BlackBirchGolf.com) in Moodus has earned a reputation as one of Connecticut’s “hidden gems.” Ownership has improved the course, which included increased turf quality, new tee boxes on select holes, redesigned holes (13 and 14 in particular), a new fleet of carts, and the installation of an updated irrigation system.

Windham Golf Club (www.WindhamClub.com) first opened in 1922 and was once maintained as a private facility. The putting surfaces are medium in size with some undulation. They roll true and reward good approach shots with makeable birdie opportunities. The rough areas are kept at a height to punish wayward tee shots but still allow players to advance the ball to the greens.

GOLF BY CONNECTICUT’S

CASINOS

Elmridge Golf Club (www.ElmridgeGolf.com) in Pawcatuck features three nines that are approachable for golfers of all abilities. The par-fours are on

the short side, most measuring between 340 and 370 yards from the middle tees, but a number of them are doglegs. The par-threes are strengths of the layout and several measure close to or over 200 yards. One of the best par-fives on the course is the 525-yard seventh on the Blue Course. The hole bends slightly to the right and a good drive will leave you with a shot to go for the green in two. But there are bunkers guarding the putting surface and the green is elevated.

Norwich Golf Club

(www.NorwichGolf.com) is known for its fine playing conditions and is a tricky layout that is fun for players of all abilities. The course

opened in 1925 on July 4th. It was designed by Tull and Tull, a famous golf course architectural firm of the day, and there is some indication that Walter Travis, a noted designer and legendary amateur player, had a hand in the routing. Norwich isn’t long, just 6,191 yards from the tips. But its slope of 131 from the championship markers gives you an idea of just how difficult it can be.

River Ridge Golf Course

(www.RiverRidgeGolf.com) in Jewett City opened in May of 1999 and is a carefully maintained course. The first three holes were built on open space that was formerly an apple orchard. The other 15 holes are characterized by rolling hills and scenic vistas that present various challenges. The front side plays to a par of 37 and is a demanding nine holes. It has three of the course’s par-fives, all pretty much asking for three good shots to find the green in regulation.

Robert McNeil re-worked Mohegan Sun Golf Club (www.MoheganSunGolfClub.com) and took a layout first designed by Geoffrey Cornish and reworked by Stephen Kay in 2002 and created something new and special. McNeil opened up to course to give it somewhat of a links feel on many holes, with mounded fairway and greenside bunkers and tall fescue grass growing in the rough areas. In all, five holes were totally rebuilt, the bunkers redesigned and all new greens installed.

Golfing Magazine • New England Edition 20 Southington Country Club
Laurel View Golf Club Crestbrook Park Golf Course
Dunegrass Country Club Old Orchard Beach, ME (207) 934 - 4513 www.dunegrass.com “Southern Maine’s Premiere Semi-Private Golf Course” WELL PL AY ED. Enjoy 27 holes of golf with spectacular mountain views. Golf Packages available. BrettonWoods.com/Golf 800-THE-OMNI MAINE’S GOLF TRIFECTA 3 GREAT COURSES with Lodging & Breakfast 1 INCREDIBLE PRICE from $259* Call (207) 998-4351 All rates per person, double occupancy, plus Maine sales tax. * 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. www.GolfingMagazineOnline.com 25 An award-winning public golf course with all the amenities of a private club Book tee times on-line at www.golfrockledge.com • 36 picturesque holes • Practice greens, driving range, carts and club rentals • Friendly, highly-trained PGA Staff • Customized planning for corporate groups, tournaments and special events “Top Ten in the U.S.” -Golf Digest “Brian Silva, Architect of the Year.” -Golf World Magazine ...Now with Tee Times Available Online! 1000 Freeman’s Way Brewster, MA 02631 Toll-Free: 877-843-9081 www.captainsgolfcourse.com

Summer in Vermont Means Golf

Vermont is a summer playground, full of things to do and see; world-class fly fishing, hiking, biking, canoeing, kayaking, shopping, museums and parks and keep us around for a week or more. The Green Mountain State is also home to some superb golf courses, a number of them located at resorts, making stay and play always an option.

Several of the state’s best courses are in Golfing Magazine’s Free Golf program. To take advantage of his offer, call 860-5631633, or visit www.FreeGolf.net. You also get our digital magazine sent to you when you join.

The Mount Snow Golf Course (www.MountSnow.com) in Dover is one of Vermont’s premier “mountain” courses and has been rated one of the top five layouts in the state by Golf Digest magazine. The 18-hole, 6,943-yard (there are three other sets of tees) course has also been named one of the top 10 resort courses in the country.

The track meanders through the Vermont countryside and provides views of the Green Mountains, including the peaks of Mount Snow and Haystack Mountain. Tamaracks, oaks, birches and sugar maples line

fairways, while the mountains provide a majestic backdrop. The front nine is spread over scenic expanses and the back nine winds its way through wooded terrain. Water comes into play on 11 holes and 41 sand traps are strategically located on almost every hole.

