Northeast Buddies Trip Recap with Photos - TCC, Boston Golf, Old Sandwich, Essex

[Jason Way]

Jon Cavalier I am not, but I did just return from my annual buddies trip to the Northeast.  We had the privilege of playing 4 outstanding courses - The Country Club, Boston Golf Club, Old Sandwich, Essex County - and I took enough photos to negatively impact my golf, so it makes sense to share them and offset the damage.  

The mix of courses provided a nice contrast for us, and grounds for debates on questions such as:
* If you could only play the top classic courses OR the top modern courses for the rest of your life, which would you pick? (we came down 3 out of 4 classic)
* Which course of those we’ve played on our annual trips is your favorite? (consensus is still Friar’s Head, although Essex is right there for me)
* Which of the courses make your Top 5? (For me, Essex County bumped Old Elm off my list to join Kingsley, NGLA, Friar’s Head, and Lawsonia Links)

Side note: If there are any errors in my labels, let me know - everything becomes a blur after a while.

I will provide a little commentary, although it is by no means comprehensive.  Allow me to admit my biases so that you can put my comments into context:
* When playing courses of this caliber, it strikes me as silly to spend time looking for things I don’t like.  Instead, I tend to focus on what is great about the features, holes and course, and shrug off any shortcomings I notice.  There was an exception to that rule on this trip.  The Superintendent at The Country Club asked my buddy Brian Bossert to take notes on any blemishes we found.  We obliged.  I won’t mention those things here, but I was struck by how incredibly humble a request that was.
* Although I enjoy tough tests of golf, I tend to favor courses that meet the everyday play standard more highly.  The game is tough enough and I want to enjoy it, therefore any course that provides a healthy dose of “testicle electroshock” (to paraphrase Gib) is not going to make my list of favorites.
* I am a U.S. Open geek, and am working on studying and playing all of the U.S. Open venues.  Therefore, being at TCC had special significance, which certainly influenced my love of the place.
* Boston Golf Club, which was a huge positive surprise to me even though I have read the praise of its supporters here, had a Kingsley feel for me.  Being the homer that I am, any course that sniffs of Kingsley is going to be a winner in my book.
* Coore & Crenshaw’s work always looks right to my eye.  Old Sandwich was the 7th one of their courses that I have played.  That being said, it was the second course we played on a long day, and we got beat up a little, so I didn’t like it as much as the others.  I suspect that I would have a higher opinion if I went back on a more relaxed day.
* Having grown up playing on Donald Ross’s work, I was predisposed to love Essex County.  I played my worst round of golf in 3 years and still came away adoring it.  If I went back and played well, my head and heart would probably explode - it was that good.

Course by course photos to follow...

[Jason Way]

THE COUNTRY CLUB

Obviously, the place oozes golf history, which is a treat to soak in.  As for the course, the routing was interesting and pleasant.  The holes wind around the property gently, with changes of direction and elevation.  The features don’t necessarily wow, but everything feels like it is in its right place.  It also has just the right amount of classic quirk.  

I was particularly taken with how consistently small the greens were, and with the rough treatment around them.  In this age of big greens with dramatic internal contours flanked by run-offs and chipping areas, The Country Club has almost none of that.  You hit the small green and you are typically rewarded with a makable putt.  You miss, and it’s trouble in the thick rough.  

Learning to play this course day in and day and out, would set you up to play well almost anywhere else, and it would be a joy to do.

The Clubhouse



Front Nine

#3 - Par 4





#4 - Par 4



#5 and #6 - Par 4s





#7 - Par 3



#8 - Par 4



#9 - Par 4

[Jason Way]

THE COUNTRY CLUB

Back Nine

#11 - Par 5



#12 - Par 3



#13 - Par 4





#14 - Par 5



#15 - Par 4



#17 - Par 4

[Jason Way]

BOSTON GOLF CLUB

The course is jaw-dropping beautiful without sacrificing its natural feel.  The use of the land forms on the property was awesome.  If there was major earth moving in building the course, it didn’t look that way.  Every hole is memorable - not a dud in the bunch - although that hole-by-hole greatness does seem to have produced more lengthy green-to-tee walks than I would normally like.  

