The Must Plays: 2013

This is happening right now:

That means two things: (1) no golf for me any time soon, and (2) more blog posts for you!

So let's review last year's "must-play" list and delve into the courses I'm looking to get to this year.

First up, the courses from last year's list that I made it out to.  It was good year as "must-plays" goes, as I made it to 3 of the 5 courses on the 2012 list, plus one from the 2012-2016 list.

MUST PLAYS 2012: COURSES PLAYED

1. Wintonbury Hills Golf Course, Bloomfield, CT.  I played this one very early in the season, just after opening.  I really can't say enough about this course, a varied design that plays fairly open on the front side, and more tightly through the forest on the back.  It's the perfect stop half way between Boston and New York.

2. Meadow Brook Golf Course, Richmond, RI.  I ended up here on a last minute decision -- I had spent a night in Providence and was thinking of heading down to the Connecticut casinos for some poker, but at the last minute decided play 18 instead.  The course comes as advertised: "7400 yards from the back tees with rolling fairways and multiple elevation changes throughout, allowing golfers to use every club in their bag."  It still needs a little bit of maturing, and there is one notable oddity -- the first tee is quite a distance from the pro shop -- but it has the potential to be the prime choice for golf and gamble trips in the future.

3. The Ailsa Course, Turnberry Resort, Ayrshire, Scotland.  As perfect a place as I've ever been.  If you haven't read about it yet, click here.

4. The Oaks, The International Golf Club & Resort, Bolton, MA.  I had put this one on the 5-year list, but suggested that I would try to get there in 2012 because it was newly semi-private, and there's always a chance it would go back to full-time private.  I actually ended up playing there twice, 10 days apart.  It immediately vaulted to one of my favorite courses, a perfect mix of challenging but still fair, with fantastic conditioning and a tremendous hole variety -- not to mention some of the best views of the Worcester Hills and Mt. Wachusett around.  I cannot recommend this course enough.

Although it was an awfully good year for courses played, there will still be some carry-overs this year.  Before we get to the this, let's review the rules again:

• "Must plays" for the year (or the next 5 years) cannot be courses that I played last year.
• "Must plays" for this year should all be fairly local so that it's realistic; must plays for the 5-year list can be a bit more extended.
• I want to be somewhat pragmatic.

MUST PLAYS FOR 2013

1. The Springfield Country Club, West Springfield, MA.  As I mentioned last year, my friend Kevin (of Asher Invitational fame) joined here last year, but unfortunately I didn't get a chance to play.  That will change this year as I have been invited to their member-guest, a 5 day (!) affair.  Can't wait.

2. Shaker Hills Country Club, Harvard, MA.  Shaker has long been one of my favorite courses (and still features my favorite hole, the par-5 16th).  That's why it was shocking to hear that the course was shuttered and sold at auction last spring.  Fortunately, the buyers didn't decide to turn it into a movie production studio, and instead have been at work renovating the course and clubhouse.  I'm looking forward to getting back there this year to see the updates.

3. Taconic Golf Club, Williamstown, MA.  Golf.com ranks it as the #39 on their "Top 100 You Can Play" rankings; Golf Digest has it ranked as the #19 course overall in the state of Massachusetts.  I was fortunate enough to play there back when I was about 18 years old, and really I was too naive to appreciate it then.  But, lo and behold, when I looked at the schedule for The TOUR of Greater Boston, there it was, marked down for October 7.  I'll be there.

4. Acushnet River Valley Golf Course, Acushnet, MA.  Another carry-over from last year's list.  It's too good a course to go ignored, and now that I know there's a pro-level Titleist fitting facility nearby it's a no-brainer -- I think it's time for new wedges.

5. The Black, Bethpage State Park, Farmington, NY.  In the words of Jack Shephard, "We have to go back!"

MUST PLAYS FOR 2013-2017

1. Chambers Bay, University Place, WA.  I've said it once, and I'll say it again -- this course is #1 on the list until I play it.  It seems like some of the buzz for the course has died down recently, but I'm sure it will pick up again soon enough with the U.S. Open coming in 2015.  My post-Scotland obsession with links-style golf has only enhanced my desire to get there.  It will happen.

