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Introduction

Such was my rhetorical reply when a college classmate in Boston during the late 1960s invited me to visit his hometown, Stockbridge, for a long winter weekend. The highlight of those three transformative days was a house party at the home of the “first family” of south county, the Fitzpatrick’s (then, recent new owners of the historic Red Lion Inn). Hosted by their two young adult daughters (Ann and Nancy), my new path in life had begun. Little did I know at the time the impact this introduction to the captivating Berkshires would have on my life over the next half-century. Early last September I had the serendipitous opportunity of meeting David Lihn in Great Barrington during his annual autumn drive through the Berkshires. During an afternoon chat over tea (me) and an ice cream cone (him), I invited him to visit the “sacrosanct” Stockbridge Golf Club, of which I am Past President. He was both impressed by the course and quite surprised that a wandering New Yorker could play here – and, indeed, throughout Berkshire County! Then a collective idea was born: announce to the public the Berkshires are, indeed, a viable and superb golf – and all-season – destination. The Berkshires (all year-round, as David points out) from Stockbridge to Lenox to Williamstown – has the “panache”: • elegant golf courses available six+ months a year • excellent, accessible location • an abundance of luxury resorts, high-end hotels and B&Bs • great value • a plethora of outstanding cultural attractions (Tanglewood, Norman Rockwell Museum, The Clark, etc.) • museums, art galleries, dance, theatre • spas (Canyon Ranch, Kripalu) • skiing • wedding venues

• hiking, cycling, sailing Lihn’s Berkshires Golf & Lifestyle Guide 2013 will instill in you the feel of a remarkably diverse and cultured area that has maintained its quaintness while harvesting, over the years, an elegance and sophistication found in nearby urban areas of New York City and Boston. In this Guide, David and his Berkshire team bring this proximate paradise to literal life: one can experience a diverse range of services and experiences with an ease that suits the country style of the region. Along the way, you will encounter the array of personalities that makes this area so special – and spot a famous face at the market or antique shopping. Evolving technology platforms in the late 1990s allowed me to transfer my professional life from

Wall Street in New York City to Alford, Massachusetts along with segueing into a second career in local real estate. In the ensuing years, I have been privileged to experience, along with my Berkshire native wife Paula, so much of what this region offers. It has been a transforming life experience. The Berkshires are now home. Classmate, Bob: thanks for the ticket. I have loved the ride! Thomas K. Doyle, Sr. President, 2008-11 Stockbridge Golf Club

Lihn’s Berkshires Golf & Lifestyle Guide 2013

ubba Watso oyle with B D . K as Thom

Publisher’s Letter

I David Lihn Publisher /Author

Kineeya Somsuan Director of Operations

Richard Lord Features and Copy Editor

Warathron Nimcharoenwan Editorial Assistant

Noelia Cruz Art Director

Jennifer Civello Dom Dastoli Lisa Light Richard Lord Steve Magargal Contributing Writers

Melanie Stengel Contributing Photographer

t was a labor of sheer love and passion. Tanglewood, Shakespeare, The Mount, the Red Lion Inn, dinner at Blantyre, theaters, golf in the mountains, the ski slopes, a spa (ahhh…) and country museums blending culture (The Clark – divine) and charm (Norman Rockwell). I have been visiting the Berkshires for many decades and the opportunity to extol and herald the region was irresistible. The locals like it tucked away. It is too resplendent not to share. Up and down the county from Williamstown to Lenox to Lee to Stockbridge (and some antique shopping in Sheffield), I enjoyed the seasonal visits as I have for decades. Sophisticated, yet pastoral; cultivated, but whimsical; formal but laid-back – the Berkshires offer a cornucopia of buoyant attractions, events and vacationing opportunities. Boating, tennis, a baseball game, biking, trekking, aerial parks, driving ranges, and mini-golf. And weddings! (how many did I pass?) All only hours away by car! Put the urban screams behind you and follow the Housatonic River all around the county.

Sales and Advertising

Kineeya Somsuan Marketing and Distribution

Tom Doyle Factotum

Qualprint / Quality Printing Company, Inc. 3 Federico Drive, Pittsfield, MA 01201 TEL: 800-547-7468 FAX: 888-883-2948 www.qualprint.com Lihn’s Berkshire Golf & Lifestyle Guide 2013 is published annually by LGG (USA), LLC www.lihnsgolfguide.com info@lihnsgolf.com All contents Copyright © 2013 by LGG (USA), LLC. All rights reserved. The production or use, in whole or in part, of any contents of this magazine without prior written permission of the publisher is strictly prohibited. LGG (USA), LLC is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts, photography or artwork.

My gracious and extensive thanks to Tom Doyle, the former president of Stockbridge Golf Club – and the main cheerleader and booster of the Guide – and his supportive wife, Paula, for their insights, inspiration and their hospitality. The cheer they exude is infectious. Richard Lord, the golf writer for the Berkshire Eagle – an avid and proficient golfer – steered me through the fairways and forests and teed up his unique local knowledge for me – and the reader. Indispensable. Thanks for the direction and the prose. Particular thanks to Sarah Eustis, the new Director of Operations at the Red Lion Inn. As I sat at the Blantyre, Ann Fitzpatrick Brown winked and said: “Call her!” A great call. Sarah juggled a zillion chores to reach out to the community and gain further support. She urged, she listened and she helped bring it to fruition. And, finally, the enthusiasm of the golfing community: Stan Paulauskus, the president of Worthington GC (and the king of Burger King); Matt Kelly, the erudite GM of mid-county Donnybrook CC; Mark Mills, whose energy always charges my battery; and the cheerful group at Wahconah GC. I have enjoyed the trip – winter, summer, spring and fall.

Lihn’s Berkshires Golf & Lifestyle Guide 2013

Table of Contents

Introduction / Tom Doyle 7 Publisher Letter / Masthead 9 Map 11 Feature – Stockbridge 12-16 Instruction – Kay McMahon 17 Lifestyle Intro 18 Stockbridge/Lenox/Lee 19 Williamstown 20 Fitness - Tom Cooney 21 Historical Inns – Red Lion Inn 22-23 Blantyre 24-25 Hotels, Inns, B&Bs 26 Museums 28-32 Tanglewood 33 Theaters 34 Spas 35 Weddings 36-37 Skiing – Catamount, Jiminy Peak 38 PRIVATE GOLF COURSES 40 Berkshire Hills CC 41 CC of Pittsfield 42-43 Taconic GC 44-45 Waconah CC 46-47 Waubeeka GL 48-49 Wyantenuck CC 50 DAILY FEE 51 Bas Ridge GC 52 Egremont CC 53 Pontoosuc CC /Skyline CC 54 RESORT and NINE-HOLE 55 Donnybrook CC 56-57 Worthington GC 58-59 Greenock CC 60 Cranwell Resort, Spa & GC / North Adams CC 61 GEAA/Forest Park CC 62

Lihn’s Berkshires Golf & Lifestyle Guide 2013

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Lihnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Berkshires Golf & Lifestyle Guide 2013

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STOCKBRIDGE GOLF CLUB

tockbridge GC is historic, unique – inimitable – and steeped in tradition. With its first nine holes completed in 1895 on a flat meadow east of Church Street, it stands as one of the oldest golf courses in the U.S. In 1897, the first Stockbridge Golf Club Men’s Invitational was held, which makes it, perhaps, the oldest invitational tournament in the country. In 1901, neighborhood land was collegially cobbled together to craft an 18-hole course. The layout was reshaped in 1934 and has remained essentially intact. The Club’s history and archives resonate with antique records, artifacts, and memorabilia – quite a retrospective – including the establishment of a Berkshire County individual championship in 1901 that led to the founding in 1904 of the Allied Golf Clubs of Berkshire County. The annual Women’s Invitational Tournament, which kicked off in 1927, makes it one of the oldest in the U.S. And, still, in time-honored tradition – after all of these years – no tee times.

Lihn’s Berkshires Golf & Lifestyle Guide 2013

“A crisp, engaging, captivating New England aura pervades this courtly, convivial, campestral country club. Stockbridge personifies dignified golf.”

necklace of low-Berkshire mountains cradle this pastoral golf course. Shaded one afternoon by wisps and puffs of cumulous clouds drifting in a resplendent Spring sky, occasional shadows cast fleeting imperfections across the groomed and decorous layout.

A defining, dominant river twists and bends its riparian way throughout this course – like a fan-blown ribbon – in unexpected spasms, arcs and contortions, and impacts half the layout. Casual cable bridges are constant connectors over the intersecting waterway. A bassinet of fairways tuck into arbors of preserved forest. Circular, flat, dart-board greens offer some perilous bulls-eyes. A quintessential, stately church steeple towers behind and above the quaint clubhouse, providing implied benediction to the golfing acolytes. An ancient cemetery rests beyond the 2nd green – a quiet reminder, I think, of the sanctity of existence, the gift of enjoying it, the fallibility of the golf swing, and the true insignificance of that double-bogey. All – this – poised in the protected grace of summer. And, after you have packed your clubs, climb up to Main Street, stroll into town and explore the remarkably preserved New England village so artistically memorialized by Norman Rockwell: the enthralling, charming, photogenic streets of Stockbridge – anchored by handsome, vintage, stonework and Gilded Age architecture; and the iconic, landmark Red Lion Inn.

Lihn’s Berkshires Golf & Lifestyle Guide 2013

STOCKBRIDGE GC

For over 100 years golf has blended effortlessly within the leafy, bosky sanctuary of this venerable, stately countryside. The Housatonic River (“no tonic like the Housatonic!” says one member-wag) defines the Stockbridge GC – for good and for bad. Four wooden bridges offer passage over the sinuous, defining, twisting, dancing River, weaving a tango and partnering with all but six of the fairways and greens. It meanders and switch-backs, twinkles then surges, snarling and irksome, it’s affectionate and coy – often an adorable snapshot. This 6,567-yard, par-71 (one par 5 inward) out-and-back course (although you can load up on another sleeve of golf balls after the 15th green) is the flattest in the

county. The neighboring mountains add framing, not elevation. Bridges carry you, few bunkers impede. The lawns are lovely and the breezes forthcoming. The playful par-3s are a highlight as are the lush fairways, tiny greens and the ubiquitous river. I toured the 18-holes with two veterans of Berkshire golf: Tom Doyle, a past president of the SGC, local businessman, impressive homeowner, and the Club’s persistent cheerleader; and Richard Lord, an avid and proficient golfer, who is also a respected golf chronicler, local golf historian, and the golf writer and a news editor of the Berkshire Eagle. Forgive the sesquipedalian prose, but when these two start musing on golf, well… insight, wisdom and garrulous joy ensue:

Here we go: “This course is a change of pace from the rest of the clubs in the Berkshires,” said Richard Lord, the golf writer and a news editor for the Berkshire Eagle. “It is flat. The yardage is not long, but you must be precise.” “And the greens are small here,”

Lihn’s Berkshires Golf & Lifestyle Guide 2013

chipped in Tom Doyle the former president of the club and dedicated habitué. “Chipping and putting are critical on this course.” “I like the par 3s on the front side,” said Richard. “They are fascinating and difficult.” Indeed they were: the 2nd carries 170 yards to an elevated green with

grass and sand on (and in) the berm at the front of the hill. Both of these accomplished golfers missed the putting surface. A cemetery rests behind it. “Golfers get burned on this hole!” Tom smiled. The 5th is a chip shot barely more than 115 yards across the intersecting Housatonic to a tear-drop (tiny) green that rests on a precipice with severe rough down the front slope. Do not go short (one of them did). Richard likes the 9th green which, like the 2nd is elevated. “This green is angled like the 5th and leans leftto-right, making for a tough putt.” Back over one of the four wooden cable bridges to the 10th (which every member will tell you is the only hole in golf-dom where the same river flows on both sides of the

Lihn’s Berkshires Golf & Lifestyle Guide 2013

fairway!). Tom drove right, Richard’s veered left. The morning sparkled, turned warm and clouds crowded out the blue. “It’s a blessing out here,” mused Tom. “No tee times, no crowds, no noise. Where do you find this kind of golf, Nepal?” he laughed. Richard, from the Rockie Mountains (and firing par early on), concurred. “This is intimate golf.” “The finishing holes here are great,” Richard opined. “The 90-degree angled dogleg is a fun riskreward chance and the long 18th with that little green reminds you that you better have your scoring done by the 16th!” Quiet (the course, not them) and courtly. Gentle and distinctive. It’s a New England lullaby.

