Teugega – Donald Ross – Rome NY (1923)
I started thinking about putting these two threads together because if you told people about two great courses in Utica & Rome NY people would look funny at you. Who would ever go out of there way to play them. If they we’re in the area sure, but who is going to Rome & Utica. You should see what yor missing. If either of these courses we’re in a top 20 metro area they would lauded on tremendously.
Teugega feels like the bar in Cheers. Everyone knows your name, it feels warm, comfortable and it feels fun just being there. There’s no hustke & bustle, it’s membership is very active, enjoy’s playing and is very proud of what they have.
Brad Klein had a great write up on Teugega’s history in his Donald Ross book and then again in Golfweek this past September. I’d recommend both for a better feel by a better writer.
The routing is very very good, no long walks, the flow is just fantastic. The par 3’s are great, the memorable #7 and the volcano-like #12. The par 4’s are very very good.
They have begun implementing a master plan from Barry Jordan out of Syracuse (does anyone seen any other of his work?) and so far so good. I know they would love to run with this, but given the economics of the situation, it will take time and patience. Right now it’s fantastic, when the restoration is done, it will be even better.
The quality of the pics are a little lacking as camera setting got screwed up mid round.
Long par 3 3rd. Great setting & tough hole.
This bunker is behind the green. Not sure if the plan is to re-establish it as a hazard.
Recapturing some of the green. The expansion on many of the greens is just starting.
Landing area of the par 5 4th. Good down hill tee- shot / up-hill approach to a small green.
View of the green from back left.
Simple approach to the par 4 5th. Green has some great internal movement.
Short of the green on the short par 4 6th. Again, very tough to tell, but the internal movement on the green is great.
Same green from the left side.
The world class par 3 7th. One of the great short par 3’s. A million pin placements Never could tire of playing this hole. Did Ross build a better par 3?
Tee shot on the par 4 9th. In definite need of some tree management.
While the tee shot is claustrophobic the green site again is world class.
Well placed cross bunker on the par 4 10th. More of these need to be recovered.
Downhill approach to the par 4 11th. Great strategy off the tee to put the ball in this position to get a glimpse of the green.
Downhill / semi-blind par 3 12th.
View of the green from the left hand side hill. Great movement.
Tee shot on the par 4 13th.
Simple approach to a confounding very well bunkered green.
The nice little mid/short par 3 14th hole. Boy does this green have some tilt.
The tough approach to the par 4 16th.
Approach to the par 4 17th
The original hand drawn routng displayed in the mens grill
The current areial image
Teugega is one of those places you’d never get tired of playing. Once the restoration is complete, it will be even better.