Chicopee Country Club The Shattuck Golf Club Quarry Ridge Golf Course Wentworth Hills Country Club Heather Hill Country Club Omni Mount Washington Resort Mount Snow Golf Course Killington Grand Resort Brattleboro Country Club The Captains Golf Course Yarmouth Golf

By John Torsiello

Whether you had a great day or got beat up by the difficulty of the course, you can certainly celebrate or ease your pain in the Shattuck Golf Club’s comfortable Dublin Road Taproom and Eatery.

The restaurant is in a cozy setting that befits the laid back atmosphere of the New Hampshire woods. It provides high quality comfort food, pub favorites and healthy options. With 24 rotating draft beer lines and a refrigerator stocked with cans, craft beer lovers will surely delight in the extensive variety the taproom offers. The bar also features wine and well as non-alcoholic beers.

Happy Hour in the Taproom is 4 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, with 50 cent wing night on Monday, burger night on Wednesday, and 12 dollar beer flights specials on Thursday and Friday evenings.

The Shattuck Golf Club (www.ShattuckGolf.com) in Jaffrey was carved out of granite and mature woodlands and demands a well thought out approach to every shot on every hole.

This is a tough routing and target golf at its best. You must hit your spots, both off the tees and on approaches to the greens. The 157-acre tract was designed by golf course architect Brian Silva with emphasis on the natural beauty that lies at the base of Mount Monadnock. You will find the mountain (elevation 3,165 feet) stands prominently over you on most holes.

Don’t let the scorecard fool you. The tee down from the championship markers plays only 6,077 yards (par-71) and the white, or middle tees where recreational and even good golfers usually play from on most courses, measure just 5,412 yards in total. But wetlands and other hazards loom off the playing surface. But, as the course’s website says, if you can hit the ball 75 yards in the air, you can play any of the holes. Still, The Shattuck is listed as one of the Top 100 toughest courses in the country.

The 200-yard par-three second is a visually stunning golf hole, with elevated tees that look down over a grassy hillside to a large, bunkered green set in front of a sparkling pond. The tee doesn’t feel all that high, but it’s unusually deceptive. The most common error here is over-clubbing. The 426-yard par-four 10th starts from the highly elevated area, offering a spectacular view of the large green below with Mount Monadnock serving as the backdrop. The hole is a dogleg left with a deep drop-off at the turn. A long drive center of left gives you the best approach to the green, too far left and you’ll go over the edge. The par-four, 391-yard 16th is played over a pond in front of the tee to a wide, rolling fairway and bunkered green with a colonial farmhouse behind. Just keep it straight; there’s deep rough left and right. A big green is slightly elevated, so your second shot may require one more club. The 380-yard, par-four home hole is one of the few that doesn’t have wetlands on it. However, the fairway slopes hard to the left towards the woods off the tee. If you are successful in finding the short grass, you will be met with a fairly uncomplicated approach. This is the largest green on the course and gives you an opportunity to finish a round with birdie.

There is plenty to do and see in the area if you chose to stick around for a few days and give The Shattuck a second play.

Chicopee Country Club in Massachusetts, with its rolling terrain, tree-lined fairways, and fast, sloping greens, is generally regarded as a championship course by golfers.

“Players continue to come out in big numbers as conditions continue to improve each year,” said Director of Golf, Mike O’Neill. “We now have great conditions, a central location, great food, and a friendly staff. We have always gotten golfers from western Massachusetts, but in recent years, we’re seeing groups from central Massachusetts as well as Connecticut.”

Through the years, the picturesque golf course has received accolades from publications such as Golf Digest, USA Today, the New England Journal of Golf, and Golfing Magazine. It has been touted as being among the best public courses in Massachusetts, and has been named one of New England’s top 100 golf courses. It has also been credited with providing the best value in Massachusetts.

The course recently hosted an American Junior Golf Association event for the fourth consecutive year, and also hosted a Massachusetts Public Links qualifier in June. O’Neill mentioned a great twilight fee of $43 after 2 p.m. for golf and cart.

