Buddies Back in Boston – Annual Trip Recap

Posted byJason WayPosted inGolf Course Architecture, Golf Course Tours, Golf CoursesTags:, , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Last year’s eastern buddies trip was such a winner that we decided to return to Boston again this year to play Myopia Hunt Club, Essex County Club, Whitinsville, Kittansett Club and Wannamoisett.  The trip had a wonderful little wrinkle as we were hosted on our first day by a group of members from Myopia and Essex with whom we had casual and fun four-ball matches.  Great guys, great courses, great times.

BostonHats.jpg

Before getting to the courses, a side note:  My golf adventuring continues to include a social aspect for which I am grateful.  These experiences are much more rewarding when shared with other golfers who “get it”.  In fact, one of our hosts commented that he found our group to be enjoyable because we weren’t just a bunch of belt-notchers, but rather guys who loved the game and appreciated its special playing fields.

Since our trip had a twist, I am adding a twist to the recap.  I picked my favorite 18 holes from the 5 courses we played, by number, and hit Jon Cavalier up for photos.  This New England Great 18 is followed with the course photos I took, and some additional commentary.  Disagree with my selections?  Leave a comment here, or hit me up on social media.

NEW ENGLAND GREAT 18

(click photos to enlarge)

#1 – Whitinsville GC – Par 5 – 526 yards

Whitinsville1-Approach-JC.png

Hello Mr. Ross!  That was the feeling I had stepping onto the tee of the 1st at Whitinsville.  It is a grand par-5 that rolls over hills up to a big green beautifully set on a hilltop.  It is the perfect opener – it doesn’t punish, but it does require good shots to score.

 

#2 – Myopia Hunt Club – Par 5 – 463 yards

Myopia2-Teezoom-JC.png

The first at Myopia gives a preview of the quirk.  The second gives a preview of the grandeur and strategy of the rest of the course.  High on the hill of this reachable par 5, picking a route through the mounds, the player knows that thoughtful shot-making is the order of the day.

 

#3 – Wannamoisett CC – Par 3 – 131 yards

Wannamoisett3-Teezoom-JC.png

This is the spot where the player realizes just how much Ross got out of the Wannamoisett property.  The short 3rd embodies the beauty and intimacy of the course, along with the truth that big challenge often comes in a small package.

 

#4 – Myopia Hunt Club – Par 4 – 380 yards

Myopia4-Greenback-JC.png

Slopes and angles are the name of the game at the dog-leg 4th.  The safer play right off the tee leaves a much more challenging approach from a fairway sloped high right to low left, into a green sloped even more severely in the same direction.  This hole requires shot-making – two thoughtless straight balls in the middle won’t get the job done.

 

#5 – Kittansett Club – Par 4 – 395 yards

Kittansett5-Fairway-JC.png

The fifth heads inland to the windless area that the caddies affectionately call “The Oven”.  This two-shotter features imposing center bunkers that must be challenged to get a full view of and the best angle into the green.

 

#6 – Myopia Hunt Club – Par 4 – 244 yards

Myopia6-Teezoom-JC

I missed driving the green by less than ten feet on the short 6th, but found my ball on the closely mown upslope with the green running hard away front to back.  After carding a bogey 5, it occurred to me that I might not have mastered the strategy on this hole just yet.

 

#7 – Kittansett Club – Par 5 – 505 yards

Kittansett7-Greenback-JC

The first and only par-5 on the front nine at Kittansett is a rugged beauty with some of the coolest bunkering on the course.  Navigate that bunkering with an aggressive tee shot and second, and a birdie is there for the taking on the canted green.

 

#8 – Essex County Club – Par 4 – 422 yards

EssexCounty8-Approach-JC.png

Full disclosure – I have played this hole twice and it kicked my butt both times, and yet I love it anyway.  It begins with a blind drive to a wild split-level fairway.  It ends with a green that is both canted and contoured.  A truly unique hole.

 

#9 – Myopia Hunt Club – Par 3 – 130 yards

Myopia9-Shortright-JC

A fair case can be made that this is best short par-3 on the planet.  It is at once mesmerizing in its artistic appearance, and terrifying in the narrowness of its green surface.