The course has enough quirk and challenge to be really fun without feeling like it was a chore.  It had blind shots and shots that were right in front of you in just the right proportion.  There are holes that can be played through the air or on the ground, which I like because I enjoy mixing it up and trying things.  I haven’t been many places that have had as many cool and creative bunkers sprinkled throughout.  

Given the at-home feel for me, I could easily see myself playing BGC every day and having a blast doing it.  For those who care about score, you could shoot low numbers there, or really high ones.  For those who like hitting a wide variety of shots, it would never get old.

Front Nine

#1 - Par 5



#2 - Par 4



#3 - Par 4





#4 - Par 4



#5 - Par 4





#6 - Par 3



#7 - Par 4



#9 - Par 4

[Jason Way]

BOSTON GOLF CLUB

Back Nine

We looked better after 9 holes than we did after 36.



#10 - Par 4





#11 - Par 3



#13 - Par 4



#14 - Par 4





#15 - Par 5





#16 - Par 4





#17 - Par 5



#18 - Par 3

[Jason Way]

OLD SANDWICH

Unfortunately, my phone died, so I did not get as many photos of Old Sandwich as I would have liked.  The course lays softly on the big, beautiful piece of land.  This might be the most masterfully routed course I have ever played.  It feels expansive, there are directional changes to the point of disorientation, and the course makes use of numerous outstanding land forms.  All that being said, I cannot remember a long walk from any green to tee.  

The par 3s, short 4s, and par 5s are all stellar.  Great mix of holes with opportunities to make birdies and big numbers.  There are plenty of those fun centerline bunkers that make you think, including some cool little pot bunkers.  The greens are big and undulating, and all have false fronts and/or runoffs around the edges.  Fairways are wide, but there is a super-premium placed on accuracy of approaches, whether through the air or along the ground.  Hit it to the wrong part of the green, and you are almost guaranteed a 3-putt.

I would love to go back, but OS would not be a good every day course for me.  It felt as hard or harder than Streamsong Red, and that is too hard for everyday golf tastes.  That being said, if you can go, go have the experience once.

#1 - Par 5





#2 - Par 4



#4 - Par 3



#5 - Par 4





#6 - Par 5



#7 - Par 4





#9 - Par 3



#10 - Par 5

[Jason Way]

ESSEX COUNTY CLUB

From the drive into the club past the grass tennis courts, to the gravel parking lot, to the low-key, but warm welcome we received, I was deeply in love with Essex County by the time we stepped on to the first tee…and then it got better.

The course felt like it had been tinkered with by someone who loved it, which is no surprise given that Donald Ross’s house was behind the 15th tee.  For you tree-clearing fans, the Superintendent (Eric Richardson, great guy) told us that they have removed 15,000 trees in the past 7 years.  I find it difficult to imagine how much the visual impact of the property would have been degraded with those trees still there, especially with the giant rock formation at the center of the back nine.

Essex County winds around and looks like a work of art painted on to the property.  It includes some of the boldest classic holes I have ever played - 8, 11, 17, and 18 are all holes that it takes true vision to see, and guts to build.  There is a wonderful variety of bunker shapes, sizes, placement and treatment.  The fine fescue areas are among the best kept I have seen anywhere.  The greens are fun and challenging without being tricked up.  You can see the lines, and confident strokes are rewarded with holed putts.

As I mentioned above, it made my Top 5 list, and it did because I could see myself playing there every day for the rest of my life with friends and having a ball doing it.  Good play is largely rewarded with good scores, but there is just enough devilish subtlety to keep it much more interesting than some boring standard like “fair”.  I will make a point of going back.

Front Nine

#1 - Par 4







#2 - Par 4





#5 - Par 4



#6 - Par 4



#7 - Par 3



#8 - Par 4



#9 - Par 4

[Jason Way]

ESSEX COUNTY CLUB

Back Nine

#10 - Par 4



#11 - Par 3



#12 - Par 4





#13 - Par 4





#14 - Par 3







#15 - Par 4





#16 - Par 4





#17 - Par 4



#18 - Par 4

[Jason Way]

(deleted duplicate)

[Tyler Kearns]

Jason,
 
I really enjoyed both Old Sandwich & Essex after I made a similar trip to the Boston area a few years back.

Essex is chalk full with unique holes & features and the tree work has done wonders to open up some lovely vistas throughout the course.  It is a shame they lost the original 14th green due to a litigious neighbour, but I believe Renaissance design re-created it as close as possible.

Chocolate drop mounding at No. 1


Thumbprint depression in No. 3 green


The wonderful fairway contour on No. 8


The excellent uphill par three No. 11


Old Sandwich is another strong effort by Coore & Crenshaw.  Holes that look easy on the card like No. 5 are much more intimidating when standing on the tee or like No. 9 & 15, once you arrive on the putting surface & realize you've played to the wrong quadrant.

No. 5 from tee (don't miss short or left)


No. 5 peril awaits pulled tee shots


No. 9


No. 15


TK

[Jon Cavalier]

Wow. This is awesome. I've long wanted to see these courses and hope to do so this summer - and your photos and write up have me drooling at the prospect. Thanks for sharing, Jason. Great stuff.

[Jason Way]

Wow. This is awesome. I've long wanted to see these courses and hope to do so this summer - and your photos and write up have me drooling at the prospect. Thanks for sharing, Jason. Great stuff.

Thanks Jon.  This is great news for all of us.  Your tours are way better than mine, so I look forward to experiencing your take - especially on Old Sandwich.

[Brad Tufts]

Great pics!  Four of my favorites, and the source of endless debate of personal preference here in Mass.

For me, my top 5 in MA are Essex, TCC, Myopia, Old Sandwich, Boston GC, but you wouldn't really be wrong if you had them in any other order.

Next 5 are some combo of Salem, Winchester, Concord, Kittansett and maybe Charles River...but I have not played Worcester and Sankaty, which could replace a couple in my "second 5."

I think my Tedesco comes in somewhere in the 15-20 range.

[jeffwarne]

Great pics!  Four of my favorites, and the source of endless debate of personal preference here in Mass.

For me, my top 5 in MA are Essex, TCC, Myopia, Old Sandwich, Boston GC, but you wouldn't really be wrong if you had them in any other order.

Next 5 are some combo of Salem, Winchester, Concord, Kittansett and maybe Charles River...but I have not played Worcester and Sankaty, which could replace a couple in my "second 5."

I think my Tedesco comes in somewhere in the 15-20 range.

Brad,
No Top 10 love for Eastward Ho?

[John Kavanaugh]

Once again proving that access to the great American portfolio is WFO. Congrats on a great trip!!!

[Brad Tufts]

Great pics!  Four of my favorites, and the source of endless debate of personal preference here in Mass.

For me, my top 5 in MA are Essex, TCC, Myopia, Old Sandwich, Boston GC, but you wouldn't really be wrong if you had them in any other order.

Next 5 are some combo of Salem, Winchester, Concord, Kittansett and maybe Charles River...but I have not played Worcester and Sankaty, which could replace a couple in my "second 5."

I think my Tedesco comes in somewhere in the 15-20 range.

Brad,
No Top 10 love for Eastward Ho?

Not for me unfortunately.  Great course, as are Tedesco/Brae Burn/Taconic...Nantucket maybe (haven't played), Vesper, Woodland, Red Tail, Whitinsville, Oyster Harbors that all probably populate the next 10-15.

[Frank Kim]

The golf in the state of Massachusetts is impressive if Eastward Ho! can't crack the top 10.  It may be my personal favorite course.

[Jason Way]

That speaks to me of the variety and quality there Frank.  For example we added Essex County to our itinerary at the last minute and we figured it would be a nice way to end the trip.  "Charming" was the word we were expecting to apply most readily.  Instead, it was by far my favorite of the four, and I wasn't the only one of the group who felt that way. 

There is really something for every preference in that area, if you can work out the access piece. 

[Jason Way]

Thanks for the additional pics Tyler. 

The greens and green surrounds at Essex were terrific.  I loved the placement and variety of the mounding and bunkers.  Creative and fun.  And there were some really cool little depressions and hollows around the greens, particularly the left and long on the 16th. 

As for the two-tiered fairway on #8, which was awesome, we were told that the upper tier was fine fescue until a few years ago.  I cannot imagine how hard a driving hole that would be if the lower tier was the target, especially given that it is a blind drive up over the hill.  Sheesh.

[Jason Way]

3 questions for locals there:

1.  We were told that Coore & Crenshaw were offered the BGC job before Gil Hanse and turned it down because the property was not sandy enough for their tastes.  True?

2.  We saw the new "Ouimet tee" down below on #4 at TCC.  It was hard to tell because the area was roped off, but that drive up over the rock face looks like it would be insanely difficult, especially for those who don't have a very high launch angle with their drivers.  Any insights?

3.  The green on #17 at Essex has been moved forward and right to it's current position.  Although the new green complex is outstanding, I am just curious, why the move?

[Sinclair Eaddy]

Jason, thanks for sharing. I've done a similar trip over the years and have been lucky enough to play TCC several times. Many visitors have commented on the size of the greens, but until you get there and see that they are smaller than small--it's tough for readers to comprehend... especially for a course that host major championships. The only way your trip could be improved would be a stop at the classic and venerable Myopia Hunt, but no one here is feeling sorry for you! My Boston ranking (ex Cape Cod, Nantucket, Vineyard etc.) would be:

1. TCC
2. Myopia
3. Salem
4. Essex
5. Charles River

[Jason Way]

Thanks Sinclair. I'm going to try and hit Myopia on our return visit next year.

On another note, got an answer to one of my questions from John C. on Twitter:

"To answer your GCA question, C&C passed on BGC due to the proximity of OS.  Didn't want two courses so close."

Not an issue, apparently, of the nature of the site (that's why it's always good to seek corroboration of caddie lore).  Regardless of the backstory, the Boston area was the big winner with two amazing courses by architects clearly working at the top of their game.

[Amol Yajnik]

Jason, I really enjoyed your reviews of these courses.  I've only had the chance to play Essex, but it's such an interesting course with a lot of variety.  I agree with you that the fun factor is pretty high there as well.  I usually get to play it in a tournament every May, I'm upset that I missed my chance this year.  Living around here, it's amazing to see the different characteristics of these 4 courses all in close proximity to one another.

I live about 2 miles from TCC but have never played it.  That said, when I walked the course during the 2013 US Amateur, I was shocked at the size of the greens, or lack thereof. I hope the town of Brookline can get their act together and come to an agreement with the USGA for the 2022 US Open to be held there, I think the course would hold its own against the pros due to the size of the greens and the slopes and contours in those greens.

[MCirba]

It looks like a terrific trip, Jason.   Thanks for sharing your story and pictures in such an illustrative way.

A good friend of mine lists Essex County as his favorite course he's played anywhere.   Thanks for giving me a sense of why that is.

[Jason Way]

Thanks gents.

Now a few days removed, the differences among the courses continue to emerge, and I find myself loving each more for it's own individual character. 

Two other items that I failed to mention:

1.  The conditioning at each of the courses was predictably outstanding.  However, I was struck by how each Superintendent keeps the conditioning so mint without sacrificing the natural feel.  Nothing felt artificial or overly manicured to me, and yet all of the courses were immaculate.

2.  The staff that we met were all incredibly friendly.  That's not always the case at clubs of this calibre when playing as an unaccompanied guest, but everyone we met was gracious and helpful, and they gave us a sense that they were people who loved the game of golf.

Forgive my gushing.  I'll shut up at some point.  Just like to continue to give credit where it's due as nuggets pop into my head.