Chicopee plays a very manageable 6,422 yards from the back tees, and plays to a par of 71. The “member” tees one step down from the championship markers measure 5,986 yards. The next tee down plays 5,508 yards, and the forward markers play 5,159 yards.

There is a pleasing mix of holes in the course routing; short par-fours, including the drivable 292-yard ninth hole, reachable-in-two par-fives, such as the 485-yard second and 476-yard 15th, and long par threes like the third, eighth, 11th and 12th. Note the unusual back to back par-threes, both of which play almost 190 yards from the cham- pionship makers. The eighth hole plays over 200 yards from the back tees. The starter is a 400-yard par-four that is pretty straightforward. The green is somewhat oblong and there is a bunker on the left that could come into play on the approach shot. The second hole is the 485-yard par-five that can be attacked in two shots, depending upon if one hits the ball into good position at the bend of this dogleg. The fifth is a strong par-four, measuring 408 yards from the tips. The eighth is a 206-yard parthree and the final hole on the front nine is a 290-yard par-four that is reachable for the log hitters. The 11th and 12th holes are parthrees, while the 13th is another relatively short par-four, measuring 340 yards. The 13th is s slight dogleg left. The 14th is another tough par-four, playing over 400 yards from the back markers followed by a fairly straightaway 476-yard par-five that has a green guarded by bunkers left and right at the front.

The 16th is another par-three slightly over 200 yards, and the 17th is an interesting par-five that measures 570 yards from the back. You must steer clear of a pond at a point where the hole bends sharply to the left to set up a second shot on this three-shots-to-the-green hole. The round finishes with a 395-yard par-four.

There are several water hazards on the course and enough sand bunkers to keep you on your toes on approaches to the medium-sized putting surfaces. O’Neill considers the 17th one of the prettiest holes on the course along with the first hole. “Both are very demanding,” he observed.

Chicopee Country Club Chicopee, Massachusetts 413-594-9295 www.ChicopeeCountryClub.com.

We know golfing is fun. The ownership at Wentworth Hills Country Club in Plainville, Ma. is intent on making it even more enjoyable.

The club has purchased a new fleet of “Shark” golf carts that allows players to remain in contact with the clubhouse throughout a round. They can order food and refreshments while playing the front nine and pick up orders at the turn. In addition, the carts offer yardages and golfers can even watch video tips from Greg Norman between their own shots.

The club has a unique “challenge” that gets golfers who ante up $5 or $10 on top of their greens fees a shot at a $10,000 or $20,000 prize if they make a hole-in-one on the par-three 17th hole.

And, the club has developed an app for cell phones that make the user a member of the “Wentworth Hills community” once they get the app. Individuals are notified of discounts on greens fees and other promotions and specials. A map of the course and yardages are automatically available on the user’s phone when accessing the app. ”We are trying to keep up with the younger generation that is so into technology,” said one of the club’s owners, Constant Poholek. “The hole-inone challenge is a game within the game and money we receive helps out charitable causes. We are trying to do things to make golf even more fun and keep people coming back.”

The club also continues its popular “cigar nights” where players get a round of nine holes, a cigar and dinner for a reasonable fee that changes according to the dinner provided by the club.

Wentworth Hills is a fun course to play, offering classic risk/reward holes that dare low-handicappers to “go for it,” while allowing for alternate routes to the green for less experienced golfers. The varied natural topography here features rolling, treelined fairways, large, receptive greens, ponds and lakes protecting holes, and 60 strategically-placed bunkers.

The course, while playing just over 6,200 yards from the tips, has a slope of 128 and a rating equal to its par of 71. The track places emphasis on proper club selection and accurate approach shots to the putting surfaces.

Wentworth Hills is located between Boston and Providence and only minutes from Route 495, which makes it an ideal destination for golfers from the Metro Boston area to Federal Hill in Providence.

With 27 holes of golf, Heather Hill Country Club in Plainville, Ma., makes for a full day of golfing fun. The club offers one regulation 18-hole course and one nine-hole course.