 

#10 – Wannamoisett CC – Par 4 – 403 yards

Wannamoisett10-Approach-JC.png

This uphill par 4 features a mine field of artful Ross bunkering.  Approaches that crest the hill short tumble down to the beautifully set green.

Wannamoisett10-Greenback-JC

 

#11 – Kittansett Club – Par 3 – 220 yards

Kittansett11-Approach-JC

MacDonald & Raynor, Langford & Moreau, and any other architects who have built crazy-bold greens would stand up and applaud the 11th at Kittansett.  Coupled with the length, this one-shotter chucks the concept of “fair” right out the window.

 

#12 – Wannamoisett CC – Par 3 – 195 yards

Wannamoisett12-Greenright-JC.png

The punchbowl green on this long, uphill one-shotter is fronted on the right by an enormous bunker.  It demands a confident swing with a longer club.  Those shots that are up to the challenge feed into birdie putt territory.

 

#13 – Essex County Club – Par 4 – 375 yards

EssexCounty13-GreenAbove-JC

The natural beauty of this hole is off the charts.  The narrow fairway, flanked by native flowers, grass, and trees opens to a green wonderfully benched into the base of the rocky hill.

 

#14 – Kittansett Club – Par 3 – 175 yards

Kittansett14-Shortleft-JC

Sneaky tough bunkering defends the final one-shotter at Kittansett.  A player who judges the effect of the wind properly and finds the green is rewarded.  For those who do not, a recovery crap-shoot awaits.

 

#15 – Essex County Club – Par 4 – 349 yards

EssexCounty15-GreenLeft-JC

The 15th at Essex County is set out on the open field shared with the opening stretch of holes.  Wind is a big factor approaching the elevated green fronted by a large bunker.  The green is one of the boldest at Essex with a large swale creating multiple plateaus.

 

#16 – Myopia Hunt Club – Par 3 – 175 yards

Myopia16-Backleft-JC

The green on the downhill 16th at Myopia looks almost unhittable from the tee.  To make matters worse, it is surrounded by nasty bunkers that do not yield sand saves easily.  If you manage par here, happily take it and run for the next tee.

 

#17 – Essex County Club – Par 4 – 328 yards

EssexCounty17-Shortleft-JC

Higher and higher describes well the penultimate hole at Essex County.  The player is asked to play a tee shot straight up the hill that anchors the back nine, and then follow it with a blind second uphill to one of the smallest greens on the course.  One of the most thrilling climbs in the game.

 

#18 – Essex County Club – Par 4 – 414 yards

EssexCounty18-Teezoom-JC

The climb on the 17th at Essex County is followed by the winding descent of the home hole.  The routing of the fairway between fescue covered hills is visually confounding on the tee shot.  Finding the fairway affords the player a reasonable approach to a subtly contoured green that will yield birdies.

 

MYOPIA HUNT CLUB

No other course is quite like Myopia.  It has a look and feel of pre-dating the Golden Era architecture, much like The Country Club.  It has a rugged, lay-of-the-land natural beauty about it.  It has plenty of quirk, of all the right kinds – blind shots, mounds, hummocks, and a variety of bunkering.

None of the above is meant to imply that Myopia is not sophisticated.  In its own unique way, it is one of the most strategic, artistic, and challenging courses that I have ever played.  It takes deep thought, confident decision-making, and solid execution to score.  I suspect that a player could spend several lifetimes joyfully trying to unlock all of its secrets.

In a word, Myopia is evocative, and I loved every minute of walking its fairways and trying to meet its challenges.