STOCKBRIDGE GC Recreational “A Berkshires rarity – a relatively flat course. “Pure New England charm.”

Professional “Old-school golf at its best. This is about accuracy, not distance, and the small greens demand precision approach shots.” “Beware of the Housatonic River. It is omnipresent.”

The Specifics Type: Private Greens Fees: $50 if guest of a member; $90-$120 for unaccompanied guest staying at a local inn that has a referral agreement with the club. Carts: Yes Layout: 18 holes, par 71 Rating/Slope: 6,567 Blue 73.1/130 6,234 White 71.2/126 5,344 Red 72.2/124 (w) Architect: Joseph Franz, 1896 Head pro: Steve Mazzariello

Getting There 6A Main St., Stockbridge, MA (413) 298-3423 www.stockbridgegc.com

Lihn’s Berkshires Golf & Lifestyle Guide 2013

Edukaytion golf There are many reasons Kay McMahon, the owner of the Northeast’s top golf educational company – eduKaytion golf at Cranwell Resort, Spa and Golf Club in Lenox – was inducted into the LPGA Teaching and Club Professional Hall of Fame in 2011. The Minnesota native has been a leader in the LPGA’s teaching division, having served as its president in 1998-99. She’s a successful entrepreneur and promotes golf in the community. That’s all part of the formula that earned McMahon the ultimate recognition of her peers. But what really matters most are her time-tested techniques – including the extensive use of video analysis – that make learning fun while yielding positive results. The always enthusiastic McMahon, a teacher for more than 30 years, has earned a reputation for her ability to help those of all ages, both sexes and all ability levels. And she does it by keeping things uncomplicated – this is golf, not nuclear engineering. “I try to take a seemingly complex swing and try to make it simple,” McMahon said. And if at first she doesn’t succeed, she’ll try different approaches until she finds one her student understands. McMahon, named the LPGA Teaching and Club Professional teacher of the year in 1995 and the Northeast New York PGA Section teacher of the year in 2009, starts by asking her students what they are looking for – “we never change anything they don’t want to change,” says McMahon – and then goes to work. “You have to teach from the point of understanding,” she said. “The golfer needs to understand the swing. Once they do, you give them effective ways to train.” “Kay asks what you want out of a lesson,” said Stu Berkowitz, a golfer in his 50s who went from a 12 handicap to a low single-digit player with her help. “In my case, I wanted a more proficient swing and she catered to what I was looking for. I had been playing a long time and was only getting worse.” And, always, with McMahon it’s about keeping it simple. “Some people are given so many tweaks that it starts to look like a patchwork quilt,” McMahon said. “Their heads get stuck in the gobblygook of golf terminology.” After taking lessons from the Hall of Famer, the golf terminology used by her students usually includes “birdie” and “par” much more often. By Richard Lord

--------

EduKaytiongolf, under the direction of McMahon and director of operations Eloise Trainor, has a staff of teachers and hosts numerous clinics at Cranwell. For more information, go to: www.eduKaytiongolf.com or call (518) 669-1551 (518) 669-1551

Lihn’s Berkshires Golf & Lifestyle Guide 2013

“Williamstown is the premiere serene backdrop for this cultural mecca”

Lihn’s Berkshires Golf & Lifestyle Guide 2013

Williamstown

Inviting. Alluring. Charming. Romantic. Traditional meets contemporary Nestled snuggly within the valley of the Berkshires and the Green Mountain range, Williamstown is situated as an ideal getaway. Steeped in rich cultural attractions and natural beauty, with view of mountain tops, rolling hills and scenic foliage, Williamstown is the premiere serene backdrop for this cultural mecca. Visitors consistently rank us as one of Massachusetts’ favorite small town getaways; you will too. The physical beauty of the town’s landscape is complimented by the vast array of fine and performing art venues. Whether you are viewing the breath-taking collections at the Sterling & Francine Clark Art Institute, Mass MoCA or the Williams College Museum of Art, all world renown for their collections and architectural design, watching a dynamic performance by some of America’s top actors and actresses at the Williamstown Theatre Festival or participating in an engaging lecture at Williams College, you will find yourself surrounded by

Lihn’s Berkshires Golf & Lifestyle Guide 2013

others who truly appreciate the fine and performing arts. A culture that is rooted in prestigious academia, arts and the finer things in life, Williamstown boosts a variety of amenities. The Town’s beautifully preserved downtown offers a delightful array of specialty stores, restaurants, spas and historic inns. Add a full calendar of festivities, shows and special events, and it’s no surprise that so many visitors find Williamstown irresistible. Whether you’re looking to recoup at a luxurious hotel or a quaint bed and breakfast, you’ll easily find something that exceeds your expectations. Our physical landscape is perfect for all of the outdoor recreation that is native to New England. Hiking trails, a visit atop of Mt. Greylock, the highest peak in Massachusetts, skiing, or river activities along the Hoosic River, completes this experience. Surround yourself in the solitude that the environment offers. Breathe in the natural beauty of the region. Savor the richness. We hope that you’ll make our place to live, work and play your place, too. Jennifer Civello

Lenox, Lee, Stockbridge

It’s magic, it’s diverse. Culture in a splendid bucolic setting. Shakespeare, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Martha Graham - all are at home. A short drive from two urban centers, the location, the ambiance and the charm are overpowering. Spas, golf, shopping, fine dining, antiquing, art galleries... Let a local tell it: By Dom Dastoli My affection for Berkshire County golf came flooding back to me recently when I walked into the Golf Channel newsroom and saw someone wearing a fleece with a Berkshire logo on the front. Even now, living 1,200 miles away in golfcrazed Orlando, I wouldn’t trade Berkshire Hills for Bay Hill. I feel fortunate to be working at Golf Channel, and having the opportunity to travel to some of the best courses in the country: places like Cypress Point, Kiawah Island and Pebble Beach. But I can say honestly that those experiences don’t compare to the

days I spent in the Berkshire hills as a junior golfer. I’ll always treasure those endless hours hitting flop shots onto the old practice green near the fence by the pool; the early-morning rounds with the dew leaving a trail of footsteps behind me; the promise of a new day and a good round still in front of me; and the race to finish 10, 17 and 18 before dark, while my Dad waited in the parking lot, his car headlights illuminating the final green. Those times all seem so vivid. It’s only natural that memories from our childhood carry the most sentimental value. And since my days golfing in Berkshire County

pretty much ended as I entered the adult working world, I envy folks who still play in the Berkshires. The county has such a passion for the game. And it’s a year-round obsession, without the comfort of good year-round weather. The 12-handicap golfer who plays through the unending “passing shower” can relate to the retiree who heads to the course in mid-February because temperatures are expected to “balloon” to 40 degrees. I envy that passion, and I miss those experiences. Here’s to playing my next round in the Berkshires sooner rather than later!

Editor’s note: Dom is a producer in the Original Productions department at The Golf Channel. He produced the highly acclaimed documentary “The American Triumvirate” in 2012. He has also has produced the channel’s popular Top-10 series and this year’s Golf ’s Greatest Rounds series. His father is a 40-year-plus member of the PGA of America. Dom played high school golf at Taconic High School in Pittsfield.

Lihn’s Berkshires Golf & Lifestyle Guide 2013

GolfTherapy and Physical By Richard Lord

This generation of players on the PGA Tour have taken fitness to a much higher level than their predecessors. Today’s tour players truly are athletes. Apparently, that point has eluded many of us who play the game for fun and exercise. “Recreational golfers, with the exception of really low-handicap players, haven’t picked up on that, especially in a place like the Berkshires where the season is short,” said Tom Cooney, a recreational golfer and physical therapist with a doctorate in physical therapy. “You can tell today’s tour players are in great shape compared to 25 years ago.” Cooney, 55, who has treated hundreds of golfers, saw first-hand how seriously today’s tour players appreciate conditioning when he visited the tour’s fitness trailer during a tournament. “I asked the therapist which players come into the trailer and he said all of them do before and after their rounds.” When you watch the pros prepare it begins with a series of stretching exercises before they hit a single ball. Then, they start slowly and build up to hitting the big stick. “In the Berkshires, when the weather suddenly turns good, suddenly people are out hitting two buckets of balls,” Cooney said. “Instead, they should stretch out some major muscle groups before starting to hit and slowly work their way up to the driver.” Those who don’t take a measured approach inevitably suffer muscle strains and other injuries, derailing their season in a hurry. “Most golfers don’t

Lihn’s Berkshires Golf & Lifestyle Guide 2013

recognize the wear and tear on the body that the swing’s rotation and twisting can cause,” said Cooney, who is a member of Wahconah CC. “I play racquetball ball, and golf is harder on the body.” “If you don’t have time, at least stretch your legs, which you can do when you are getting your clubs out of the car,” Cooney said. That’s done by putting one leg at a time on the bumper. Poor posture on the course is one of the leading causes of golf-related injuries. Even things as simple as tying your shoes (sitting), carrying your bag (close to your body and using both shoulders), picking up the ball (bend from the waist and hips) and using a pullcart (close to your body) can contribute to injuries. “The study shows that golfers score their best in the middle holes of their rounds. Their worst scores are on the first four holes and last four holes.” Many of Cooney’s patients are between the ages of 60 and 95 who have suffered injuries or are dealing with the inevitable wear and tear on growing older. He loves being able to get them back on the course. “Studies show that exercise and socialization extend life expectancy, and golf hits in both of those areas.” A game for a lifetime, indeed. Berkshire Physical Therapy & Wellness Pittsfield / Dalton, MA www.physicaltherapyschdy.com (413) 447 - 8070 / (413) 684 - 9783

It’s a New England classic. A landmark. The Red Lion Inn has decorated a corner of Main Street for more than 200 years. It is smothered in antiquity, suffused with Yankee charm and cheer, its 125 rooms and suites wonderfully preserved – and it serves as a great anchor to the Gilded Age architecture lining the decorous streets of Stockbridge.

The Inn offers rocking-chair comfort; soothing, holistic fireplace warmth; scrumptious comfort food; antiques in every nook and crooked corner; creaking floorboards … and a transcendent aura. I discovered this quintessential New England town many decades ago on a quiet late-Spring afternoon as I drifted my way north on scenic Route 7, exploring the pastoral countryside. Sure, I had heard about the Norman Rockwellian quaintness and charm, and the glorious puffs of Americana that pervaded this stylish, classic, smalltown Yankee main street. But when I turned the corner and saw the Inn…. well, many, many times – during all of the four seasons – I have returned: • burgeoning blossoms bedizen Main Street in the soft air of early Springtime • Summer street fairs produce painted faces and broad smiles • a riot of autumnal colors coruscate in October and decorate the hilly horizons • while the snow flurries in Winter, comely fireplaces warm hands and offer solace and hospitality. Lihn’s Berkshires Golf & Lifestyle Guide 2013

“It is smothered in antiquity, suffused with Yankee charm and cheer...”