The North Course (nine holes) has a few hills that can cause uneven lies. The fairways are narrow, and the greens are small. The South Course (18 holes) has many more hills than the North Course, but doesn’t have a lot of sand bunkers. The fairways are wide open, but most are tree lined, so you just can’t spray it around and get away with it. The greens are large, and water hazards come into play on three holes.

The 18-hole course plays around 6,000 yards from the tips and has a mix of short- and medium-length par-fours, tricky par-threes, and two par-fives that can reached in two shots by big hitters. One of those par-fives is the 478yard third that is very straightforward with few hazards complicating matters, although there are two bunkers near the putting surface. The seventh and eighth are solid back-to-back par-threes, playing almost 200 yards and 180 respectively.

The back side has three short par-fours that allow you a real chance at birdie, the 334-yard 13th, the 317-yard 14th, and the final hole, a 317-yarder. Number 12 is a good par-five that plays 516 yards from the tips, with the hole doglegging to the right, which may demand a precise layup shot to set up a wedge approach.

The nine-hole layout measures 3,368 yards from the tips. It begins with a 157-yard par-three, with the toughest stretch of holes coming at three through five. The third, a par-four, plays 400 yards, while the fourth is a challenging 500-yard par-five.

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

The 18-hole Omni Mount Washington Golf Course was designed by legendary Scottish architect Donald Ross and was completed in 1915. Its backdrop features New Hampshire’s spectacular Presidential Mountain Range.

The par-72, 7,004-yard-course has hosted four New Hampshire Opens and the prestigious New England Open Championship in September 2010.

Reopened in August of 2008, the Omni Mount Washington Golf Course has been restored to Donald Ross’ original plans by noted golf course architect Brian Silva, including bunkers crafted in a classic flair and infinite varieties of recovery shots in the closely cropped areas around the putting greens. The par-five 11th hole and the par-three fifth hole feature stunning views of Omni Mount Washington Hotel and surrounding mountains.

The Omni Mount Washington Golf Course was voted Golfweek’s Best Course You Can Play in New Hampshire from 2009 through 2017.

The nine-hole Mount Pleasant Course first opened in 1895, and has been host to generations of golfing enthusiasts from New Hampshire and beyond. Greats like U.S. Pro Golfer Gilbert Nicholls, Golf Course Designer Alex Findlay, British Golf Champions Harry Vardon and J.W. Taylor, and U.S. Open Golf Champion Willie Anderson have all played the historic par-35 course. In 1989, the course was restored and upgraded by Cornish & Silva Golf Course Architects, with advice from world-renowned golfers Gene Sarazen and Ken Venturi, and now offers players a more challenging round alongside New Hampshire’s scenic Ammonoosuc River. Throughout its history, the Resort has been renowned for natural beauty and luxurious extras. Indoor and outdoor pools, Jacuzzis and fireplaces are just a few of the amenities comforting year-round guests. From the Tiffany stained glass to the crystal chandeliers, you’ll find the interior is just as impressive as the exterior.

The hotel’s elegant Four Diamond Dining Room serves four-course dinners with orchestra accompaniment nightly. Every detail, from the serenading orchestra to the menu that changes daily, reminds you that this is a place unlike any other.

Where Memories Begin.

1158 Riverside Street Portland, ME 207.797.3524 www.RiversideGolfCourseMe.com

From the moment you walk into the clubhouse until you are ready to head back home, management and the staff at Portland Ct.’s Quarry Ridge Golf Course make you feel like you are at a special place.

And that’s not by accident. When Tim and Patti Vale of Guilford purchased the club and course early in 2021 they set about improving the course conditions, and the clubhouse and restaurant housed within. Tee boxes, fairways and greens are in splendid shape and the clubhouse has the feel of a private country club.

“We opened the course under our management in early April of last year and we had one of the best years on record,” said Tim Vale, whose wife acts as club general manager while he leads from an advisory position and that of an avid golfer who “Doesn’t get to play as often as I would like”. “The conditions all around had become poor and our first move was to put money into improving conditions and making the clubhouse something distinctive. I think we now have the best greens around and that is because of our maintenance crew, which we doubled the size of to get done properly.”