Brattleboro Country Club (www.brattleborocountryclub.com) has been called “a hidden gem” and our readers simply must try out this classic New England layout.

The course measures 6,533 from the tips and is full of interesting, challenging and fair holes. Take the par-five second for instance. The hole heads up a hill, takes a right turn to a narrow strip of fairway only to head up another hill for the third shot. Then there is the drivable par-four sixth, the classic risk-reward par-five seventh, and the long par-four 11th, where bogey doesn’t feel all the bad.

A number of improvements to the course

and clubhouse have been made in recent years, including a fresh look in the dining room, kitchen, and bar area, irrigation, tree work, cart paths, enhanced gardens and more. The club also has a new fleet of golf carts.

Green Mountain National Golf Club (www.gmngc.com) in Killington is in its second year under new management, Brown Golf Management Company, which is working tirelessly to enhance an already notable facility.

Green Mountain features holes that have demanding tee and approach shots and places a premium on all-around ability. The course was carved out of the mountains, and thus offers solitude and a “private” golf experience. Gently sloping fairways that feature generous landing areas, distinctive changes in elevation, and undulating greens add to the beauty. There are centuries-old rock formations carved by glaciers, and the view from 16th tee is stunning.

Mountain National Golf Club

The seventh hole is a downhill par-three that plays shorter than its 151 yards. With a ridge in the middle of the green, put your tee shot to the side of the ridge where the pin is located. There’s a bunker in the back of the green.

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Brattleboro Country Club
22 Golfing Magazine • New England Edition
Green

Play New Hampshire Golf

Thanks to Golfing Magazine’s ground-breaking Course Play Stimulus Program, subscribers can visit New Hampshire this summer and enjoy a number of the best layouts the Granite State has to offer.

One of the premier courses in New England has joined our program to allow you to sample a classic layout that was designed by the legendary architect Donald Ross. Indeed, there are 27 holes to enjoy at the Omni Mount Washington Resort in Bretton Woods.

The 18-hole Omni Mount Washington Resort Golf Course (www.OmniHotels.com) was completed in 1915. Its backdrop features New Hampshire’s spectacular Presidential Mountain Range. The par-72, 7,004-yard course has hosted four New Hampshire Opens and the prestigious New England Open Championship in 2010.

Reopened on Aug. 1, 2008, the Mount Washington Course was 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 parfive 11th hole and the par-three fifth hole feature stunning views of Omni Mount Washington Hotel and the surrounding mountains.

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 this historic par35 course. In 1989, the course was restored and upgraded by Cornish & Silva Golf Course Architects, with advice from worldrenowned golfers Gene Sarazen and Ken Venturi, and now offers players a more challenging round alongside New Hampshire’s scenic Ammonoosuc River.

You will want to stay and play when you visit, as the Omni Mount Washington Resort is a grand masterpiece of Spanish Renaissance architecture, conceived by industrialist Joseph Stickney, and named a National Historic Landmark. The Inn originally opened in 1902 and has served as a retreat for the famous and every day folk ever since.

New Hampshire is also where you will find one of the most challenging courses in New England. The Shattuck Golf Club (www.ShattuckGolfCourse.com) in Jaffrey was carved out of granite and mature woodlands and demands a well thought out approach to every shot on every hole. This is a tough routing and target golf at its best.

You must hit your spots, both off the tees and on approaches to the greens

The 200-yard par-three second is a picture perfect hole, with elevated tees that look down over a grassy hillside to a large, bunkered green set in front of a pond. The tee area doesn’t feel all that high, but it’s unusually deceptive. The most common error here is over-clubbing.

The 426-yard par-four 10th starts from a highly elevated area, offering a spectacular view of a large green below, with Mount Monadnock serving as the backdrop. The hole is a dogleg left with a deep drop-off at the turn. Drive the ball too far and you’ll go over an edge on the fairway.

The par-four, 391-yard 16th is another beauty and played over a reflecting pond in front of the tee to a wide, rolling fairway and bunkered green with a Colonial farmhouse behind. Keep it straight, as there’s deep rough left and right. A big green is slightly elevated, so your second shot may require one more club.

The Newport Golf Club (www.NewportGolfClub-NH.com) is nestled in the scenic Sugar River Valley of New Hampshire. The par 71, Phil Wogan design utilizes the natural beauty of the surrounding mountains, streams and ponds to perfectly frame the 18-holes built on 143 acres in the early 1990s.

The “Wogan course” replaced the origi-

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24 Golfing Magazine • New England Edition
Omni Mount Washington Resort Golf Course

nal nine-hole course designed by Willie Park, Jr. in 1920. Coincidentally, Parks was also the designer of the Newport Country Club in Newport, R.I. In addition to golf the Newport Golf Club has a restaurant, the Hole-In-One Diner, and two facilities for hosting meetings, reunions and weddings. The Sunrise Pavilion can accommodate up to 175 people and The Divot Room is used for more intimate gatherings.

