Our subscribers have called the Golfing Magazine Subscription program “THE BEST DEAL IN GOLF.”
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
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.
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.
Brett P. Quincy, MA
Golfing
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
VT/NH COURSES
Brattleboro Country Club
Green Mountain National
Mount Snow Golf Course
Mount Washington Resort GC
Newport Golf Club
The Shattuck .... plus more
Blackstone National Golf Club
Captains Golf Course
Cold Spring Country Club
Chicopee Country Club
Crestview Country Club
Crumpin Fox Club
Crystal Lake Golf Course
Dennis Pines & Dennis Highlands
Heather Hill Country Club
Kings Way Golf Club
Ledges Golf Club
Maplegate Country Club
Newton Commonwealth GC
Norwood Country Club
Tekoa Country Club
Wentworth Hills Country Club
Waubeeka Golf Links .... plus 22 more
Bethel Inn Resort
Dunegrass Golf Club
Poland Spring Resort
Spring Meadow Golf Club
Sunday River Golf Club
Sugarloaf Golf Club .... plus more
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.
EXCELLENT CADDIES
EXCELLENT BEACHES
EXCELLENT CUISINE
More and more people are turning to golf as a way to keep fit and get out of their homes. What better way to do this than to take advantage of Golfing Magazine New England’s Course Play Stimulus Program and play all the golf you desire.
Despite the fact that some of us in New England were fortunate enough to get out on the courses during what can only be described as an unusually mild winter with little snow and ice, spring is still a splendid time to reboot the game and prepare for months of fun and competition. And is there anything that smells as sweet as freshly mown grass on a sunny spring morning?
Golfing Magazine is making it easier for readers to “Play Golf for Less” this year with our celebrated “Free Golf” program that entitles an individual signing up for an annual subscription to the magazine the opportunity to play free or reduced rate golf at over 120 of the top daily fee courses and private tracks in the region.
We have worked to enhance our course list for 2024 and your subscription promises to be worth more than ever. We believe we are going beyond giving lip service to “growing the game” by offering this program. There’s a lot of talk about getting more people out to play the game, we do something about it!
To take advantage of this tremendous offer, call 860-563-1633, or visit www.FreeGolf.net. Remember, you get four issues of our digital magazine in addition to discounted rounds of golf when you subscribe.
In this issue of Golfing Magazine we visit America’s Summer Golf Capital. When it comes to summer golf seasons there are not many places in the USA that has a more desirable climate and world class golf than Northern Michigan. Spanning approximately 60 miles from one end to the other and a driving time of approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes are 3 golf destinations, Traverse City, Boyne Golf and the Gaylord Golf Mecca, that make up America’s Summer Golf Capital.
Historic Newport Country Club will add another chapter to its illustrious lore in 2024 when it hosts the U.S. Senior Open June 27-30. The 156-player field still have game. Many Golf Hall of Famers and legends of the game will tee it up including Padraig Harrington, Bernhard Langer, Fred Couples, Ernie Els, Jim Furyk, Retief Goosen, Stewart Cink, Jerry Kelly and Steve Stricker
We tell you about the private golf courses that you can access trough Golf Stimulus Program, a nice added bonus or signing up this year. And, we check out the nine-hole
courses that are included in our program. We also have a line-up of some of our favorite instructors in the area to get you ready for golf this season.
We also highlight some of the golf resorts in the New England States, we take you on road trips through the state of Rhode Island and tell you about the best nine-hole layouts in New England.
We also have a line-up of some of our favorite instructors in the area to get you ready for golf this season. Sue Kaffenburg of Bayberry Hills Golf Course in Yarmouth, MA and New England PGA Teacher of the Year and George Connor of Farmington Woods Country Club and 3-Time CT PGA Teacher of the Year.
Also in this issue, you will find some of our “Must Play” New England courses that you can access at a discount with the Golfing Magazine subscription program.
Enjoy our Spring Issue, sign up for a subscription and get the sticks sizzling. Golf season has finally arrived and we’ve got a ton of great courses for you to play.
We thank you so very much for staying with us, and promise to stay with you so that as we put our clubs in the trunk, we can hit the fairway running.
Hit ‘em long and straight
Historic Newport Country Club will add another chapter to its illustrious lore in 2024 when it hosts the U.S. Senior Open June 27-30. The 156-player field still have game. Many Golf Hall of Famers and legends of the game will tee it up including Padraig Harrington, Bernhard Langer, Fred Couples, Ernie Els, Jim Furyk, Retief Goosen, Stewart Cink, Jerry Kelly and Steve Stricker.
This will be the first USGA championship Newport has hosted since 2006.
Newport was originally scheduled to be the host site of the 2020 championship, but it was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 44th U.S. Senior Open Championship will be the fifth USGA championship to be held at Newport Country Club.
Historic is a fitting moniker for Newport Country Club. William F. Davis designed the course as a nine-hole layout in 1894. It was expanded to 18 holes in 1899, remodeled in 1923, and underwent a restoration in 2005.
Golf history buffs know that Newport
was home of the inaugural U.S. Open and U.S. Amateur championships in 1895 and is a founding club of the U.S.G.A. In 1995, 100 years later, the U.S. Amateur returned to Newport part of the USGA’s centennial celebration where Tiger Woods won the second of his three consecutive U.S. Amateur titles by defeating Buddy Marucci.
No one will forget the epic 18-hole playoff in the 2006 U.S. Women’s Open Championship at Newport. Annika Sorenstam shot a 1-under-par 70 to defeat Pat Hurst by four strokes. The two players were tied at even-par 284 after 72 holes.
Sorenstam recorded her third U.S. Women’s Open victory, tying her for third for most wins behind Betsy Rawls and Mickey Wright.
“This championship will add another chapter to the storied 130-year history between the USGA and Newport Country Club,” says Eric Mills, Senior Manager, 2024 U.S. Senior Open Championship. “It is in our USGA DNA to conduct championships at historical golf landmarks like Newport Country Club. Newport is a bucket-list destination for many Americans. Founded in 1703, as a waterfront city Newport presents a beautiful array of summertime festivities ranging from sailing, beaches, cuisine, golf and more. Off the course, we anticipate the players enjoying the opportunity to explore everything the city has to offer.”
“Newport is a bucket-list destination for many Americans. Founded in 1703, as a waterfront city Newport presents a beautiful array of summertime festivities ranging from sailing, beaches, cuisine, golf and more. Off the course, we anticipate the players enjoying the opportunity to explore everything the
city has to offer.”
Newport will become the sixth club to have held a U.S. Open, U.S. Women’s Open, U.S. Amateur, and U.S. Senior Open.
The other clubs to have hosted those four USGA championships are Cherry Hills, Hazeltine National, Oakmont, Pinehurst, and Winged Foot.
“We are excited to have the opportunity to host the 2024 U.S. Senior Open Championship,” said Newport Club President Barclay Douglas in a recent press release. “The state of Rhode Island, the city of Newport, and the club are enthusiastic to support this USGA championship.
Our ‘City by the Sea’ will be enhanced by having the world’s best senior players compete for the Francis D. Ouimet Memorial Trophy on our historic Tillinghast course.”
Mills talks about the challenges that Newport presents to golfers.
“It is virtually uncharted territory for a vast majority of the 156-player field competing for the U.S. Senior Open title.
“The wind prevails out of the south and has a tendency to switch directions from sunup to sundown. With parts of the golf course just feet away from the Atlantic Ocean, the severity of the wind will inevitably be part of the storyline.”
He continues, “The Tillinghast course
layout will keep the players busy, especially around the green complexes. In order to win, each part of the player’s game needs to be on point and they will have to use all 14 clubs in their bag.
“The course provides an exemplary balance of golf holes where both risk and conservative play will be rewarded. Finding that balance will be the key.”
In 2017, noted golf architect Gil Hanse was hired to examine the course. The next year, based on Hanse’s suggestions, changes were made to five fairway bunkers – three on the 2nd hole and two on the 6th hole. Hanse also advised that Newport’s greens be reverted to their original size.
Bernhard Langer won last year’s 2023 U.S. Senior Open at SentryWorld. Langer, who turns 66 on August 27, became the oldest champion in history and the winningest PGA Tour Champions golfer ever with 46 titles, besting Hale Irwin.
Langer won the Masters in 1985 and 1993. His win at SentryWorld marked his second U.S. Senior Open victory. The 2024 gives Langer an opportunity for a third title and brings a major golf tournament to a sports-loving region.
“New England is one of the best sports markets in the world,” says Mills. “Newport is 40 miles from Gillette Stadium, 59 miles
from Fenway Park, 61 miles from TD Garden, and 60 miles south of The Country Club in Brookline. This is a region of champions.”
“Fans who attend the 2024 U.S. Senior Open at Newport will see 156 of the world’s best professional and amateur golfers over the age of 50 and the grand stage of a beautiful Tillinghast golf course right on the ocean.”
Daily gallery tickets are priced at $45 for Thursday’s first round, $55 for the second and third rounds on Friday and Saturday and $50 for the fourth and final round on Sunday. Practice round tickets for Wednesday, June 26 are available for $25. A daily ticket includes general admission to the grounds, access to walk the course, grandstand availability, access to food and beverage concessions for purchase, free parking and shuttle service.
www.USGA.org
Who would have thought that one of the most northern States in the USA would rank #5 in most courses per State! Only Florida, California, Texas and New York have more than Michigan! When it comes to summer golf seasons there are not many places in the USA that has a more desirable climate and world class golf than Northern Michigan.
Spanning approximately 60 miles from one end to the other and a driving time of approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes are 3 golf destinations, Traverse City, Boyne Golf and the Gaylord Golf Mecca, that make up America’s Summer Golf Capital.
It is Northern Michigan’s premier golf experience, a collection of 8 resort properties representing 26 golf courses, designed by some of the world’s finest golf architects, including Nicklaus, Palmer, Player, Fazio, Smith, Matthews and Tom Weiskopf. We will give you a sampling of a few.
Flying or driving, getting here is easy. Traverse City a community connected by water and nature, on the south shore of
Grand Traverse Bay, part of Lake Michigan could be considered the gateway to the region. Its Cherry Capital Airport (TVC) has developed into one of the most welcoming boutique style Airports. The little airport that just keeps growing, today, welcomes nonstop flights from 20 cities across the United States.
You only have minutes to go from the airport in Traverse City to get to Grand Traverse Resort and Spa, one of Michigan’s premier golf resorts. At first site you will be awestruck by the golden Tower rising high above the lush surroundings of the resort, its three championship golf courses, views of Old Mission Peninsula and East Grand Traverse Bay.
The Bear was the only course we got to play on this visit. A Jack Nicklaus design, opened in 1985, year after year it continues to be ranked as one of the toughest in Michigan. Nasty Nicklaus as I like to call it, but still love it. Golf Digest had ranked the Bear as the 18th toughest in America!
