Conference 7.286::golf

    
    One other excellent course in this area that I've played at
    is Sky Meadow.   There was a previous note on Sky Meadow,
    but I decided to call and check out prices for myself.  
    
    Something that was not mentioned in the previous note is
    that it is possible to play sky meadow without a cart as
    long as you play after 2 p.m. during the week and on the 
    weekends.  Also the weekday rates are $30 without a cart
    after 2, and $40 with a cart all day.  The weekend rates
    are $40 without a cart after 2, and $50 with a cart all
    day.
    
    I think I'm going to take an afternoon off and head over
    there soon.  I don't mind playing $30 for a round of golf,
    at a really nice course, but $50 is getting a little too
    steep for me.
    
    -John-
    

    
        Others to consider:
    
             Far Corners GC  -  West Boxford Ma.  (Very challenging)
             Portsmouth CC   -  Portsmouth NH    
             Beverly Golf and Tennis Club - Beverly, Ma.
    
-rick      

Hi

  Some courses which might interest you are:

     1) Colonial in Lynnfield,Mass which is off Route 128 North

     2) Crystal Springs in Haverhill,Mass

     3) Far Corners in Boxford, Mass

     4) Portsmouth Country Club, Portsmouth,NH

   Colonial does NOT take Tee time but I believe the other courses do.

   Hopefully, one of these courses will meet your golfing skills!

Joe

    
    Thanks for the tips.  I have played the Colonial if you had
    to compare the Colonial to Far Corners or Crystal Springs
    or Beverly Golf and Tennis Club or Portsmouth CC how would
    you rate these 3 to the Colonial.  
    
    Maybe if you compare them in terms of how well each is groomed,
    thats my top priority, I really appreciate well groomed tees,
    greens and fairways.   I also tend to like longer more open
    holes then short, tight hilly layouts.   It gives my ego
    a boost.  Maybe you could rate them in order.
    
    I've heard that Portsmouth CC is excellent, I know it is rated in the
    top 5 public golf courses in NH last summer.  There was an article
    in the Boston Globe which I believe was an excerpt from Golf Digest.
    I'm going to head over there soon.
    
    Thanks very much.  Me and my golfing buddies will appreciate it
    greatly.  
    
    -John-
    

        scale  1-5  (1 = poor/easy/short/wide   5 = excellent/hard/long/narrow)

                                     grooming    challenge     length  fairway

        *Ferncroft                      5            3           3       4
        *Portsmouth                     4            4           5       1
         Far Corners                    4            5           4       2
         Colonial                       3            4           4       2  
        *Beverly                        4            4           4       2
         Trull                          4            3           2       2
         Green Meadows                  2            3           3       4
        *Crystal Springs                3            4           3       3
         Sagamore (both of them)
           *Lynnfield Ma. & Hampton NH  2            2           3       2



     * Indicates more than a couple of years since I've played them

        If your looking for courses that you can use your driver and have
      some  long iron shots into the green, I'd recommend Far Corners
      or Portsmouth. Far Corners does have a few hills though. Ferncroft
      if you have a bottomless bank account. It was(is?) a beautifully
      manicured course.
      
-rick
    

    
    Thanks Rick,  that was exactly what I was looking for.  For
    the courses I've already played your ratings seem to be right on.
    
    It's really difficult to get an idea of how good a course is, but
    this seems like the best way I can think of.  The only way to know
    is to try them, but last year I spent alot of time and money on
    many lousy courses.   Luckily I managed to find a few gems, hopefully
    with these suggestions I'll find a couple of more and maybe a little
    closer to home to boot.
    
    Anybody else got anything to add to these?
    
    -John-
     

    
    One other thing, where is Ferncroft?
    
    -John-
    

    
       John, Ferncroft is located in Danvers Ma.  It is real easy to
    get to.  It is right off of Rte. 95  and/or the old Rte.1 .  Just
    keep an eye out for the towering Radisson Ferncroft hotel located
    on a hill.
        It is the site of the Boston Five Classic (an LPGA event).
    
    -rick

    	I haven't yet played Crystal Springs this year, but a couple
    of holes last year were in less than desirable condition. The
    greens are nicely kept at Crystal, but some of the tees (about 4)
    were nothing but hardpan. Fortunately they were par 4 or 5 so
    you'd always use a tee. Only one or two fairways were in bad shape,
    but for the price ~$14 for 18 weekend last year, you can't bitch
    too much. I've always preferred the back nine there, FWIW.
    	Portsmouth is a very nice course, a Robert Trent Jones design.
    The bunkers are the best I've ever had the displeasure of playing
    out of. I happen to have a card here with me, and from the blues
    it plays 7068, white 6609, so it has length. It's generally flat
    with only 3 or 4 holes with a small hill.

