Richter Park...a CT gem!

[MyBluC4]

If you find yourself in the Danbury, CT area, do yourself a favor and get a tee time at Richter Park Golf Course. A beautiful Edward Ryder designed track opened in 1972 treats the player to an array of beautiful holes and scenic vistas.

The course is a Golf Digest top public course pick and you will see why. Water on 14 of the 18 holes, well conditioned fairways and terrific greens. Sand traps are well manicured with good bases. Large greens whose pin placements can bring you to your knees if you don't take your time on reads and figure out speeds. Two knock out par 3's (#'s 3 and 5) on the front nine over water and great looking par 5 #12 that goes uphill, then winds downhill into an almost island green guarded by a back trap and a lake on the right side. Every hole seems to be framed in large tree lines so you feel each one is a course unto itself. The blues play 6744 yards with a 73.6/139 slope rating. In the fall, you will feel like you are in a movie with the northeast foliage in full technicolor. Well worth the time.

[qwertyb22]

Been awhile since I've played it, but you're spot on. A really great public course! I think I'll play it next week now that you bring it up...

[Alloverthemap]

Along with Bethpage Black and Torrey Pines, Richter Park in Danbury, Ct. is one of the crown jewels of the state park systems. Incredible variety of holes, with elevated tees, lakes, crooked hills, and, if that’s not enough geological diversity . . . quicksand. Only the greens and their public-course pace give any indication that this is, indeed, anything other than a course designed for golf elitists.

[vermontgolfer]

A wonderful public golf course. When I lived in Carmel, NY it was my home course. Now living in Vermont and missing Richter Park.

[HackerD]

Green fees very reasonable too, even for non residents.

[alpineto]

It,s a great course one of my favorites

[TBD203]

Going to go ahead and echo this - I make sure to play there at least once a year. Always early morning on a warm day so my buddy and I can dodge the crowds. If you do it that way like others have said you'd never know it was a public course.

[tsecor]

comparing this to BP black is silly. Ive played both and there is not a lot to compare. Richter is nice, but 80 dollars to play with temporary greens right now is crazy

[sabram]

I like Richter, but not because it has water on 14 holes. Link to photos from an overcast day at Richter about a year ago

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/golfcoursepix/sets/72157635759588836

 

Richter Park #6 approach from 160 r

 

Richter Park #12 green r

[daverain1]

[quote name='HackerD ' timestamp='1430786424' post='11499197']
Green fees very reasonable too, even for non residents.
[/quote] Last year greens fees on weekends were $96 - carts required for non-residents. I see its $79 now, not sure if its going up for the summer. That's by far the highest cost of any muni in the state. Its a nice track but not a $100 course. I've heard they had a terrible winter and still have 3 temporary greens.

BTW residents pay $44, they really stick it to the NYers with few other options in Westchester.

[Togatown22]

Anyone play in the last couple weeks? I have a tee time for Saturday (visiting my in-laws) and wondering if it's worth it... Thanks!

[Togatown22]

Well I was down in CT visiting the in-laws in New Canaan and the FIL and I drove up to Danbury to play Richter on Sunday. What a place, I really enjoyed the layout. A few blind tee shots hurt me, even though we teed off early (6:50am) tee times were stacked and didn't allow for a lot of driving up the fairway to evaluate landing areas, and I got burned at least 2 or 3 times. Either way it's a special track. Rangers were attentive and kept play on time. Clearly they had a rough winter. Still 3 temp greens. Hard to say how far away they are, one looked like it could be a total re-sod job. I'm from NY and the rate was $42. Girl at the desk said it would have been $58 but they reduced the rate due to temp greens. Hard to argue with $58 including cart on Memorial Day weekend. I think it's a steal even with a few temps.

[TeachingProMike]

Richter is a dump. Blind shots everywhere, muddy fairways and they constantly struggle to keep the greens alive. Way over priced too. $80 for that place is a rip-off. No driving range, tiny antiquated club house, the list goes on and on.. I'll never understand why there is so much love for that place.