2. Cabot Links, Inverness, NS.  The only new course on the 5-year list this time around; this one is my newest obsession.  Not only is it Scottish-links, its in Nova Scotia ("New Scotland").  And the early reviews are spectacular.  Unfortunately, it turns out to be more difficult to get to than I had hoped (apparently there no longer is a Boston-to-Halifax ferry), but I'm convinced that the wife can be swayed to go away for another "unique" vacation.  

3. Pine Barrens, World Woods Golf Club, Brooksville, FL.  Too close to my parents' house to not get there.  It's only a matter of time.

4. Ballyowen Golf Course, Hamburg, NJ.  This is the 3rd course on this list which advertises itself as being born "in the Scottish tradition" or to actually have a picture of a man wearing a kilt playing the bagpipes on its website.  I may actually have a problem.

5. Boston Golf Club, Hingham, MA.  The reviews (ranked in the 70s on both the "top 100" courses lists).  The secrecy.  The proximity.  This: 

If anybody knows a way to get on there (or any members who want to invite me), just let me know!

The Must Plays: 2012 Edition

It's March 19th.  I just played my 6th round of the year yesterday.  It's 75 degrees in Boston today.  I'm not sure I know where I am right now.

Having already played 6 rounds, I feel a little remiss that I haven't posted my annual "Must Plays" list for the year... but then again, after looking back through the archives, it seems I didn't post one at all last year.  Oops.

Anyway, before we get to the lists, let's go back over the ground-rules:

• "Must plays" for the year (or the next 5 years) cannot be courses that I played last year.
• "Must plays" for this year should all be fairly local so that it's realistic (with one notable exception this year, as explained below); must plays for the 5-year list can be a bit more extended.
• I want to be somewhat pragmatic.

As it turns out, I've already played one of the Must Plays for this year, so let's start there:

MUST PLAYS FOR 2012


1. Wintonbury Hills Golf Course, Bloomfield, CT.  Wintonbury marks the approximate half-way point between Westchester County, NY and Boston, which makes it an ideal meeting point for my brother and I (assuming, of course, your definition of "ideal" is an hour and 45 minute drive to play golf.  We discovered it 2 years ago (and I wrote about it here), and it is well worth the drive time.  We played it last last weekend, just shortly after it opened, and it was everything I remembered -- great hole variety, a definite challenge but fair, with friendly staff and excellent conditions (though the last part I'm grading on a scale given the time of year).  Even though I've already played it this year, I'd still put it on the Must Plays (again) list for this year.

2. Meadow Brook Golf Course, Richmond, RI.  Another course that will require a bit of a drive, but one I'm definitely planning on getting to soon.  Apparently this was once a rinky-dink pastureland track; now redesigned and under new management it ticks in at 7400 yards from the tips with a course rating of 74.4 and slope of 130.  The pictures on the website look fantastic.  It's close to the 2 Connecticut casinos.  I'm all in.

3. Acushnet River Valley Golf Course, Acushnet, MA.  Acushnet (the town, not the course) is the home base for Titleist.  The course is probably the best bargain in Massachusetts: under $60 including cart on the weekend for a Brian Silva-designed course with light play and great conditions.  I've also had some success here, posting a 74 that flirted with even par a few years ago.  I need to go back.

4. The Springfield Country Club, West Springfield, MA.  This winter I had my first close friend join a country club (the esteemed Dr. Asher, founder and chairman of the Asher Invitational).  I'm psyched, and completely looking forward to an invite to the member-guest this summer (hint hint).  The course itself is a Donald Ross design, 6500 yards, par 72 (somewhat uniquely 35 on the front and 37 on the back).  Can't wait to test it out.

5. The Ailsa Course, Turnberry Resort, Ayrshire, Scotland.  July 31, 2012, 7:00am.  That's my tee time.  It is (I believe) the first tee after the British Senior Open Championship concludes.  I literally cannot wait.  Every golf thought I've had since this became a reality has been Turnberry-focused -- I'm playing every round as a practice round for the Scotland links and wind.  Even if I shoot 110, it's going to be awesome.  (But, of course, the goal is even par.)