The Wolverine a Gary Player’s signa-
ture course offers two very distinct nines. Much tamer than The Bear, the front nine is constructed on lowland terrain with water and wetlands. The back nine is constructed on highland terrain with hardwoods, rolling hills, and views of East Grand Traverse Bay. Spruce Run the Resort’s original resort course winds among rolling hills and large woodland trees that surround the Hotel.
Accommodations are a plenty at the Resort. Whether it be in the Hotel, the Tower, or a spacious condominium, you are sure to find a setting that provides comfort and ease.
Resort guests can enjoy the 100,000-square-foot Health Club featuring indoor and outdoor pools, cardio and weight rooms, plus indoor and outdoor tennis/pickleball courts. The Spa at Grand Traverse is a full-service spa, includes a head-to-toe list of services that will have you feeling refreshed.
For more information on Grand Traverse Resort: www.GrandTraverseResort.com
Approximately 45 minutes to the south of Traverse City in a 1,500-acre Village setting you will find Crystal Mountain a 4-season family resort. One of Michigan’s most popular ski destinations, and for golfers, home to 2 exceptional and distinctly different golf courses.
The premier Mountain Ridge course, whose fairways are carved out of the majestic pines of northern Michigan, taking you from a valley setting to where you will enjoy panoramic vistas as you transition to the heights of the mountain. Fairways are generally wide and receptive, tightening as you climb. Considering the mountain setting greens are pure, not crazy with undulations.
The Betsie Valley Course with its recent renovation is more scenic and allows one greater opportunity for lower scores. Here you will find tree lined fairways, smaller greens are well protected by strategically placed bunkers and of course you are always distracted by the views. Located right out the Pro Shop door golfers are welcome to ride in a cart or walk Betsie Valley.
Both courses have received the prestigious 4-Star rating from Golf Digest Magazine, with Mountain Ridge playing host to the Michigan PGA Women’s Open for over 20 years.
The village of Crystal Mountain is designed as pedes-
trian and bicycle friendly. Park the car and forget about it! All the different summer activities are within the 1500-acre property as are restaurants and shops.
The resort offers a variety of lodging options, from spacious townhomes at the top of the mountain, a cottage tucked away in the peaceful woods, or a cozy hotel room at the Inn at the Mountain. My personal favorite would be a cozy condo in the Scottish style castle, Kinlochen which just happens to be above the Golf Pro Shop, steps from the first tee of the Betsie Valley Course and the fine dining of The Thistle.
For more information about Crystal Mountain visit www.CrystalMountain.com
At the eastern end of the region is Gaylord, MI, roughly one hour and 20 minutes from the Traverse City airport, approximately 3 hours north of Detroit and conveniently located off I-75. The Gaylord Golf Mecca (www.GaylordGolfMecca.com) is anchored by 2 resorts, Treetops Resort with 5 courses and Garland Lodge & Golf Resort with 4 of their own. The Mecca boasts 16 courses and 20 lodging partners. You can call it a town; some might like to refer to it as an Alpine Village. Not to be overlooked is the fantastic collection of 19th holes in downtown Gaylord. The Alpine Tavern & Eatery is a fun stop with great food too, or one of the local breweries – Big Buck Brewery and Snowbelt Brewing Co. both are 2 great hangouts for ales and a great meal. Mexican on your mind? Maybe a super sized margarita and delicious food, El Patron is right on the main street.
At Treetops , the Robert Trent Jones Sr. The Masterpiece the first course here and The Premier a Tom Fazio design were on our itinerary. The Masterpiece : the most challenging and arguably the most unforgiving course at Treetops. Fairways weave you through natural beauty enhanced by elevation Treetops Resort, Threetops, 8th Hole
changes and newly renovated bunkers. Keeping your tee balls in the center of the fairways is critical to a good round. Stray tee shots and you could find yourself in deep ravines or water hazards. Greens are fairly large and undulating, be prepared for mountain style drifts.
The Premier: As a fan of Fazio designed courses this was a little more to my liking with big wide rolling fairways, plenty of doglegs, risk reward holes and elevation changes to deal with as well. Greens are large and undulating to say the least. Some might be considered to have their own elevation changes.
Threetops: It is just something that you have to do at Treetops. It’s 9 of the most scenic and fun Par 3 holes that you may ever play. There is a reason why it is consistently rated as the #1 Par 3 Course in America.
At Treetops, everything is right there, from fine dining, a couple of Taverns and a Sports Bar with a sunset! There are accommodations to satisfy all, from hotel style at The Inn or Lodge, cottages, chalets and condominiums. www.TreeTops.com
You would not be the first to be mesmerized by the enormity of the log cabin style lodge at the Garland Lodge and Golf Resort, about 35 minutes south of Gaylord in Lewiston.
Set on a natural backdrop of 3,000 acres of unspoiled Michigan wilderness, Garland’s four world class courses all play out of one pro shop. Each course weaves through pristine terrain teeming with wildlife, rolling meadows, lakes, streams, mature hardwoods, and towering pines are the framework.
Two, of the 4 courses here challenged our skills, if we can call what we have skills.
Monarch Course: The longest at over 7,100 yards and arguably the most challenging. Fairways are lined by pine forests dissected with streams and dotted with ponds, small lakes and bunkers. Fear not the greens are large and not nearly as undulating as those in a mountain setting.
Fountains Course: With six par 3s, six par 4s, six par 5s, there is plenty of water in play. What would you expect with a name like Fountains! Beautiful and maybe the most fun to play. You won’t find much in the way of elevation changes on this course or any at Garland. The Fountains greens were large, undulating and plenty with double breaks.
Garland offers 3 primary refuelling options at the heart of the resort. The Tiki Bar with its large outdoor bar is a golfer’s favorite, just as you come off the course. Antlers Bar and Grill has that sports bar
feel and for some finer dining, Tamarack Dining Room.
The main lodge is a stunningly beautiful building that proudly hails as the largest log structure east of the Mississippi. In addition to guestrooms in the main lodge Garland offers a wide variety of villas and cottages throughout the property ensuring that accommodations are available to fit the needs of any guest or group. For more information:
www.GolfGarland.com
You could consider Boyne Golf, the center piece of America’s Summer Golf Capital. It’s 10 courses and 3 resorts are located northwest of Gaylord (30 minutes) and depending which resort you are destined for at Boyne. From Traverse City, the most it would take you is about 1 hour and 10 minutes, to the northeast.
A smorgasbord of great courses. Minutes from what might be considered the main resort at Boyne, Boyne Mountain Resort you will find in a mountainside setting The Alpine and The Monument perfect to ease you into your Boyne Golf vacation.
The meat and potatoes of Boyne Golf is played out of The Highlands Resort about 20 minutes from the Boyne Mountain Resort in Harbour Springs. Two favorites we did not play on this trip:
The Heather: The 1st course at Boyne designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. in 1966. The Donald Ross Memorial: an unforgettable experience, playing 18 of Ross’s best-known holes from some of the most renowned courses in the world. The Moor: Parkland in style and with wider fairways more in the “fun” fashion of resort courses. One of the flatter layouts but it certainly makes up for the lack of elevation change with doglegs galore.
And here we played my favorite out of the Highlands: Arthur Hills encompasses everything that Northern Michigan golf has to offer, generous fairways winding through thick forest, a great selection of holes with plenty of sand and water to keep you on your toes throughout the round. Looking back, what you don’t forget here is your uphill climb from the 11th green to what could be the highest peak in the State. Boyne’s Mount Everest – the 13th tee and signature hole. It’s all down hill from here, in a good way! Guessing that it is at least a couple of hundred feet of drop. I liked this hole so much I played it twice, and talk about spectacular panoramic views! A fun Par 5, and yes even I was able to get there in 2, twice!!! The closer, 18, is the Monster at
Boyne Golf, Bay Harbor Golf Club, Quarry Course
577 yards. Big drive sets up a delicate second shot where you have a small lake and narrow landing area to flirt with. A long narrow green protected by large bunkers on the right and water to the left. Cold beer tastes mighty fine right about now.
The Boyne Highlands Resort partially ivy covered, reminiscent of an English country estate is certainly a most convenient place to stay with all the dining options you might want. Four of the 10 Boyne courses play out of Highlands, from the Lodge you can walk to The Heather, the Donald Ross Memorial Course. Arthur Hills and The Moor Course play out of clubhouse minutes away. Here you will also find a massive practice complex here to get you ready for your round.
The creme dela crème of Boyne Golf. Three very different nines designed by Arthur Hills play out of the Bay Harbor Golf Club. We played the Links / Quarry combination which might be considered the Pebble Beach of Northern Michigan. The Links is situated on the beautiful Lake Michigan shore, accented by towering bluffs, windblown dunes, with miles of uninterrupted views up and down the lakefront.
The Quarry epitomizes Arthur Hills’ unique ability to leverage existing terrain in the creation of something distinctive - and spectacular. Located in and around the remains of a massive shale quarry, this one-of-a-kind course claims some of the golfing world’s most dramatic features, from 40-foot gorges and stone cliffs to natural ponds and a gentle waterfall. www.BayHarborGolf.com
Only minutes away from the bay Harbor Golf Club on the shores of Lake Michigan is the spectacular Inn at Bay Harbor, an Autograph Collection Marriott Hotel with panoramic views overlooking the lake. There are not enough words that can do justice to this property or setting, from the oh so well-appointed rooms, suites and cottages, the fine dining, to the surrounding beauty. An experience unto itself.
For complete information on Boyne Golf: www.BOYNEGolf.com
For information on America’s Summer Golf Capital: www.AmericasSummerGolfCapital.com
Golfing Magazine’s Golf Course Stimulus program has some superb private courses you can play if you join. We have around 130 courses this year in our program, all with no greens fees. To take advantage of this tremendous offer, call 860-563-1633, or visit www. FreeGolf.net.
Let’s take a look at the private courses that are part of our list for 2023.
A premier addition to our lineup is The Golf Club at River Oaks, located on the Sherman/New Milford town line in western Connecticut.
River Oaks has a number of holes on its back nine that hug the Housatonic River, which is visible through the trees in late autumn or early spring. The look from the tee box on the par-four dogleg left ninth hole reminds one of playing golf in northern New England rather than Connecticut. Many consider this to be one of the top two or three courses in the state. PGA star Phil Mickelson was said to have called it a superb layout when he visited.
Robert McNeil designed the course that opened in 2003, and he built into it challenge and fairness. The fairways are rather
generous on the par-fives and longer parfours and tighter and strewn with fairway bunkers on several of the shorter par-fours. The greens are fairly large and kept on the fast side. The rough is manageable and the greenside bunkers challenging yet not unfair.