#1 – Par 4 – Approach to the green benched in the hillside
#2 – Par 5 – Stunning view from the tee
#2 – Par 5 – From the fairway, with mounds to navigate
#2 – Par 5 – Cross bunker on the approach
#2 – Par 5 – Short left of the green
#2 – Par 5 – Green back view shows the feeding slope
#3 – Par 3 – From the tee of this stout one-shotter
#3 – Par 3 – Bunkers guarding short right
#4 – Par 4 – Tee view out to the sloping fairway
#4 – Par 4 – Approach with hazards left
#4 – Par 4 – View from back left shows tilt of the green
#4 – Par 4 – Green back to the fairway
#5 – Par 4 – Tee view downhill to the fairway
#5 – Par 4 – Approach from the right side
#5 – Par 4 – Short left of the green
#5 – Par 4 – Green back to the fairway corridor
#6 – Par 4 – Zoomed view on this drivable four
#6 – Par 4 – Approach left to the front-to-back sloped green
#7 – Par 4 – Approach to the domed green
#7 – Par 4 – Bunker left of the green
#7 – Par 4 – Green back to the rolling fairway
# 8 – Par 5 – Fairway bunker on the approach left
#8 – Par 5 – Green back to another rolling fairway
#9 – Par 3 – Tee zoom to the narrow green
#9 – Par 3 – Artful bunkering provides ample defense
#10 – Par 4 – Fairway right headed downhill
#10 – Par 4 – Cross bunker guarding the approach
#10 – Par 4 – Another unique Myopia bunker
#10 – Par 4 – Green back view to the fairway
#11 – Par 4 – Tee view to the sloping fairway
#11 – Par 4 – Approach left to the elevated green
#12 – Par 4 – Tee view of the thrilling drive
#12 – Par 4 – Approach from the left is semi-blind
#12 – Par 4 – Green back view is majestic
#13 – From the tee down into the landing area, with the green above
#13 – Par 4 – The approach up several stories to the elevated green
#13 – Par 4 – Bunker short left waiting to grab weak approaches
#13 – Par 4 – Green back view down into the valley
#14 – Par 4 – Approach left to the slick green
#14 – Par 4 – Bunker short left
#14 – Par 4 – View of behind the green from 15 tee
#15 – Par 5 – Approach over bunkered mounds right
#15 – Par 5 – Short left bunker and mound
#16 – Par 3 – View from hill short left
#16 – Par 3 – View back toward 1st fairway
#17 – Par 4 – Approach from left rough
#17 – Par 4 – Bunker defending green right
#18 – Par 4 – Tee view on the home hole
#18 – Par 4 – Cross bunkers on the approach
#18 – Par 4 – Green above from the 17th tee
#18 – Par 4 – Green back view of fariway sloping off the hillside

 

ESSEX COUNTY CLUB

There have been times in the past year that I have wondered if I have oversold myself on the greatness of Essex County.  This return visit dispelled any doubts – Essex County is brilliant, and the back nine is a masterpiece.

With guidance from Bruce Hepner, Superintendent Eric Richardson continues his pursuit of perfection, including removal of thousands more trees on the rocky hill that is the centerpiece of the property.

It became clear on my second time around Essex that its variety is part of its charm for me.  The course wanders through distinct zones – holes 1-3, 4-6, 7-9, 10-13, 14-16, 17-18 – each with their own feel and natural beauty.  Add to that variety the obvious love that Donald Ross poured into tinkering with the greens and surrounds, and you have one special golf course.

#1 – Par 4 – From the 16th tee
#1 – Par 4 – Mounds left of the green
#1 – Par 4 – Green back toward the clubhouse
#3 – Par 5 – Short left of the green
#4 – Par 3 – On the hill above and right of the green
#4 – Par 3 – Behind the green
#5 – Par 5 – Tee zoom from the new back tee
#7 – Par 3 – From the tee
#7 – Par 3 – On the hill behind the green back toward the tee
#9 – Par 4 – Mounds and bunker left of the green
#10 – Par 4 – Zoom from the forward tee, with the 11th behind
#10 – Par 4 – Short right
#10 – Par 4 – Short left
#10 – Par 4 – Benind the green back toward the tee
#11 – Par 3 – From the forward tee
#11 – Par 3 – Short left, showing the drop-off and bunkering
#11 – Par 3 – Short right
#11 – Par 3 – Bunkers right of the green
#12 – Par 4 – Bunkers and mounds right of the green
#12 – Par 4 – Right of the green from the 13th tee
#12 – Par 4 – Green back toward the newly cleared hill
#13 – Par 4 – The narrow drive
#13 – Par 4 – Approaching the green from the left
#13 – Par 4 – Mounds left of the green
#14 – Par 3 – From the tee with giant cloud formation in the distance
#14 – Par 3 – Behind the back bunker
#14 – Par 3 – Looking down on the 14th and 16th greens from 17 fairway, with the Ross house visible behind
#15 – Par 4 – From the tee
#15 – Par 4 – Approach from the right
#16 – Par 4 – Brian driving from the new back tee
#16 – Par 4 – From down in the fairway
#16 – Par 4 – Short left of the green
#16 – Back right of the green with the 17th fairway behind
#17 – Par 4 – My drive on the 17th, with the 16th green behind
#17 – Par 4 – Above leftt of the green
#17 – Par 4 – Green back with the 16th green down below
#18 – Par 4 – From the tee
#18 – Par 4 – The green from the right hill
#18 – Par 4 – Green back up the hill
The fox that kept us company and put on a hunting show on the 12th