“The natural beauty of the area is usually commented on by visitors and first time golfers,” said Donald Hague, General Manager. “There are five course layouts utilizing three sets of tee boxes, ranging from the Sugar River Course at 6,509 yards to the Sunshine Course at 4,738 yards. The courses appeal to all levels of players from beginners to pros and all are welcome by the friendly staff. We also offer a driving range with a large natural grass teeing surface.”

The handicap rating of the holes changes quite a bit depending on which of the five courses is being played. Said Hague, “Probably the toughest hole on the course on average is the 12th. It’s a slight dogleg left to a long, narrow, undulating green

sloped back to front. From the tee there is a lateral marshy hazard to the left that ends in a pond on the left third of the fairway at about 220 yards from the tips. On the right, a fairway bunker and a pond at about 240 yards from the tee make a well controlled tee shot a necessity. Past the first pond on the left the marshy hazard extends all the

way to the green and the pond on the right extends all the way to the green as well. Hit your approach shot left and the ball will bounce left, hit it right and, you guessed it, it will bounce right. It’s a really good, challenging hole from all tee boxes.”

www.GolfingMagazine.net 25
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 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!
The Shattuck Golf Club

A Magical Maine Trip Beckons

Maine has miles and miles of rugged ocean coastline, forests, rivers and lakes, mountains and, of course, lots of wonderful golf courses, some of them dating back 100 years or so and others of recent vintage. Why not plan a trip to the Pine Tree state and blend a week’s worth of golf with charming hotels and bed and breakfast establishments, great seafood, and a plethora of outdoor activities, from kayaking and fishing to hiking and sailing.

Here is a sampling of the some of the best courses you can play in Maine, thanks to Golfing Magazine’s Course Play Stimulus Program.

To take advantage of Golfing Magazine’s Free Golf offer, call 860563-1633, or visit www.FreeGolf. net. Remember, you get five issues of our magazine in addition to Free Golf when you subscribe.

Established in 1895 by Arthur Fenn and re-designed by Donald Ross in 1912, the Links at Poland Spring ( www.PolandSpringInns.com) claims to be the first golf course built at a resort in the United States. Poland Spring Resort recently added a new 330-yard driving range with natural grass, artificial tees, and a spectacular view of the rugged White Mountains. After a round at Poland Spring 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 many options for dining, such as a home cooked breakfast and evening meals that are served daily, buffet style, in a comfortable dining room.

Spring Meadow Golf Club

(www.SpringMeadowGolf.com ) at Cole Farms in Gray is a delightful routing, with management taking great pride in the conditioning of their layout. The course measures 6,656 yards from the tips and plays to a par of 71. The par-fives here are very sturdy, including the 600-yard third that tests your ability early in the round. Speaking of early, you can’t have a much more demanding start to a loop than the first at Spring Meadow. The par-four plays 430 yards from the tips and there is a pond to the right that must be avoided on the tee shot. If you play safe to the left you will have a longer approach that again must contend with the water and a bunker. Spring Meadow Golf Club, the Links at Poland Spring, and Fox Ridge Golf Club are part of the Maine Trifecta (www.MaineTrifecta.com ) golf offering, were you can golf all three and stay at Poland Spring Resort for two different prices; $319, which includes lodging, three all-you-caneat buffet meals, 18 holes at each course, golf carts and range balls at each course; and the $339 Deluxe Trifecta, which includes the above plus upgraded accommodations and four buffet meals. All rates are per person, double occupancy, plus seven percent Main sale tax.

The Bethel Inn Resort (www.BethelInn.com ) golf course in Bethel, built just over 100 years ago, remained nine

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Bethel Inn Golf Course
26 Golfing Magazine • New England Edition
Sunday River Golf Club

holes of little recognition until 1988 when it was redesigned and expanded to an 18-hole championship layout by the renowned architect Geoffrey Cornish. The 6,663-yard, par-72 course takes maximum 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 all golfers.

There is a pleasant mix of short and long par-fours, tough par-threes, and demanding parfives that will test the ability of all levels of golfer. America’s Greatest Golf Resorts magazine has rated the Bethel Inn layout among the top 10 resort courses in the Northeast, and Golf Digest magazine has awarded it 3 1/2 stars.

Dunegrass Golf Club (www.Dunegrass.com) in Old Orchard Beach has been offering local and visiting golfers the opportunity to experience an uncommonly high caliber of golf for Maine and New England since 1998. Designed by internationally known golf course architect, Dan Maples, Dunegrass Golf Club has quickly gained the reputation as the Portland area’s premier public golf course. Maples imbued the course with the look and feel of a layout one might find in the Carolinas.

The par-threes at Dunegrass are all very good and water comes into play on the four short holes. The 17th can play almost 200

yards from the tips and has water short and to the right of the putting surface.

One of the most spectacular and scenic courses in New England, the Sunday River Golf Club (www.SundayRiver.com ) is a Robert Trent Jones, Jr. design featuring 18 breathtaking holes that wind through the Maine woods and over dramatic elevation changes in a stunning mountainside setting. Overlooking the Sunday River Valley with the Mahoosuc range towering above, the course follows the natural topography of the landscape while striking the perfect balance between challenge and playability. Facilities

include a clubhouse, restaurant and bar, pro shop, and practice range.

