The CSGA Links Volume 3 Issue 2 May, 2015 | Page 33

at Hotchkiss so enraptured Charles Banks, a Hotchkiss
English teacher, that he formed a close friendship with
Raynor, developed his own passion for golf course
design, and ultimately joined Raynor in a partnership.
They worked closely together until 1926 when
Raynor died at the age of 42. After Raynor’s death,
Banks completed over 30 unfinished Raynor courses,
including Tamarack CC in Connecticut, and returned
to Hotchkiss in the 1930s to redesign several holes.
The present layout plays to a par of 35 and measures
over 3,000 yards from the back tee, providing an ample
challenge and a glimpse into 20th century golf course
architecture.

Birchwood Country Club (pictured below)
in Westport, Conn. boasts the highest ranking of any
nine-hole course in the state, and with good reason.
This little-known hidden gem was conceived in 1945
following World War II. The property, then belonging
to the defunct Westport Country Club, was acquired
by the club and incorporated in 1946. The course was
designed by famed architect Orrin Smith, a protege of
Donald Ross, whose many designs include the Country
Club of Woodbridge, Torrington Country Club, and
Suffield Country Club (see below), just to name a few.

The signature hole at Birchwood CC is the par-4
8th, a 362 yard that often plays into a crosswind. The tee
shot is framed by long string of trees on the left and a
small creek on the right that demands an accurate drive.
The second shot plays to a green that is sloped severely
from back to front. The old adage “stay below the hole”
is sound advice throughout the course, but especially
on this difficult par-4, as the course boasts some of the
fastest greens in the state.

In an effort to bring tournaments and
championships to more nine-hole courses, the CSGA
will conduct qualifying for the 28th Connecticut Mid-

Amateur at Suffield Country Club. The course,
founded in 1927, plays to a total of 6,011 yards from
the back tees, and competitors in the qualifier will play
the course once from the white tees and once from the
blue tees to complete the 18-hole stipulated qualifying
round.

When it comes to unique history, one needs to
look no further than Fenwick Golf Course (pictured
above) in Old Saybrook. The borough of Fenwick was
home to Academy Award-winning actress Katherine
Hepburn, who spent the majority of her life in the
scenic town until her passing in June of 2003. The
9-hole course runs past the old Hepburn Estate and
offers scenic views of the Long Island Sound on
virtually every hole. It’s one of Connecticut’s oldest
courses, with the original four-hole layout dating back
to 1896, and while the layout only stretches to 5,540
yards from the tips, the prevailing wind and treacherous
hazard of the Sound are sure to provide an ample and
unique challenge.

All in all, there are forty two nine-holes courses
in the state, each offering a distinctive challenge and
appeal. So next time you are looking to play, just ask
yourself if you have time for nine. It’ll be well worth it.

Among the Best
Golf Digest’s Ron Whitten recently released
a list of his picks for the 25 Best NineHole Courses. Not surprisingly, two of
Connecticut’s best made the list:

6. Birchwood Country Club, Westport, Conn.
22. Hotchkiss School, Lakeville, Conn.
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CSGA Links // May, 2015 | 33