 

WHITINSVILLE GOLF CLUB

Whitinsville is thoroughly pleasurable to play.  It is the kind of course that doesn’t need to wow, because it produces a sustained sense of happiness, hole after hole.  If I lived within an hour drive of Whitinsville, I would have submitted a membership application immediately after walking off the 9th green.

Working off of a Master Plan created by Gil Hanse, with assistance from Forse Design, Superintendent Michael Hughes keeps the course in perfect condition.  Nothing is overdone, and yet everything is just so.  It is a combination that allows the subtle elegance of Ross’s work to shine through.

A specific note about the trees at Whitinsville – I can’t think of a course that is a better example of ideal tree management.  It is right up there with Crystal Downs in that regard for me.  There are gorgeous specimen trees throughout the property in stands and singles, every one of which is nicely highlighted.  The property feels both intimately wooded and wide open at the same time.  Whitinsville strikes the perfect balance and should be studied by course stewards everywhere.

#1 – Par 5 – From the middle tee
#1 – Par 5 – Fairway left
#1 – Par 5 – The approach up to the perched green
#1 – Par 5 – Green left with the 2nd green in the background
#2 – Par 3 – Down to the newly built green
#3 – Par 4 – From the tee
#3 – Par 4 – Short left, from the hillside on the 4th
#3 – Par 4 – Above the green from the 4th tee
#3 – Par 4 – Green back toward the tee
#4 – Par 4 – Down to the dogleft left fairway
#4 – Par 4 – Approach from the left
#4 – Par 4 – Short left of the green
#4 – Par 4 – Green back down the fairway toward the tee elevated on the hillside
#5 – Par 4 – The blind drive over centerline bunkers
#5 – Par 4 – Ring the bell letting the next group know it’s safe to hit their tee shots
#5 – Par 4 – The green back with the 6th in view
#6 – Par 4 – The daunting approach
#6 – Par 4 – Short of the green, with the hill left to climb
#6 – Par 4- Short right of the green
#6 – Par 4 – Left of the green, with the 8th in the distance
#7 – Par 3 – From the tee, with valley to cross
#7 – Par 3 – Short shots roll down to the bottom of the hill
#8 – Par 4 – The angled tee shot on the 8th, bite off as much as you want
#8 – Par 4 – Short left of the green
#9 – Par 4 – From the back right tee
#9 – Par 4 – From the back left tee
#9 – Par 4 – Tee balls that crest the hill catch a speed slot
#9 – Par 4 – Left of the sloping green
#9 – Par 4 – The green back to the bold fairway

 

KITTANSETT CLUB

If there is a better flat-site golf course than Kittansett, I would like to see it.

The course plays through two distinct zones – a largely treeless coastal zone open to the stiff wind, and an inland zone among the trees which plays much calmer, but is no less challenging.  Gil Hanse’s restoration and Superintendent John Kelly’s care have uncovered the unique character of this New England gem.

Although Kittansett has a wild and rugged beauty, it makes no attempt to impress with visual eye-candy.  Instead, it uses ground features and bunkers to make the player think from tee-to-green on every single hole.  Impatience, indecision, and lapses of concentration are punished, but the player who plots a course and executes can score and have great fun doing so.

