The Ranch is a superb public course. IMO significantly better then Crumpin-Fox in western Massachusetts and in the conversation with Red Tail for best in state.
It is routed on a hilly piece of property and the routing is excellent. Variety of holes. As a 16 I find it to be fun and challenging and will also challenge the low handicapper. Variety of holes. Most controversial the two 'ski slope' holes (both par 5's) next to each other, which play down the hill.
A few pix:
Opening hole is an excellent par 5 with a ton of options:
Landing area of short par 4 if one doesn't go for it:
Tee shot on one of the ski slope holes:
Second shot with green to the right over wet lands:
Par 4 11th:
The other par 5 ski slope:
Looking back up but the fairway is much more sloped then it appears:
Just a beautiful fall day. Par 3's are often criticized when they are over water, but it doesn't get much more picturesque then this:
The only thing I would change would be to reverse the 9's. The par 5 1st would be much better as 10 as it requires strategy and execution. What is now 10 is a relatively easy, wide fairway, straightaway par 4. Perfect for the first hole.
The current 18th is perhaps the weakest hole on the course. If you reverse the course it ends with a ski slope par 5. Significant improvements. Anyway, well worth a play!