I sat with the effervescent Sarah Eustis, the Director of Business Development and a member of the third generation of Fitzpatrickfamily ownership. With years of high-end, international exposure in the retail worlds of Paris and New York City, she has brought her invigorating marketing and promotional senses back home to help grow the family brand. She is the “Aristotle of the Inn” (the prime mover). “Our aim is to insure that this meaningful and soulful place remains relevant,” she said. “We are innovating. For example, we have added Maple Glen, a 17-room guesthouse. It reflects the Inn’s sense of humor, charm and design taste – with a modern edge. “We are evolving graciously and I

am honored to lead this phase of the development. I consider myself the steward of the Inn!” For more than four decades, the Fitzpatrick family has preserved and burnished the historic soigné. Antiques flourish, smiles linger, the fireplace twinkles. “We are proud of what we have continued to accomplish here,” Sarah smiles (as she simultaneously checks out her Smart phone, Notebook and the house walkie-talkie) this energetic Sunday, Spring morning. Like her, the

Lihn’s Berkshires Golf & Lifestyle Guide 2013

day is illuminating. “We have great rooms, live music, a wonderful food philosophy. “The Inn is a great place for all ages, all kinds of folks, from all kinds of places!” she laughs. “Our new Web site [do check it out] details all of the great attractions in this area. We have wonderful golf available to our guests just a walk down Main Street [the venerable Stockbridge Golf Club – see the cover story]. Skiing is nearby. The Norman Rockwell Museum, Tanglewood, dance, theater, dining, galleries, antique shopping – the list goes on!” The Berkshires is a cultivated, sophisticated enclave of cultural and recreational pursuits. “We have become ‘hip historic’. Yet, we maintain our substantial, loyal base. We have families five generations deep still coming back to the Inn!” she adds. “We are egalitarian. This is a welcoming place – reassuring. We are not snooty! We create memories. We are fun!” The energy pours forth. She is an exclamation mark in search of a sentence. Her direction – and focus – is unerring. The place just keeps getting grander. The Red Lion Inn is a joy – summer, fall, winter, and spring. 30 Main St., Stockbridge, MA (413) 298-5545 RedLionInn.com

BLANTYRE

Impeccable.

The Gilded Age still exists. It is preserved exquisitely. Old-world elegance, culture and charm thrive in this expansive, decorous, naturalistic enclave in the southern Berkshire Mountains. Edith Wharton, the Duke of Kent and Prince Harry would be quite at home here. For greater than 30 years, the Fitzpatrick family has brought back to life the magnificent Elizabethan manor that sits so regally upon 230 lush, manicured and courtly acres. It has been a labor of passion for Ann Fitzpatrick Brown, the steward and grand dame of this inspirational restoration. This gracious and stunning estate, for the beleaguered urban dweller, is a dreamscape. The only sounds that filter through your senses are the happy palpitation of your heart, a flutter of bird-speak, and a susurrous wind-song whirling throughout the gilded edges of this holistic sanctuary. It’s expensive – but it is an experience in which you should indulge, at least twice. A Spa, heated swimming pool, four tennis courts, numerous gardens, croquet lawns, shuffleboard courts, sitting rooms, a covered patio, haute cuisine, cross-country skiing trails, an epic Christmas tree, superb and playful tree-stump wood carvings scattered on the lawns…and renowned service from a staff which anticipates your whims. How about 14,000 bottles of spectacular wine (which garnered a Wine Spectator award); and 4,000 books strewn throughout the redoubt; fetching fireplaces, horse-drawn sleighs, ice-skating?

It’s a palace for the senses. Three beautifully appointed and accoutered buildings on this grand estate house 21 rooms: the main house has eight rooms and suites; the Carriage House 10; and three villas (Ice House; Riverview and Old Bath) serve families. The etiquette is the charm. Manners are the custom. Civility and courtliness the norm. 16 Blantyre Road Lenox, MA 01240 (413) 637-3556 • (413) 637-4282 reservations@blantyre.com www.blantyre.com 24

Lihn’s Berkshires Golf & Lifestyle Guide 2013

“This gracious and stunning estate, for the beleaguered urban dweller, is a dreamscape. The only sounds that filter through your senses are the happy palpitation of your heart, a flutter of bird-speak, and a susurrous wind-song whirling throughout the gilded edges of this holistic” sanctuary. Lihn’s Berkshires Golf & Lifestyle Guide 2013

Hotels, Inns, B&Bs

North County The Porches Inn

In the late 1990s North Adams, a forgotten mill town in the scenic Berkshire Hills of western Massachusetts, became a haven for technology companies and was infused with new life. Sparked by the visionary efforts of the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art, which has renovated parts of a sprawling mill complex, Porches represents a new twist on hospitality. Comprising a block of late19thcentury Victorian rowhouses with 47 rooms, including 21 suites, the Porches is an up-to-the-minute inn that still honors the spirit of the mill workers who lived and labored here for decades. The use of bold color and simple design lend an air of chic hominess that appeals to weekend escapists and high-tech business travelers. The inn is named for its most notable feature – the long verandas that link the six separate structures and afford guests ample opportunity for lounging or rocking. In northwestern Massachusetts, 2 ½ hours west of Boston on historic Route 2.

The Orchards

This sprawling, centrally-located Williamstown motel cum hotel serves the vibrant Williams College community with cozy rooms and suites and modern amenities. I caught the grumpy GM on a bad day, thought the décor a bit faux baronial, and the carpet bare in spots, but the pool and restaurant a plus. 222 Adams Rd, Williamstown, MA 01267 413-842-7379 reservations@orchardshotel.com

Lihn’s Berkshires Golf & Lifestyle Guide 2013

Mid County Yankee Inn (Lenox/Pittsfield)

Crowne Plaza Pittsfield-Berkshires

461 Pittsfield Rd., Lenox, MA 01240 (413) 499-3700 reservations@yankeeinn.com

One West St., Pittsfield, MA 01201 877 270-1393 (413) 499-2000

This popular hotel (our printer’s choice) has Main and Located in downtown Pittsfield, this 179-room hotel spans 12 South buildings offering nine room types from economy floors and offers: an indoor heated pool, Fitness Center, on-site to luxury. Fireplaces. Lots of shopping on Route 7. dining and the Elle Day Spa.

South County Cranwell Resort, Spa & Golf Club

Kemble Inn

55 Lee Rd, Lenox, MA 01240 800-272-6935 413-6371364 info@cranwell.com

2 Kemble St., Lenox, MA 01240 (413) 637-4113 www.kembleinn.com

A world-class 35,000 square-foot spa highlights these 380 acres. Glass-enclosed indoor heated pool, state-of-the-art Fitness Center, an 18-hole golf course and 114 elegant rooms and suites.

In June 2010, this landmark property, was purchased by new owners and was modernized. Built in 1881, the Inn features 13 guest suites with mountain views. Nine rooms have working marble fireplaces or Jacuzzis.

Wheatleigh

Berkshire Comfort Inn & Suites

Hawthorne Rd., Lenox, MA 01240 (413) 637-0610 info@wheatleigh.com

249 Stockbridge Rd. (Rt 7), Great Barrington, MA 01230 www.berkshirecomfortinn.com

Built in 1893, it is nestled on 22 acres with lakes and rolling mountains, near Tanglewood, offers 19 luxurious rooms / suites (with antiques) and OldWorld charm. The Dining Room under Chef Jeffrey Thompson is tops. I enjoyed a sublime dinner.

Conveniently located in Great Barrington, this offers a central location and upscale hotel accommodations (67 guestrooms and 26 spacious suites) with a wide range of superior amenities. All nonsmoking accommodations, Jacuzzi and fireplaces, complimentary breakfast. The owner, VJ, is hands-on and on-site.

The Rookwood Inn

Wainwright Inn

11 Old Stockbridge Rd., Lenox, MA 01240-413-637-9750 800-223-9750 innkeeper@rookwoodinn.com

518 South Main St., Great Barrington, MA 01230 innkeeper@wainwrightinn.com

A restored Victorian B&B in charming Lenox with a secluded location, only a block from the town center. Elegant and comfortable. Breakfast buffets, a fire-placed parlor, veranda or pergola and the flowerfilled gardens add to the romantic charm.

888 401-1372

Originally opened as an Inn and Tavern in 1766, the Inn has expanded and features new furnishings and kitchen. The five charming guest rooms and suites have private baths and many have working fireplaces. The comfortable living room and distinctive wrap-around porches allow more repose. Breakfast is bountiful. (413) 528-2062

The Summer White House

Just a mile from Tanglewood, in the very heart of historic Lenox, the six elegant guest rooms are lavishly decorated in traditional style and each features air conditioning and private bath. Some offer a fireplace to add that special touch to a romantic getaway. Many of the area’s finest restaurants and specialty shops within walking distance. 17 Main St., Lenox, MA 01240

Lihn’s Berkshires Golf & Lifestyle Guide 2013

(413) 637-4489 1-800-382-9401

The Sterling & Francine Clark Art Institute It is such a rare and wonderful opportunity to live in a fast-paced, urbane environment and capitalize on the thrills of city life: taxis in an instant; shopping nearby; airports on standby; dazzling museums and libraries around the corner; countless, sumptuous restaurant choices; movies and theater; career options; schools for the kids. But the need to unwind and decompress is paramount for most hard-charging, successful urbanites. So we seek steady solace in the mountains, at the beach, on an 28

island, in the country. And what a – truly – miraculous alternative to all of that kinetic, frenetic weekday cacophony: a weekend get-a-way (a drive) to an elegant, quietly sophisticated, cultured region that exudes a serene charm and class. Soigné. Character. Drive from the cosmopolitan streets of Boston or New York City and bask in the intimate luxury of a New England town with theater, museums, golf, college character, fine dining and … …art. This is culture, sublime

sophistication and elegance. This is art in a convivial, harmonizing, holistic setting. The Sterling and Francine Clark At Institute is a jewel. It is a panacea for the weekend and seasonal visitor seeking something far more than midnight mayhem, bikini flaunting, and noisy bars. What an opportunity for both adults and youngsters to enjoy the sheer beauty of this fine arts institution. The Clark’s impressive art work travels: London, Tokyo, Shanghai (in

Lihn’s Berkshires Golf & Lifestyle Guide 2013

October – and I hope to be invited). But a major building renovation is soon to be completed and it all comes home to you. I met with Tom Loughman, an associate director, and Vicki Saltzman, the director of communications, between their numerous flights to international openings over the past six months, and never cease to be dazzled by the intimate, but overpowering, charm of this institution. “The Clark is a dynamic museum and learning center welcoming visitors all year-round to experience outstanding European and American art in a beautiful, rural setting in these picturesque Berkshire Hills,” Tom told me over lunch. “It opened in 1955, and developed from the private collection of Sterling and

Francine Clark. It continues to grow, now consisting of 8,000 objects, including 495 paintings and significant holdings of works on paper and decorative arts.” Vicki told me that The Clark’s permanent collection is rich in nineteenth-century French art, with more than 30 paintings by Renoir and works by Monet, Degas, and Pissarro. It also contains exceptional European and American paintings and sculpture, extensive collections of master prints and drawings, English silver, and early photography. She doesn’t like to brag, she told me, but her big smile tells the tale. This is one impressive place to hang out. “The Clark is one of only a few institutions in the United States that is both a public art museum and a research and academic center supported by a distinguished art

library.” Culture is on offer. The Clark has approximately 4,000 members. The number of annual visitors to the museum totals just over 200,000, most coming during the summer months. The Berkshire region is a center for cultural tourism with a justified reputation for its contributions to cultural programming generated by the Clark, Tanglewood, various theatre companies, Jacob’s Pillow and a host of other museum and performing arts organizations. What a place to visit. Over and over again.