While the course is no push-over, it is eminently playable for any golfer, as long as you tee it up from the proper markers. The tips play 6,730 yards with a slope of 138 and a course rating of 73.8. The layout plays to a par of 71 and has five par-threes, which cut into the overall length, so don’t be fooled into thinking even the white markers, around 6,100 yards, are easy. They are not, even for the
better players.
The finishing holes at River Oaks are all very good, which adds to the satisfaction of playing the course.
The ninth hole features that stunning view of the hills in the distance and is as visually pleasing and challenging a hole as you can want. The drive is to an area well below the tee box and the second shot is across a natural area. Push you drive to far right and you are left with a 180-yard or more approach into a narrow green.
A well-designed golf course should always reach a stirring climax and River Oaks fills the bill. After a nice parthree in the woods at 15, there’s a downhill par-five (503 yards from the tips) that can be reached in two by the big hitters. And then comes the course’s signature hole, the 210-yard par-three 17th that plays across a pond to a narrow green. It’s another great look from an elevated tee.
Farmington Woods Golf Club is a real treat, it is a well-maintained, interesting and challenging track that was designed by renowned American golf course designer, Desmond Muirhead, who also crafted the famed Jack Nicklaus Muirfield Village
course in Ohio. It is unique to the area in that each hole is challenging, stunning, and memorable. The course is located in a gated condominium community, with ample woods and wetlands surrounding.
One of the best one-two punched on the routing is the par-five 12th that is a dogleg right and tumbles down a steep hill to the putting surface. The 13th is a sweet little par-three that plays across a pond with trees framing the green.
Farmington Woods is a welcoming, active and diverse club and has long been known to be women-friendly (allowing women tee times on weekends equal to men), and its backbone is a variety of strong leagues.
The club is family-oriented due to its emphasis on introductory programs, and other facilities available for its members, including a full-service restaurant, and a pub and banquet facilities, as well as seven tennis courts and four pools located around the community. A wide range of events and activities are available to residents and members.
Tumble Brook Country Club in
Bloomfield, Ct. was named for a brook that flows through the property. It was incorporated and organized in October of 1922 and features 27 holes.
Willie Park, one of the foremost golf course architects of the time, was commissioned to design the first nine. The Park nine is by far the most popular of the three nines at Tumble Brook. Due to its walkable layout and rewarding par-fives, the nine holes are the busiest at Tumble Brook. The original nine opened in 1924 and consisted of current holes 1 through 3, 8, 9, 19, 20, 26 and 27
A second nine, designed by Orrin E. Smith, was opened to play in the spring of 1949. The holes were based off Park’s original layout for the course, although Smith followed very little of Park’s design. Smith was a construction supervisor for Park and Donald Ross. The Smith holes form one of the more challenging nines due to its length (between 100 and 200 yards longer, based on which tee you play, from the two other nines).
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. Fazio created holes that in the present day are 4 though 7 and 21 through 25 to combine with the original front nine, now holes 1 through 3, 8, 9, 19, 20, 26, and 27. This addition to the course was not blended into Park’s original design, as Fazio characterized his course with flashes of sand in the bunkers and green sites well protected and often requiring the ball to carry onto the green. The Fazio nine is the shortest of the three but it provides plenty of challenge with the most complex greens of the 27 holes.
In 2002 the club began a renovation program for the golf course. Mark McCumber and Associates was the architects for the renovations, and in 2005 the course work was completed.
The seventh hole on the “Green Course,” a combination of two of the three nines, is a 440-yard beast where par is an accomplishment for any level of player.
To have access to these premier private courses, call 860-563-1633, or visit www.FreeGolf.net
The 18-hole Omni Mount Washington Golf Course was designed by legendary Scottish architect Donald Ross and was completed in 1915. Its backdrop features New Hampshire’s spectacular Presidential Mountain Range.
The par-72, 7,004-yard-course has hosted four New Hampshire Opens, plus the prestigious New England Open Championship, the New England Senior Amateur Championship and several New Hampshire MidAm, Senior and High School Golf Championships.
Reopened in August of 2008, the Omni Mount Washington Golf Course has been restored to Donald Ross’ original plans by noted golf course architect Brian Silva, including bunkers crafted in a classic flair and infinite varieties of recovery shots in the closely cropped areas around the putting greens. The par-five 11th hole and the par-three fifth hole feature stunning views of Omni Mount Washington Hotel and surrounding mountains.
British Golf Champions
The Omni Mount Washington Golf Course was voted Golfweek’s Best Course You Can Play in New Hampshire since 2009.
The nine-hole Mount Pleasant Course first opened in 1895, and has been host to generations of golfing enthusiasts from New Hampshire and beyond. Greats like U.S. Pro Golfer Gilbert Nicholls, Golf Course Designer Alex Findlay,
Harry Vardon and J.W. Taylor, and U.S. Open Golf Champion Willie Anderson have all played the historic par-35 course.
In 1989, the course was restored and upgraded by Cornish & Silva Golf Course Architects, with advice from world-renowned golfers Gene Sarazen and Ken Venturi, and now offers players a more challenging round alongside New Hampshire’s scenic Ammonoosuc River.
You will want to stay and play when you
visit, as the Omni Mount Washington Resort is a grand masterpiece of Spanish Renaissance architecture, conceived by industrialist Joseph Stickney, and named a National Historic Landmark. The Hotel originally opened in 1902 and has served as a retreat for the famous and every day folk ever since. The all-new Presidential Wing opened in December, 2020, and features views of the surrounding mountains and golf courses from private balconies and patios. Other recent resort enhancements including the newly renovated Main and Sun Dining Rooms, the new roof-top Observatory Bar and the stunning Rosebrook Lodge on top of Bretton Woods’ famed ski trails. A full-service spa, year-round canopy tour and seemingly endless outdoor recreation are sure to enhance your golf getaway.
The resort’s Unlimited Golf Package allows for unlimited daily golf on both courses from day of arrival through day of departure including cart. In addition, as the proud Official Hotel Partner of the PGA TOUR®, Omni Hotels & Resorts is excited to offer an exclusive golf package at 12 select resort destinations across the country including a round of golf per day, unlimited use of driving range, a $100 resort credit and PGA TOUR welcoming amenity.
www.OmniHotels.com/MountWashington www.OmniHotels.com/MountWashington
The Bethel Inn Resort golf course in Bethel, Me. is a venerable layout, built over 100 years ago.
The course takes full advantage of mountain vistas and the natural beauty of the area. Large, well-trapped greens, tree-lined fairways and five tee positions make play challenging for golfers of every ability. There is a pleasant mix of short and long par-fours, tough parthrees and demanding par-fives that will test the ability of golfers of all abilities.
The course was just nine holes for a number years before an additional nine holes was added in 1988 to bring it to championship caliber. The course was redesigned and expanded by the renowned New England architect Geoffrey Cornish. The existing layout has been recognized not only for its natural beauty but also as a very good test of playing ability.
The 6,663-yard, par-72 layout was listed by America’s Greatest Golf Resorts among the top 10 resort courses in the Northeast, and Golf Digest magazine awarded it 3 1/2 stars.
The Bethel Inn Resort offers complete and affordable stay, play and dine golf getaways and PGA golf school vacation packages.
There are 158 guest rooms at the Inn in both traditional accommodations and luxury townhomes. There’s a formal dining room or the more casual Millbrook Tavern and Grille to enjoy. The resort offers a health club with spa
Geoffrey Cornish designed the18-hole, 6,943-yard (there are three other sets of tees) championship Mount Snow Golf Club has also been named one of the top 10 resort courses in the country by SKI Magazine. It has also been rated one of the top five courses in Vermont by Golf Digest.
services, a lake house, tennis and other lawn games, and several state parks are located nearby for the adventurous. The property offers a truly all-around, funpacked experience for individuals, couples and families.
www.BethelInn.com
The course meanders through stunning picturesque countryside and provides stunning views of the Green Mountains, including the peaks of Mount Snow and Haystack Mountain. Tamaracks, oaks, birches, and sugar maples line the fairways while the mountains provide a majestic backdrop. The front nine is spread over rather wide expanses and the back nine winds its way through wooded terrain. Water comes into play on no fewer than 11 holes, and 41 sand traps are strategically located around nearly every hole. The resort also has a fully-stocked pro shop
with the latest in equipment, accessories, and apparel. Mount Snow’s Original Golf School, founded in 1978, was one of the country’s first golf schools and continues to be a trusted program for those looking to improve their games. There is a multi-day curriculum that includes instruction and evaluation on every aspect of play, with daily on-course instruction.
During your visit, stop by Fairways Restaurant, where you can enjoy fresh food, cold beer, or your favorite cocktail on a large deck overlooking the course. Or relax inside watching the game on flat screen televisions. Fairways is open daily for lunch with frequent menu specials and to-go service, as well as Sunday brunch.
The area around Mount Snow has historic towns, antique shops, artisans, craft producers, farms open to visitation, performing arts venues, and outlet shopping centers. Extend a vacation with a few days of hiking, mountain biking, scenic chairlift rides, and horseback riding, learn fly fishing, or go canoeing, sailing, and kayaking on any of the numerous pristine rivers and lakes.
www.MountSnow.com, or 802-464-4254.
The Wyndhurst Manor & Club, located in Lenox, Ma., features an historic 18-hole course (actually 19 holes).
It’s a picturesque, traditional New England resort course routed over the hills surrounding the resort and through mature woodlands of the area. The course features tree-lined fairways and naturally contoured greens that have been carefully preserved in the more than 80 years since the course was built.
The eighth hole is one of the best on the course. You tee off next to the resort hotel and can cut the distance to the hole on the 347-yard par-four dramatically if you take the drive over trees that hug the left side. It’s all downhill to a small green that is easy to miss if you don’t concentrate on the pitch shot.
You need to score well on the front side because the inward nine is much more difficult, with several brutal par-fours and some very good par-threes waiting. The 11th is one of the course’s signature holes, a 200-yard parthree that plays from a chute of trees to a severely slopped green. Huge bunkers guard the putting surface.
which allows you to take in the scenery and tally up your score.
The finishing hole is a wide open 393-yard par-four that allows you to hit driver and follow up with a mid- or short-iron into the slightly elevated green. Then it’s a bit of a drive, or walk, back to the clubhouse,
AAnd remember that 19th hole? The par-four is situated near the eighth green and plays toward the clubhouse, allowing golfers who need to get back for dinner or a spa treatment to enjoy a shorter round.
www.WyndhurstManorAndClub.com
t the Poland Spring Resort in Poland Spring, Ma. you will find a superb golf course that was established in 1895 by Arthur Fenn and re-designed by the famed Donald Ross in 1912. The Links at Poland Spring in Maine claims to be the first golf course built at a resort in the United States.
