Round 38: New England CC

Visited New England Country Club as my 38th course in my quest to play them all.⠀
The course is being rerouted, so we started on the second hole and finished our front nine on the old first hole. The back nine was unaffected by the change. I will be referring to the hole numbers based on the new routing.⠀
⠀
The most striking thing about New England CC is the land that it's on. The ups and downs all over the course give each hole a very distinct feel. The tree lined course doesn't play as tight as one might think, but once the leaves grow it might be a different ballgame entirely. Holes four through eight were probably my favorite. The fourth is a dogleg par 5 with a massive drop from fairway to green. A good drive is essential to having a look at the green for the second shot. Any lay-up on the fourth is a challenge given the massive drop in the fairway. ⠀
⠀
The eighth hole is a shock to the system after the opening seven holes. It requires the most accurate and self-confident driver of the day down a narrow shoot to the fairway. The harsh dogleg right is protected by a tree and meandering stream on the right. The stream roams in front of the massive undulating green. A heck of a hole.⠀
⠀
Back nine heads out into some lower land, so it was a tad wet and soggy. The tenth hole is an excellent straight away par four. The fairway slopes right to left and there's some mounding on the right of the green that I particularly liked.⠀
⠀
The back nine continues up and down hills and there are some more forced carries than the front nine. ⠀
⠀
We played the final two holes in fading light (and complete darkness). The monstrous bunkering on seventeen caught all our attention as we walked off the green. We were fortunate to play the hole with a front pin.⠀
⠀
Eighteen is a beautiful finisher. Given the slope of the land, I'm not totally sold on the water hazard being so close to the green. I'm sure a lot of good approach and recovery shots end up in the water.⠀
⠀
For 50 bucks, New England CC is a great deal. I enjoyed the round and it's a course I could play every day.⠀

THE FACTS

Date: April 2021

Playing Partners: Dan, Eliot, and Joey

Tees: Blues

Game: None

Score: 80

Birdie Count: 2 (45 total)