Williamstown, MA clarkart.edu 413 458 2303

Lihn’s Berkshires Golf & Lifestyle Guide 2013

Norman Rockwell Museum “Stories are told, thoughts explode, tales unfold” Wow! Pure Americana. Quintessential New England. I dropped into the museum on a rainy Spring morning and was merged into a happy, frolicking herd of prepubescent artists bounding around the expansive gallery. A school bus had deposited a fifthgrade gaggle of damp youngsters who marveled, giggled, pointed and listened as the tour mentor engaged them – many in rapt concentration. This Museum (founded in 1969) is, indeed, in many ways, transfixing. Joyful, cheerful, full of whimsy and – seemingly – private mirth, it takes illustration and morphs it into enjoyable and oft times, elegant art: pleasurable, comprehensible, animated and instructive. Stories are told, thoughts explode, tales unfold. Norman Rockwell (1894-1978), the celebrated 20th century illustrator, together with other masters of this important American art-form, are celebrated in a Robert A. M. Stern-designed museum now memorialized on 36 rapturous acres up the road from his home in downtown Stockbridge. His original Stockbridge studio has been transported to these polished, campestral grounds. So has the accomplished, colorful, buoyant joy. As I wandered through the galleries I realized that there was no mystery to the ineluctable draw to his prolific art. A Pantone palette of cheerful, humorous, good-natured drawings evoke various periods of this country – perhaps of a more quiet, peaceful and less confusing time. No mysteries, nothing coy – just expressive, wholesome depiction of real life in a different, less complex era. Playful, joyful, thoughtful, heartfelt –

and memorable. It’s all-American and feels good. A family treat. If art is defined by salubrity, he is the master. Delightful. I bought one for my wall. Laurie Norton Moffatt, the director for over 30 years, commented: “Rockwell was a master at capturing scenes of everyday life: feelings and moments that we can all relate to and therefore transcend time and generational differences. Though not an avid sportsman, he did bicycle around Stockbridge, and he painted images of most every sport, including golf. “The most iconic golf piece was from his 1949 “Four Sporting Boys” series on view here. One of Rockwell’s early covers for The Saturday Evening Post, in 1919, featured a man ‘sneaking’ out of work to play golf!” For those wishing to bring home their own Norman Rockwell (like me!) – the Museum Store offers giclee art prints of many of Rockwell’s works (including some golf favorites) as well as some rare signed, limited edition prints. Ideal for all ages, the Museum offers drop-in art classes, adult workshops, gallery treasure hunts, family festivals, plus a Summer Evenings lecture and performance series and extended gallery hours. Open daily, year-round*

May-Oct. 10 to 5 p.m. / Nov.- April, weekdays 10 to 4; weekends, 10 to 5 *Closed New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Seniors discount. Free for members and kids five and under. Group tours and packages available 9 Route 183, Stockbridge, MA 01262 413-298-4100 www.nrm.org.

Lihn’s Berkshires Golf & Lifestyle Guide 2013

Chesterwood was the summer estate and studio of American sculptor Daniel Chester French (1850–1931). In 1896 French purchased the 122acre farm in Stockridge and left his home and studio in New York for six months and he worked on over 200 commissions. The estate covers forest and field. It includes a garden dating from the 1920s. It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1965. His studio and barn contain his sculptural studies: • The Minute Man (1875), Old North Bridge, Concord, MA • The Continents (1906), United States Customs House, NYC • Abraham Lincoln (1922), Lincoln Memorial, Washington, D.C. (413) 298-3579 Berkshire Museum Art, history, natural science.

It offers a unique array of exhibitions, and attractions: fine art and ancient objects to fossils; from an aquarium of native and exotic creatures to the Feigenbaum Hall of Innovation; a museum of natural history, art and ancient civilization. Since 1903, the diverse collections also boast artifacts of ancient history and natural science: fossil collections, a 143-pound meteorite, an Egyptian mummy, shards of Babylonian cuneiform tablets, samplings of early Mediterranean jewelry, and representations of Berkshire ecosystems. It has exhibited works by some of the most accomplished artists from the U.S. and abroad: Gilbert Stuart, John Singleton Copley, Paul Cézanne, Pierre Auguste Renoir and John Singer Sargent. (413) 443-7171 The Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art is one of the largest centers for contemporary

visual and performing arts in the U.S. It is housed on a 13-acre campus of renovated 19th-century factory buildings. The complex occupies nearly one-third of the downtown business district of North Adams. It opened with 19 galleries and 100,000 sq ft of exhibition space in 1999. It is the home of the Bang on a Can Summer Institute, where composers and performers from around the world come to create and perform new music. It has become one of the world’s premier centers for showing the best art of our time, with annual attendance of 120,000. More than 80 major new works of art and more than 50 performances have been created. An essential part of MASS MoCA’s mission is the 75 performances staged year-round, including popular music, contemporary dance, alternative cabaret, world music dance parties, documentaries, and avant-garde theater. (413) 662-2111

Lihn’s Berkshires Golf & Lifestyle Guide 2013

Tanglewood, one of the world’s most beloved music festivals and the famed summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra is located in the beautiful Berkshire Hills of western Massachusetts In 2012 it celebrated its 75th anniversary season, with a spectacular lineup of musical guests and programs that spotlighted Tanglewood’s rich tradition of presenting summertime concerts at their best since 1937. The 2013 Tanglewood season continues to honor the festival’s tradition of presenting the BSO Lihn’s Berkshires Golf & Lifestyle Guide 2013

and many of the top artists of the classical music world. The Gala Anniversary Concert on Saturday, July 14, will feature performances by the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the Boston Pops, and the Tanglewood Music Center Orchestra, with conductors Keith Lockhart, John Williams, and Andris Nelsons, and special guests including Emanuel Ax, Yo-Yo Ma, Anne-Sophie Mutter, Peter Serkin, longtime Tanglewood friend James Taylor, and the Tanglewood Festival Chorus. 33

Theaters Williamstown Theatre Festival The WTF has provided a glorious, sophisticated array of talent in northern Massachusetts. Bradley Cooper, Meryl Streep, Robert DeNiro…Through 58 years, the Festival’s goals have remained constant: to attract top talent, cultivate young artists, produce reinterpreted versions of classics and new plays from gifted playwrights and to continue to attract audiences with the quality and ambition of their work. In 2011, WTF received the Commonwealth Award for Achievement, the highest cultural honor bestowed by the state. A summer must if you are in the county. 1000 Main St., Williamstown MA 01267 || 413/ 597-3400 Berkshire Theatre Group Their mission is to support a wide range of artistic exploration and acclaimed performances in theatre, dance, music and entertainment on five stages; and is of the largest arts organizations in the area. The BTG’s celebrated five stages reflect the history of the American theatre; a priceless cultural resource for the community and developed from the Berkshire Theatre Festival founded in 1928 in Stockbridge and The Colonial Theatre built in 1903 in Pittsfield. Main St., Stockbridge MA 01263 || 413/ 298-5576

Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival: 358 George Center Rd., Becket MA 01223 || 413/243-0745 413/2430745 More than 50 dance companies and 200 free performances, talks, and events. The Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center 14 Castle St., Great Barrington MA 01230 || 413/5280100 Performing arts, film, and educational programs in this newly restored Berkshire historical theater. Highest quality in dance, music, theatre and opera. . Shakespeare & Company 70 Kemble St., Lenox MA 01242 || 413/637-1199 One of my favorites through the years. Outdoor. Berkshire County theater of unprecedented excellence, the company also develops and produces new plays of social and political significance.

Lihn’s Berkshires Golf & Lifestyle Guide 2013

Renowned in every culture and practiced around the world, who ever thought the magic of the spa would enhance your performance and improve your score? It’s a prescription for a better game of golf. Relaxation. Spas. Luxurious, resplendent; soothing, understated; capacious and cozy. And dedicated to healing and relaxation. The opportunities to treat your golf-weary body to a soothing aprèsgolf treat are countless. Just think: Repose. Heal. Comfort. Relief. No 40-foot, twisting downhill putts. No 600-yard uphill par-5s. No cell phone cacophony. No blizzard of messages. No diapers, no dog food. Just you, soft music, a massage therapist and nirvana. A spa. Now this is a golf vacation. Canyon Ranch Health Resort in Lenox Here you’ll enjoy one of the world’s great all-inclusive luxury resort vacations. Relax, refresh and rejuvenate in a classic New England setting centered on a historic mansion just a short drive from New York City or Boston. You can: • Unwind with the most lavish spa treatments in New England • Participate in the lively cultural scene in the Berkshires • Enjoy complimentary outdoor activities with more than 40 fitness classes daily • Savor healthy gourmet cuisine • Relax completely in luxurious, tranquil accommodations

Lihn’s Berkshires Golf & Lifestyle Guide 2013

Cranwell Resort, Spa and Golf Club Perched high on a hilltop in Lenox, Cranwell offers spectacular views for every season. Enjoy one of the largest spas in the Northeast along with elegant accommodations, fine dining, outstanding amenities and exceptional service. Whether a weekend getaway, business meeting or stylish wedding, Cranwell offers the ultimate resort experience on 380-acres snuggled in the heart of the Berkshires. From 114 elegantly decorated guest rooms and suites you utilize a world-class, 35,000 square-foot Spa with a glass-enclosed indoor heated pool and state-of-the-art Fitness Center.

Lisa Light is international event concierge, producer and author based in the Berkshires, creator of www.destinationbride.com and the author of Destination Bride: A Complete Guide to Planning Your Wedding Anywhere in the World.

Lihnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Berkshires Golf & Lifestyle Guide 2013

As a Destination Wedding planner I’ve produced celebrations all over the world, yet one of my favorite areas is close to home: the Berkshires. Unique, uncrowded, rich in possibilities, and largely ‘undiscovered,’ the Berkshires offers a medley of natural beauty, old world elegance, culture, history, and the arts. From elegant Gilded Age mansions to rustic barns, sculpture parks to botanical gardens, Tanglewood to the Appalachian Trail, this area has everything for an unforgettable wedding, any season of the year. The Berkshires is known for its nature, farms, and fabulous food. If ‘rustic’ suits you just fine, consider marrying on top of Mt. Greylock. Or mix elegance with country charm at Gedney Farm, a country hotel and spa with a spiritual side; or Stonover Farm, where you can wed and dance the night away in their magnificent hay barn.

The artistically inclined have multiple possibilities to consider, including the hip Mass MoCA, a modern art museum in a renovated factory complex (with the very cool Porches Inn nearby) or the round stone barn and stately grounds of Hancock Shaker Village. Or marry in Stockbridge at the picturesque Norman Rockwell Museum, the iconic Red Lion Inn or or the beautiful, elegant estate grounds that engulf both your senses and the luxurious rooms and superb dining at the Wheatleigh, close to Tanglewood. Champagne on the patio. Because of its many beautiful estates, Lenox was once known as “The Switzerland of America” and is often referred to as “The Inland Newport.” One elegant old-world mansion, Blantyre is ideal for weddings and intimate getaways. Built in the 1890’s by W & J Sloane, Blantyre is a luxury hotel and resort

with gorgeous suites, situated on 220 beautiful acres. This Relais and Chateaux and Forbes 5-Star property has been the recipient of numerous Conde Nast awards and Andrew Harper accolades since 1984. Weddings and golf, in fact, truly go hand-in-hand, so if this is an activity that a couple plans to incorporate into their weekend, the many Berkshires golf courses are sure to please. The region is dotted with a dozen excellent choices. Most are open to the public; however, if you’re planning to host your wedding at one of the country clubs, you should call to find out if a member-sponsorship is required. Imagine each place ablaze in autumn colors, or even with a layer of sparkling snow underfoot. You’ll understand why – for beauty, romance, and year-round possibilities – the Berkshires is my favorite wedding destination!

Abbotts Limo 435 Greylock St., Lee, MA 01238 413-243-1645 livery2@aol.com www.abbottslimo.com Providing full-service valet and transportation services in and around the Berkshires.

Your very own Downton Abbey.

engagement and wedding photos anywhere in the world.