As Maine’s premier golf destination, Sugarloaf Golf Club (www.Sugarloaf.com )is a must-play for any golfer. This Robert Trent Jones Jr. design provides golfers with stunning panoramic mountain views and an unforgettable experience from first tee to final putt.72 6,910. Aptly named for the course’s designer, the first hole plays downhill, and is a dogleg right par-four that is as demanding as it is scenic. The hole offers your first glimpse of the Bigelow Mountain Range. Be sure to factor in elevation change on both your tee shot and approach. Bunkers to the left and right guard the small green.

Lake Kezar Country Club (www.LakeKezarGolf.com ) in Lovell is one of the oldest courses in Maine, built in 1923, when several summer camp owners recognized the need for a golf course to entertain summer visitors. The worldrenowned golf architect, Donald Ross, was chosen to design the course. His trademark design was “naturalness”, which is evident at Lake Kezar, with the course flowing through pines, stone walls, brooks and flowers. The back nine was added in 1998. The course offers four sets of tees. The design invites you to bump and run it onto the green whenever you can to avoid trouble behind several of the greens.

www.GolfingMagazine.net 27
The Club at River Oaks, 17th Hole Dunegrass Golf Club Sugarloaf Golf Club

Travel to the Northern Catskills for Great Golf

Check out the northern Catskill Mountains this summer for a perhaps unexpected treat of superb golf courses and several time-honored resorts. You can unwind for a weekend or longer and sample several very good golf courses the area has to offer.

Let’s take a look at what awaits you in the area.

Sunny Hill Resort and Golf Course (www.SunnyHill.com)

Sunny Hill Resort and Golf Course in Greenville, N.Y. continues to attract a bevy of stay and play customers from the tri-state area who love bathing in the warm and laid back atmosphere of the Catskills while also taking the time to sample a fun course.

Sunny Hill, owned by the Nicolsen family since 1968, opened as a resort in 1920. “One of the significant highlights of Sunny Hill is that from any tee on the golf course you have picturesque views of the Catskill Mountains,” said Marc Guntert, Director of Golf. “We are very popular locally due in part to the layout and beautifully manicured grounds.”

Guntert said course conditions are “excellent as we continue to keep golf course maintenance equipment up to date and always professionally maintain the layout. Our business has been continuous and steady even

through the pandemic and continues to stay strong, thankfully.”

Sunny Hill is considered to be more a resort style golf course that is challenging to the beginner as well as the experienced golfer. The track could also be deemed an “executive” course that features a number of par-threes, seven in all including six on the front side, and several short par-fours. It makes for an enjoyable round and a fine place to learn the game while not being overwhelmed by difficult holes. It also gives the accomplished golfer a chance to work on every club in the bag.

The front side has par-threes that range in distance from 104 yards to 202. The fifth, eighth and ninth holes are short par-fours where big hitters can drive the greens. The front side plays to a par of 30. The back side is more traditional in distance and plays to a par of 36. There are two par-fours, the 11th and 14th, that play around 350 yards as well as five parfours of less than 300 yards, including the final four holes on the course. The only par-five is on the back, the 423-yard 13th.There is only one par-three on the inward nine, the challenging 203-yard 12th.

Said Guntert, “I would say that our best hole is number 11, which is a 348-yard parfour and downhill all the way to the green. A few yards past the green is a pond, which

of course has claimed many a ball.” Course Superintendent is Erik Nicholsen.

“We don’t offer any real specials during the summer because we are pretty much swamped with our resort guests,” said Guntert. “We hold various tournaments for our guests to enjoy during their stay with us. We don’t have a restaurant but we offer burgers, hot dogs, various sandwiches and other snacks.”

Island Green Resort and Golf Club (www.TheIslandGreen.com)

Thanks to a move by the managers of Island Green Golf Club in Greenville, N.Y., everyone who tees it up at the course will be able to sample the hole for which the layout is named for.

“The biggest change we made was flipping the nines,” said Kevin Smith, General Manager. “This was done for better flow and for quicker play. The signature hole is our now number three on the front and it is accessible to people only playing nine holes.”

The third hole plays 135 from back tees and it’s a true island green that is fun and tricky to play at the same time. There’s no room for error on the tee shot.

“We took over last season and saw a significant increase, but this season has been off the charts so far,” said Smith. “I have learned that there are so many loyal and wonderful

28 Golfing Magazine • New England Edition ROAD TRIP
Thunderhart Golf Course

people in this area and beyond. Locally, we draw mainly from the surrounding counties of Dutchess, Greene and Columbia and Schoharie and we have some customers who make the day trip from Connecticut, Western Massachusetts and the upper New York City area.”

“Some of our most exciting news is our food and beverage component,” Smith added. “We have two new excellent food professionals. Drew Tobin is our new head chef with Brad Fitzgerald being the sous chef. They are offering some of the best BBQ I have ever tasted. They have elevated the level of our food and beverage department to new heights. I highly recommend either staying here overnight or booking an outing with us.”

