Had the pleasure to go around Taconic in Williamstown MA this past week. Even though I lived in the area for a while back in the 80s I never had the chance to go up and play. Its was private (though now access for the public is available, but limited - its not cheap or very affordable @ $145). It was just one of those places I always said Ill get there someday and never took the time.
A few high level thoughts, the work of Hanse & Co to recapture some greens, clear out some trees (they did a lot and could do more, but understand that doing an Oakmont would be difficult) restore some bunkers and add a few more is nothing but the expected world class work. Comparing the pics in Rans review & the old yardage guide I have to what is there on the ground now is astounding. The visits that are now open are fantastic.
The greens are old, canted, lay of the land (for the most part) types where being above the hole is a disaster. The speeds were reasonable, they sure could have been faster, but they would have been very very tough to play then.
The routing is intimate (hat first tee may be one of the closest to the clubhouse Ive seen) and very walk-able. The green to tee transitions are easy (even if confusing at times for a newbie) and the distances (6800 back 6400 from where we played) give you the tough holes, the long holes and the birdie opportunities along with enough strategic options.
The only downside is on the routing. There are an awful lot of very straight holes out on the back (10,11, 15, 16 & 18) which run in a similar direction NE-SW or SW-NE. The other issue I have is that the front is approx 500 yards shorter than the back. The property is small and not much unused space (there is no range) so Im not sure how that could have been remedied. Have others who have played there noticed?
I would highly reccomend a visit if you are in the NE and can get there later this summer.
Now pics of the holes.
Hole #1 Par 5 - 490 yards nice opener to ease you into the round. Slightly downhill all the way.
Short of the green
Hole #2 Par 4 - 406 yards dogleg left, new bunker on the inside. Tough uphill approach to a large, well bunkered very interesting green.
Tee shot
Approach from landing area
View back to the tee.
Hole #3 Par 4 421 yards slight bend to the left new bunker to the right to guard the 4th green site. Lots of tree clearing down the left hand side. Need to play short of the swale in the fw or face a tougher approach..
View from the tee.
Hole #4 Par 4 -358 yards a bunch of options off the tee. Iron to stay in the fw, 3wood would be optimum Driver to leave a pitch in. Green slopes severely back to front. Fairway bunker on right is new.
View from the tee.
From the landing area.
Green close up.
Back up the hole.
Hole #5 Par 3 178 yards from the tips. Well bunkered & sloping green which lays nicely onto the start of the hillside.
View from the tee.
View of the 5th green & 4th green in the distance
Hole #6 Par 4 - 372 yards very much uphill so can play longer. Very very sloping green built into the hillside.
From the fairway landing area.
From back of the green very tough.
Hole #7 Par 4 402 yards dogleg right w/ enough trees left to cause some troubles w/ a missed drive.
Need to stay short of the new fairway bunker nicely placed right in the landing zone.
Form behind the green w/ the 13th in the distance.
Hole 8 Par 4 394 yards another dogleg right mounds on the left & new fairway bunker inside the dogleg define the tee shot
View of the green with the 8th fairway and Williams campus in the distance.
View off the tee
View from the landing area with the smokestack & Mt. Greylock in the distance. Pretty cool vista.
Tougher bunker between the 8th & 11th
Hole 9 Par 3 178 yards very downhill. Very cool hole to end the front Looks easy, but miss the green and you will pay the price.
From the tee
From behind the green
Hole #10 Par 5 506 yards downhill off the tee then slightly uphill with a jog to the left. New bunker in the landing zone.
View off the tee.
From the approach short of the new bunker
View down the fairway from behind the hole
Hole #11 478 par 4 slightly uphill all the way. Tee shot is open , but you wont get much roll due to the uphill and a stopping swale. Very tough, large, well bunkered green.
View down the hole
Green w/ shared bunker
Hole #12 377 yards Par 4 very narrow , for most of the round the tee balls are not that difficult to execute, but here it hits you in the face. Uphill trees left, side hill and OB left. Miss your drive and the big number comes. Trust me I know.
From the tee
From the back tee which is lower down the hillside (I think this is new) What a pucker factor this shot is.
Hole #13 403 yards par 4. Down hill then back up to the coolest green on the course. Best line is down the left but it brings in the OB.
From the tee
From behind the green. Three tiers and tough.
Hole #14 163 yard Par 3. Downhill to a well positioned smaller green.
Hole #15 441 yards Par 4. Downhill tee shot putting in some drainage so no other pics than from the tee.
Hole #16 460 yards Par 4. Uphill second shot to a smaller well bunkered green.
Sorry No picture.
Hole #17 246 yards Par 3. Very difficult green you can bounce it in - somewhat redanish. New back tee is tough.
Hole #18 545 yards Par 5. very reachable with a good drive.
Sorry No picture.
Here is a copy of the plan of the renovation from Hanse & Co.