Blackburn Portrait Design 526 Acland Boulevard Ballston Spa, NY 12020 518-584-4237 www.susanblackburn.biz Specializing in Wedding Photography in Saratoga Springs, The Adirondacks and Berkshires. Cranwell Resort, Spa & Golf Club 55 Lee Rd., Lenox, MA 01240 800-572-8938 sales@cranwell.com

JTD Productions, Professional DJ Services PO Box 635 Woodstock, NY 12498 845-853-8912 info@jtdproductions.com http://www.jtdproductions.com/ There’s no greater luxury than peace of mind….and no greater indulgence than shakin’ your booty. We guarantee both. Kate Drew Miller Photography 201 Washington St., suite 203, Salem MA 01970 413-822-7672 kate@katedrewmiller.com www.katedrewmiller.com Providing a full-range of photographic services including

Lihn’s Berkshires Golf & Lifestyle Guide 2013

Rob Alberti’s Event Services, DJ & Lighting 1310 Russell Rd., Westfield, MA 01085 800-782-3033 rob@robalberti.com www.robalberti.com Transforming your event space - DJ, up-lighting, photo booth rentals. Seven Hills Inn 40 Plunkett St., Lenox, MA 01240 413-637-0060 sevenhillsinnlenox@yahoo.com sevehhillsinn.com Expansive Gilded Age mansion ideal for destination weddings and outings.

The Berkshires have superb winter downhill (and cross-country) skiing, snow-boarding, sledding and summer hiking, biking, trekking and dangling. Come for the culture, but brave the snow flurries and hit the ski slopes and trails. And fireplaces and dining after (well, schnapps, too). Jiminy Peak (in Hancock in the center of the county off of Route 7) and Catamount in the south (near Hillsdale off Route 22 on Route 23 on the edge of Egremont) offer two frosty, slick alternatives for a day/ night on the slopes. Jiminy has resort facilities and Catamount is about to. Rich Edwards at Catamount (whose family has been a partner for 50 years) and Katie Fogel at JP both emphasized the expansive summer/ fall options as well.

Catamount has 33 trails with 1,000-foot vertical drop; four chairlifts and two carpet lifts. Plenty of instruction and night skiing. The Catamount Aerial Adventure Park has 12 selfguided courses with varying degrees of difficulty from easier to advanced. Over 170 unique elements are built in the trees including over 50 zip lines. Jiminy Peak offers 45 trails at 2,380 feet and nine trails with a two mile run. When the snow melts itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Aerial (and, also Mountain) Adventure Parks and Segway Tours.

Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort Catamount 37 Corey Rd., Hancock, MA 413-738-5500

S. Egremont, MA Hillsdale, NY 413-528-1262 518-325-3200

Lihnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Berkshires Golf & Lifestyle Guide 2013

WHERE DO YOU WANT TO BE?

River views or farmland? Bustling town or quiet back road? Stop by one of our Berkshire offices in Pittsfield or Stockbridge, and learn how we can help you find the perfect place to fit your lifestyle.

WEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;RE THERE. Serving the Berkshires, Hudson Valley, and Litchfield Hills

www.tkgre.com

Pittsfield Office 137 North Street 413.499.7490 Stop by one of our offices this summer and receive complimentary Pittsfield Suns baseball tickets!

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Stockbridge Office 10 Elm Street 413.298.0610 Like us on Facebook! 39

COUNTRY CLUBS • Berkshire Hills CC • CC of Pittfield • Stockbridge GC (p. 12) • Taconic CC • Waconah GC • Waubeeka GL • Wyantenuck CC

Lihn’s Berkshires Golf & Lifestyle Guide 2013

BERKSHIRE HILLS CC

his fervid bunch of golfers are Tillinghast devotees. The course is as welcoming as its members, and cheer and collegiality have been in the air during my several visits. The clubhouse is large and inviting and the food is exceptional. I’ll let the locals take it from here: Steve Magargal The famous architect, A.W. Tillinghast, had always wanted to build a par-73 golf course. The rolling hills and hardwood trees were perfect for his next project. So in the mid-1920’s the drawings that became Berkshire Hills CC show an original par-73 layout with five par 5’s. Alas, the attempts to purchase the land to create this new masterpiece failed. The par 73 that “Tilly” dreamed of became a par-72 layout and opened in 1925. It stands as the only Tillinghast-designed golf course in Massachusetts. The design remains unchanged. The course begins high on the hill as the par-35 front nine winds around the northern half of the property and features large, undulating greens and many uneven lies. The long par-5 2nd is most challenging: out of bounds left and trees right lead you to a sloping green with many daunting pin locations. The uphill par-3 7th was originally a par 4 on Tillys drawing. Finish with a monster 440-yard uphill par 4. The 10th gives a long hitter a chance for birdie on this very reachable par 5. Winding through the remaining eight holes gives the Tillinghast fan a glimpse of his brilliance. A birch

grove behind the par 3 13th, a blind shot from the left of the 15th fairway and a great redan hole at the par-3 17th, give excellent examples of why many golf buffs give Tilly the nod over other equally famous architects. Richard Lord Most par-72 courses consist of two par-36 nines that include 10 par 4s, four par 3s and four par 5s. That’s not the case at Berkshire Hills where A.W. Tillinghast produced a par 35-37 track that includes five par 3s and five par 5s. I have found that mix never gets monotonous – you don’t play more than two par 4s consecutively – and leads to a greater variety of shots and strategic decisions, especially on the par 5s. The greens are undulating and generous in size, meaning you can be left with some long, nasty putts, especially from above the hole. On the 200-yard uphill par-3 seventh, for instance, you are usually better off short of the green than 10 feet past the hole. Steve Magargal mentioned a few of my favorite holes, so here are a couple others that stand out: • The 6th: a 430-yard par 4 is risk-reward golf at its best. How much of the lake that guards the dogleg right do you chew off? You can be left with a wedge, dunk it in the water for a double bogey or play it safe and approach from 150-170 yards. • The 10th: a 531-yarder that can be reached in two if you can find the right spot off the tee, a task made difficult by a right-to-left sloping fairway. Find the left-center and you’ll have a chance to get home in

Lihn’s Berkshires Golf & Lifestyle Guide 2013

Recreational “You’ll get to use most of the clubs in your bag.” “Downhill putts are to be avoided when possible.”

Professional “Being A.W. Tillinghast’s only Massachusetts design, a must for history buffs.”

The Specifics Type: Private Greens Fees: $25 for nine holes with member; $35-$45 for 18 with a member; Unaccompanied guest $99 at the discretion of the head professional. Carts: Yes Layout: 18 holes, par 72 Rating/Slope: 6,780 Gold 72.8/128 6,387 Blue 70.9/124 5,867 White 69.8/123 5,458 Red 71.4/124 Architect: A.W. Tillinghast Head pro: Mike Hillman

Getting There 500 Benedict Rd., Pittsfield, MA (413) 442-1451 www.berkshirehills.com

two. Or just lay up. If you make it to The Hills, I guarantee that you will face plenty of daunting and strategic shots and that you will leave fulfilled. Or exasperated. But smiling!

COUNTRY CLUB OF PITTSFIELD

met the thoughtful and introspective GM, Vic Cappadona, on a blustery earlySpring afternoon in the warmth of the capacious, courtly clubhouse on the edge of colorful Route 7 just south of Pittsfield.

The neighborhood looks like a landmark. He manages this superb and gracious golf club with an eye on the seasonal weather, his mind on the expectant 500+ members, and his respect for the foliage and landscaping arboring the fecund fairways that tilt and tumble and tremble around forest and ponds for nearly 6,400 antique yards. “Our members used to be so exclusive, with GE packing the course years ago!” Vic smiled. “Our base now is younger, probably more athletic – but just as demanding! We give them a great playing experience.” He invited me to dinner during the Club Invitational and I mingled with a happy crop of golfers ranging from teenagers to grandpas. The food was terrific and Vic was contending with the vestiges of a horrible day of rain the day before. A bounty of encomiums flowed from the golfers. It’s a classic, elegant New England course. That is the consensus. Give Vic a call. Richard Lord Whenever I drive up or down South Street, I have the urge to put on the brakes, turn into the parking lot at the Country Club of Pittsfield and take out my clubs. You can’t help but feel that urge as you get a glimpse at 45 mph of the course’s deep green fairways and putting surfaces, the contrasting white sand traps and the hilly terrain. 42

Lihn’s Berkshires Golf & Lifestyle Guide 2013

Recreational That glance isn’t a mirage. Under the leadership of head professional Brad Benson, who has been at the club since 1982, and highly respected course superintendent Jim Conant, the club continues to be a precious Berkshires golfing gem. It is always in great condition with fast, undulating greens and tight fairways that demand laser-straight drives. The bunkering around the greens is artistic - 25 were added during a renovation project undertaken by noted golf course architect Mark Mungeam in 2003 - and make approach shots an accuracy test. The club has a proud history that includes having Scot Willie Anderson as its head professional at the turn of the 20th century (the club dates back to 1897). Anderson captured the first of his four U.S. Opens titles just months after taking the job in 1901. The celebrated Donald Ross had a hand in its early design. However, it is officially listed as a Wayne Stiles layout. Stiles, whose fingerprints are all over Berkshires courses, undertook a major redesign of Ross’ work in the early 1930s because members felt the layout was too hilly and too difficult to walk. If that was the case, it must have been built for mountain goats because there are still plenty of elevation changes that help define the course’s character and add to the challenge. The top two handicaps holes -- the 405-yard seventh and

“A beatiful piece of New England real estate with great attention to detail.” “Elevation changes galore.”

Professional “Some blind shots can confound first-time visitors.” “Your chipping and putting talents will be tested by the well-protected greens and slick putting surfaces.”

The Specifics Type: Private Greens Fees: $55-$65, must play with member. Carts: Yes Layout: 18 holes, par 71 Rating/Slope: 6,395 Blue 71.5/127 6,095 White 70.7/125 5,417 Gold 67.3/123 5,318 Red 71.8/127 (w) Architect: Wayne Stiles (redesign of original Donald Ross course) Head pro: Brad Benson

Getting There 389-yard 12th - both feature steeply uphill second shots, especially No. 12. The reward for surviving the 12th is the view from the tee on the par-3 13th. A beautiful lake just beyond the course and mountains in the distance provide inspiration for the rest of the round. Of the par 4s, only the 7th and the 412-yard 15th measure more than 400 yards. Don’t let that fool you -- the tight fairways, uneven lies, tricky greens and ever-present bunkers conspire to make those holes hard enough. Most of the pros who have played in tournaments at CC

Lihn’s Berkshires Golf & Lifestyle Guide 2013

Rt.7, Pittsfield, MA (413) 447-8504 www.pittsfieldcc.org

of P say they only take out their big stick three or four times a round. The only par 5 on the front, the 562-yard 8th, is a strong hole while the par 5s on the back, the 450yard 14th and 509-yard 16th, are considered birdie possibilities. The most memorable par 3 is the 13th, a classic New England straight-downthe-hill par 3 that measures 162 yards but plays shorter. Playing with a member is a big plus for first-timers with several blind tee shots and elevationinduced club-selection challenges awaiting the unaware.