Vale said the club welcomes golfers of all ages and ability. “My wife is in the position of manager and I think it important for golfers, especially women, to see her running things,” said Vale. “When women walk into the clubhouse they feel welcome and comfortable. Really, we have a ton of new golfers form all age groups. Crystal Lyle plays a big role in building relationships with our customers and building the culture at Quarry Ridge. She has a fun and engaging style that customers really embrace.”

The course also have a virtual golf component, so golfers can get their swings in during inclement weather. Vale hinted at the merging of virtual with real golf, something he and his wife are excited about as a way to make the game more enjoyable for all.

“There’s a new energy here,” said Tim Vale. “We hosted a Hurricane Junior tournament recently and that says something at the improved conditions on the course and way visitors are welcomed in the clubhouse.”

The owners entered the golf business knowing full well that golf was a tough business with high costs and low profit margins. They entered with the confidence knowing that they could increase play, reduce costs and attract new golfers with patented technology they have developed. It is called Nexus Hybrid Golf and they will be introducing the technology at Quarry Ridge late summer 2022. They want to see the game grow, not just at Quarry Ridge, but everywhere. TopGolf has been credited with providing a boost to the game of golf over the last few years. Nexus Hybrid Golf will provide new golfers a way to play golf that is well beyond TopGolf (more like golf and less like a driving range) and will provide all the benefits of traditional green grass golf but in a faster and less intimidating, entertaining way.

Quarry Ridge is a unique course, with lots of elevation changes and some water hazards. It provides quite a bit if challenge even for the accomplished player despite is yardage from the back tees of slightly less than 6,400 yards.

The front nine has two par-fives that are approachable in two shots for the big hitters, the 509-yard fourth and 495-yard sixth hole. The ninth hole is a stern challenge from the back tees, as the par-three is 204 yards from the tips.

The back nine has several par-fours that are almost driveabale, especially so from tees oher than the tips; the 335-yard 10th, and the 320-yard 13th. The back side’s par-threes, the 162-yard 12th and 149-yard 16th are birdie opportunities if you strike the ball well from the tee box. The 18th is a 422-yard par-four which affords views of a quarry to the left of the fairway and rough area.

The scenery in general is sublime at Quarry Ridge. The clubhouse has a nice view of the Connecticut River Valley, and a number of holes give the golfer sweet views of the surrounding hilly countryside.

Quarry Ridge Golf Course

Portland, Ct. www.QuarryRidge.com 860-788-2845

Killington Grand Resort’s 18-hole golf course, designed by noted New England architect Geoffrey S. Cornish, was skillfully routed high in the lush Green Mountains of Vermont.

Here, you will find panoramic views and plenty of challenge. Cornish designed the course to take full advantage of the mountain terrain, and Killington’s rushing snowmelt streams and elevation changes make for an exciting and strategic round.

Generous greens allow players to attack the flag with confidence. The 6,186-yard, par-72 layout presents an enjoyable round for any golfer, no matter what skill level or handicap. And at a 2,000-foot elevation, gentle breezes offer a soothing respite from the summer sun.

The longest hole on the course is number two, a par-five that plays 510 yards from the back markers. The shortest hole on the course is the sixth, a tricky par-three that plays to 147 yards from the championship tees. And, watch out for number five, a beefy 473-yard par-four and the number one handicap hole on the course. Perhaps the most approachable hole on the track is the 17th, a 168-yard par-three.

The course is open mid-May through mid-October.

The resort has a new practice facility, as well as a new fleet of golf carts. There is a fully-stocked pro shop and professionals offer golf lessons and clinics, as well as golf schools. There is a clubhouse bar and grill with indoor and outdoor seating.

Killington is an all-around family resort with an adventure center, a bike park, a spa, and a fitness center. There is shopping on and off-site, as well as several dining venues. www.Killington.com.

Brattleboro Country Club in Vermont was established in 1914 and was originally a six-hole course located called the Wantastiquet Golf Club.