#1 – Par 4 – Green back toward the clubhouse
#2 – Par 4 – Bunker on approach left
#2 – Par 4 – Short right of the green
#2 – Par 4 – Green back with the stiff wind extending the flag
#3 – Par 3 – The green from the hill left
#3 – Par 3 – Short on the beach
#3 – Par 3 – Back right shows the green contour
#3 – Par 3 – View of the unique surrounds behind
#3 – Par 3 – Green back to the tee
#3 – Par 3 – My crew bracing against the 30mph gusts
#4 – Par 4 – Approach from the right
#4 – Par 4 – Bunker short right
#4 – Par 4 – Green back toward the fairway
#4 – Par 4 – Green behind from 5th tee
#5 – Par 4 – Tee view of the center bunkers
#5 – par 4 – Fairway bunkers that must be challenged for the best approach
#5 – Par 4 – Approach from the center
#5 – Par 4 – Bunker short right
#7 – Par 5 – Entering the fields of hazards
#6 – Par 4 – Approach right from the inside corner
#6 – Par 4 – Approach left
#6 – Par 4 – Bunker left of the green
#6 – Par 4 – Green back view showing the change in terrain
#7 – Par 5 – From the fairway right
#7 – Par 5 – Rugged and artful bunkers right
#7 – Par 5 – Cross bunkers on the approach
#7 – Par 5 – Short right of the green
#8 – Par 3 – From the tee on this long one-shotter
#8 – Par 3- Short right of the green
#8 – Par 3 – Large mounding behind the green
#9 – Par 4 – Green back toward the fairway corridor
#10 – Par 4 – Tee view out over signature mounds
#10 – Par 4 – From the fairway
#10 – Par 4 – Short right bunkering
#10 – Par 4 – Bunker extending back right of the green
#10 – Par 4 – Green back down the fairway
#11 – Par 3 – Approach to the wild green
#11 – Par 3 – Short right of the green
#11 – Par 3 – Right of the green
#11 – Par 3 – Green contours as seen from the 12th tee
#12 – Par 4 – Tee view of fairway hazards
#12 – Par 4 – Approach right
#13 – Par 4 – Semi-blind view from the right approach
#13 – Par 4 – Behind the green showing wrap-around bunker
#14 – Par 3 – Tee view of the final one-shotter
#14 – Par 3 – Pot bunker greenside left
#14 – Par 3- Green contours from back edge
#15 – Par 5 – From the fairway into the reachable 5-par
#15 – Par 5 – Cross bunker on the approach right
#15 – Par 5 – Nasty humps and bumps shortleft
#15 – Par 5 – Green left view showing the crowned run-off
#16 – Par 4 – Tee shot back out into the coastal zone
#16 – Par 4 – Short left bunker
#17 – Par 4 – Flags showing the way in
#18 – Par 5 – On the tee of the home hole
#18 – Par 5 – Short of the elevated green
#18 – Par 5 – The end to another amazing adventure

 

MARION GOLF CLUB

We made a quick stop after Kittansett at Little Marion (as the locals call it), which I had learned about in Anthony Pioppi’s wonderful book, To the Nines.  This early work of George Thomas was everything I had hoped it would be.  Quirky, raw, and just the kind of community course where I would love to go whack it around with my kids.

 

WANNAMOISETT CLUB

When I think of a classic golf course, a place that ought to host national championships, I think of a course like Wannamoisett.  At Par 69, tuned up to tournament conditions, I imagine that it can beat you senseless with a steady line-up of tough par-4s, and highly varied par-3s.

Wannamoisett is a prototypical Donald Ross golf course, but with some wonderful twists.  Ross’s creativity in the bunkering and ground features throughout is beyond anything that I have seen elsewhere.  He made the absolute most of this beautiful, but small, piece of property outside of Providence.  The course winds in and out of every nook and cranny, and it is a joy to explore.

With Superintendent Mark Daniels’s steady hand at the helm, this wonderful Ross gem gets the reverent care that it deserves.

