Golf Club of Avon, Avon, CT - Any Ideas?

[David Whitmer]

My brother and his family will be moving from Boston to the Hartford area, though he will still cover golf and the Patriots for the Globe. One of the clubs he is considering joining is the Golf Club of Avon in Avon, CT...just west of Hartford.

Has anyone played this track? What do you think of the golf course? What do you think of the club?

[ANTHONYPIOPPI]

David:

Have him contact me and I will wax poetic on Hartford-area golf courses.

Best

Anthony Pioppi

AnthonyPioppi@gmail.com

[Tim Gavrich]

David--

Same here: gavricht11@mail.wlu.edu if he'd like a second opinion for some reason. Tony and I will be pretty much in agreement, though, and he's certainly the authority.

I will say that I grew up in Avon, but have only played GC Avon once, and found it pleasant but a bit bland. I tend to remember golf courses quite well and I struggle greatly to recall more than a small handful of holes at Avon. Hop Meadow CC in Simsbury is where I learned the game and I find it a superior golf course, but the additional amenities at Avon are certainly better, which makes sense because GCA is more expensive to join as well.

CC of Farmington is a joy to play and TPC River Highlands is wonderful as well, if he's settling more in the middle of the county.

--Tim

[Brad Klein]

I'm happy to voice my opinion on the region as well, though i doubt it will materially differ from either Gavrich's or Pioppi's. The best set of greens in the area and one of the best walks surely belong to Wampanoag CC (Ross - 1926) in West Hartford. Nearby, Hartford GC has the most elegant club sensibility in the area. CC of Farmington is quirkier and more of an older New England feel with some interesting holes. Shuttle Meadow CC (Willie Park, 1916) is nearby outside of New Britain and certainly worth a look. of course, the best value for golf if you don't care about a private club ambiance (or monthly bill) is the Bloomfield muni, Wintonbury Hills.   
 

[Tim Martin]

I'm happy to voice my opinion on the region as well, though i doubt it will materially differ from either Gavrich's or Pioppi's. The best set of greens in the area and one of the best walks surely belong to Wampanoag CC (Ross - 1926) in West Hartford. Nearby, Hartford GC has the most elegant club sensibility in the area. CC of Farmington is quirkier and more of an older New England feel with some interesting holes. Shuttle Meadow CC (Willie Park, 1916) is nearby outside of New Britain and certainly worth a look. of course, the best value for golf if you don't care about a private club ambiance (or monthly bill) is the Bloomfield muni, Wintonbury Hills.  
 

I am in the same camp on all these choices but most particularly Wampanoag. It really does have a great set of greens and # 7 "Plateau" at 337 yards is one of Ross's really good short fours. There is not a suspect hole on the golf course and the variety and routing gets every ounce out of the terrain. Has to have one of the better patios which always provides a 5 star sunset. A fine member's club and a golf course you will not get bored with.

[RDecker]

Though I haven't played it myself, have heard some good things about Ellington Ridge. 

[Jon Stein]

I've lived in West Hartford for most of my life.  Golf Club of Avon is a great facility with a good course.  If your brother is looking for the best course in the area, I think Hartford Golf Club and Wampanoag are nicer.  But in terms of overall facility (Clubhouse, Pool, Dining), Avon is one of the best in the area.  One other option is Tumblebrook, but I do not know enough about the course to offer an opinion.

Should your brother decide to settle east of the CT River, have him consider Ellington Ridge.  That is one of the better private courses in Hartford County. It's has a good mix of short and long holes, excellent greens, and changes in elevation. 

[Carl Nichols]

David:
I grew up in Simsbury and don't realy disagree with anything said on here so far--though I don't have a sense of whether the non-golf facilities at Avon are as good or better than, say, Hartford.  Is your brother looking for a golf club or a country club?  Also, is he going to live in Avon, and how much does he care about proximity of the course to his house? 

[David Whitmer]

David:
I grew up in Simsbury and don't realy disagree with anything said on here so far--though I don't have a sense of whether the non-golf facilities at Avon are as good or better than, say, Hartford.  Is your brother looking for a golf club or a country club?  Also, is he going to live in Avon, and how much does he care about proximity of the course to his house? 

Carl,

He will be living in Avon. And he would like to join a country club, as he has two kids who would take advantage of all a club has to offer.

[Dan_Callahan]

I've played lots of golf in that area, and the best advice I can offer is to stay as far away from Blue Fox Run and Tunxis Plantation as possible.