TACONIC GC

his is an exquisite golfing experience. Okay, I am New Englandcentric and do love rolling hills and roiling fairways, oxygenated-air, the fragrant sniff of Spring, Technicolor forests and Mother Nature’s offspring bounding through the woods – but this is, clearly, one of the exceptional golf courses in the region. Lofty, groomed and manicured, quietly urbane, a majestic layout, collegiate class and steeped in history. It’s a beauty. I walked it in the late fall and visited the course major domo, Greg Canales, on a spectacular Spring day. “We have a special golf course here. Williams College is a wonderful partner – and Josh [Hillman, the new head pro] has just produced a championship golf squad. Our members cherish this track and guests marvel!” 44

For good reason. Richard Lord Ask experienced Berkshire golfers what course to play if you want a pure New England golf experience and most will quickly point you in the direction of Taconic Golf Club. The Williams College-owned beauty has earned more regional and national recognition than any county course. The 6,808-yard par71 course has been ranked the No. 2 college layout in the country, the most scenic course in Massachusetts

Greg Canales and Richard Lord

and annually resides on various topcourses lists. The club has hosted the Massachusetts Amateur, three NCAA men’s championships in addition to the USGA’s men’s, women’s and junior amateur championships. It’s no wonder. Taconic has all the elements needed to be considered a classic – stunning beauty in a bucolic setting, a course that is challenging but fair and one that slowly builds to a spectacular climax. The original course, which dates back to 1896, was redesigned by Wayne Stiles in 1927. Stiles never earned the reputation of a Donald Ross, but in Taconic he created at least one golfing masterpiece. In 2008, Gil Hanse made Taconic even better by adding strategic bunkering and several new tee boxes. The fairways are wide enough to encourage golfers to whale with the driver, but that’s deceiving because

Lihn’s Berkshires Golf & Lifestyle Guide 2013

in most cases one side of the fairway offers an advantage on approach shots. Many of the greens sit well above the fairway and are wellguarded by artistic bunkering. The greens offer a multitude of challenges. Some have false fronts that repel shots – Ross would love that – and on back-to-front sloping surfaces, like the 6th and 17th, being 10 yards short of the green is wise. Ross believed in giving golfers a chance to find their swings by leading off with some easier holes. Stiles followed that rule beautifully. The 478-yard, par-5 1st is clearly the best birdie chance. And while every hole on the opening nine requires precise approach shots and a deft putting touch, it is 570 yards shorter than the back and offers more scoring opportunities. It’s hard to pick out favorite holes because each is unique, but: the par-4 3rd (2 handicap); doglegright par-4 8th that offers a view of the Williams campus and Green Mountains of Vermont; and the seemingly New England-mandated dramatic downhill par-3 9th rank as three standouts on the front.

On the back, you are taking a step up in both difficulty and topography – you are at the top of the course by the time you stand on the 12th green. The view of the Williams campus is postcard-worthy. Stiles saved his most unforgiving three-hole stretch for late in the round. The 15th is a 441-yard beauty that that requires a precise uphill second shot; 16th (1 handicap) is 460 yards with a severely uphill second shot that plays one or two clubs longer than the yardage; and the 17th is a spectacular downhill, 246-yard par 3 with a severely pitched green. After that late-round reality check, mercy is shown with a 546yard, par-5 finishing hole that does yield some birdies. Word to the wise: There are four sets of tees and you will double your pleasure by finding the one that suits the distance you hit it off the tee.

Lihn’s Berkshires Golf & Lifestyle Guide 2013

Recreational “Classic New England golf.” “Highly acclaimed and deservedly so.” “Visually stunning.”

Professional “All aspects of your game will be tested, especially your chipping and putting.”

The Specifics Type: Semi-private Greens Fees: $70 to $140 ($35 for Williams College students) Carts: Yes Layout: 18 holes, par 71 Rating/Slope: 6,808 Black 73.5/136 6,410 Gold 71.2/127 5,826 Purple 64.8/122 (m) 74.8/130 (w) 5,143 White 71.4/122 Architect: 1896; Wayne Stiles, 1927; renovations by Gil Hanse in 2009 Head pro: Josh Hillman Practice: Putting green, chipping area

Getting There 19 Meachem St., Williamstown, MA (413) 458-3997 www.taconicgolf.net

WAHCONAH CC

his marvelous course (and its members – Mike Lennon, our printer is one) offers a nonpareil combination of integrity, class, drama, elevations, foliage and a symphonic blaze of Autumn colors and Springtime blossoms. Just east of downtown Pittsfield, this is worth the drive. By all means, do it! The atmosphere is all collegial, warming and welcoming. Some stunning hilltop greens and tee boxes provide cardiovascular stimulation and visual beauty. See you up there!

grow, indicating just how popular, enjoyable and respected the par-71, 6,558-yard Dalton course is. Wachonah’s immaculate conditioning, scenic beauty, interesting and challenging layout – combined with the club’s welcoming membership – has turned out to be a winning formula. One of the many Wayne Stiles designs in the county, the front nine opened in 1929. Even before the

back side was finally built by Geoff Cornish and opened in 1961 (using Stiles’ original plan), significant history had been made at the course. On Aug. 15, 1948, the legendary Bobby Jones, Jr. played his final round of golf here. It turns out that Jones, the greatest amateur in history and the founder of Augusta National, had promised to play in a four-ball event. The day before, he was diagnosed

Richard Lord Every August, Wahconah CC hosts the Little Brown Jug, a medalplay, best-ball tournament that draws players from the Berkshires, upstate New York, Connecticut and Boston. It takes only days for the field to be filled and a waiting list to

Lihn’s Berkshires Golf & Lifestyle Guide 2013

with a spinal disease that forced him to quit the game. Still, he honored his commitment and Wahconah’s 9th hole turned out to be his last. A plaque was placed behind the green to commemorate the event. A painting of his foursome on the 6th green and a hand-written note from Jones saying, “This was my last effort, sorry it wasn’t a better one.” hangs in the USGA museum in Far Hills, N.J. Copies can be viewed inside the clubhouse. That clubhouse sits above the gorgeous course. With the hills in the distance, it’s an eye-popping view. Golfers benefit from that elevation on the 394-yard first hole when they hit their initial shot to the wide, welcoming fairway below. The hole plays shorter than its yardage. The 2nd is a different story: a difficult 220-yard par 3 with OB right of the green. The 404-yard 3rd, along with the

nine’s closing par 4s, the 410-yard dogleg-left 8th and the 413-yard 9th, are the other big tests on the front. The second shot up a steep hill on the latter is one of the course’s most challenging. The back nine is considered more difficult. It plays slightly longer and significantly tighter. Holes 13-16 can make or break a round. The 13th is a 230-yard par three that requires a long iron to a large, undulating green that is guarded by four sand traps. The 14th is a 518-yard par 5, but it plays longer and is filled with danger. Golfers face a narrowing fairway that turns steeply uphill as you near the green. Avoiding the trees and rough on the second shot sets up a third shot where the goal is to hit the green, but by all means keep the ball below the hole – downhill putts here have ruined countless rounds. The 15th is a short, beautiful dogleg left that requires just a midiron off the tee. Hit the fairway and you’re thinking birdie. Miss it and you just hope to find the ball. The 16th is a long par four from an elevated tee that requires two strong shots. The 18th, a 464-yard, par 5 that rises to the clubhouse, offers the

Lihn’s Berkshires Golf & Lifestyle Guide 2013

Recreational “Well-conditioned with an interesting variety of holes.” “The views during fall foliage season are stunning.” “Pastoral, serene and elegant.”

Professional “Score on the front nine, then hold on — the back nine is the tougher.” “Superb NE layout”

The Specifics Type: Semi-private Greens Fees: $40 to $80 Carts: Yes Layout: 18 holes, par 71 Rating/Slope: 6,558 Blue 72.5/135 6,229 White 71.6/132 5,771 Gold 69.3/137 5,431 Red 73.0/128 (w) Architect: Wayne Stiles, 1929 (front); Geoff Cornish, 1961 (back) Head pro: Jim Underdown Practice facility: Yes

Getting There Orchard Rd. and East Main St./Old Windsor Rd, Dalton, MA (413) 684-1333 www.wahconahcountryclub.com

opportunity to finish on a positive note before you head to the porch to enjoy the view.

WAUBEEKA GL

he hallmark of this course is sheer energy and brio. Mark Mills is the most hands-on and dynamic GM I have encountered in my dozen years of driving fairways, negotiating greens and counting boogies. “I’m lucky,” he smiles. “I have an owner who appreciates the class and decorum of this game and we provide a great experience. We are opened to the public and we give all of our golfers their money’s worth!” Mark has tournaments, innovative events (hitting to different holes from the tee boxes), and many women, juniors and seniors attractions. I’m waiting for the Bring-Your-BabyPottie-and-Putting extravaganza. The fun never stops. And he cooks. But most of all, he brings delight to his local legions of happy golfing recidivists. Significantly, the back side of this 6,368-yard, par-71 track (128 Slope 48

Rating) was renovated and offers glorious conditioning, views and challenge. The course has been for sale by (the owner has moved West), so change is in the air. But the fun, balance and conviviality – and the buoyant cheerleader – remain intact. Richard Lord Young by Berkshire standards (it opened in 1966) and superblyconditioned, this course has long been a favorite of the locals. Redesign work in 2011 by noted architect Mark Mungeam added character to the back nine and has boosted Waubeeka’s popularity. A bonus for golfers was the building of the Big Mountain Driving Range, featuring a wellmaintained 25,000-square foot grass teeing area – much-needed in a county where practice facilities are in short supply. While not as dramatic as the back

nine, the par-36 front has plenty of good heft to test shot-making and strategic thinking. The decisions begin on the 365-yard, dogleg-left 1st. Driver and challenge the trees on the left with a high fade, leaving a 100yard approach? Or play it safe and hit a longer club into a large green that is multi-tiered and three-putt prone?

Lihn’s Berkshires Golf & Lifestyle Guide 2013

The two toughest holes on the front are a pair of long par 4s, the 443-yard 2nd and the 435-yard 5th. The former gives you ample fairway, but miss it left and you will be blocked by trees; miss it right (or go long on your approach) and OB beckons. The second shot will be a long iron to a back-to-front sloping green. The 5th has trouble lurking to

the right off the tee and plays uphill, so take an extra club on your approach shot. The par-5 8th offers good news – spectacular New England scenery from near the top of the course and a great birdie opportunity. After another potential birdie hole that brings you back to the clubhouse, you are ready for the new-look back. It plays par 35 and is 366 yards shorter than the first nine, but what it may lack in distance it makes for with character and visual delights. The 10th, at 230 yards from the back, ranks as one of the toughest par 3s in the Berkshires. It usually plays into the wind and is guarded by deep bunkers. The 11th is my favorite. Drive from an elevated tee, then it’s all uphill. The fairway slopes left-to-right, so aim left – and on the approach, since a deep bunker on the right was added by Mungeam. The 12th and 13th are short par 4s that can bring you birdies (or grief ). The downhill second shot on 12 is short, but water in front and OB behind the green make distance

Recreational “Well-conditioned.” “A visual beauty.”

Professional “The greens, especially those on the new back nine, will test your skill and nerves.” “Elevation changes make club selection a challenge.”

The Specifics Type: Semi-private Greens Fees: $20-30 for nine holes; $35-$55 for 18 Carts: Yes Layout: 18 holes, par 71 Rating/Slope: 6,368 Blue 70.8/128 5,972 White 69.2/124 5,210 Gold 65.3/144 (m) 70.2/121 (w) 4,845 Red 68.3/114 (w) Architect: Roland Armacost, 1966; Mark Mungeam, back nine redesign General Manager: Mark Mills Teaching pro: Erika DeSanty Practice facility: large

Getting There 137 New Ashford Rd. (Route 7), Williamstown, MA. (413) 458-8355 www.waubeeka.com

control crucial. The approach on 13 is steeply uphill to a green that can lead to three and four putts if the ball finishes on the wrong tier. As for visual beauty, the tee at the par-5 15th is at the top of the course and can take your breath away, especially in October. When I covered a Massachusetts Public Links qualifier last year, I listened as player after player compared back nine three-putt stories, yet still praising the layout and the superb efforts of superintendent Greg Tudor.

Lihn’s Berkshires Golf & Lifestyle Guide 2013

WYANTENUCK CC Recreational “Arguably the best-conditioned course in the Berkshires.” “The dictionary definition of golf in New England.”

Professional “Surviving the five diverse par 3s is a key to scoring well.” “Keep it below the hole, or three putts will haunt you.”