The course as it exists today grew out of a 1930 re-do by Wayne Stiles, and a 2000 expansion and partial rerouting by Vermont native Steve Durkee. Eight classic Stiles holes remain (9 through 12 and 15 through 18), with 10 Durkee holes added (1 through eight and 13 and 14). The course features elevation changes, variety, rolling, tree-lined fairways and pleasing views.

Brattleboro plays 6,533 from the tips (a rating of 71.1 and a 126 slope means it’s no pushover), 6,073 from the regular tees (69.1/122), 5,051 from the forward tees (64.2/112 for men; 69.8/114 for women).

The second hole, a 532-yard par-five, has water right of the fairway to complicate your tee shot and a large bunker and water left of the green. The sixth is a nice par-four. It’s a drivable at 260 yards. The seventh is another strong par-five, playing 507 yards from the tips, with the layup, or second shot if you try for the putting surface in two, made dangerous by a pond that runs up to the green.

The club has hosted numerous state championship tournaments and been the qualifying site for USGA Men’s Amateur and USGA Men’s Senior Amateur events. There are two practice greens, a driving range, a fully-stocked pro shop and the Fairway Tavern, where you can enjoy a post-round cocktail and good meal.

Brattleboro Country Club Brattleboro, Vt. 802-257-7380 www.BrattleboroCountryClub.com

The Captains Golf Course

The Captains Golf Course in Brewster, Ma. features two very distinct 18-hole layouts.

The Captains’ Port Course plays to a yardage of 6,724 yards from the tips and has a slope of 131 and a rating above its posted par of 72. So, it’s no pushover. One of the best holes on the Port Course is the beefy 573-yard, par-five eighth. There is a pond that guards the putting surface and several large fairway bunkers are placed along the hole to make precision on the drive and layup a prerequisite to making birdie or par.

The Captains’ Starboard Course plays a tad longer than the Port Course, around 6,800 yards, and has a slope of 122. Most players who tackle both tracks say the Starboard Course it also a bit more player friendly than its sister layout, with wider fairways, large greens, and fewer bunkers than the Port Course, which makes it more suitable for mid- and higher handicap players. But we are here to tell you that it isn’t a pushover either. The course’s 18th is a great finishing hole, a challenging 534-yard par-five that can be reached in two by big hitters. But the smarter play is two strong shots followed by a wedge into the green.

The conditioning on both course, which have very affordable greens fees, is always excellent at all times of the year, the golf is challenging but approachable for players of all abilities, there are two practice greens and a driving range, a restaurant, a friendly staff that is available for lessons, and a fully-stocked pro shop. Indeed, what more could locals and visitors to this special section of New England want in a daily fee golf club.

Yarmouth is home to 45 holes of golf that encompasses the newly renovated Bayberry Hills Golf Course, the Links 9, and Bass River Golf Course.

Changes were made to make the nearly 7,300-yard Bayberry Hills Golf Course friendlier to the average golfer, yet maintain or even enhance the course’s challenge to the low handicap player.

Embracing the Bob Jones/Alistair MacKenzie (Augusta National Golf Club) design style, bunkers have been renovated and re-positioned to enhance play options. Plus, bunkers have been replaced with closely mown collection areas on some holes, providing multiple options for greenside recoveries, fairway corridors have been widened, and green surrounds have been expanded. Rough areas in the front of greens have been replaced by tightly mown fairway to create the illusion of false fronts in many cases.

Forward teeing areas on four holes were added for more options in course setup and to provide additional user friendliness.

The Links 9, which is on the property at Bayberry, opened in 1999 and is a real fun layout to play, with its wide open fairways, solid par-threes and exposure to the Cape’s wind, which makes the course play different from day to day. A number of the holes are doglegs, which makes approach shots tricky if you don’t put your tee shot in the proper position. Number nine is a 195-yard par-three that demands an accurate shot over water to reach the green.

Bass River is a 100-plus-year-old course that the legendary Donald Ross renovated and expanded in 1914. The layout rolls along among trees and sandy hills and features narrow fairways, small greens and views of nearby Bass River. The club’s signature hole is the sixth, a 169-yard par-three that plays across the river. Overall, the layout is on the short side, but the holes demand good shot making and a good short game, a typical Donald Ross demand on the player.