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Jon Cavalier

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Golf in Fairfield, CT Area
« on: June 18, 2014, 05:53:14 PM »
I just found out that I have to head up to the Fairfield, CT area tomorrow morning for a brief bit of work.  I will likely have to remain through at least Friday. 

Is anyone interested in playing a round tomorrow or Friday?  Anyone have any hidden gems to recommend?  I don't know the area well, and have played only Yale (many times).  I also don't mind a bit of a drive for good golf.

Sorry for the bother.  Many thanks.
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Nigel Islam

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Re: Golf in Fairfield, CT Area
« Reply #1 on: June 18, 2014, 09:46:08 PM »
It's a hike, but Hotchkiss School would be something of interest to me. (After I played Yale and used every trick  in the book to get on CC of Fairfield) Good Luck!

Jon Byron

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Re: Golf in Fairfield, CT Area
« Reply #2 on: June 18, 2014, 09:59:23 PM »
Jon - I play in CT often. If you are back again let me know a bit more ahead of time and we can schedule a round.
Haven't played since yesterday, not playing until tomorrow, hardly playing at all!

Jud_T

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Re: Golf in Fairfield, CT Area
« Reply #3 on: June 18, 2014, 09:59:34 PM »
How about the renovated Longshore Golf Club in Westport?  Haven't played it but drove by last year and it looked intriguing.  Unless of course you can access whore your way onto CC of Fairfield...
« Last Edit: June 19, 2014, 06:23:17 AM by Jud_T »
Golf is a game. We play it. Somewhere along the way we took the fun out of it and charged a premium to be punished.- - Ron Sirak

Nigel Islam

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Golf in Fairfield, CT Area
« Reply #4 on: June 18, 2014, 10:04:17 PM »
Greenwich CC is one I haven't heard of until I was looking into the area. It looks like another ultra exclusive Raynor though. That guy must have been something pretty special to deal with the who's who of America.

Mike Sweeney

Re: Golf in Fairfield, CT Area
« Reply #5 on: June 19, 2014, 04:51:00 AM »
How about the renovated Longshore Golf Club in Westport?

For simplicity, Longshore would be my number 1 pick. Short, fun, scenic, nice vibe type of place. During the week it is pretty easy to get on as a non-resident. Have not played it since the bunker restoration.

I have never played the Fairfield town courses, but they seem to be well received.

I have never played Great River as the reviews are not great, tight property.

You said you would be willing to drive, so perhaps 75-90 minutes away - http://www.groton-ct.gov/depts/parksrec/shenny/shenny_about.asp

Chris Mavros

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Golf in Fairfield, CT Area
« Reply #6 on: June 19, 2014, 08:48:04 PM »
Lyman Orchards has a few fun tracks by RTJ and Player.  Hilly, secluded and lots of fun shots.  It was a pretty nice surprise.

Nigel Islam

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Golf in Fairfield, CT Area
« Reply #7 on: June 20, 2014, 11:45:56 PM »
Where did you play?

Jon Cavalier

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Golf in Fairfield, CT Area
« Reply #8 on: June 21, 2014, 06:38:15 AM »
Where did you play?

Based on the a couple factors, including the lack of enthusiasm for any particular golf options in the immediate area, I decided not to stay over. So I ended up playing at a place called Knollwood CC in Elmsford, NY, which was (more or less) on the way home.

Knollwood is a Raynor/Tilly mashup that I enjoyed. It's on the short side, but played really fun. There were some really nice holes, including a good version of a slightly uphill, 190 yard reverse redan, an Eden with a great green and nice bunkering, and several others.

The best hole is the 18th, a long par 4 attributed to Raynor. The tee shot is elevated to a fairway that bends slightly right. The fairway is significantly banked, high left to low right, but it doesn't funnel all shots to the same spot, nor does everything come all the way down. A small creek runs down the right side, close to the fairway. The best play is a cut.

The second shot is back up to the right over the hazard (which was dammed to create a pond) to a secondary fairway and green. The preferred shot here is a draw. Typically the second shot will play 170-200. Because of the angle into the green, the tee shot positioning is critical. The further right you play the tee shot, the better your angle into the green and generally the flatter your lie.

The hole culminates with an excellent green, with interesting internal contours. The best part of that green complex is that the front right of the green is framed by a large redan-style kick board like the 8th at Yale (though not quite as extreme). Beyond that, the right side of the green is protected by a long, deep bunker. Left of the green drops off severely.

So the perfect play for the hole is a cut off the tee down the right side of the fairway, a draw back up over the pond to the right edge of the green, letting the kick plate shuttle your ball down to the hole location. I thought this was an outstanding hole.
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Mitch Hantman

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Re: Golf in Fairfield, CT Area
« Reply #9 on: June 21, 2014, 05:13:28 PM »
Has anyone been to Yale recently?  I wonder if it's in good condition.

Nigel Islam

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Re: Golf in Fairfield, CT Area
« Reply #10 on: June 22, 2014, 12:12:28 AM »
Cool write up in the Knollwood course history. I think I have read this before, but its almost a history of Northeastern golf. I think you chose wisely.

http://www.kccclub.org/History.aspx

Jon Byron

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Re: Golf in Fairfield, CT Area
« Reply #11 on: June 22, 2014, 12:29:53 AM »
I played Yale on Friday. Course is in very good shape
Haven't played since yesterday, not playing until tomorrow, hardly playing at all!