unheralded Donald Ross course

[jimb6golf]

Just played Triggs Memorial GC in Providence this past weekend and what a find. Very oddly situated course in the middle of the city, but apparently the area built up since the course was built in 1932. Terrific track, with some great old growth trees lining the course, and great routing of the holes in typical Ross fashion (meandering, sloping and turning, etc.). Long difficult par 4's (some really long ones), long par 3's with great elevation changes and reachable par 5's in typical Ross fashion too. For a muni it's in pretty good shape too, but I've heard it might burn out in the summer months though. Not much to speak of for amenities though. Great find and looking forward to playing it again very soon.

[Shemp]

I've played Triggs a few times and agree it is a gem of Ross. Unfortunately, the city doesn't really maintain it very well, and during the summer the weekends are glacially slow . It kind of reminds me of the old Newton Commonwealth Course, before they tore it up for real estate development. Newton Commonwealth was Ross' home course when he lived there.

[BEND OF THE RIVER GC]

I plan on playing Triggs in early summer, I will post some pictures as well.

[cloozoe]

Thanks for the steer; sounds nice.

[slats1221]

Brunswick Country Club in Brunwick, GA is a gem. They've really brought the course back to life over the last few years and it's a favorite every time we visit St. Simons/Sea Island area.

[flip flappy]

I played Asheboro Municipal a few years back on a weekend trip to the NC Zoo. It is a 9 hole course that Donald Ross designed in 1935. I was talking to the guy in the pro shop and his quote was, "We have a hidden gem in this course." It is the only DR course I have ever played and would love to get back some day. I understand that Asheville's Muni is an 18 hole DR design that is worth playing.

[cdnrockies]

Elmhurst Golf & Country Club in Winnipeg, Manitoba is a little off the radar for Ross as well. Fantastic track.

[jbl]

Triggs' layout may be the best in the state, public or private. The way they maintain it is a crying shame, however.

[jdl]

I love the layout, but the last 2 times we've played there, they had an afternoon shotgun outing. 2 years ago, they had a guy drive out to us after we played #12 telling us we had to skip ahead to #15 because the outing was starting. We ignored him, played 13 and were finishing 14 when the outing groups drove up to the tee box. They were fine with letting us go ahead of them, so no problem there. However, our 2nd group was a hole behind and they were not so lucky, had to wait for the outing groups to go while they were trying to play 14.

Last year we saw that they had the same thing planned, but we were assured there was enough time and we wouldn't have any problems. Well of course the front nine went at a glacial pace and once again we had an outing coming out while we were in the middle of the back 9.

Not sure I'll be going back, I know the group I play with has put the course on the "banished" list.

[Imp]

I live here and banished them about 20 years ago. What eurotrash2 said... layout is good, but they suffer from being a true muni with no money to put into upkeep.

I tried again at the behest of a friend a couple years ago... same result. Nothing changed. Crap conditions (and they just aerated/plugged) and we SPECIFICALLY ASKED if they had and they said 'nope, not yet. Next week.' Off we went and... plugged.

--kC

[Tim_Gavrich]

Shennecossett in Groton, CT

I've never played it but from what I hear, George Wright in Boston belongs on this list as well.

[hockeyplayer19]

[quote name='Tim Gavrich' timestamp='1405971478' post='9751867']
Shennecossett in Groton, CT

I've never played it but from what I hear, George Wright in Boston belongs on this list as well.
[/quote]

I have played George Wright hundreds of times. It is an excellent Donald Ross layout, in my opinion, but the condition of the course is hit or miss. Typically, the greens are in pretty good shape but the tees, fairways, and rough (hard pan) vary. Not to state the obvious but it depends how much money they put back into the course as well as how much watering they do. It is a municipal course owned and managed by the City of Boston.

As for the layout, the first hole is a bit boring but a good/generous starting hole considering no practice range. There are some short holes (e.g. 2nd), blind tee shots, some great elevation changes without being anything close to a mountain course, and a lot of solid holes.

if you are a fan of Donald Ross and are in the Boston area, it is certainly worth playing. Be forewarned, weekend rounds can push 6 hours!

[Pitch'n'Putt]

Triggs is a phenomenal layout, but as others have pointed, it is terribly maintained. About 45 min from Providence is Shennecosset in Groton, CT. Another Ross course with a great layout, tricky greens and is much better condition than trigs. Its also inexpensive.

Poland Spring Golf Course in Poland Spring, Maine is my favorite Ross course. A true nine out, nine in and an amazing layout that follows the contours of the land perfectly.

[DCSerafin]

A few others... Private-Whitinsville in Northbridge, MA rated one of the top nine holes in the country and Wachusett CC in West Boylston, MA - always in top notch condition and a good price at $65 on weekends with cart.

[jbrunone]

Triggs is an awesome layout and a very cool location...

hands down the best track though is Wannamoiset (spelling) which Ross even admitted may be his best lay out ever, unbelievable course.

[bellview17]

Muni in Wilmington, NC just went through a complete renovation. Will reopen in November.

[3Jacker2]

Shennecossett in Groton is garbage for your money and time spent out there will be at least 5+ hours on your round. the only benefit is the back nine, beautiful views of the Groton sound. the fairways are not maintained, the bunkers are rock piles with sand mixed in there, the rough is not nearly maintained and you can clearly see the greens are being discriminated against on this course. its like they purposely do not take care of them.

All the reviews rave about this course, but I don't understand why, I get its only $40 to play, but I would rather take that plus another $30 and play meadow brook in Richmond, RI.

just my 2 cents but its not worth the play at all

[daverain1]

I played Shenny for the first time in 10 years yesterday. The first three holes are shite, but very interesting and playable after that.

The first hole you drive across the road, short, flat dogleg par 4, green was rock hard. Second hole has a shot over railroad tracks. Third green is blind and tucked into a fenced in corner.

I played from the tips (6500 yards), and there were some long holes and challenging shotmaking. Green were in great shape and fast.

Play was very slow, teed off at noon on a Sunday, 5 hour round. I paid $38 to walk, great value, except for pace of play and first 3 holes I thought it was a great round of golf.