The Specifics Type: Private Greens Fees: $125, with member Carts: Yes Layout: 18-hole, par-70 Rating/Slope: 6,456 Blue 70.6/121 6,056 White 69.5/121 5,364 Red 70.3/116 (w)

felt like Henry David Thoreau basking in the holistic peace of this gorgeous Berkshire landscape. Framed by lush forest, encircled by mountains, carpeted in green lawns – this is one splendid setting for the game of golf. Opened in 1896, this short, out-and-back track is a splendid, elevated, wooded layout with some splendid views and simply marvelous conditioning. Aesthetically, one of my clear favorites. After a week in the urban office, it is like breathing pure oxygen. Refreshing. Courtly, stately, groomed, with antique forests serenading the fairways and lazy mountains, this is a handsome experience. That said, it is not the most affable nor welcoming course in the county according to a host of locals and second-home owners who went out of there way to opine. It seems a history of exclusion still percolates. But find a friendly member and get an invitation. It is a glorious

round of golf. And check in with the popular and proficient pro, Tom Sullivan, and squeeze in a lesson. Richard Lord When the club hosted the Massachusetts Amateur in 2011, the best amateurs in the state discovered one of the best kept golfing secrets in Massachusetts. Virtually every player I spoke with while covering the event was effusive in their praise of the course’s beauty, the challenges it offered and its condition. When asked about the fast, smooth and rolling greens, there was an echo in the clubhouse: “Perfect,” seemed to be the only word. Many thought that the state’s best would go low on the par-70 course because it measures in at a relatively short 6,456 yards. That wasn’t the case. The field discovered position off the tee was more important than hitting 300-yard drives, leaving downhill putts must be avoided (easier said than done) and that the course’s five par 3s could wreck a scorecard.

Architect: Robert Pryde, 1896; Charles Banks (redesign several holes) Head pro: Tom Sullivan

Getting There West Sheffield Rd., Great Barrington, MA (413) 528-3229 www.wyantenuck.com

Head pro Tom Sullivan puts it simply: “If you leave it above the hole, you are probably going to three-putt.” Keeping the ball below the hole is a constant theme here. The par-3 lesson begins on the 2nd, a 246-yard monster from the back. After all, how many par 3 blind tee shots do you have? Aim at stake at the top of a hill that hides the green. The 7th, is another hefty one at 228 yards. Wyantenuck is visually stunning with the most memorable view at the 10th tee that provides a wide view of the surrounding mountains. My favorites are the 446-yard 4th (handicapped 1) and the par-4 17th (dramatic uphill second shot to a green situated in a bowl). A course you will not forget.

Lihn’s Berkshires Golf & Lifestyle Guide 2013

DAILY FEE • Bas Ridge GC • Egremont CC • Pontoosuc Lake CC • Skyline CC

Lihn’s Berkshires Golf & Lifestyle Guide 2013

BAS RIDGE GC Getting There 151 Plunkett Ave., Hinsdale, MA (413) 655-2605 / (413) 655-2605 www.basridge.tripod.com

t a time when the USGA has been pushing a “Play it Forward” initiative as a way for golfers to have more fun (this game really is hard!) and play faster rounds, Bas Ridge would seem a perfect model. The beautiful little course in tiny Hinsdale that plays par 70 yet measures only 5,051 yards is fun. That’s “Forward” length without having to move the tees! The course includes four par-

3s, two 5s and 12 4s (ranging from 224 to 336 yards – six of which are less than 300 yards, and all but the 10th are doglegs). Trying to drive them, even the 224-yard 6th, can as easily lead to double bogeys. The 10th tumbles down a hill that slopes dramatically left to right, so it’s no simple birdie either. The holes near the clubhouse – 1st, 9th, 10th, 17th and 18th – offer big elevation changes while the rest

of the course is flatter. Owner-operator Bill Basliere and his staff keep the course in excellent condition, especially the greens, which in some cases are much bigger than you would expect. It is a great course for senior golfers who do not hit the ball as far as they used to, but with its doglegs, tree-lined fairways and well-placed ponds, it is a course any recreational golfer will enjoy.

Lihn’s Berkshires Golf & Lifestyle Guide 2013

EGREMONT CC Getting There Route 23, Great Barrington (413) 528-4222 / (413) 528-4222 www.egremontcountryclub.com

his is a course with a split personality. The front nine plays to a par of 34 and measures only 2,671 yards from the tips. The back is a par-37, 3,365-yard test. The front, the older nine, features tiny greens, especially on the first two holes; the back more traditional-sized. Needless to say, its easier to post a low number on the front, but that doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t mean it is devoid of a few challenges. While the first two holes

are short par 4s (352 and 250 yards respectively), the postage-stamp greens arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t easy to hit. The putting surface on the 2nd, which is fronted by a bunker, might be the shallowest I have seen on layout other than a pitch-and-putt course. The toughest front-nine holes are the 4th, a 401-yard par 4, and 5th, a 500-yard par five. The 4th has water in play right of the fairway and over the green while the 5th has a pond that will force a decision (go for the

Lihnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Berkshires Golf & Lifestyle Guide 2013

green or lay up) on the second shot. One of the prominent features on the oh-so-different back side are consecutive par 5s (13th and 14th) that measure 550 and 560 yards. The course finishes with a quartet of par 4s, with the 17th one of the most difficult holes on course. Egremont, which has greens fees ranging from $26-45 (lower rates for juniors and seniors), has only a few elevation changes, making it a good course for walkers.

PONTOOSUC LAKE CC Getting There

ontoosuc Lake opened in 1925 and has undergone several renovations. The first was inspired by the great A.W. Tillinghast (Winged Foot and Bethpage Black are among his famous designs). Then, in 1939, it was tweaked again by Wayne Stiles, whose masterpiece is Taconic GC. Today the course is a par-70, 6,207-yard track that combines tree-lined holes with others, like the 9th and 10th, which feature rolling

terrain that give a links-like feel. The layout is interesting and the strategic decisions presented are plentiful as golfers deal with elevation changes, doglegs, long par 5s and several demanding par 3s. This is one of a handful of county courses that offer bargain rates, with greens fees ranging from $20 to $30 walking. Most of those who play the course are locals who have played for years. Unfortunately, while the greens

38 Kirkwood Drive, Pittsfield, MA (413) 445-4217/(413) 445-4217 www.plcc.biz

have improved in recent years, the overall condition of the course isn’t up to the standards of most of the county’s other courses. If more money was invested into upkeep, this course would rank higher on the list of the county’s courses. David was told by a golfer that it was “a neighborhood beer garden with a golf course attached!”

SKYLINE CC Getting There Route 23, Great Barrington, MA (413) 528-4222 / (413) 528-4222 www.egremontcountryclub.com

he Web site boasts of the spectacular views Berkshires golfers will encounter during a round at the par-71, 6,110-yard layout. That’s no fib. After a steady climb from the clubhouse, look back to the west and take out a camera. The 54

combination of the mountains and beautiful Pontoosuc Lake can make anyone look like an award-winning photographer. The course itself is a mixed bag. There are some strong holes that are both eye-pleasing and challenging like (5th and 7th), a couple of lengthy

par 3s, the dogleg left par-5 8th and uphill, dogleg-left par-4 10th. On the other end of the spectrum, there are a few holes that are at the very least quirky for first-time visitors. The short, downhill par-4 4th with a perplexing blind tee shot and the steeply uphill par-3 15th fit in that category along with several others. If you play, look on the back of the scorecard – there are tips that can help neophytes. The course condition could also be better, but with greens fees that range from $23 walking to $26, it’s still a bargain if you are looking for a relaxed round and beautiful scenery. Skyline boasts an enthusiastic membership and is true a workingman’s course. The club’s restaurant/bar is a busy place.

Lihn’s Berkshires Golf & Lifestyle Guide 2013

RESORT & NINE-HOLE • Donnybrook CC • Worthington GC • Greenock CC • Cranwell GC • Forest Park CC • North Adams CC • GEAA

Worthington CC Lihn’s Berkshires Golf & Lifestyle Guide 2013

DONNYBROOK CC

ine-hole courses around the world are usually vestiges or afterthoughts. In New England, many of these tracks thrive as they tumble and weave through 100 year-old forests and over roiling, arcing hillsides. Worthington CC (down in the southeast) and Greenock CC (Lee) are two Berkshire examples of the merriment, exuberance and excellence found on these tracks. The members have love affairs with these courses. For a number of unrelated reasons, Donnybrook may be one of my favorite nine-hole courses. Framed by rich forest, with lusting elevations, a unique layout, the longest par 5 in the county, a vertiginous par 3, and a dedicated family – this course has boutique class and panache. A bit of cognitive dissonance creeps in here, for I am a sucker for 56

passionate commitment and happy authority. This is a family affair done with love, flair, charm and Yankee style. The venerable Jim Kelly spent years moving gigantic boulders to form marvelous, stolid, charming, Stonehedge-type stone walls adorning the 1st, 8th and 9th holes. Unique, rock out-croppings decorate the rising terrain. The course is pampered and cosseted.

When Jim and sons, Matt and Doug, prepare the second nine (under a bridge and across Route 7), it will become a premier 18-holer. Richard Lord In Berkshire County, Donnybrook CC is the new kid on the block. Actually, make that the only kid on the block. In a region where some golf courses date back to the late-19th century (and a majority to the 1930s), the Kelly family’s baby has been a welcome addition to the neighborhood. Proud papa Jim Kelly, with the help of sons Matt (the club’s erudite general manager) and Doug, went through a painstakingly long process – environmental issues and more – before opening for business in 2008. From its signature rock walls (one runs nearly the length of the 360-yard, par-4 9th) to its lengthy tee boxes, to its large, rolling greens, Donnybrook has been a unique and welcome addition to the Berkshire golf experience. Jim, who previously owned the Brodie Mountain ski resort, his sons and former Brodie workers built the impressive stone wall – and a smaller one above it – that can be seen by motorists passing the course on Route 7. The biggest rock weighed in at close to 37 tons, said Kelly Sr., who was dubbed the “Rock Star of

Lihn’s Berkshires Golf & Lifestyle Guide 2013

Recreational “Long tee boxes offer options for all levels of golfers.” “Breathtaking views” “Not an easy course to walk.”

Professional “Elevation changes on most holes, with a few blind shots mixed in.” “You’ll be tested by uphill, downhill and sidehill lies.”

The Specifics Type: Public Greens Fees: $30-40 for nine holes; $35-$50 for 18, including carts. 10% off for walkers and seniors; $15 off for juniors Carts: Yes Layout: nine holes, par 36 Rating/Slope: 6,676 Gold 74.2/139 6,038 Blue 70.8/135 5,620 White 68.0/125 4,852 Red 69.2/124 (w)

Lanesborough” by one journalist for the impressive edifice. The course is built on the side of an impressive hill with the clubhouse, which dates back to between 1765-80, according to Matt, at the bottom. The first two holes, a pair of dogleg-right par 4s get you to the top of the track where the views of are spectacular, especially when the leaves pop in October.