Any tips, Mr. Watson?

MUST PLAYS FOR 2012-2016


1. Chambers Bay, University Place, WA.  Still #1 on this list, and it will likely remain that way until I play it.  In fact, it seems like it would be the perfect warm-up for Turnberry, doesn't it?  Ideally, I'd love to get there before it hosts the US Open in 2015.  Keeping my fingers crossed....

2. World Woods Golf Club, Brooksville, FL.  There are 2 courses here, but the feature is Pine Barrens, ranked #55 on Golf Digest's Top 100 Public list.  The other course (Rolling Oaks) is supposed to be no slouch, either.  They are supposedly modeled after the top 2 courses in the country (Pine Valley and Augusta National, respectively).  World Woods is located about an hour from where my parents live, so there's no question that I'll be getting there sooner or later.  (As a bonus, the practice facility there is generally considered either the best or 2nd best in the world, depending on your publication of choice.)

3. Ballyowen Golf Course, Hamburg, NJ.  Scottish links in central Jersey?  You better believe it.  I think this is my favorite course that I've ever played.  That probably bodes well for the Turnberry trip, no?  They host an annual "Brews and Birdies" tournament, played as a 2-man scramble.  At some point my brother and I will be participating.

4. The Oaks, The International Golf Club & Resort, Bolton, MA.  The International is supposed to be spectacular.  The "other" course -- The Pines -- is the longest course in North America at nearly 8400 yards, and it remains exclusive to members.  The Oaks, however, is newly offering "select daily tee-times" to the public.  In truth, I should probably include this on the list of must-plays for 2012, because you never know how long the opportunity will last.

5. Boston Golf Club, Hingham, MA.  This is probably a pipe dream.  But before Gil Hanse was the talk of the golf world for winning the rights to build the Olympics course in Rio, he designed the very exclusive Boston Golf Club, and it is considered a secret gem of New England, with a rugged style similar to Pine Valley.  There's virtually no way of playing there without being invited by a member; and, to my knowledge, I do not know any members.  But I'm listening if anyone is offering!

The New Year

A few thoughts on 2011 as I try to kill time before the Super Bowl....

• It wasn't my best golf season.  Although I had one round that was technically the closest I've ever been to even par, it was a little fluky (hinging on an eagle on the 16th hole to get back to +1), and the rest of the year was definitely a step backward.  My handicap index rose from 5.1 to 6.7 over the course of the year, and almost every statistic was worse than the year before:

• I've been to the driving range twice and played 2 rounds of golf (in The Villages) so far in 2012.  One thing I immediately noticed at the range was that my grip had gotten way too strong, which likely was a big contributing factor to my pull-hook tendency last year.  It cliche to say that everything starts with grip, but it's also true -- in my 2 rounds so far this year I virtually eliminated the pull-hook off the tee.  
• I was actually very happy with how I played in Florida, but my bunker play was absolutely horrendous -- I hit 5 greenside bunkers, and every time it took me more than 1 shot to get out, and 4 of those times took 3 shots.  That's a minimum of 9 shots lost over 2 rounds.  In beginning of the year I expect my short game to be weak, but come on.  That has to change.
• Big news for 2012: I will probably be playing a round at Turnberry's Ailsa Course, site of the 2009 (British) Open Championship.  You will most definitely be getting a blog post after that.
• Prediction for today: Patriots 27, Giants 23.

The Must Plays: 2010

Like last year, there are a few courses that I really feel like should be "must plays" for this year (or sometime in the next 5 years, depending on the location).  Let's run through the ones I played from last year's list, and set up new lists for this year.

The Must Plays

I know what you're saying: "Wow! Two posts in two days, and it isn't even golf season!" I know. What can I say? I have golf on the mind.

I decided (a few days late) on my New Year's Resolutions -- specifically, what my must play courses of the year are, and also my must plays for the next 5 years. Here are the groundrules:

• "Must plays" for the year (or the next 5 years) cannot be courses that I played last year.
• "Must plays" for this year should all be fairly local so that it's realistic; must plays for the 5-year list can be a bit more extended.
• I want to be somewhat pragmatic (you'll see what I mean).

