All you need to know about Killington, Rutland, Brandon, Poultney and the Lakes Region of Vermont All content © The Mountain Times   2006

Golf in the Mountains Photo from White River Golf Club Welcome to some of the best golf courses in the world. Just as fine wine begins with the soil where the grapes are grown, great golf begins with the terrain on which the course is built. A Vermont golf course begins with scenic vistas that are beyond compare. The rugged mountain terrain adds a dimension of depth that is both visually awesome ... and offers golfers many special challenges that make the game extremely interesting.... you won’t be bored! On the easy side, most Vermont courses don’t require “gorilla” drives to enable you to score well..... it’s more about using your head, controlling your emotions and sticking to good game basics. Read on.... and learn more about our great golf courses... then plan a visit. You won’t be disappointed. Great Courses at the Crossroads Green Mountain National (18) Killington (802) 422-GOLF As host for Vermont's only professional golf tournament, it should be clear that the National is no ordinary place. For starters, it's one of the few golf courses you'll play where sufficient land has been allocated to ensure that each hole stands on its own. Every tee box presents a singular focus and total privacy without the noise or distraction of activity from adjacent fairways that occurs on tighter courses. The downside of playing this cozy layout is that you need to stay in the fairways or you can be severely punished. There is very little "playable" rough at the National. You're either in or near the fairway or you're in some form of trouble. There are some parts of the woods where making a rescue shot is possible, but don't depend upon it... most of the deep grass and ferns are impenetrable. You will learn not to muscle the National with high risk shots. This is a place to treat with respect and with caution. Green Mountain National was recognized as the third best new municipal golf course in America. Green Mountain National offers a complete practice range, well stocked pro shop and quality dining facility. Killington Resort Golf Course (18) Killington (802) 422-6700 (summer/ generalinformation) Golf Packages: 1-800-621-MTNS One of Vermont's most spectacular tests of golf skill is the Geoffrey Cornish designed Killington Golf Course. The course was built at the foot of the largest ski resort in Eastern North America, with spectacular Green Mountain views, amazing contours and endless surprises. Maintaining a premium golf course on this severe terrain is an enormous undertaking. The Killington staff has done a remarkable job over the years responding to the effects of weather and climate that are a constant challenge to greenskeeping. The course is in beautiful condition with its lush fairways and smooth Penncross greens. Killington's course will test every aspect of your golf game. With tree-lined fairways, there is little hope for recovery from errant drives. Many, if not all, of the greens are closely guarded by well-placed bunkers and demand an artful yet skillful approach. When in doubt at Killington, a word to the wise: hit it straight! Killington's golf course is part of the larger Killington Ski and Mountain Resort, with lodging, dining and many amenities nearby. The course itself offers a range and practice areas, well stocked pro shop and an excellent restaurant. Lake St. Catherine (18) Poultney (802) 287-4060 A short ride out to the Lakes Region you'll discover a pretty little golf course that will please your senses, but challenge your abilities to post a low score. Built around a mature 9-hole layout, the new 18-hole course uses most of the "old" blended with newer, more stylized, holes. In playing Lake St. Catherine, it's important to recognize the difference between the "old" and the "new." The original holes are more open and generally "straight away" that finish to smaller greens. The newer holes feature more dog-legs, "tighter" fairways, larger greens and some radical elevation changes. The "new" part of the course is built around a large hill to the north of the original site that presents much different terrain. Shot selection is crucial at Lake St. Catherine... you should recognize this fact from the first hole onward. Don't automatically pull out the driver, and be very careful selecting the right club for several radical uphill and downhill approach shots. Failure to do so will produce disappointing results. Lake St. Catherine has a moderately stocked pro shop, a friendly lounge and snack bar and very affordable playing rates that make a ride to Poultney well worth the trip. Neshobe Golf Club (18) Brandon (802) 247-3611 If you were to make your decision to play, or not play, Neshobe Golf Course by the view from the roadway, you'd be making a huge mistake. Unfortunately, when the course was rebuilt and expanded several years ago, the first two holes along the roadway were not improved. This leaves the mistaken impression that the entire course is like what you see as you drive by. Hidden from view, however, are some magnificent and challenging holes, redesigned and built by Steve Durkee. The transformation from the "old" Neshobe is a staggering improvement. Within the new layout, only the 1st, 2nd, 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th retain their prior appearance... featuring tight rolling fairways, small greens and rather short driving distances. The newer Durkee designed holes tend to be a bit longer, with wider fairways and definitely larger and more demanding greens. These greens differ immensely from the "old" ones ...they're much larger, but not easier. You'll also find more interesting terrain features and better placed hazards in the new layout. As a test of golf, Neshobe requires patience and attention to surroundings in order to score well. The "older" holes definitely play differently than the new ones... and each of the new ones present their own special challenge. In other words, you can't fall into a set routine and expect it to produce a low score at