To warm up for your round, Poland Spring Resort has a 330-yardlong driving range with natural grass, artificial tees, and a spectacular view of the rugged White Mountains.
After or après golf you can relax on the clubhouse porch overlooking the championship golf course at Mel’s Hilltop Restaurant, or grab a quick bite at the Pro Shop Café before you join your family for a swim in the large crystal clear swimming pool, all just a few yards from the 18th green. The Inn offers a number of options for dining.
Poland Spring Resort’s Lodge includes both an arcade and a general store. Fresh air adventures are to be found everywhere here, with miles of hiking trails that line the golf course and wind through the woods, taking you past the calm waters of Lower Range Pond. Cyndi’s Dockside, a restaurant on the shores of Middle Range Pond, was recently renovated and provides another alternative for family dining by a large fieldstone fireplace or outside next to the lake.
Poland Spring Resort is part of the Maine Trifecta giving you the opportunity to play three golf courses in the area: Poland Spring Golf Course, Fox Ridge Golf Course and Spring Meadow Golf Course. Call 207-998-4351 for information, or visit www.MaineTrifecta.com.
www.PolandSpringInns.com
Sunday River Golf Club in Newry, Maine is a spectacular Boyne Golf property in a classic New England setting.
A Robert Trent Jones, Jr. design, the course is perched on a sloping hillside, overlooking the Sunday River Valley with the Mahoosuc Mountain Range towering above, offering panoramic views that stretch all the way to “Old Spec”, Maine’s third highest peak. Tree lined fairways offer dramatic elevation changes with the natural topography striking the perfect balance between challenge and playability.
The par-threes, several of them playing from dramatically elevated tees, as well as the par-fives, are strengths of Sunday River. The 499-yard par-five first hole sets a stunning tone for the remainder of the round. The fairway runs downhill to the green and the putting surface can be reached in two shots, providing you play your ball down the right side and avoid two bunkers on either side of the green.
The 425-yard-par four fifth plays shorter than its length because it’s all downhill, and the ninth, a 339-yarder, is a great example of a superb, short par-four. The tee shot and approach must carry waste areas.
The 17th, par-four, top handicap hole is just a beast from whichever tee box you are playing. Finding the fairway off the tee of this demanding hole is critical for success. Bunkers guard the right and left side of the landing area. Carrying the fairway bunker along right side will allow the best angle of approach from the right center of the fairway to a dramatically elevated green.
For the most part here, the fairways are generous, greens are spacious, there are only a few blind shots and, of course, uneven lies. The key to scoring is your shot into the green. Pick the right tees for you and you will be fine.
GSunday River has received numerous accolades from golf publications, including Golf Digest’s Number One Course in Maine, and list among its Top 10 Upscale Public Courses.
The resort has over 700 condominiums, ranging from studio condos to three-bedroom townhomes, all with access to indoor and outdoor pools and saunas. Sunday River offers attractive stay and play package at the property’s Jordan Hotel, which is just two miles from the golf course.
For more information on Sunday River check out the website
www.SundayRiver.com
olfers in the state of Maine are fortunate to have two resorts that are part of the Boyne Resorts cache, Sugarloaf being one and Sunday River the other.
Boyne Resorts is a collection of mountain and lakeside resorts, ski areas, and attractions spanning from British Columbia to Maine. The company owns and operates 11 properties and an outdoor lifestyle equipment/apparel retail division with stores in cities throughout Michigan. An industry leader in multiple U.S. regions, operations include snow sports and year-round mountain recreation, golf, an indoor waterpark, spas, food and beverage, lodging and real estate development.
Sugarloaf in Carrabassett Valley, Maine is the state’s premier golf destination; the Robert Trent Jones Jr. design provides golfers with stunning panoramic mountain views and an unforgettable experience from first tee to final putt.
Panoramic views here are a plenty, and one that you are not likely to forget, such as the view from the 11th tee box, the hole appropriately named “Precipice”. The par-three is Sugarloaf’s most famous hole and one of the most photographed in New England. Dropping more than 120 feet, the hole plays nearly two clubs downhill to a green guarded by bunkers back and right of the green and the Carrabassett River short and left. A par is a great score.
The 11th is the “Signature Hole” and the second in a run of five holes, 10 to 15, known as the “String of Pearls.” The collection of holes offers up everything and anything that anyone could want, from risk-reward, intimidating bunkers, flirting with the Carrabassett River, and spectacular views of the Bigelow Mountain Range.
Closing out the String, is the 15th hole, “Cobbled Stone”. Providing a unique challenge, similar to Augusta’s 12th hole, wind will often swirl, causing indecision on club choice. A successful approach over the Carrabassett River will provide a great chance at par on this receptive green.
Sugarloaf Golf Club is a must play and many would agree as accolades
have been pouring in year after year. Playing here is no walk in the park, but five sets of tees allow you to choose the right one’s course ratings and slope, range from Black 75.2/150 to Green 72.6/135.
Sugarloaf was selected as the Best Course in Maine in 2017 and 2018 by Golfweek Magazine and was chosen three times among the 100 Greatest Public Courses in America by Golf Digest.
A round would be complete without a visit to Strokes Bar & Grill for a made-to-order breakfast before you play, or pick something up to take with you to the tee. Finish your day with a quiet cocktail on the patio while soaking in the panoramic mountain views.
Just about any style of accommodations that anyone could want are available at Sugarloaf, from hotel, to condos to homes.
Stay and play packages are available at www.Sugarloaf.com.
New name, same great service… LeaderBoard New Engand’s Air Cannon has quickly become a “go to” promotion of choice for charity golf fundraisers across the northeast. “We have completed our 8th year with the Air Cannon and have supported over 2,500 events since our launch in 2014.” said Nick Richard, a Partner in the company. “With our staff of more than twenty trained fundraising professionals we can accommodate multiple events concurrently, especially important on busy Monday’s in season.
The company has standardized on the latest third generation, stainless steel air cannon designs, much more rugged and a major step up from the plastic versions of past years. These new cannons are manufactured exclusively for LeaderBoard and offer increased range and even better accuracy.
The company offers a great variety of promotion formats to keep the competition fresh from year to year. “We offer great prizes at every event based on the best shot of the day.” Two options for the winning shot are a customized Pinned Dart Bluetooth Speaker and premium LeaderBoard branded merchandise. We are once again offering the popular Golfing Magazine certificates for reduced greens fees at more than 100 courses across New England, good for the entire season.
This past year the company recorded multiple “aces”, bringing the company’s total to more than 50 holes-in-one since the program
was launched. “With our optional hole-in-one insurance we elevate the potential for a fantastic prize to another level“ explained Richard. Of course, cash prizes are also available in any amount with the added incentive to split the total on a 50/50 basis for the winner and the designated charity.
The Leaderboard Air Cannon is a powerful fundraiser and an exciting addition to the day’s activities. It is a full turnkey service with two staff from the company manning
the Air Cannon Hole. The most popular format sets up on a short par 4 where the carry to the green is between 300 and 350 yards. Typically players donate for team shots to guarantee a short putt for an eagle two. For corporate events and client appreciation days we offer a flat rate program. It is promoted as a “Closest to the Pin” contest and offers organizers an excellent sponsorship opportunity. “We invite the sponsor to hang out with us on the tee box to do a quick ‘Meet and Greet’ with the players. It is a great opportunity to thank the players for their support while raising thousands of dollars for the charity.” Last year we raised in total, over a million dollars at more than 500 events.
For more information on the LeaderBoard Air Cannon please visit our website at www.LeaderBoardNewEngland.com or contact us at info@LeaderBoardNewEngland.com.
Blackstone National Golf Club was designed by renowned golf course architect Rees Jones. Rees put a great deal of his heart and soul into coming up with a player’s course that took full advantage of the best landscape and scenery that central New England has to offer.
508.865.2111
www.bngc.net
Celebrate your special day with us, where our stunning features including a semi-private golf course and pavilion, will make your day truly unforgettable.
508.865.7300
www.thebarnatblackstonenational.com
By, JOHN TORSIELLO
hanks to Golfing Magazine’s Free Golf offer, our subscribers can play some of the top courses in Rhode Island. All you have to do is take advantage of Golfing Magazine’s Free Golf offer, call 860-563-1633, or visit www. FreeGolf.net.
Laurel Lane Country Club (www.LaurelLaneCountryClub. com) in West Kingston is is a par-71, 6,128-yard course that has relatively few bunkers and is a place where all skill levels to play. The course begins in demanding fashion. The first hole is a 412-yard par-four, the second, a 482-yard par-five that tempts payers to go for the green in two after a big drive, and the third a 189-yard parthree. The backside has several short par-fours where birdie awaits and a 548-yard par-five to end your round.
Country View Golf Club (www.CountryViewGolf.net) in Harrisville is lined with willow trees and routed over a rolling terrain. There are few bunkers but they are strategically placed, and the greens are on the small side and rather difficult to hit, which places a premium on chipping ability. The par-fours on the front side are risk-reward holes, while the only par-five on the outward nine being the 475yard sixth, which is reachable in two for long hitters. The back side toughens up, with two tough par-fours, and two strong par-threes, including the 199-yard 17th.
The owners and management at Coventry Pines Golf Course (www.CoventryPines. com) in Coventry have invested dollars and labor into refurbishing their nine-hole course. Coventry Pines is a little tester, measuring 3,170 yards. Two of the toughest holes are back to back, the 408-yard par-four fifth and the 520-yard par-five sixth. The latter is listed as the course’s number one handicap hole.
allow players to enjoy a round of four holes…which is called the “shorty”, a solid 9-hole test to challenge all abilities. The greens are softly moving and fair, while the bunkering on the course brings a classic style to the eye. Another characteristic of Kings Crossing is playability.
Pinecrest Golf Club (www.PinecrestRI.com) in Carolina, which opened for play about 13 years ago, is a well-thought out-routing, fun and challenging at the same time. While not overly long, Pinecrest is fairly tight and has several doglegs and uphill shots that complicate navigation. The third hole is a par-four that goes straight uphill from the tee box, which makes its relatively short yardage misleading. This nine-holer is well worth a second trip around.
Midville Golf Club
(www.MidvilleGolfClub.com) in West
Warwick is a sweet nine-hole course. Ownership and the superintendent place a premium on superb playing conditions. The layout measures just under 3,000 yards from the tips, and there are several par-fours that are almost reachable off the tee by big hitters. The number one handicap hole is the 6th, a par-five that measures 535 yards.
