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Tim Gavrich

Sharon Country Club; Sharon, CT
« on: April 18, 2006, 10:09:55 PM »
This nine-hole private course is the home course of Salisbury School, whose team we Westminster Martlets are playing on Friday afternoon.

I played it in a match two years ago, and all I remember is that it had extremely small greens, and was pretty short.  Does anyone have any information or pictures or insights about the history and architecture of the course.  I believe it is one of the hundred oldest clubs in America (1895, maybe?).  I also seem to recall reading that they will be adding a new nine there; it may have been here.

Thanks.
Senior Writer, GolfPass

Jim_Kennedy

Re:Sharon Country Club; Sharon, CT
« Reply #1 on: April 18, 2006, 11:15:54 PM »
Tim,
Sharon's plan for an additional nine will also entail changing some of the existing holes. I'm pretty sure that Robin Nelson was the architect. The club bought adjoining land a few years ago and they are cutting off several building sites from this parcel to (hopefully) pay for the work. The club also hired a new superintendent this year, Steve Curry knows him. He was Peter Bacon's assistant's at Wyantenuck CC, so you can be sure that he knows his stuff.
I don't think anyone knows who built this course in 1895, at least not anyone that I know of. The Buckley's (yes, those Buckley's) are/were the family of note, among others, and as private as it is, the club has a policy of offering an 'associate' membership to residents of the town. For a small sum (I think it's around $150.00) a limited number of local residents can play the course weekday afternoons for 1/2 the green fee. Chalk this up to the noblesse oblige of the old and monied New Englanders.

Spring has not yet sprung here in the NW corner so nothing is growing too fast. This does make for speedier greens than you might see if you were playing later in the season. It has also been dry so the ball is rolling more than normal for this time of year. Sharon's greens are very tiny, a few are no more than 12 to 15 paces wide. They don't have much tilt or undulation, they use tiers to drive you to tears. Long is never good at Sharon, especially on the 6th hole.

Good luck in your match.    
"I never beat a well man in my life" - Harry Vardon

Steve Curry

Re:Sharon Country Club; Sharon, CT
« Reply #2 on: April 19, 2006, 06:41:25 AM »
Jim,

Have they hired an architect? Bill Gowey is the new superintendent and he is very sharp.

Steve

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