Berkshires Golf

[SL_Solow]

My son is visiting the Berkshires (near Lennox) for a wedding in a few weeks and has time for a round.  We understand that if he can play Taconic, he should.  Assuming the timing for Taconic is impractical, does anyone have a good suggestion(s).  thanks for your help.

[Tim Gavrich]

If Taconic doesn't work out, Copake CC in Copake Lake, NY is a hoot and a half: http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,45571.0.html (apologies that the photos no longer show up; I need to look at remedying it, but I hope my writeup from 7 years ago is helpful).

[Tim Martin]

Wyantenuck in Great Barrington is fantastic and would be accessible through their longtime pro Tom Sullivan with a thoughtful introduction. Robert Pryde with an assist from Charles Banks deliver on an incredibly diverse piece of terrain with a wild quarry hole deep into the inward nine. There is no mistaking Bank's hand on a number of holes. Taconic would be first choice but I think your son would love the atmosphere as well as the golf course at Wyantenuck. I am going to send a message to Brett Lawrence who has some great pictures and ask him to post a few.

[Michael Moore]

My favorite in the area is Wahconah. The Cornish back nine from 1961 is no great shakes, but the Stiles front is one of the best nines in New England, and the setting is remarkable, with fields, streams, mountains, etc.

[Cob Carlson]

Top of my list would be Berkshire Hills in Pittsfield, the only Tillinghast course in Massachusetts. Championship quality, and has hosted many USGA qualifiers and Massachusetts Golf Association events.


I would highly recommend Waubeeka in Williamstown, down the road from Taconic and a hell of a lot cheaper. Incredible mountain vistas abound.


I was introduced to the place last year when I played in our State Publinx Championship, and this year for a State Am qualifier. Really lovely track and routing with a terrific mix of holes.


A true sleeper!

[Jim_Kennedy]

10 minutes away from Lenox is Greenock CC in Lee. Its nine hole Ross course is usually in impeccable shape, can be played quickly, and is an easy walk which is important on those wedding weekends.
http://www.greenockcc.com/


The 7th is a pretty downhill par 3 of about 180 yards.



Another fast play just 5 more minutes away from Lenox is Stockbridge GC. It's 18 old school holes, quirky in places, and another easy walking course.
http://www.stockbridgegc.com/


The 2nd is a wonderful par 3 of about 190 yards

 

[Chris_Blakely]

Cranwell Resort is a solid Stiles and Vsn Kleek


Greenock Country Club is a good 9 hole Ross course

[Tim Martin]

Cranwell Resort is a solid Stiles and Vsn Kleek


Greenock Country Club is a good 9 hole Ross course

At this point Cranwell is pretty chopped up and doesn't come close to replecating the original routing. Condos and a road built subsequent to the golf course have taken their toll and the inward nine has suffered greatly as a result. That said its a cool old resort and has some solid holes.

[SL_Solow]

Thanks everyone for all your help

[Chris_Blakely]

Cranwell Resort is a solid Stiles and Vsn Kleek


Greenock Country Club is a good 9 hole Ross course

At this point Cranwell is pretty chopped up and doesn't come close to replecating the original routing. Condos and a road built subsequent to the golf course have taken their toll and the inward nine has suffered greatly as a result. That said its a cool old resort and has some solid holes.

I'm aware of all of this.  I still believe it's better than several of the other courses listed.

[Bret Lawrence]

Here is a picture of the 17th green at Wyantenuck from the 18th tee.  The 17th at Wyantenuck is one of the coolest holes I have ever played.  I think the trip just to see this green and play this hole is worth the price of admission.  This picture hardly does any justice to the green, but I've tried so many times and several different angles to get a decent picture of this green and this is the best I can come up with. 





I have played Taconic, Stockbridge and Wyantenuck of the courses mentioned. They all offer a great golfing atmosphere and they all have their own unique New England charm about them.  I don't think you could go wrong with any of those courses.  As for the other golf courses listed, I look forward to playing them in the future.


Bret

[Mark Fedeli]

Heading up to the Berkshires in a couple weeks and wanted to bump this thread and see if it's still accurate or if there are any other public recommendations it might be missing. We'll be in the North Adams area, so looking at courses somewhere near there. I suppose I'll call up Taconic, with Waubeeka as a back-up. Might have two days to play so might do both. Thanks in advance for any updates.

[Ronald Montesano]

Mark, you will like both, for different reasons. Hanse did great restoration work at Taconic, and I believe it was Mungeam who did work at Waubeekah, with equally impressive results.

[Dan_Callahan]

Waubeeka is fun and scenic, but Taconic is infinitely better. Wyantenuck is very good. It has a few criss-crossing clunker holes, but the rest is great, and an awesome setting. They used to have one of the strangest par 3s I‘ve ever seen. May have been the second hole, and it’s since been redesigned. But 20 or so years ago, it was about 250 yards up over a hill to a blind green that slopes away from you. The play was to hit it past the green because it was much easier to chip from long. There’s also a par 3 with the green about as close to the clubhouse as you can get. Pull it a little bit and you’re ending up in someone’s soup.

[Pat Burke]

I loved taconic as a young kid but that was a lonnggg time ago


My grandfather was Golf pro at Forest Park in Adams
A quirky little nine holer, but a blast to play when I was young!

[John Foley]

Do not miss Taconic. The work Hanse did to capture the original features and open up the vistas is remarkable.

[Tim Martin]

Do not miss Taconic. The work Hanse did to capture the original features and open up the vistas is remarkable.

John-Have you played General Electric Athletic Association in Pittsfield? It’s a fun no frills 9 holer.

[John Foley]

First job out of college was as an engineer for GE in Pittsfield. Spent many a night playing there. Those were the days.

[Tim Martin]

First job out of college was as an engineer for GE in Pittsfield. Spent many a night playing there. Those were the days.

Nice!!!! Maybe some chili dogs at Teo’s on the back end!?

[John Foley]

I'm sure I did!!

[Mark Fedeli]

Thanks, everyone. Was only able to play Waubeeka, but had a nice time. The back 9 is excellent. A great collection of greens — especially the 13th, which on its own made the visit worth it.