After that, from the back tees, comes the county’s longest par 5, a 608-yard monster. Fear not, however, Donnybrook’s multiple tee boxes offer golfers many venues (use a different set of tees for each nine and you’ve played two different courses – there’s almost a 600-yard

difference between the back tees and the next set.) Starting with the par-5 5th – a daunting tee shot from the back that offers the best view on the course and ends with, perhaps, he biggest green in the county – you head back down the hill with a succession of fun holes

Lihn’s Berkshires Golf & Lifestyle Guide 2013

Architect: the family, 2008 General Manager: Matt Kelly Practice facility: Putting green

Getting There Route 7, Lanesborough, MA (413) 499-7888 www.donnybrookgolf.com

until you reach the 9th, a flat finish that brings the only water on the course into play. The Kelly’s pride themselves in keeping their course in exceptional condition. Those who play once come back for more of this Berkshires’ excellence. 57

WORTHINGTON GC

t’s about as convivial, cordial and collegial as it gets. Walk and talk the course and a smile embraces your face. Worthington GC – a rustic, exurban, delight snuggled in the southeastern edges of the Berkshires – is simply suffused with bonhomie. Richard Lord and I met with the buoyant and dedicated president, Stan Paulauskas, at one of his new Burger King outlets (Lenox) in May and – munching on a large cheeseburger – I was urged to take the voyage to the Berkshire fringes for some glorious, neighborhood, nine-hole (well, actually, 10) golf. I witnessed a robust club tournament and enjoyed a postround dinner with a bunch of animated, cheerful members. “Everyone loves this place! We have a remarkable membership base here. We are down-to-earth. We have fun. We play on this antique, blessed, rolling, 10-hole course and love it,” Stan smiles. Cobbled together in 1904 by local golfing acolytes in these Western Massachusetts hills, the course served affluent weekenders from Boston and New York.

Former Secretary of State George Shultz has long been a member and an eclectic bunch of rockers, politicians, accountants, lawyers, circus clowns, ballet dancers, financiers and kids have frolicked on the tumbling, hic-cupping fairways and tiny, ovoid greens. “We have sunshine, wind, rainbows, hurricanes, ice-storms – but, most of all, a good time,” Stan adds. “And how about $1,000 for the season! And no waiting and no five-hour rounds. Play nine, or 10 or 18 holes!” Bring the Benz, bring the RV, bring the kids. Steve Magargal – a gregarious member, former Club champion and top-notch amateur player in his wily youth – both writes and talks about golf. Here is his take: Way back in 1904 a few farmers and a land owner got together and decided to create a golf course in the hills of Western Mass. In its early stages the club consisted of three holes crisscrossing a farm. Those gave rise to the current nine that sit the foothills and remain the fine nine-hole layout that we all enjoy.

A visit is a step back in time with a quaint clubhouse and views. The course itself is not long or overly difficult. As you descend down the 1st and 2nd enjoy peace and quiet. It toughens as you climb up 3 and 4 and turns back toward the clubhouse on the par-3 5th, which has possibly the smallest green in the state and, at 200 yards into the wind, can be the most difficult hole. The 6th has been the signature hole for over 100 years. Downhill, over bunkers and between two maples to a green that slopes away, it is a hassle for low-handicappers. Back-to-back par 5s at the 7th and 8th provide the golfer with birdie opportunities. The tree-lined 7th is the best par 5 in the area. The most infamous hole is the par-3 9th where two 70 year-olds scored consecutive holes in one! As you travel around the course a second time playing from different tees, golfers get another chance at the diabolical greens. Worthington’s 10th gives a new perspective on the back nine. It takes the place of the downhill 6th and plays 15th. Finishing your round at sunset is a

Lihn’s Berkshires Golf & Lifestyle Guide 2013

perfect end to a perfect day. Richard Lord The winding, 30-minute drive from Pittsfield is both relaxing and invigorating. The quiet road and the surrounding beauty can’t help but create a positive aura. When you reach the clubhouse and are greeted by the friendly pro, Erik Tiele, you can’t wait to play some old-school, pure country golf! A glance at the scorecard on your first visit creates confidence. Only 5,594 yards for 18 holes? Let the birdie fest begin! Well, that’s what I thought as I took out my driver on the 333-yard par-4 1st. With OB close by on the right, an iron was prudent. After

missing the fairway 30 yards left, and three putts later, I was humbled. This course was not a pushover. Several club members emphasized that reading the small greens requires many hours in the “library”. Over the next few hours, I had about as much success deciphering the perplexing greens as I had absorbing my chemistry textbook. They say that the greens break down toward Route 122, and the overall slope suggests that, but it often seemed like they tilted uphill! The severely downhill 2nd offered the opportunity to channel my inner Bubba Watson as I tried to reach a par-4 green in one. And the course’s quirky routing added to the day’s enjoyment. It starts with four par 4s, then comes a rare five-hole stretch that includes back-to-back par 3s, followed by a pair of par 5s – the 7th is a visual and strategic beauty – and then another par 3. On the back nine, you play a different set of tees and the pars change on No. 5/14, which goes to 240-yards (par 4), and No. 8/17, which is transformed to 406 yards.

Lihn’s Berkshires Golf & Lifestyle Guide 2013

Recreational “Small-town ambiance creates a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.” “Don’t let the scorecard fool you -- this course offers plenty of challenges.”

Professional “Hitting it straight is more important than hitting it long.” “Greens can confuse the best of putters.”

The Specifics Type: Semi-private Green fees: $10 (juniors), $15 for nine holes; $18 juniors, $25-$35 for 18 holes. Layout: nine holes, par 35 Rating/Slope 5,594 White/Blue 120 4,974 Gold/Red 123 (w) Architect: Club’s founding members, 1905 Head pro: Erik Tiele

Getting There 113 Ridge Rd., Worthington, MS (413) 238-4464 www.worthingtongolfclub.net

Worthington is a 10-hole track. The 15th is a completely different par 3.

GREENOCK CC Recreational “A great walking course.” “Well-maintained.”

Professional “Uphill and downhill approach shots a big part of the challenge.” “As with most Ross courses, you need to have a deft touch around the greens.”

The Specifics

evered golf course architect Donald Ross has many layouts sprinkled around New England, but, sadly, very few of his nine-hole works remain. Greenock is on that short list, and it is an exceptional addition. Ross did a magnificent job of sculpting an eye-catching course onto a relatively small plot of land in 1927. It ranks as one of the bestmaintained courses in the Berkshires. There are few hills to negotiate, thus it is a great course to walk with all the tee boxes located within twoputt distance of the previous green. Even though it measures only 3,115 yards from the back tees, precision and touch are required to successfully deal with the combination of hilly terrain, uneven lies, bunkering and typically challenging Ross greens. While three of the six par 4s measure 360 yards or less, all come with elevation changes that create challenges. Two of the par 4s, the 403yard 3rd and 444-yard 5th, are work.

The former, a sharp dogleg right, starts with a blind tee shot that requires a fade if you hit driver. A bold play that challenges the thick forest guarding the dogleg can get you into the 150-yard range. The more prudent play is to hit a fairway wood. That leaves a considerably longer second shot, but it takes the forest out of play. The 5th ranks with the best par 4s in the county, as its length suggests. Hitting from a tee that sits well above the fairway helps reduce the distance slightly, but the second shot is still going to require a lengthy poke with a pond sitting short and left of the green as an unwelcome nuisance. The par 3s, the 2nd and 7th, are classic New England: the tees sit well above the greens, shortening the distance while adding to the beauty. The 6th, the only par 5, looks like a birdie hole on the scorecard at 473 yards, but having a chance to make a four requires a well-placed drive from an elevated tee. To aim at the green on the uphill second shot, the

Type: Semi-private Green fees: $19-31 for nine holes; $27-$43 for 18 Carts: Yes Layout: 9 holes, par 35 Rating/Slope 6,230 Black 69.8/122 6,014 Blue 69.2/119 5,796 Gold 73.4/126 (w) 5,258 Red 70.6/117 (w) Architect: Donald Ross Head pro: Bob Mucha Practice facility: Putting green

Getting There 220 West Park St., Lee, MA (413) 243-3323 www.greenockcc.com

drive must finish on the right half of the fairway. Given the modest greens fee, the Ross pedigree, visual beauty, meticulous upkeep and walkerfriendly design, Greenock is a fun track to play and one of the best values around. Richard Lord

Lihn’s Berkshires Golf & Lifestyle Guide 2013

CRANWELL CRANWELLGC GC

he par-69 course at Cranwell, measuring a little less than 6,000 yards, suggests an easy outing. But the combination of some tight fairways, small greens (and dramatic slopes), occasional uneven lies and elevation changes (hey, it’s the Berkshires!) make you work for that low score. The course dates to the 1920s and, like many Berkshire courses, was designed by Wayne Stiles. At 3,196 yards, the front nine plays 397 yards longer than the par-34 back, but the back-to-front sloping greens go a long way to even the difficulty.

The condition of the course has improved in recent years, but it still hasn’t risen to the level of the area’s prestige courses. The most difficult hole on the front – at least in my experience – is the stout 233-yard par-3 5th. There’s plenty of trouble on either side of the green, which offers big-breaking putts. The 369-yard 7th features a fairway that slopes right and the hole is all uphill. Aim for the left side of the green – there is a bunker and a steep falloff guarding the right. The reward is the view. Be their in

October! The 10th is a risk-reward par 4 that tempts the long hitters to come out of their shoes. At 273 yards from an elevated tee, dreams of eagles dance in their heads. With plenty of trouble left and near the green, the smarter play is an iron tee shot and a wedge to the green. But then again, who said golfers are smart? Then rare back-to-back par 3s on the 11th and 12th, a difficult dogleg left par 4 (13th) and threes holes with big elevation changes (the par5 15th, par-3 16th and par-4 17th).

Getting There 55 Lee Rd., Lenox, MA 413-881-0732 www.cranwell.com

North Adams CC The nine-hole “North Adams” course at the North Adams Country Club facility in Clarksburg, Massachusetts was designed by Orrin E. Smith, and opened in 1903. Construction is underway to make it an 18hole facility. Stay tuned.

Lihn’s Berkshires Golf & Lifestyle Guide 2013

GEAA Getting There 303 Crane Avenue, Pittsfield, MA (413) 443-5746 www.geaagolf.com

nown to area golfers as the “A,” this nine-hole course gives Pittsfield visitors a convenient, bargain option for a relaxing nine holes. When you enter the tiny, wooden pro shop, you will be greeted with a smile by affable Jay Abair. He sets the tone – this place is about having

fun. In Caddyshack terms, more like Rodney Dangerfield. The acronym stands for “General Electric Athletic Association.” The course was built in the 1930s for the use of GE employees (GE was the biggest employer in the city for decades) and became a public course in the 1940s.

For $15 to $32 riding, it is an exceptional value. Condition-wise, it certainly isn’t TPC Sawgrass, but the greens are in good shape. It measures 3,193 yards from the tips but with elevation changes, relatively small greens and several 90-degree doglegs, it requires accuracy. The toughest holes are arguably the downhill, par-4 2nd –requiring a ticklish, blind second shot – and the 560-yard 6th. The second of consecutive par 5s, it features a downhill tee shot with a pesky lake right. Then, it’s all uphill to a green that slopes dramatically right-to-left. Whether birdies, bogeys (or worse), like Jay, you leave the course with a smile! Richard Lord

FOREST PARK CC

itting at the foot of Mount Greylock, above the quaint New England town of Adams, is a golf course that gives golfers a glimpse of the game at the turn of the 20th century. While, obviously improvements have been made over the past 113 years, many of the original features of the Alex Findlay design remain. The nine-hole course opened in 1900 and was quickly redesigned by Findlay, a Scottish immigrant who is believed to have built the first 62

Getting There course in the United States in 1887. Findlay, also one of the area’s best players, was credited with building hundreds of courses. He redesigned Forest Park after a visit in 1901. The next year he returned to take on Willie Anderson, the reigning U.S. Open champion and the head pro at the CC of Pittsfield. The match drew a crowd of several hundred and ended in a tie (69). “The Rock” currently is a par34, 2,625-yard course. Golfers can

41 Forest Park, Ave. Adams (413) 743-3311 / (413) 743-3311 www.forestparkadams.com

expect to deal with uneven lies and big-breaking putts. In a unique feature, there are three holes – the 3rd, 6th and 7th – where you must be alert as you walk down the fairway. The tee shot on the 4th crosses the 3rd fairway and the tee shot on No. 8 crosses both the 6th and 7th fairways. You can play 18 holes at the historic course for only $20.

Lihn’s Berkshires Golf & Lifestyle Guide 2013

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