Shuttle Meadow CC

[pdrake]

I am going to watch a friend's son try to qualify on Monday August 30th for the USGA Mid-Am.  I have never been to this Willie Park Jr course........any thoughts on the conditions, layout?  Any information would be welcome.....I cannot find anything on-line except a scorecard.

[Greg Stebbins]

I'd also appreciate some info as I'll be qualifying there as well on Monday.  I'll be playing blind as I can't make it there for a practice round this week.  

[Brad Klein]

Wonderful, quaint Willie Park layout in New Britain, Conn., about 6,300 yards from the back, par of 36-34=70, as I recall. Par-5s are easy, par-3s are very tough, esp. the 220+ yard, up and over, semi-blind 15th.

Takes control of the tee shot to play well. Lots of lay-up and position tee shots are needed on the par-4s.

New superintendent (name escapes me), formerly an assistant at Atlantic GC, has dried out the place after years of overwatering and has Shuttle Meadow playing firm and fast. Bunkers are a bit disappointing - some of the least inspired restroration work done by Doak and Hepner. But it's a wonderful, old time layout, and the greens are very well sloped.

[pdrake]

Brad,

Are you sure it is 36-34?  The scorecard I have shows 3 par 5s on the front for a 37.  Might there have been added yardage to one of the old par 4s?

[Brad Klein]

Yes, I forgot the 7th is also a par-5, making back-to-back 5s with the 8th. So it's 37-34, a bit unusual, with the front nine having 3-5s and 2-3s and the back nine having 3-3s and 1-5.

[Donnie Beck]

Keith Kraus is the superintendent. I am sure he has the place in excellent shape.

[michael j fay]

There are two fairly difficult par four holes #1 and # 10.

#1 is about 410 with a green that is about 50% false front. Make sure to get the ball at least to the middle of the green or you will be chipping from the fairway.

# 10 is about 420 and plays one club uphill, although you do not get the feeling that it is.

# 15 is a very tough par three, blind and sloped dramatically from right to left.

I played Shuttle Meadow a couple of weeks ago and the greens were very fast. The runoff on the downhill putts was pretty drastic.

My advice is to play conservatively, look to make your birdies on the short par four holes (#2,#4,#5,#14, #16) and the par fives, especially the short downhill 18th.

Best of luck!

[Steve Curry]

How does it compare to New Haven CC, another Willie Park, correct?

Steve

[dfrey]

I have always thought SMeadow and NHCC were similar.......NHCC's strength has always been their greens.....the fairways are usually in bad shape (too much watering, etc.)  Hopefully it will get better as a new super will be joining the team next year (the current one has been there 30+ years).  They have taken down a few trees the last couple of years, to open up the tees and greens more to air flow.  If the fairways could get back to fast and firm as I remember 8 to 10 years ago, it could be a beast with their slick greens.  As for SHCC, it should be a unique test for the qualifiers.......it isn't about how long you can bomb it, it is all about position.  

[Donnie Beck]

Has anyone taken the New Haven Job yet?

[Steve Curry]

Donnie,

No, the deadline is Sept. 4th, I believe.

Steve