Of course, customers come to sample the wonderful golf course at Island Green. In addition to the aforementioned and high profile island green, the course features a traditional design that is fun and challenging to play.

The first hole is a short par-four that can get a round off in good fashion. Numbers seven and eight and par-fours that measure less than 300 yards and present golden opportunities to make birdie with a strong drive.

The 340-yard 10th hole is a super par-four where players can drive the ball as close to a greenside pond as possible to set up a short iron or wedge into the putting surface. Number 13 is a 380-yard par-four that also has water in front of the green. The 14th and 15th holes are long par-fours that play almost 450 yards from the back markers.

The 17h hole is a 347-yard par-four that doglegs severely to the left. Hit your drive as close to the turn as possible to leave a short iron into the green. The course ends with a 341yard par-four that can make the after round refreshments taste better with a birdie.

The course plays 6,261 yards from the back and has a par of 71. There are four sets of tees in all to fit the playing ability of all guests.

“Our stay and play package is hard to beat,” said Smith. “Those interested can email me at kevin@theislandgrenn.com for details.”

Thunderhart Golf Course

(www.ThunderhartGolf.com)

One of the most scenic and challenging courses in the northern Catskill Mountains is Thunderhart Golf Course in Freehold, N.Y.

This true championship course gives golfers an wonderful golfing experience in the heart of Greene County. The Francis Duane, traditionally designed front nine opened in 1969 and presents wide sweeping views of the

Northern Catskill Mountains. The back nine was the work of William Gressick who, in 2000, carved parkland style holes through the forest of Thunderhart.

In 2022, the Krasney family became owners of Thunderhart and, along with a top notch staff, are improving and innovating both the course and the facilities to ensure that Thunderhart will continue to remain a premier golfing destination.

Let’s take a look at some of the best holes on the course.

The second hole is a 462-yard par-five, and also one of the toughest holes on the course. With tall trees on both sides of the fairway, it might be best to leave the driver in the bag. Try to aim to the left side of the fairway to get a clean shot to an elevated green.

The third hole is a short par-four, measuring only at 345 yards. The green is approachable for the heavy hitters. However, just like hole number two, trees are abundant on both sides of the fairway if you stray too far either way. The green is slightly two-tiered.

Number five, a 415-yard par-four, is considered the course’s signature hole. It overlooks the Catskill Mountains and provides perhaps the most beautiful views on the course. For righties, the hole plays perfectly. Pull out the driver and play for a slight fade. A hill will give your ball an extra 30 to 50 yards of roll depending on the season. Be careful of bunkers lining the front of the green and awkward lies that a hill presents.

Number nine is a short, 462-yard par-

five that can make or break a round. A pond is clearly in play hugging the left side of the fairway and trees are closer than they look. Perhaps take a three-wood, play it safe and aim below the hole. A two-tiered green makes putting a challenge.

Number 11, at 454 yards, is the longest parfour on the course, straight but challenging. With plush vegetation aligning both sides of the fairway, golfers may be hesitant to yank out the driver, but you do need a robust drive to set up a doable second shot. The putting surface is flat, but tiny and home to the narrowest green on the course.

The 16th is a 507-yard par-five. Do not pull out the driver. A pond is only 225 yards out and invisible from the tee box. The 16 is a short par-five, but each shot has the potential of trickling into the woods. The green is easily reachable in two, however. The short game shouldn’t be much of a problem as the green is extremely flat and only slightly elevated.

The final hole is a 493-yard par-five and is considered the easiest hole on the course. A wide open tee shot allows for everyone to pull out driver. The green is reachable in two, with virtually no trouble surrounding the green putting surface. There are shallow bunkers lining the right fairway and one small bunker left of the green. Once you are on the short grass the putting should be straight forward.

The property also has a hotel and offers Stay and Play packages.

www.GolfingMagazine.net 29

Wentworth Hills Country Club

We 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.

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-in-one challenge is a game within the game and money we receive helps out charitable causes. We are trying to do things to make golf even more fun and keep people coming back.”

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, tree-lined fairways, large, receptive greens, ponds and lakes protecting holes, and 60 strategicallyplaced 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.

WentworthHillsCountryClub.com

Heather Hill County Club

With 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 478-yard 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 backto-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 500yard par-five.

The club has a restaurant and bar for after-round enjoyment.

www.HeatherHillCountryClub.com

Golfing Magazine • New England Edition 30 www.GolfingMagazine.net 30 MUST PLAYS
www.GolfingMagazine.net Simplify The Way You Travel This Side Up

Heritage Country Club

Heritage 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,

The 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

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 par-four ninth. The ninth can also be played as a par-five, 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 305-yard par-four 14th is a birdie hole and then it is on to a demanding finish that includes another par-five 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

Crestview Country Club

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.

to the PGA TOUR Travelers Championship Open Qualifier in 2015, the CT Section PGA Championship in 2013, the LPGA Friendly’s Classic from 1995-1998, 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

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

Golfing Magazine • New England Edition 32
MUST PLAYS

Mill Valley Golf Links

One of the favorite courses of Massachusetts golfers is improving each year.

The ownership of Mill Valley Golf Links in Belchertown, MA is tweaking their property to bring the course and club to an enhanced luster. There’s a new 2,000-square-foot pro shop that will have additional merchandise for sale, a golfer’s lounge with a big screen TV, an outside patio and restrooms for the comfort of visitors. On the course, a new green was built on number three that eliminates a sharp dogleg. The new green features severe sloping to make things interesting. There’s a new par-three 16th hole, and additional parking has also been incorporated into the overall improvement plan.

“Mill Valley is unique because every hole is cut through the woods,” said owner Tim Kurty. “We have exceptional conditions on our greens, tees and fairways. We have a challenging course and relaxed atmosphere for members and guests to enjoy. We are called a links course because many of the fairways follow the natural terrain and feature uphill, downhill and side hill lies that makes approach shots challenging.”

Mill Valley, which plays 6,525 yards from the tips, draws its golfers from the University of Massachusetts, surrounding towns and the greater Worcester area, said Kurty. “We currently have over 400 members and business has been

booming of late as we believe we are in the top 10 percent of courses in condition and the bottom 10 percent in pricing. Every day is special here. It costs $40 to play 18 hole with a cart seven days a week.”

Mill Valley has a number of great holes, including the fifth and 10th, par-threes that can play as far back as 240 yards or more. The 13th hole is a par-four that features a 100-foot drop from the tee to the fairway. Number 15, nicknamed “The Snake”, is a double dogleg par-five that is a true three shot hole.

The course begins in rather unique fashion, with back to back par-fives. There are several par-fours that play at or slightly over 300 yards, allowing big hitters to get on or close to the greens with a big tee shot .The 17th hole is perhaps the toughest on the course. The par-four plays 422 yards from the back makers. The par-fives are a nice mix of three-shot holes, such as the aforementioned 15th, to the 468-yard 15th where birdie awaits with a strong drive, smart layup and wedge into the green.

“We have a 5,000-square-foot bar and banquet area that we are currently seeking a new tenant for,” said Kurty. “We have a full liquor license and currently serve alcohol, beer, seltzers, wine with sandwiches and snack items out of the pro shop.” www.MillValleyGolfLinks.com

Crystal Lake Golf Club

Since 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.

England, with a caring staff, and a proactive membership program, including a “fun” tournament event calendar.

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 parfive 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.

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

Blackhead Mountain Country Club

The club is also known as one of the best priced courses for the value in New

Acquired by Sterling Golf Management in 2018, Crystal Lake Golf Club continues to provide guests and members with a

www.CrystalLake-Golf.com

www.GolfingMagazine.net 33

Shift Your Focus

The game of golf has many variables; weather, course conditions, random swing thoughts, mentality, playing partners, pace of play, and the list goes on. Learning how to focus your concentration and maintain control over what you can control will help plot your way around the course more effectively.

One can only effectively control what happens before and after a shot, but not necessarily during. With this tactic, it is important to maintain control over:

· Your game plan, a consistent pre and post shot routine, and

· an effective set-up

If you don’t have a plan on the golf course, your mindset can become chaotic. It tags along with the saying, “if you fail to plan, you’re planning to fail”. Try maintaining one goal throughout a round of golf. Whether it’s: Holding your finish after each shot maintaining balance during each swing Hitting the shot your comfortable with, not necessarily what’s called for · Aiming at the middle of the green Not hitting driver if you can’t hit driver

Having a consistent routine before and after each shot creates a variety of benefits. It allows you to assess all the variables (lie/wind/terrain/obstacles) and make an informed, confident decision. When you’re in pressure situations, it helps to set the nerves. While you should be detailed, this isn’t a lengthy process. The routine should be quick but thorough. If you don’t know where to start, watch what the pros do before they play. Most efficient routines consist of assessing variables and then picking targets. For example, select two intermediate targets, one for the club & one for your body. Focusing on those allows for a proper setup of the ball & swing confidently. Try to start your routine while playing partners are in their process. Consistency is key, keep it the same for every shot.

A solid setup is paramount for executing a successful golf shot. There should be more to your shot than simply walking up to the ball, swinging your club and hoping the universe steers it in the right direction. How you address the ball has a direct effect on where it’s going. Make sure you know and understand how certain shots call for different set up positions. If you have any physical limitations, you’ll need to tailor your setup/ swing to accommodate for those. A TPI physical screen is highly recommended to fully understand what your body is capable of versus heading to YouTube for tips that may not benefit your swing.

While golf can seem like an incredibly complex game, which it is, narrow your focus & see if that changes how you make your way through a round of golf. We’re not building rockets, just trying to advance the ball consistently

Golfing Magazine • New England Edition 34
TOURNAMENT MUST INSTRUCTIONPLAYS
Kevin Telford is the Director of Instruction at The Chris Cote School of Golf in Portland, CT . He can be reached at (860) 342-2226 or Kevin.Telford@ChrisCoteGolf.com

POOR CONTACT?? THERE’S A FUNDAMENTAL YOU’RE MISSING

Sorry…but you’ve been lied to. Remember those first group lessons you took? Without a doubt, you were introduced to Grip, Alignment, Stance, and Posture. (GASP!) You were told that these were FUNDAMENTALS. You needed to get them exactly right before you had any chance of better golf shots. A Fundamental, (noun), by definition, is a central or primary rule or principle. But when we look at Tour players…there is variation as to how

controls the clubface for consistent contact! FLAT (and even bowed) LEFT WRIST in combination with a BENT RIGHT WRIST (right handers). This IS the one critical fundamental for the full swing… one alignment that MUST BE PRESENT! While how you hold the club certainly contributes to controlling your clubface at impact, what is MOST important is that your wrists MUST be in this relationship… at and just after impact.

How to make this yours?? Take a test. Set your phone camera recording to SloMo and have your buddy stand facing you opposite the ball to capture a video of your motion. Your video of the moment of impact most probably will show a weak position at impact, where your clubhead has passed the handle. THAT is what contributes to your loss of power and poor contact. Now take a new video of your swing intending to hit the ball HARD and STOPPING abruptly just after the hit. You will be amazed how that will make your impact position a million times more powerful because you’re “holding on” and only delivering impact…no follow through. Google impact position pictures of your favorite Tour Player and you’ll see more EVIDENCE! Add to that what it would feel like for your wrists. Set your clubface against a straight edge and push on it as if you were trying to push that object towards the flagstick. Have someone take a still picture of your hands and wrists pushing the handle of the club. Flat left, Bent right!

their hands are placed on the club. Their alignments can be different. Even their posture tilts ARE NOT ALL the SAME!! Truth is GASPS are variable. So…which one shall we pick out for you to work on as a MUST?

Instead, if we compare the moment of impact for those same Tour players, the relationship of the angles made by their target wrist and trail wrist ALL LOOK THE SAME AT IMPACT! One is FLAT and one is BENT. Finally, a TRUE fundamental, a RULE, you can work on that

Now you have a clear picture, an explanation and a feel of the one TRUE Fundamental you’ve been missing. My guess is you didn’t even know that’s what you should have been working on! Time to stop over focusing on “GASP-ing” for air. Find your new impact wrist angles and work on being able to produce this non-negotiable alignment!

www.GolfingMagazine.net 35 INSTRUCTION Sue
www.GolfLessonsCapeCod.com SusiePGA@comcast.net 508-364-GOLF (4653)
Kaffenburgh, PGA/LPGA Bayberry Hills Golf Course, Yarmouth, MA.

Mastering High, Soft Pitch Shots

Understanding the Lie and Adjusting Technique

When faced with a 40-yard pitch shot from the rough, Hannah emphasizes the importance of understanding the lie and adjusting your technique accordingly. She mentions that when there is grass behind the ball, it won’t spin as much. Therefore, it’s crucial to plan for the ball to roll out a little more upon landing on the green. Here’s a breakdown of Hannah’s technique adjustments for her stock shot from the rough:

1. Neutral Setup: Keep your stance and club shaft neutral.

2. Ball Position: Stand slightly closer to the ball than you would with a fairway shot.

3. Weight Distribution: Shift approximately 50% of your weight onto your front side.

4. Swing: Execute a smooth, neutral swing.

Forced Carry Situations

In situations where a forced carry is required, such as when there’s a water hazard between you and the green, Hannah provides guidance on adjusting your technique for a higher shot that stops closer to the pin. Here’s how to approach these shots:

1. Club Selection: Use your most lofted club to ensure maximum height.

2. Ball Position: Move the ball slightly forward in your stance.

3. Setup Adjustments: Stand a little further away from the ball, and lower the grip of the club to create a swallower angle of attack. Open the clubface slightly to add more loft.

4. Swing: Take a slightly steeper swing to generate spin and launch the ball higher.

Remember, the objective is to carry the ball well over the hazard and onto the green, accepting that it may not stop as quickly as you hope. By focusing on hitting the ball higher and farther, you reduce the risk of hitting a short shot and landing in trouble.

Visit www.GolfTec.com/Golfing-Magazine for a $75 Swing Evaluation and $75 Club Fitting with GOLFTEC Certified Coach ($125 Value Each)

www.GOLFTEC.com/Golf-

Golfing Magazine • New England Edition 36 Steve
and
He can be reached at SHancock@GOLFTEC.com or 978-777-2930
Hancock is the Regional Manager for Boston area locations
coaches at GOLFTEC, Danvers
Lessons/Boston/Danvers
TOURNAMENT INSTRUCTION
Assessing the lie and adjusting your technique is key to executing great chip and pitch shots.

Move Your Low Point To Hit Great Golf Shots

Hip Sway and Low Point Control in the Swing

During the backswing, the ideal hip movement is a rotational motion within a confined space highlighted by lines drawn on either side of the golfer’s legs. This rotational movement ensures that the hips remain within the defined range, allowing for better control and predictability. Conversely, improper hip sway, where the lower body sways away from the target, is a common problem among amateur golfers. Using OptiMotion, we see that Coach Sam sways 2.4 inches away from the target. This faulty hip movement leads to difficulties in striking the ball cleanly and consistently.

Low point control refers to the position of the clubhead in relation to the ground at the moment of impact. A crucial aspect of achieving consistent low point control is the movement of the hips. A proper hip movement involves shifting the lower body towards the target during the downswing. This forward movement of the hips helps bring the low point of the swing in front of the golf ball, ensuring clean ball contact and solid shots.

Drill to Master Proper Hip Sway

To improve your distance control and master hip sway, there are specific exercises and techniques you can incorporate into your practice routine. One such exercise is to start with the address position, slightly favoring the lead side of your lower body. This initial positioning sets the stage for moving the low point in front of the ball during the swing.

Begin with small backstrokes, focusing on rotating your hips without any lateral movement back. This rotation helps maintain stability while preparing for the downswing. Next, emphasize driving your lower body towards the target, ensuring that the lead hip extends beyond the lead ankle at the moment of impact. This movement facilitates the forward shift of the low point and promotes solid contact with the ball.

Start with small and deliberate movements, ensuring excellent contact with the ball. As you become more proficient in this skill, gradually increase the size and speed of your hip movements, further enhancing low point control and distance predictability.

www.GolfingMagazine.net 37
TOURNAMENT INSTRUCTION
Dave
www.GOLFTEC.com/Golf-
SLICE ! DRAW ! Visit www.GolfTec.com/Golfing-Magazine for a $75 Swing Evaluation and $75 Club Fitting with GOLFTEC Certified Coach ($125 Value Each)
Collin Morikawa’s (right) hips have shifted forward as he strikes the ball leading to clean contact. Coach Sam (left) is still swayed away from the target at impact leading to inconsistent shots.
Souza is Franchise Owner/Center Manager of GOLFTEC West Hartford, CT. He can be reached at DSouza@GOLFTEC.com or 860-222-2299
Lessons/West-Hartford

Loudmouth You Wear It Cuz It’s Fun

It makes you feel good, makes you look good…….

……even if you suck at golf! You too, can be FUN!!!

Why look like everyone else, boring, and hating the thought of needing to wear a jacket. A few years back at a convention in Oregon I thought I would go bold with a jacket called Raspberry Swirl. I must have had at least a dozen people at the convention ask if they could wear for a photo, not to mention those that wanted to have their picture taken with “that guy.”

When you leave the room, make sure that everyone knows you were there.

The following year at a convention in Texas, I went cowboy, why not, Right! The hat, the boots, and so much more. Went all in with the Happy Hour theme, long pants and vest, looking pretty slick. When our entire staff was summoned to the stage in recognition for the work we did, there was only one person that was asked to say a few words. Show stopper!!!

When it comes to being on the course, in all the years I have received nothing but compliments and everyone that comes up to say something always has a smile on their face. Not only do you feel good, but you know you look good! Feeling good might just put you in a better frame of mind and you might even play better.

New Loudmouth, New leadership!

Who would have thought, that things could go stale at a company that is all about fun. It happens, the product is still and always will be fun. The approach to business got stale and catered primarily to existing customers.

In steps Andrew Seibert, who has built a reputation over the years as the guy who can turn a company around. He loves golf, having had stints as a pro, loves the Loudmouth product and most importantly knows the business and the industry.

I did not know Andrew from adam, we just happened to be checking into the same hotel for the PGA Show last January, in front

of me, he was wearing Loudmouth, there were other Loudmouths in the lobby. We start talking, we let several others check in ahead of us, a friendship was born. Typical of what happens when you wear Loudmouth.

So, what’s in store for us Loudmouthers????

It is still the most fun you can have with your pants on!

Color will always be King! No surprise there. Weird and wacky some might think, but always welcoming. They now have created a collection of fabrics to cover all the bases. Whether you are feeling relaxed and going with the flow, or performance driven ready to win.

The Loudmouth spirit doesn’t take anything too seriously, and works to find the fun in everything. Ever get that feeling that your pants have shrunk? The New Loudmouth features “The Buffet Waist,” ideal for those who need to have seconds. They have developed a built-in expandable waistband that stretches your waist up to 1 size.

Loudmouth is made by a team that exudes its spirit, you to can embrace this freedom, creativity and spirit, become part of the Loudmouth family. It’s catchy and always FUN!!!

Did you know that Loudmouth has been worn by, The U.S. men’s Olympic beach volleyball team, the Norwegian men’s Olympic curling team, plus celebs Alice Cooper, Bill Murray and Will Ferrell. Stop looking like everyone else….. come over to the fun side.

Have a peak at the new website you will see what I mean and what’s new.

www.Loudmouth.com

Golfing Magazine • New England Edition PROFILE
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