	I haven't played Sagamore Spring at Hampton for a few years, but I 
highly recommend Sagamore in Lynnfield.  Colonial and Sagamore are often 
compared because they are so close.  Both are public courses and have their 
own following.  I really enjoy Sagamore.  The major difference in my
opinion, other than the fact that the Colonial is longer, is that Sagamore
is usually in much better condition.  Sagamore's fairways are typically in
great shape.  Two years ago they rebuilt the 4th and 13th tee areas.  Last
year they completely rebuilt the 4th green.  

	I guess you can tell, I really like the Sagamore course.  I also 
enjoy the atmosphere. A few months ago I paid for 9 holes and played in a
terrible rain storm on a Sunday.  I came into the club house with my golf
buddy and attempted to pay for the back nine.  The owners son behind the
counter waived the fee saying that if we were willing to brave the elements
the back nine was on the house.  I also have some sentimental feelings
about the place because my father and grandfather used to play there.  And
then there is George Apalakis, a local pro who built a solid reputation
selling/trading golf clubs for a very fair price.  George is still a
fixture at Sagamore on weekends, even though he is retired. 

	Far Corner is everything that folks have described it to be.  It is 
owned by Bill Flynn, who also manages George Wright (classic Donald Ross 
desing) in Hyde Park.  The course is long and hilly.  I'm told by a friend
who belongs to the inner-club at Far Corner that it is the third hardest
public course in Massachusetts, behind Stow North and another course that
I can't think of right now (-> does anyone else know?).  I also recommend
George Wright for $14 on a weekend. 

	Ferncroft is not long, but the rough and water hazards (hundereds, 
it seems) can make the course a bit more difficult than Rick's challenge
rating of 3.  If you miss a shot you pay for it.  It has a great par 5
finishing hole.  Often the 5th fairway will be under water if we get a 
period of prolonged rain.

	I've gotta try Portsmouth, Beverly and Crysal Springs...

Jeff

	re: Crystal Springs


	I played there a couple of weeks ago and was pleasantly
	surprised that they had re-done two of the worst the tee
	areas. Two others remain packed dirt...

	The fairways and greens were in pretty decent shape.

	For the price (~$15) you can't beat it. Though last year I
	was paying $6 for nine during the week, this year it went
	up to $8.

	Peter.

    
    re: .10  Jeff
    
         I don't notice water hazards when I play.  Makes it less
      stressful.   ;^)

         When I was a lad (many many rounds ago), I caddied at 
      Ferncroft and used to play it all the time. Also played my
      high school matches there. True, strokes were lost when the
      ball found the water, but the course more than makes up for
      it with it's relative shortness, huge greens (that putt true),
      and the fact that the fairways were in such superb condition
      (tour-like), that you could actually spin the ball.
    
         Quite a number of bunkers at Ferncroft, so a good sand
      player will have an advantage there.
    
         I agree that the people at Sagamore (Lynnfield) are super.
      We gotta play there. Let me know when , Jeff.

    -rick

    I play Fercroft quite often.  A couple of notes ago someone said
    Fercroft was not long.  Try playing from the "blues".  Try playing
    that course in the wind.
    
    I think the 13th hole is one of the most difficult par fours (from
    the back markers) as I have played.
    
    North of Boston...try SkyMeadow, not long but tough...well
    maintained...great layout...and they just opened up all 18.
    
    Keep it down the middle!

    Although I play FerNcroft...I can't spell it.  

    
       Yup, Ferncroft has some length from the blue markers.  I should
      have qualified my length ratings by saying they were from the
      whites.  
       When I played Ferncroft, the 13th used to be a par 5.
    
       ANY course is tough in the wind!
    
    -rick

    Rick and Jeff, got room ofr a third? Let me know. Rich.

    
    Is Ferncroft really open to the public??  I thought you had to either
    be a member or stay at the tara to play there.  Hope I'm wrong, I've
    been there for the Boston Five and it is very nice.  
    
    What do they charge for a round?
    
    --Bob

    
       Come to think of it, Ferncroft might not be such a bad choice
    for the Fall Noter's Tourney.  It may cost a few dollars more and
    I think you *have* to rent a cart there now, but what the hey.
    Problem is, it might not be handy to a lot of people.
    
    -rick

    
    I called Ferncroft, and they said you must be a member or
    stay at the Sheraton Tara.  Now maybe I talked to the wrong
    person, because it seems many people have played this course.
    
    I'm wondering if maybe the course is open to the public at
    certain times of the year?   
    
    -John-
    

John,

	The only way we got on the course the last few years was to have 
our league championship played there -- 40 players.  The cost per person
for the tournament was around $100, and it included dinner.  I don't know
whether or not dinner was manditory for the league to play at Ferncroft.

	After playing Ferncroft for the last several years, we have decided
to play a course on Martha's Vinyard; the name of the course escapes me
right now. 

Jeff