Kings Crossing Golf Club (www.KingsCrossingGolfClub.com) in North Kingston was originally designed by renowned golf architect, Geoffrey Cornish and opened in 1964. From the beginning of the round players will find an unexpectedly meandering and flowing landscape with holes that offer variety, aesthetic charm and flexibility. The course is uniquely laid out to
Winnapaug Country Club (WinnapaugCountryClub. com) in Westerly is a solid routing, one that rambles over hill and dale and that affords several views of the ocean in the distance. The layout plays around 6,400 yards from the tips. The par-fives are all under 500 yards, which makes birdie a real possibility on each. The par-fours are an eclectic bunch, ranging from the difficult 425-yard fourth hole to the 339-yard fifth. The par-threes are a strength of the course. Although it is only nine holes, Rose Hill Golf Club (401-788-1088) in South Kingstown is a par-three layout in allows you to work on your iron play and has holes ranging from 118 to 218 yards. It is a favorite of locals and tourists alike because you can play nine, or even 18, in way less than two hours. The course is well maintained. Three holes, the second, fourth and fifth, play across water and test your nerves and ability as a ball striker.
ccording to the National Golf Foundation (NGF), the number of nine-hole rounds was up over 15 percent in 2020. The NGF also reported that 33 percent of core golfer rounds in 2020 were of the nine-hole rounds, while occasional golfers reported that 48 percent of the rounds they play are nine holes.
While some golfers may look down their noses at nine-hole courses, saying they are too short or that they attract too many beginners, nothing could be further from the truth. Many private clubs have a nine-hole courses that are often historic in nature, some dating back 100 years or more. Some public courses can say the same thing. These courses tend to be a bit quirky in nature and are fun to play.
One of the best things about playing nine holes is that you get onto and off of the course in rather quick fashion. Unless you have the slowest golfers in the world in front of you (sometimes that does happen) you can play nine holes in an hour and a half or two hours at the most. Thus, a nine-hole round can be easily fit into a normal working day. Skip lunch and take the clubs with you to your local nine-hole course and you will find yourself refreshed; you can have something to eat while you play after all.
Take advantage of Golfing Magazine’s Free Golf offer and test out the following nine-holers. Call 860-563-1633, or visit www.FreeGolf.net.
Green Woods Country Club in Winsted (www.GreenWoodsCC.net) is a former private track that went semi-private a few years back. The conditions are very good, even on this early season day. Typical of the old nine-hole courses in New England (Greenwoods was built over 100 years ago) the layout is on the short side, with small, tricky greens as its only defense in these days of powerful drivers and juiced golf balls.
Walking onto the Hotchkiss School Golf Course (www.Hotchkiss.org) in Lakeville is akin to stepping back in time, that is, from a golfer’s viewpoint. The course is located on the grounds of a prestigious private school, and has been virtually untouched since it opened in 1924.The course was originally built Seth Raynor, one of the legendary names of American golf course architecture. Raynor’s’ work was routed over the existing terrain, which makes for mounding in the fairways and sometimes wildly undulating greens, as well as deep greenside bunkers.
Canaan Country Club (www.CanaanCC.com) in Canaan is a scenic routing in the northwest hills of Connecticut
The par-35 course, which borders the Blackberry River and crosses over wetlands, has several holes that feature a picturesque view of Canaan Mountain. The par three eighth, which plays from 170 to 210 yards depending upon tee placement, has made several “Ten Toughest Par 3’s in Connecticut” lists over the years. It plays over a deep gully to an elevated green. The green is deep, so a back pin placement adds 10 to 15 yards to the shot. There’s OB left, but a bailout to the right is possible, which leaves a finesse pitch shot to the green.
Eastwoods Country Club (www.EastwoodsCountryClub.com) in Torrington is a great place for beginners and
accomplished players alike. The layout plays to around 3,000 yards from the tips and features one of the toughest par-fives in the state. The 564-yard ninth hole demands a right to left tee shot that must steer clear of trees on both sides. The second shot is uphill and needs to clear a pond to set up a mid-iron approach to a table top green.
Copper Hill Golf Club (www.CopperHillGolf.com) in East Granby is a very good test of golf, with a nice mix of short and long par-fours, two very demanding par-threes, and two par-fives that are reachable in two for long hitters. Copper Hill measures 3,030 yards and has two par-fives, the 473-yard fourth and 459-yard eighth, that are reachable in two for the big hitters, and a cool par-four, the fifth, measuring 265 yards, where you can drive the green.
Pomperaug Golf Course (www.HeritageSouthbury.net) is sited near the Pomperaug River in Southbury. The course isn’t long but there is water on every hole, which can play havoc with your tee and approach shots to the modest-sized greens. Number nine is a good, short par-four. The drive must lay up before the river to set up a wedge across the water to a very wide green. Get too greedy if the pin is tucked up front and your ball might fall back into the river.
The par-three ninth hole at Vineyard Valley Golf Club (www.VineyardValleyGolfClub.com) in Pomfret is one of the coolest short holes in the region and is northeast Connecticut’s answer to the famous island green at TPC Sawgrass in Florida. Playing anywhere from 110 to 160 yards, the green is fronted by a marsh that has been the end of many a good score. If you’re even a foot shy of landing on the green your
destiny is a double bogey at best.
Minnechaug Golf Course (www.MinnechaugGolf.com) in Glastonbury offers excellent conditions and a fun test of golf. It also has one of the few true island greens in New England, the 126-yard eighth, which some consider to be the first of its kind in the nation. Graham Clark did the original routing for the course, and Al Zikorus and William F. Mitchell undertook some redesigns years later.
Historic Roseland Golf Course (www.RoselandGolfCourse.com) in Woodstock is one of the oldest nine-hole layouts in the state. Originally built in 1896, Roseland celebrated its 100th birthday more than a decade ago. The course is a modest 2,397 yards in length, providing golfers of all skill levels with the opportunity for a fun, relaxing and enjoyable round of golf. The track features narrow, tree-lined scenic fairways. Small greens present
a challenge to all golfers. With only one moderate hill, the course is relatively flat and is quite easy to walk.
The Chanticlair Golf Course (www.Chanticlair.com) in Colchester opened in 1972 and was designed by Hy and Gigi Stollman. The course has undergone continuous improvements. The track measures just under 3,000 yards and its signature hole is a pretty, 138-yard par-three, the fourth that plays to an island green. The layout boasts some of the state’s best conditioned greens.
Highland Greens Golf Course (www.HighlandGreens.com) in Prospect is a lighted, nine-hole par-three course that is ideal for beginner and senior golfers who may shy away for the country club or high-end daily fee golf course scene. You can play nine holes here in about an hour and a half, and those new to golf enjoy the shorter holes that don’t beat them up as they attempt to learn the nuances of the game. Accomplished players can work on their iron play. As mentioned, Highland Greens is lighted, so you can spend a great evening with family and friends at the course.
Gainfield Farms Golf Course (www. GainfieldGolf.com) in Southbury is an executive layout located between Waterbury and Danbury. It is ideal for beginners, women and children, as well as for working on your short game or when you have limited time. The course can be played in less than two hours, a plus when trying to fit some swings into a busy work day. Gainfield Farms Golf Course has eight par-threes ranging in length from a short 94 yards up to 195. The latter hole, plus the 188-yard third hole, are tough to par even for the best players. The one par-four plays around 260 yards and can be reached off the tee by big hitters.
Quarry View Golf Course (www. QuarryViewGolf.com) in Canaan, along with its full-service golf center, is a great place for the beginner golfer. You won’t feel intimidated if this is your first time out. Experienced players will enjoy the quick play and the ability to concentrate on improving their iron shots and short games. Quarry View has the feeling of playing on two unique types of golf courses, for each hole has fairways lined with fescue similar to a links course, while the surrounding woods is typical of a traditional New England layout. The course, driving range and short game area are well manicured and designed with excellent drainage that enables Quarry View to remain playable even after a heavy rain when other courses are under water.
Sleeping Giant Golf Course (www. SleepingGiantGolfCourse.com) in Hamden is set in the shadows of the Sleeping Giant Mountains southern Connecticut. Drop the notion that you need a collared shirt, a ranger, and the most expensive golf carts in the world to enjoy a round; the club is laid back. The course plays 2.671 yards from the tips and has a par of 35, with six par-fours, two par-threes and one par-five. Several of the par-fours are stern, such as the 407-yard second and the 374-yard fourth. The final four holes are all birdie holes, with the seventh and eighth playing only 207 and 227 yards respectively. The only par-five can be tricky. It plays 459 yards from the back markers and the green can be reached in two shots by long hitters, but it’s three good shots to find the putting surface for most golfers.
Blue Rock Golf Course (www.bluerockgolfcourse.com) in South Yarmouth is a par-54 18-hole executive course designed by Geoffrey Cornish. It measures from
2,150 to 2,800 yards from five different sets of tee boxes. The course was built in 1962 and has been consistently ranked in the Top 10 executive courses in the country.
From the manicured tee boxes to the meticulously maintained greens, Blue Rock would be an excellent choice if you are looking for a course to work on improving your irons and short game.
The top handicap hole is number, playing at a robust 255 yards from the tips. Hole number 9 is rated one of the Cape’s Top 18 holes, playing 170 yards from the back markers. The hole requires the experienced player to navigate a well-placed tee shot over water to a large, undulating kidney shaped green. Par on this hole is a great score.
For those golfers who prefer to take a cart the course offers an easy walk through pictur-
Blue Rock Golf Course
esque landscaping.
Quaboag Country Club (www.QuaboagCountryClub.com) located in Monson is a splendid 9–hole course with a championship layout and private club conditions. The course offers sweet views and was ranked a 9 out of 10 by the Worcester Telegram & Gazette golf review. The second hole is a 215-yard par-three and the next hole is a very demanding, 440-yard par-four. The seventh, a 255-yard par-four, can be reached from the tee by big hitters. There’s a fully stocked pro shop, full service restaurant, and golfers lounge.
Greenock Country Club (www.GreenockCC.com) in Lee was established as one of America’s first courses, dating back to 1895. Redesigned in 1927 by the legendary golf architect Donald Ross, the 9-hole course has stood the test of time, a masterpiece of craftsmanship and original style. The club is located just one mile from exit 2 off Interstate 90, within minutes of the historic town of Stockbridge, and just a few short miles from Tanglewood, the summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. The sixth hole is a riskreward par-five, measuring only 465 yards, but there is water left and right of the green if you are thinking about going for it in two.
Unicorn Golf Course (www.UnicornGC.com) in Stoneham has an interesting history. It was originally designed as an 18-hole private golf course. The layout was crafted by the renowned architects Wayne Stiles and John Van Kleek, and covered portions of the towns of Stoneham and Woburn. In 1972, the town of Stoneham purchased the property within Stoneham and redesigned the course to play as a nine-hole course now known as Unicorn. The course traverses a hilltop piece of
land, with some holes playing out in the open, and others surrounded by huge old oak trees lining the fairways.
