WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS MUST PLAYS
Western Massachusetts Offers Fine Daily Fee Golf By JOHN TORSIELLO
T
he Berkshire Hills and the Pioneer Valley in western Massachusetts boast some of the best semi-private and daily fee courses in New England. And what a beautiful place to spend a day playing nine or 18 holes! The area’s courses are routed over open land and gently rising hills that seem to climb into the blue skies of summer. After golf, spend a few hours visiting the quaint villages and towns of the area, where you will find a variety of restaurants, shopping, museums and landmarks, and miles of hiking trails, if you are so included. Why don’t you make a week’s vacation out of if, play as many courses as you can, and drink in this special part of the region? Thanks to Golfing Magazine’s comprehensive Course Play Stimulus Program, our subscribers can try out a multitude of courses in this portion of Massachusetts. Check out the details of this can’t miss offer in this issue. Call 860-563-1633, or visit www.FreeGolf.net to sign up. New to our program this year is Wyckoff Country Club (www.WycoffCountryClub.com)
in Holyoke is an 18-hole, par 69, 6100-yard championship golf course built on the beautiful rolling property at the base of Mount Tom. Wycoff has an interesting mix of holes; a number of short par--fours that can be attacked with a lusty drive and a short-iron or wedge to the putting surface, only two par-fives, one of which, the 478-yard 13th, can also yield birdie to long hitters that can reach the green in two, two par-fours that play over 400 yards from the tips, and several strong par-threes (there are five short holes in all on the layout). The 18th is perhaps the most difficult par-three and a cool way to finish a round. It’s a whopping 229 yards from the tips. Also new to our fabulous line-up of Program courses this year is East Mountain Country Club (www.EastMountainCC.com) in Westfield was designed by owner Ted Perez, Sr., who wanted to have a course that is approachable for golfers of all skill levels and fun to play. The layout measures around 6,200 yards from the tips and all but one of the par-fives is reachable in two by the big hitters. There are several short par-fours where birdie
The Ranch Golf Club 18
Golfing Magazine • New England Edition
can be made, and a fun mix of holes on the back side, which has three par-threes, three par-fours, and three par-fives, including back-to-backers at 11 and 12. The toughest hole on the course may be the 429-yard par four 16th. The club prides itself on the quality of its greens. Cold Spring Country Club (www. ColdSpringCC.com), an 18-hole semi-private course located about midway between Springfield and Worcester in Belchertown. Designed by Mary Armstrong, completed in 2010 and opened for play in 2012, Cold Spring Country Club is a par-71 course with 6,521 yards set on rolling hills that boast of vistas in nearly every direction. Each hole has up to five sets of tees, enabling golfers of all levels to play an exciting mix of six par-threes, seven par-fours and five par-fives. It all starts with a tough 216-yard par-three. From the highest tee box on the course, enjoy a panoramic view of central Massachusetts facing south. Normally you will need one less club because of the steep drop, but watch the wind