#1 – Par 4 – Approach from the right side
#1 – Par 4 – Short left with unique bunkered mound
#2 – Par 4 – Approach down to the beautiful green setting
#2 – Par 4 – The hidden creek defending the green
#2 – Par 4 – The second and third greens
#2 – Par 4 – Left of the green with the 3rd behind
#2 – Par 4 – View back to the elevated fairway
#3 – Par 3 – Bunkers surround the putting surface
#3 – Par 3 – From the 4th tee back
#4 – Par 4 – Bunker guarding the left side
#4 – Par 4 – Staggered bunkers short right of the green
#5 – Par 4 – Minefield of bunkers on the inside right corner
#5 – Par 4 – Green back view to the fairway
#6 – Par 4 – Short left of the push-up green
#7 – Par 4 – Tee shot among the beautiful old trees
#7 – Par 4 – Approach to the green perched on the ridge
#7 – Par 4 – Short right of the green
#8 – Par 3 – Tee shot back down the hill
#8 – Par 3 – Short left bunkering
#9 – Par 4 – Green back to the rolling fairway
#10 – Par 4 – Tee shot back over the creek
#10 – Par 4 – Wild bunkering separating the 10th from the 9th fairways
#10 – Par 4 – Short right bunker
#10 – Large mound left of the green
#11 – Par 4 – Tee shot through the shute
#11 – Par 4 – Approach from the left side
#11 – Par 4 – Green back to the fairway
#12 – Par 3 – Daunting uphill tee shot
#12 – Par 3 – Enormous bunker front right
#12 – Par 3 – View back to the tee
#13 – Par 4 – Bunker left of the green
#13 – Par 4 – Green back view to the fairway cross bunker
#14 – Right of the green
#14 – Wrap-around bunker behind the green
Bald eagle guarding its nest by 15 tee
#17 – Fairway bunkering right
#17 – Green back left from the 18th tee
#18 – One last Ross mound bunker short right of the green

In conclusion, it is safe to say that it doesn’t get any better than this.  I hope to get back to the area during the fall so that I can experience the natural beauty of these courses during another season.  Until that day, the fond memories will be close at hand.

MORE GEEKEDONGOLF ADVENTURES

 

 

 

Copyright 2016 – Jason Way, GeekedOnGolf

10 thoughts on “Buddies Back in Boston – Annual Trip Recap”

  1. Great stuff here as always. What fun looking courses. All have a little bit of quirk in a good way. I agree totally on Myopia from looking at the pictures. I would ask what you view as a belt-notcher? I am trying to do the Top 100 mainly because it is a list and something to follow, but I love to find hidden gems as well. I hope I don’t fall into the nothcer camp 🙂 Keep up the good work and kudos to Jon on the photos as always!

    Reply

    1. Thanks for checking in sir. I think that term is usually applied to people who blaze in and out of courses checking them off a list without stopping to appreciate the architecture, culture, or history of the place. They are so consumed by their personal quest that they forget to enjoy the connection to other kindred spirits that these great courses tend to facilitate. To your point about hidden gems, notchers sadly miss out on them because they don’t further the cause. Too bad for them, I say.

      Reply

      1. Ah, whew. I am chasing a list, but the experience at a club is usually the best part. Work is the only thing that makes me leave these places! I am learning more about architecture as I play them and hope to learn more. Need to find a good book for that. The Boston area courses are cool to me since my family is 1.5 hours away. Working hard to play them. I hope we can tee it up in the future!

      2. It would be great to tee it up Jimmy. If you are looking for GCA related reading material, Geoff Shackelford’s books are a great place to start. Specifically, Grounds for Golf is a solid read and it provides a list of other books to explore.

  2. Pingback: One for the Ages – A Weekend at Prairie Dunes | Geeked on Golf
  3. Pingback: 2016 Geeked on Golf Tour | Geeked on Golf
  4. Pingback: 2016 Geeked on Golf Tour | Geeked on Golf
  5. Pingback: 5th Annual Noreaster – Back to Long Island | Geeked on Golf
  6. Pingback: Embarrassment of Riches – All GeekedOnGolf Adventures | Geeked on Golf

Leave a Reply to Tiger Golf TravelerCancel reply

Discover more from GEEKED ON GOLF

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading