An esteemed GCA'er, Dan Taylor, graciously hosted a group of us at The Orchards in South Hadley, Massachusetts early last week for a terrific day of golf.  Many of us have a dream of what golf might be like in whatever we consider heaven to be---perhaps these pictures might be close to your personal dream...

#1 tee, setting the stage for the day ahead


#9 back tee, heading back up the slope toward the green


#10 an inverted saucer 170yd par 3, with a nasty false front just over the creek


#11 tee shot which must be positioned to avoid the large tree in the right rough


#17 tee shot on the 180 yd par 3


#17 green taken from the 18th tee


Certainly up here in gloomy Seattle, these images are a ray of sunshine.  Do not pass up the chance to see this well-presented Donald Ross track, which obviously showed very well in this year's US Women's Open.

Thanks again to Dan!
 

These bunkers don't look like the ones we see on "restored" Ross courses....are these in need of work or are they just fine...

Jaka,


1. Notice you don't see that many bunkers in these pictures.

2. The bunkers were fine to my eye when we played in 2003, and probably got better due to The Open.

3. I think you would really like this course. It is a very low key place, lots of walking, great old simple New England clubhouse.

4. My only issue is it opens a little weak for 3 holes, and if I remember Brad Klein's post, these are the non-Ross holes that were built as a second 9 and then re-routed.

5. This week is probably the prettiest week of the year up there.

The Orchards is a golf course not to be missed when in the Boston area.  It's a true hidden gem that often gets overlooked in the discussion of great Massachusetts courses.

The course plays much tougher than it's 6500 yards would suggest.  The greens are extremely small and well contoured.  Donald Ross did a wonderful job with the routing as the course flows naturally around the property.  It's also one of the best walking courses that I've played with short distances from greens to tees.  The secluded and peaceful atmosphere only adds to the enjoyment of a round there.

The closing stretch of the risk/reward par 5 16th, demanding par 3 17th, and long uphill par 4 18th is a wonderful finish to an excellent golf course.  

And, I must say that the view from the clubhouse overlooking the course is one of the best that I've seen in golf.  Enjoying a cold beverage on the porch afterwards will make you want to grab your clubs and head for the 1st tee again!

It's no surprise that the USGA can't wait to get the women's US Open back there.