Damian Pascuzzo designed The Ranch, which opened in 2004 to rave reviews, which haven't really stopped since then. In 2007, Golf Digest rated it the best public course in Massachusetts. Connecticut residents and American geography buffs know that the northern edge of CT is not pristine in that it isn't a straight edge; there is a little notch--the Granby Notch, aka the Southwick Jog seemingly cut out of the state. That notch is part of the area of the town of Southwick.
I've played The Ranch thrice--most recently, a few weeks ago. I quite like it, and believe it is certainly worthy of a play or two if you're anywhere nearby (I live 45 minutes away, but would not mind driving twice as far to play it occasionally). It's not terribly cheap--$110 on a summer morning--but the high-season twilight rate ($70 after 2 PM) is more than fair.
I'll let the pictures tell the tale; fire away with questions, should you have any.
Tough to miss the par 5 first fairway, unless you're daring right away and go to the little left fairway, which leaves a pretty short second.
From the right half of the fairway, about 220 out.
Getting closer...
Tee shot on 2 (par 4)
And the approach.
The third (par 4) tee shot is much easier than it appears--lots of room right.
And the approach, uphill to a narrow green.
4th (par 4) tee shot. Followed by another uphill approach to another narrow green. But, the 3rd and 4th are still different enough that it doesn't feel tedious.
5th (par 3) tee shot.
6th (short 4) tee shot. Bash it over the bunker in order to try to put it on or next to the small green. Not an impossible walk, but carts are recommended.
Approach to the 6th.
Tee shot on the 7th (par 4). The only bland hole on the golf course. A breather, I guess.
And the approach...
8th (par 3)
9th (par 5) tee shot. Mostly blind and sharply downhill. Chance to break your long-drive record and reach in two...
...but not after challenging the wetlands in front of the green.
The sweeping 10th (par 4). I started on this hole and left my second shot within 8 inches of an opening deuce by landing my ball well short and right, and letting the land guide it towards the hole. Great, great fun.
The tee shot on the uphill 11th (par 4).
#11 fairway bunker, typical of the others at The Ranch. Rugged, not "cut."
Approach:
Looking back from the 11th green. Lots of elevation change at The Ranch.
12th (par 3). Would be better of the front of the green were raised and it were more of a Redan hole. Not bad anyway, though.
From the 13th (long, three-shot par 5) tee. More room than there appears to be.
Approach from about 125.
Semi-blind tee shot on 14 (par 4). Sling one right-to-left if you can.
...and the approach. Don't mess with left and/or short of the green.
Another semi-blind tee shot awaits on 15 (par 4). The more you challenge the left fairway bunkers, the better the potential angle to a narrow green.
The approach:
The 16th is one of the most fun holes I know of. It's called "Ski Hill"--the tee is about 150 feet above the green. If you had your career long drive on #9, you'll probably break it on 16. I hit a 425-yarder that just rolled and rolled...I had 6-iron into the green. Quite a lot of fun. Tee shot:
From the beginning of the serious slope, about 410 yards from the green:
Looking back from the green:
#17 (par 3) requires a gutsy shot over water. There are backboard-type slopes behind the green.
The closing hole (par 4) calls for a right-to-left tee shot:
Downhill approach. Bounce it on from short-right if you wish:
The Ranch is a great blend of fun and challenge. I know Pascuzzo does most of his work out in California (he did one other course in MA, one I am not familiar with). Wish he'd come out East more often, based on this!
Cheers.
--Tim