While an 18-holer we include Rockland Golf Course (www.RocklandgGC.com) in Rockland because you can be fit it into a busy day with ease, as it contains all par-threes. The course was carved out of a piece of land featuring tall oaks and rock outcroppings lining some fairways. Due to its friendly layout, the course also provides an ideal learning environment for the beginner golfer, while presenting a challenge to even the most skilled player due to the beefy length of some of its holes.
The Blandford Club (413-848-2443) in Blandford is a delightful nine-hole layout nestled in the scenic hills of the western portion of the Commonwealth State. Only 2,722 yards from the tips and playing to a par of 35, this a fun track for all skill levels. The course is one of the oldest in the region, having opened in 1910. It was designed by William Dexter.
Maynard Country Club (www.MaynardCC.com) in Maynard, Ma. offers pleasing atmosphere and a very solid test of golf, with the course playing more difficult than its overall yardage of 2,783 yards suggests. The ninth hole is a 280-yard par-four and has a green that can be reached off the tee by longballers.
The Stoneham Oaks Golf Course (www.StonehamOaks.com) in Stoneham is a par-3 executive course open to the public that was established in 1994 and is owned by the Town of Stoneham. Located right off the I-93 highway and only eight miles North of the heart of Boston it is in the perfect location for commuters traveling from around the Boston
area to grab a quick nine holes of golf. Featuring a 1,125 yard course Stoneham Oaks recently, has undergone a change of management and is now being operated and maintained by Sterling Golf Management. The course, while short in length, provides golfers with unique challenges and beautiful greens which run true to form. The short length of the course creates the perfect opportunity for players of all ages and abilities to be able to enjoy the course and work on their short-games.
Bedrock Golf Club (www.BedrockGolfClub.com) in Rutland is a privately owned, challenging, nine-hole, par36 golf course operated by the Carr Family. Former PGA Tour Professional and current PGA of America member Joe Carr has served as Bedrock’s Golf Professional since the club’s
inception on May 23, 1992. The amenities offered include a scenic course carved through the Rutland woods, fully stocked pro shop, practice putting green, motorized carts, pull carts, tournament schedule and the “Back Nine Pub”, a full service bar and grille. Bedrock is located 10 miles west of Worcester. The well manicured course weaves through woodlands and measures 3,443 yards from the longest tees. The course was designed by Bill Greene and Joe Carr.
South Shore Golf Club in Kingston (www. Southshorevillageri.com), Rhode Island is a 9-hole, par-35 layout and the first new course the Ocean State has seen in over 10 years. There are five sets of tees tipping out at 3,047 yards and working down to 2,058 yards. In a twist unique to Rhode Island golf courses and a rarity across the rest of the country, the layout can also be played as a par-27 with every hole having a par-3 tee.
Four miles from acclaimed Rhode Island beaches, the layout meanders through a coastal forest never coming close enough to homes for the layout to feel tight or claustrophobic.
Notable holes include the par-3 seventh with its wild two-tiered green, the beefy par-4 fourth with its angled, elevated putting surface guarded by multiple bunkers as well as the par-5 sixth with its double dogleg fairway and natural rock outcroppings.
There is also one of the finest practice facilities in the area with a driving range that has a 30,000-square-foot grass teeing area along with a chipping green, practice bunker and putting green.
Kings Crossing Golf Club (www.KingsCrossingGolfClub.com) in North Kingston was originally designed by renowned golf architect, Geoffrey Cornish and opened in 1964. From the beginning of the round players will find an unexpectedly meandering and flowing landscape with holes that offer variety, aesthetic charm and flexibility. The course is uniquely laid out to allow players to enjoy a round of 4 holes…which we call the “shorty”, a solid 9-hole test or, with a truly flexible tee marker system, 18 holes that provide enough variety to challenge all abilities. The greens are softly moving and fair, while the bunkering on the course bring a classic style to the eye. Another characteristic of Kings Crossing is playability.
Pinecrest Golf Club (www.PinecrestRI.com) in Carolina is a sweet nine-hole course. The layout is kept in splendid condition, and the routing is fun and challenging at the same time. While not overly long, Pinecrest is fairly tight and has several doglegs and uphill shots that complicate navigation.
Rose Hill Golf Club (401-798-1088) in South Kingstown is a par-three layout in that has holes ranging from 118 to 218 yards. You can play nine in an hour and 18 in perhaps less than two hours. The course is well maintained. Three holes, the second, fourth and fifth, play
across water and test your nerves.
The owners and management at Coventry Pines Golf Course (www.CoventryPines.com) in Coventry have invested dollars and labor into refurbishing their nine-hole course. Coventry Pines is a little tester, measuring 3,170 yards. Two of the toughest holes are back to back, the 408-yard par-four fifth and the 520-yard par-five sixth. The latter is listed as the course’s number one handicap hole.
Midville Golf Club (www.MidvilleGolfClub.com) in West Warwick is a sweet nine-hole course. Ownership and the superintendent place a premium on superb playing conditions. The layout measures just under 3,000 yards from the tips, and there are several par-fours that are almost reachable off the tee by big hitters. The number one handicap hole is the 6th, a par-five that measures 535 yards.
www.FreeGolf.net
There are multiple ways to move the putter to create a stroke. I like to get my golfers to create a stroke that is as simple as possible. Of all the motions in golf, full swing, pitching, chipping, bunker shots etc. the putting stroke should be the most simple motion from a mechanical basis. Like every aspect of golf, you can find great golfers that have their way swinging a golf club. So this piece and the video are a preference of mine and I have had a lot of success with folks having them use this as the engine of their stroke.
• You can use your wrists to flick the putter back and through.
• Your arms can move the putter back and through.
• You can rotate the middle third of your body to create a motion.
In my opinion, the above options are choices to move the putter however each of them will introduce a lot of variety from one putt to the next. Moving your hands/wrists, or arms independent of your body will be quite different from one swing to the next because your hands, wrist and arms are very versatile. Versatility in some parts of life is great, “It’s the Spice of Life” However, versatility is also the opposite of consistent.
In my opinion and based on the success that I have had the shoulder blades are the optimal way to move the putter both back and through. Watch the video and try it out yourself. If you give it a little practice, I think you will both simplify the stroke and improve your putting stroke.
Springtime. New life sprouts from the earth. Time to awaken your dormant potential and watch your game bloom! In this season of growth, let’s dig into the core of your swing and redefine that first move of your backswing to get you MORE distance. What should it feel like? Here’s a way to zoom in on a new feeling that will knock your socks off with results.
Sue Kaffenburgh, PGA/LPGA
Bayberry Hills Golf Course, Yarmouth, MA.
www.GolfLessonsCapeCod.com
SusiePGA@comcast.net
508-364-GOLF (4653)
That’s right, start by raiding your sock drawer, seeking the biggest pair! You can even bundle multiple socks together to make a big, round clump! You’re going to press that clump of socks into your gut, right above your belly button. Use your hands to keep the clump of socks in place while you get in golf posture. Take a firm stance and focus on the spot where the socks are connected to your body. Allow the socks to turn to the right (RH) while maintaining connection to the front of your body. Repeat this feeling of pure turning while keeping BOTH feet on the ground. Don’t complicate this by introducing weight shift! This is the secret starting sauce to a powerful swing that will give you that extra distance you are searching for. Move the connected socks first! Watch the move in a mirror so you can connect the feeling of “socks first” to the picture of you moving your core where the socks are pressing.
By Sue Kaffenburg
Your backswing from last year probably started with arms first and had multiple verbal triggers for moves you had to try to memorize and sequence. That’s cumbersome and ineffective! With the sock turn as your “first domino,” you’ll get other necessary body movements for free! Did you notice what else moved for free without you needing a verbal trigger? Move the socks and the Shoulders turn automatically. Notice they turn on a tilted angle, with the lead shoulder (left for RH) moving downward, not parallel to the ground. Aha, that contributes to more degrees of shoulder rotation which produces power! Hips move automatically. Aha, notice how they follow the lead of the socks, achieving more rotating than you’ve ever had before. Legs move automatically. Notice how your movement is more centered on the ball and swaying is minimized, resulting in more consistent hits. Remember to watch all your new parts move in a mirror so you have a picture in your mind’s eye that matches that new feel. Repeat until it’s second nature…then go hit balls on the range!
Letting your “sock” core initiate your backswing ensures increased rotation, system wide, for the power you’ve always wished for. Your accuracy will improve, too! Your gut was always telling you to pay attention…imagine a neon sign on that part of your body that reminds you of your new backswing feeling… move it, move it move it! Sock it to me!
Enjoy 27 holes of golf with spectacular mountain views. Golf Packages available.
The Epson Tour will return to Connecticut in 2024, playing the second edition of the Hartford HealthCare Women’s Championship. The Official Qualifying Tour of the LPGA will make their 12th stop of the season at Sacred Heart University’s Great River Golf Club in Milford, Connecticut from July 8-14, 2024.
“We are so proud to bring back to Connecticut the Hartford HealthCare Women’s Championship – the Official Qualifying Tour of the LPGA,” said Karen Goyette, Hartford HealthCare’s Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer. “This partnership clearly aligns with our vision and our commitment to engaging with our community while investing in and empowering future women leaders. As a health care leader, and someone who loves the game of golf, I believe in the shared vision of these two organizations and we are honored to support young women on their path to excellence.”
“We are thrilled to return to Connecticut for the 2024 Hartford HealthCare Women’s Championship,” said the Epson Tour’s Chief Business and Operating Officer, Jody Brothers. “Sacred Heart’s Great River Golf Club tested our athletes in the inaugural playing and will continue to prepare them to achieve their dreams of playing on the LPGA Tour. I don’t know if we can repeat the drama of a sevenhole playoff, but I am sure the tournament will captivate the strong Connecticut Golfing
Community.”
The 144-player field will compete for an elevated purse of $225,000 in 2024, a 12.5 percent increase from 2023. With four of the top five players from the 2023 leaderboard heading to the LPGA this season, the 2024 Hartford HealthCare Women’s Championship will see many new faces in the field. However, one big name returns with Jenny Bae teeing it up to defend her title. The 2023 Hartford HealthCare Women’s Championship was only Bae’s second start on the Epson Tour and her first professional win.
“I’m excited to come back and compete,” said Bae. “I feel confident in my course knowledge of Great River, however every player in the field is strong and has a chance to win each week. The Epson Tour is a great path the to LPGA TOUR.”