[Smithj36]

nice layout here but I heard the course was a mess this year. Looking to play here soon. Anyone play recently? Have the conditions improved from earlier in the season?

[HackerD]

[quote name='daverain1' timestamp='1432231737' post='11602468']
[quote name='HackerD ' timestamp='1430786424' post='11499197']
Green fees very reasonable too, even for non residents.
[/quote] Last year greens fees on weekends were $96 - carts required for non-residents. I see its $79 now, not sure if its going up for the summer. That's by far the highest cost of any muni in the state. Its a nice track but not a $100 course. I've heard they had a terrible winter and still have 3 temporary greens.

BTW residents pay $44, they really stick it to the NYers with few other options in Westchester.
[/quote]
Deals possible through GolfNow.com. I think I paid $59 with cart on a Fri afternoon.

I played one week ago. Greens are back to normal I would say. No temporary greens.

[Togatown22]

Anyone play Richter lately? I'm heading down to visit family next week for Thanksgiving and I called today to check on green punching...woman in the shop said they aren't punching this year. Curious for any updates. Thanks!

[MJC4]

Walked this course a handful of times caddying for a buddy who would play in the Danbury Am. Magnificent course, no question about that. If you keep an eye on golfnow, teeoff, etc. you can play it for a pretty good deal.

[BEND OF THE RIVER GC]

agreed, great place to play if you are nearby Danbury, CT

[bperna]

This gets me excited as I'll be moving into the area this summer

[tsecor]

Richter is struggling a little bit with $$$

 

Here are the fees for 2016 for non residents

 

Monday - Thursday $69

Friday, Saturday, Sunday & Holidays $79.00

Seniors- Mon -Thurs (62 years or older) $59.00

Twilight- (schedule varies) $46

[Togatown22]

I wouldn't blink at paying $79 to play there on a weekend peak season; I like that track a lot.

Is that steep for that neck of the woods/quality of course?

[tsecor]

to me, its somewhat nice, but its not worth $80

 

30 min south is a jack Nicklaus designed course that is more challenging and nicer looking and better prices.

 

http://www.mansionridgegc.com/

 

Top 20 Best Public Golf Courses in New York

 

- Golf Digest, 2014

 

 

Located at the foothills of the Catskill Mountains in the highlands of the Hudson Valley, The Golf Club at Mansion Ridge sits on a historic 220-acre estate with landmarks predating the American Revolution. From our Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course to our stately 18th-century stone clubhouse

[Togatown22]

to me, its somewhat nice, but its not worth $80

 

30 min south is a jack Nicklaus designed course that is more challenging and nicer looking and better prices.

 

http://www.mansionridgegc.com/

 

Top 20 Best Public Golf Courses in New York

 

- Golf Digest, 2014

 

 

Located at the foothills of the Catskill Mountains in the highlands of the Hudson Valley, The Golf Club at Mansion Ridge sits on a historic 220-acre estate with landmarks predating the American Revolution. From our Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course to our stately 18th-century stone clubhouse

 

 

I guess its splitting hairs; but I'm looking at Google maps and Mansion Ridge looks almost directly West of Danbury, not so much South. I guess my point is; if I'm visiting my father-in-law in New Canaan, driving up to Danbury to play Richter seems like a great bet for that part of CT. Am I missing anything better in that area?

[tsecor]

no richter is fine. Apple Greens in New Paltz is somewhat unique as well.....carved out of an old apple farm with apple trees everywhere.....you can still pick McIntosh apples as you walk up the fairway

[EnnioS4]

Played richter on 4/15 and 4/16. Course was a good shape. Find some good prices on teeoff and I paid $48 for a resident on Saturday.

[prorobo]

Richter is struggling a little bit with $$$

 

Here are the fees for 2016 for non residents

 

Monday - Thursday $69

Friday, Saturday, Sunday & Holidays $79.00

Seniors- Mon -Thurs (62 years or older) $59.00

Twilight- (schedule varies) $46

 

Is it struggling or could that be due to its relative close proximity to Westchester? Whenever I've played Richter, always weekdays, it's been packed!