Here we go....

MUST PLAYS FOR 2009

1. Olde Marsh Country Club, Wells, ME. One of my favorite places in the world (Wells, site of my childhood vacations) is now home to #10 on golf.com's list of the Best New Courses You Can Play. That's incredible. If there has EVER been a "must play," then this is it.

2. Red Tail Golf Club, Devens, MA. I last played there in August 2007, so it makes the cut. Red Tail is consistently ranked one of the top public courses in the state, and this year it is hosting the U.S. Women's Amateur Public Links -- no small feat. I have to say, my experience is that it is a nice but not great course; I think I need to give it another chance.

3. Cyprian Keyes Golf Club, Boylston, MA. Another course that consistently scores highly in the supposed rankings that I have not played in some time. I need a refresher.

4. Fox Hopyard Golf Club, East Haddam, CT. My brother moved to New York. This is about 1/2 way in between Boston and NYC, and my dad raves about it's sister club (Crumpin-Fox in Bernardston, MA).

5. Presidents' Golf Course, Quincy, MA. This is the pragmatic entry. It's 9 holes, not that well rated, often crowded. But I drive right by it every day and never even think about playing it. Well that's stupid. I need to at least give it a chance before I quit on it entirely.

MUST PLAYS FOR 2009-2013

1. Chambers Bay, University Place, WA. #1 on virtually every single list for best new course last year. Already named the site of the 2015 U.S. Open. Peak season rates are just $139 with $69 for replay. Enough said.

2. Sunday River Golf Club (Bethel, ME) and
3. Sugarloaf Golf Club (Carrabassett Valley, ME). Sister courses based around ski resorts, and according to my uncle 2 of the most beautiful courses anywhere (and he would probably know).

4. The Golf Club at Mansion Ridge, Monroe, NY. Highly touted by my brother and his buddy Chris. I trust them.

5. Bretwood Golf Course (North Course), Keene, NH. Only one on the list that I have played. It remains my favorite layout of any course I've ever played. It's been too long since I've been there... I'll be back.

Labor Day

My next tee time will be on Labor Day, 9/1/08, and I'll be playing Putterham Meadows (aka Brookline Golf Club at Putterham). You might also know Putterham as the parking lot for the Ryder Cup when it was held at The Country Club in Brookline in 1999. The PGA (or maybe the USGA) paid for a major renovation after the event, and Putterham had a bit of a resurgence in the early 2000s; however, in the past few years I'd have to say it has gone downhill a bit, and when I played there this spring I was most definitely underwhelmed.

That being said, the abundance of rain has made most courses in New England more lush and green than they usually are at this time of year, so maybe I'll be pleasantly surprised when I go back on Monday.

Why am I writing about this in advance, you ask? Well, Putterham is one course where I have a real chance of reaching even par. One of my career closest rounds came there on July 29, 2005. It started out somewhat pedestrian with a par-par-bogey-par; I say pedestrian because anything worse than 1-over after 4 at Putterham would be pretty lousy. The last 5 on the front are a bit more of a challenge, and I started well (bogey on the long par 3 5th, followed by birdie on the tough dogleg par 5 6th, and then par on the 7th, which I find to be the toughest green to hit of just about any that I've every played). The 8th and 9th, though, were disastrous for my round -- double-bogey 6's on both, including a 3 putt on 9. After the front, I was +5.

And that's when it started to come together. The first 3 holes on the back are all short, but challenging off the tee, and I made 3 straight pars. The 13th is a 400 yard par 4 with an uphill approach, and so my bogey there was acceptable. I then made a strong birdie on the par-4 14th, easily the toughest hole on the course -- I drained about a 25 footer, and that started a string of long putts that really turned my score around. I made a long one for par on 15, and then about a 40 footer for birdie on 16. That was followed by two "standard" pars on 17 & 18 for a one-under 34 on the back. Final score: 75 (+4). Looking back, those two doubles on 8 & 9 really were the undoing for the round... though having only 12 putts on the back certainly helped.

Stay tuned....