Tickets are on sale now, with general admission starting at $15 and all proceeds going to the First Tee of Connecticut. From Mark Moriarty, the First Tee of Connecticut’s Executive Director, “First Tee – Connecticut is extremely grateful to partner with the Epson Tour’s Hartford Healthcare Women’s Championship. Proceeds from ticket sales donated to First Tee – Connecticut will go directly to offset costs associated with our youth development programs across the state. With 20 Epson Tour players in the field at last year’s Championship graduating to the LPGA, these top players serve as fabulous role models for younger generations. As girls’ golf programs and clinics at First Tee – Connecticut continue to multiply with demand, it’s inspirational for these girls to interact with the Epson Tour players at the Hartford Healthcare Women’s Championship event and further their own dreams to play golf at a competitive or professional level. “
On Saturday July 13th, Connecticut Dads are encouraged to bring their daughter(s) to the course for a special day. Dad’s and their daughter (s) will receive a voucher to Lyman Orchard Apple Course, a tournament hat and all you can eat ice cream.
Children are free for all tournament days. Additionally, the tournament is looking for locals to volunteer their time. More information can be found at www.HHCWomensChamp.com.
While the skyrocketing growth of Pickleball is hard to quantify today, players from all walks of life and at every age are now playing the game, and many of the world’s most popular athletes and celebrities, such as Lebron James, Kevin Durant, Tom Brady, Patrick Mahomes and Drew Brees, play the game and have assumed ownership stakes in professional teams that compete in Major League Pickleball.
Pickleball is an exciting sport that combines elements of Tennis, Badminton, and Ping Pong, and the recent growth numbers are staggering. Participation is not only surging, but the business side of pick leball is exploding, with TV rights deals, player salaries, endorsements, equipment innovation, and facility development, among other sectors.
Moreover, the intersection of golf and pick leball is real, and as the popularity of the sport continues to rise, country clubs and golf resorts, as well as local municipalities across the country are building new courts and retrofitting tennis courts in record numbers. Additionally, based on consumer demand, pickleball programming for all ages and levels is being integrated into the line-up of racquet sports activities to comple ment golf programs.
The 71st PGA Show, which took place at Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL (Jan 24-26) brought together 30,000 golf industry professionals from 84 countries and all 50 U.S. states, including more than 7,000 PGA of America Golf Professionals. This year, Pickleball enjoyed an expanded presence at the Show, highlighted by two full-size courts on the exhibit hall floor. Sketchers and Selkirk Sport, both leading brands at the forefront of Pickleball’s growth, hosted a series of exhibition matches and clinics with professional Pickleball players and brand ambassadors.
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-inone 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 lowhandicappers 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
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.
The club is also known as one of the
best priced courses for the value in New England, with a caring staff, and a proactive membership program, including a “fun” tournament event calendar.
Acquired by Sterling Golf Management in 2018, Crystal Lake Golf Club continues to provide guests and members with
a unique and affordable golf experience.
Situated near Crystal Lake, the course features a multitude of challenging yet approachable holes for all types of players. Take the fifth for instance. The par-five plays around 500 yards from the tips and bends ever so softly to the right, which makes going for the green in two shots risky.
The 18th is a very reachable-in-two 448-yard par five where birdie, or perhaps even an eagle, can really bring your round to a delightful conclusion.
www.CrystalLake-Golf.com
Gillette Ridge Golf Club in Bloomfield, Ct. stands as a tribute to the traditions and challenges of golf, and is considered one of Palmer Course Design Company’s best creations.
As you journey through Gillette Ridge, you’ll appreciate its natural beauty and a dynamic layout. The course will challenge and excite you as you maneuver through a variety of terrain; treelined fairways, spectacular carries, and several natural obstacles.
Gillette Ridge was named to honor Francis Gillette, a local 19th century reformer, politician and business leader, whose house still stands on the site. The course features elevation changes and mature trees.
Gillette Ridge closed briefly and fell into a state of disrepair several years ago due to management problems.
Century Golf has addressed many issues and refurbished much of the golf course, as well as the clubhouse. A main issue
Twas with course’s the bunkers. A design team fixed bunkers, coring them out, fixing drainage issues and filling them in with all new sand. All 21 greens (including practice greens) on the property were redone. In addition new forward tee boxes were added. The clubhouse got a new carpet, new paint, new televisions, and new tables for the restaurant.
Gillette Ridge has had a bit of a reputation as being a very difficult golf course that caters to the better player. But the own-
ers’ new goal has been to keep the course challenging, while adjusting it to accommodate all levels of player without compromising the original intent of the design.
There are four sets of tees at Gillette Ridge, making the course play anywhere from 7,191 yards at the tips to 5,582 from the forward markers. The course has been given a slope of 135 and a rating of slightly over 74 from the back markers. Play up if it’s your first time, you’ll enjoy your round to a far greater degree.
The eleventh hole is the course’s signature. The tee box affords a view of the Heublein Tower in the distance, and the 505-yard, par-five winds down to a peninsula green. This is a true risk-reward hole as a long drive will leave the player with an opportunity to go for the green in two. But a pond guards the right side of the putting surface all the way to the green, and long is bad. www.GilletteRidgeGolf.com
he Ranch Golf Club in Southwick, Ma. has gained a reputation as one of the elite daily fee clubs in the region for good reason. Management takes great efforts in making a visit an extremely pleasurable, stress-free experience offers some of the most sublime views of fall foliage in all of southern New England.
The golf course layout climbs up and down steeps hills as you amble your way along fairways lined by mature woodlands. And there are valley holes, where the fescue grows high in the warm weather months and foliage around wetlands turns various gorgeous hues during the fall.
.The Ranch is a thoroughly enjoyable routing, challenging yet playable for all golfers because of several sets of tees. The layout is a mix of open and woodland holes, plays 7,175 yards from the tips, and has a rating of 75.4 and a slope of 143 from the back markers.
While difficult, you can score at The Ranch, as long as you hit the ball straight off the tee and don’t get too greedy on approach shots to the undulating greens, which are usually well protected by sand, water or rough.
The 441-yard par-four fourth is one of the prettiest holes on the course. It starts with
a carry across a small ravine to a fairway that flows up toward the green. The hole is framed by tall pines and guarded by fairway and greenside bunkers.
The 540-yard par-five ninth and 618-yard par-five 16th play dramatically downhill and afford those 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 putting surface.
www.TheRanchGolfClub.com
The Captains Golf Course in Brewster, Ma. features two very distinct 18-hole layouts. The Captains’ Port Course plays to a yardage of 6,724 yards from the tips and has a slope of 131 and a rating above its posted par of 72. So, it’s no pushover. One of the best holes on the Port Course is the beefy 573-yard, par-five eighth. There is a pond that guards the putting surface and several large fairway bunkers are placed along the hole to make precision on the drive and layup a prerequisite to making birdie or par.
The Captains’ Starboard Course plays a tad longer than the Port Course, around 6,800 yards, and has a slope of 122. Most players who tackle both tracks say the Starboard Course it also a bit more player friendly than its sister layout, with wider fairways, large greens, and fewer bunkers than the Port Course, which makes it more suitable for mid- and higher handicap players. But we are here to tell you that it isn’t a pushover either. The course’s 18th is a great finishing hole, a challenging 534-yard par-five that can be reached in two by big hitters. But the smarter play is two strong shots followed by a wedge into the green.
The conditioning on both course, which have very affordable greens fees, is always excellent at all times of the year, the golf is challenging but
approachable for players of all abilities, there are two practice greens and a driving range, a restaurant, a friendly staff that is available for lessons, and a fully-stocked pro shop. Indeed, what more could locals and visitors to this special section of New England want in a daily fee golf club.
www.CaptainsGolfCourse.com.
Dennis Highlands Golf Course in Dennis, Ma. is a perfect start to a golf vacation on Cape Cod.
The Highlands tends to be forgiving off the tee, but don’t get too comfortable around the greens, as the rolling terrain requires focus and concentration on tee shots and approaches to the greens. Dennis Highlands is situated on 175 acres of pine and oak forest on the north side of Dennis.
Designed by Jack Kidwell and Mike Hardpan and opened for play in 1984, Dennis Highlands is considered by some to be one of the “crown jewels” in the traditional list of fine Cape Cod golf courses. It boasts a spectacular practice range and a visually enjoyable golf experience.
The Pines Course is a bit more dramatic and challenging than the Highlands, with pine groves squeezing the fairways, putting a premium on more accurate shot-making.
The Golf Committee for the Town of Dennis, Massachusetts approved a Comprehensive Enhancement Plan
developed with noted golf architect, Robert McNeil, for far-reaching improvements at Dennis Highlands Golf Course and its sister course, Dennis Pines. The improvements will include all new bunkering, new tees, cart path revisions, drainage, tree management, and fairway recontouring.
www.DennisGolf.com
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 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.
adults in the room but Juniors as well.
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
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
BDining 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
lue Fox Run Golf Course in Avon, Ct. offers 27 holes of great daily fee golf, and there is never any hassle getting a tee time with three nines to choose from.
Blue Fox became a 27-hole layout several years ago. Five of the new holes are on the White Course and the other four on the Red Course. The unchanged former back nine is the Blue Course.
The new 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 500-yard 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, you may be left with an opportunity to go for the large, oblong green in two.
Blue Fox is a course where you can air it out with driver on most holes, especially on the Red and White nines. The Blue Course, which has nine of the “old” holes, is a tad more stringent, especially over its last four or five holes, one of which is an island green, the 17th.
The 201-yard seventh hole on the Red Course is as good a par-three as you can get in the area. There’s a pond that guards the right side of the green and bunkers scattered around the putting surface.
The club had earlier given its Blue Course a facelift, as well as most holes that existed on the White and Red courses, in the form of new bunkering and a bit of tinkering with several greens and tee boxes.
www.BlueFoxEnt.com
The par-five 18th at Blackstone National Golf Club in Sutton. Ma, is a favorite for anyone who has played it. The hole measures just 485 yards from the tips, but it’s loaded with all kinds of trouble if you wander.
The tee shot must be true to find a landing area protected by wetlands and woods. Big hitters can reach the putting surface in two shots after a strong drive, but the approach is uphill and there are a number of deep bunkers guarding the putting surface. The smart play is to lay up in front of the green and knock the ball onto the putting surface with a wedge.
of the Bay State.
The 18th is a solid finisher and just one indication of the thoughtful approach Rees Jones put into the layout. The course is tucked into the wooded countryside of the Blackstone Valley area of southeastern part
One of the sweetest aspects of the track is that while it is challenging for the best players, Jones incorporated only a few forced carries, which makes it playable for mid- and even high-handicappers. Ample fairways allow a player to stay in the hole
even after a less than perfect tee shot. There is bunkering guarding the rather large greens, so it is important to choose the proper club to find the target.
Blackstone National, which can stretch to almost 7,000 yards from the tips and plays to a par of 72, has some superb short holes that are also visually enticing. One of the most stunning parthrees on the layout is the 173-yard 11th, which demands a tee shot over a small pond. It shouldn’t be difficult to find the green. But any pulled tee shot may find the wet stuff. www.BNGC.net
When the pandemic first hit, many foresaw a difficult path for golf. With the worst of that behind us we can reflect that the opposite was the case.
The numbers playing golf has increased and Scotland has shown particularly positive signs in terms of participation. And the golf tourism bounce-back.
While it may not be a result of this growth, the development of new courses in Scotland has certainly picked up the pace with three big developments underway (Trump Aberdeen, the Jack Nicklaus Stonehaven project and a Tom Doak course at Cabot Highlands) and more in the pipeline.
The Coul Links, not far from Royal Dornoch, looks like a possibility once again while Machrihanish Dunes is looking at a second course and a new hotel. These all emphasise the destination that Scotland has become and the level of golf and luxury that travellers desire. These new courses will not appear in this guide – not yet, at least –but our 2024 guide does include 100 exceptional courses*. Some are clustered together to the point they run into each other, while others sit miles from anywhere, clinging to a peninsula or tucked away on the islands that sprinkle the coastline like confetti.
Rich pickings are to be had and your toughest decision will be choosing where to start. Scotland boasts six excellent golfing regions. I have my favourites, just like any
golfer, but wherever I’ve played I have always been thrilled by the courses this country has to offer – indeed, many of them don’t even appear in this Top 100, emphasising the country’s quality in depth. Scotland is not only about golf. It is a stunningly beautiful place to spend time and explore, and it boasts a proud and rich history… and even richer whisky. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to combine all of these on one visit and sometimes on one course, so use this guide to map out the perfect golf trip. The people of Scotland will welcome you with open arms.
Click to view Scotland’s Top 100 Courses: https://joom.ag/PlAd EDITORS CHOICES 2024:
South West / Ayrshire: Irvine – Western Gailes – Kilmarnock Barassie – Prestwick.
Islay: Machrie.
Perthshire & Hearthlands: The Dukes –Dumbarnie – Montrose – Forfar.
South East / East Lothian: Royal Musselburgh – Glen – Longniddry.
North East / Aberdeen: Trump International Aberdeen – Murcar.
Highlands / Inverness: Muir of Ord –James Braid Trail – Highlands Golf Escapes.
To view all of our Golf Guides, visit: www.destinationgolf.travel
Kevin Markham – Scotland Editor. Destination Golf Media Ltd.
The Argentario Golf & Wellness Resort, a 5-star destination in the Maremma, is offering tempting Tuscan fare alongside championship golf with its ‘Farm to Table’ Half Board Package, with prices starting at $449 for two people per night.
The half board option, which includes a daily 4-course dinner and buffet breakfast, gives golfers the chance to embark on a gastronomic journey that places emphasis on local cuisine made with organic produce from the Resort’s own vegetable garden and orchard, plus carefully selected seasonal specialities from local farms in the Maremma region. Many of the dishes, created by the Resort’s award-winning chef Emiliano Lombardelli, are unique to the Argentario kitchen, which prides itself on producing delicious, healthy dishes accompanied by wine from the region.
Golfers can enjoy 18 holes over the par 71, 6,218 metre course that features a front nine that weaves in and out of natural Mediterranean vegetation and ancient olive groves on the inward nine holes. Testament to its quality and its facilities, Argentario joined The PGA’s growing list of exceptional branded resorts as the ‘PGA National Italy’ in 2019 and earlier this year it was announced that the golf club would host the Italian Open on the DP World Tour in 2025.
In the evening, guests can indulge in Emiliano’s delicious dishes at the stylish Club
House Restaurant that overlooks the 9th green with views of the Orbetello Lagoon. Here each meal is begun with local homemade bread and the extra virgin spicy olive oil, made from fruit harvested from the ancient olive trees that line the Argentario golf course.
Some of the Club House Restaurant’s mouth-watering plates include traditional Roman pinsa with cured ham and organic mozzarella and roasted octopus as an antipasto, followed by pastas such as homemade green ravioli filled with pink shrimps in Mediterranean sauce and tortelli filled with ricotta cheese and chard in ragu Maremma style.
For the second course, one of the standout dishes is braised veal cheek in wine sauce accompanied by celery root. The gastronomic experience concludes with a choice of homemade desserts such as the Club House tiramisu.
“Our menus change in line with the seasons and according to the vegetables and aromatic herbs harvested in our vegetable garden. At Easter, for example, we will have asparagus, artichokes, courgettes and various types of aubergines that are paired with all our Mediterranean aromatic herbs including basil, thyme, parsley, sage and marjoram.
The package also includes an element of wellbeing as all guests have access to the 2,700 metre square spa and all its services and facilities, as well as the use of the golf driving
range, padel and tennis courts, mini football pitch and jogging paths around the property,
For those seeking an alternative dining option outside the Half Board package, the Resort is also home to the Dama Dama Restaurant. This fine-dining haven celebrates the fusion of traditional local ingredients with premium international products, including the likes of Tahitian vanilla and Sichuan pepper. Each dish is carefully presented in a creative and modern fashion, ensuring that the dining experience at the Dama Dama is a captivating journey through both the local terroir and cuisine; a sensory experience that excites the palate and takes you to the heart of gastronomic delight.
Argentario is the first 5-star Resort in Italy and one of the few Golf Resorts in Europe to belong to the golf portfolio of the largest and most prestigious hospitality group in the world, the Marriott International group. As a member of Marriott Bonvoy, guests benefit from a loyalty program that allows all travellers to collect points and transform them into benefits, free stays and much more.
Argentario is just 90 minutes by car from Rome Fiumicino Airport and two hours from Rome Ciampino Airport.
To book a Tuscan vacation, call the Resort on t: +39 0564 810292 or email: booking@argentarioresort.it
www.ArgenrarioResort.It.En
With Spring in the air, one of England’s most complete golf destinations, Brocket Hall, has launched a selection of ‘stay & play’ golf packages for the 2024 season. The packages give golfers the option of playing one or two rounds of golf, choosing from the Melbourne and Palmerston courses, and the opportunity to stay overnight in the historic Melbourne Lodge. A full Traditional English breakfast, taken in The Melbourne Club, is of course included in all the packages with one-round, one-night packages starting from just (US$236) per person.
Lunch, before or after golf, and supper are additional and can be taken in the The Melbourne Club or the acclaimed fine-dining restaurant, Auberge du Lac, both conveniently located on the Hertfordshire estate. For those staying longer, there are further dining options at three excellent local pubs that offer food and refreshment within easy driving and walking distance of the estate.
“We are now fully geared up again to host visitors at Brocket Hall so we are looking forward to welcoming golfers to the estate. In addition to playing golf over our two parkland courses, the charm of the property’s characterful old buildings, the extensive picturesque grounds and the excellent food and wine at the Auberge du Lac make a ‘stay & play’ getaway here a really pleasurable and unforgettable experience,” comments Michael Longshaw,
Managing Director at Brocket Hall.
Opened in 1992, the golf club boasts two of England’s most picturesque courses, both appropriately named after two notable Prime Ministers who once resided at Brocket Hall, Lord Palmerston and Lord Melbourne. Both are quintessentially British by design, but at the same time offer a completely different challenge for golfers of all abilities.
The par 72 Melbourne Course, designed by former Ryder Cup golfers Clive Clark and Peter Alliss, was opened in 1992 whilst the more technically-demanding Palmerston Course, created by Donald Steel alongside Martin Ebert who managed the design detail and construction, was fully open in 2000.
With its stunning views over the property’s glorious stately home and lake which is straddled by a magnificent bridge, the Melbourne guarantees visitors a highly-enjoyable and memorable day. It crosses the River Lea on four occasions as it follows the natural contours of the estate grounds before finishing in front of the Hall after a short ferry ride to the 18th green.
In contrast the par 73 Palmerston suits golfers looking for a more strategic, challenging round of golf. Unlike the Melbourne, this tree-lined track does not feature the river at all. Instead, it meanders around the Capability Brown-inspired woodland of rare hornbeam, Scots and Corsican Pine, monkey puzzle and 500-year-old oak trees that create some spectacular hazards alongside the fiendishly-placed
bunkers and large undulating greens that ensure a true test of golf.
The golf club is in a massively advantageous position to other Hertfordshire courses as its two courses are generally open 365 days per year.
The history of the Brocket Hall is both complex and enchanting. The neo-classical stately home, established in 1760 and now available for exclusive hire, looks out over the Melbourne Course, a magnificent ornamental lake the iconic Paine Bridge which forms an integral part of the layout whilst the rest of the estate grounds and buildings are a delight to wander around.
Details of the ‘Stay & Play’ packages are:
From Monday to Thursday
• 1 Night & 1 Round – From $236 pp
• 1 Night & 2 Rounds – From $354 pp
• Friday to Sunday
• 1 Night & 1 Round – From $273 pp
• 1 Night & 2 Rounds – From $428 pp
• 1 Night & 2 Rounds (Sunday Driver) –From $350 pp
For further information, please see www.brocket-hall.co.uk or for stay & play packages, please email golfevents@brocket-hall.co.uk or call +44 (0)1707 368700.
If you are looking for that European Golf Vacation and not where to start??? Read on.
CHASEGOLF was founded by Fanny and Joey Chase who met on the magical island of Bermuda 15 years ago. At the time Fanny was working at the Pompano Beach Club and Joey was renovating Port Royal Golf Course, a PGA Championship venue. Today, they bring a long-standing savoir-faire within the golf, travel, and hospitality industries in different capacities. Their experience in the field includes working at top luxury hotels, premier golf courses, travel agencies, and organizing major golf tournaments with golf institutions.
It is a golf tour, but they know it is so much more. At CHASEGOLF, they know it so much more than just a golf tour. They go
out of there way to combine the best golf and travel experiences on & off the greens in the British Isles and Continental Europe. Each trip is custom-made upon our clients’ preferences and requirements so they can relax and enjoy a stress-free vacation. We are masters at creating the best off-thebeaten-path adventures and love crafting atypical itineraries for couples, friends, and families, whether our clients are golfers or non-golfers.
They have been known to pour their hearts and souls into creating the most beautiful itineraries where every detail counts and everyone joining is excited. Visiting family in Italy and want to play some golf? We will organize it all, from transfers to hotels, from private sightseeing day trips to food and wine tours, from beach days to playing golf at the top courses in the country.
CHASEGOLF’s destinations include Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands (The), Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom (England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland). Trip arrangement services require a 5-night minimum stay.
Fanny Chase is a Certified Travel Coach by the International Coaching Federation (ICF) through the Travel Coach Network and a Certified Travel Associate (CTA) by the Travel Institute. CHASEGOLF is also a proud member of the IAGTO, the International Association of Golf Tour Operators.
To connect with Fanny Chase: info@chasegolftravel.com
www.ChaseGolfTravel.com
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