Neshobe. Be awake, aware and choose your shots carefully. Neshobe has a good practice range, a full service pro shop, and a cozy bar and restaurant. This is a semi-private course that is generally available and open to the public. Rates are moderate. Okemo Valley Golf Club (18) Ludlow (802) 228-1396 If you want to give yourself a treat, it's time to take a drive south to Okemo Valley Country Club. Formerly known as "Fox Run," the new 18 hole Steve Durkee layout bears no resemblance to the past. Massive amounts of earth were moved to provide perfect drainage and 18 beautifully sculptured golf holes. From the beginning, Durkee set out to build a "comfortable," but challenging and beautiful resort course. Notable features of the layout include: fairways that are cut to have the ball roll back towards the center, instead of away into the rough; selected and well placed clusters of trees, instead of solidly tree-lined fairways; large friendly greens that easily accept well placed approach shots. The greens carry Steve Durkee's well-known design traits: large areas of smooth grass blended into the natural surroundings, with two or more distinctly different portions within each green that provide unique pin location areas. This feature makes the placement of approach shots very important and putting a lot of fun. The appearance of Okemo is that of a "meath" course... it's quite open but full of beautiful vistas of the surrounding mountains... including the visible trails of Okemo Ski Resort. There are five sets of tees that allow the course to play from 5105 to 6400 yards. Okemo Valley C.C. features a fully stocked pro shop, a magnificent practice range, a complete golf training school, and a major restaurant and banquet facility. Absolutely do not miss any opportunity to play this fabulous layout. Proctor-Pittsford Country Club (18) Pittsford (802) 483-9379 After playing a lot of golf, at a lot of golf courses, it’s clear that Proctor-Pittsford Golf Course is no "piece of cake," despite its innocent look. Perched on the crest of Corn Hill in Pittsford, the course offers many pretty vistas that can lull you into ignoring the challenges that you'll face in trying to make a decent score. Some of the challenging features at Proctor-Pittsford include many narrow fairways lined with dense forest; some deep and gnarly rough; several shots to uphill and hidden greens; many awkward lies among rolling fairways; relatively small greens; and unpredictable winds. Some of the easier aspects include water and traps that generally don't restrict your access to fairways and greens; very few "long" holes; and greens that would be generally considered "uncomplicated." If you're a long and accurate driver of the golf ball, you can cut some strokes at Proctor-Pittsford, but there are plenty of risks if you miss. To score well, it's well-advised to not "gorilla" your way around. Overall, it's pretty hard not to have fun at Proctor-Pittsford. The spectacular setting, friendly staff, and affordable rates make it a necessary and regular place to go. The course is semi-private, but tee times are generally available and offered to the public. If planning in advance, be sure to ask about club functions that may block out your intended play time. Proctor-Pittsford offers a good practice facility, lessons, a fully stocked pro shop and nice restaurant. Prospect Bay Country Club (9) Bomoseen (802) 468-5581 Scenic nine hole course overlooking beautiful Lake Bomoseen. Competitive daily green fees, family and single memberships available at moderate rates. Riding carts; no tee times required. Rutland Country Club (18) Rutland (802) 773-3254 Ranked among the best golf courses in the state, Rutland Country Club is a stop that no serious golfer should miss. Rutland is one of the older layouts in the region, and superior care and attention to the course over the years have brought it to a mature and stately condition. In recent years, a new clubhouse and pro shop were erected which complete a fine appearance and a full service golf facility. To score well at Rutland, you'd better bring patience and your full "bag of tricks." Every manner of hazard exists at Rutland and your short game skills will be tested to the max. If you've not played Rutland before, you'll soon learn that approach shots are critical to set up makeable putts on many extremely fast and severely sloping greens. Rutland offers a well stocked pro shop and full service bar and restaurant. Stonehedge (9-Par 3) Clarendon (802) 773-2666 Just south of Rutland, the ever-growing sight of a flapping golf flag will grab the attention of a curious golfer traveling along Rt. 7. This flag doesn't represent the sight of an 18-hole championship golf club, but rather marks the sight where great golfers get their start. The flag belongs to Stonehedge, a well maintained nine hole, par three course that offers a tremendous opportunity for all level of play. Stonehedge covers all shapes of par three holes. A single pond judges faith in your swing. Great golf can truly be found in this popular par three course. Stonehedge hands an abundant opportunity to improve in all areas of the short game. White River Golf Club (9) Rochester (802) 767-GOLF Just a few minutes north of Killington, you'll discover a well-maintained nine hole layout that is always an enjoyable place for a round of golf. Built along the banks of the White River, the course offers beautiful views of the quiet countryside and a very "laid back" environment to enjoy your favorite sport. Despite the uncomplicated look of the course, don't assume that it's easy. There are plenty of traps, bunkers and other hazards that are not readily apparent from the tee box that await an errant shot. Once you arrive at the greens, take your time... there are some subtle breaks that you'll miss if you don't look for them. Your round starts with a tough par-3 at 180+ yards from the white tees that's protected by a nasty little pot bunker next to a tricky green. Next, is a moderately long par-5, followed by two short holes, then a renovated 150+ yard par three that requires a very accurate tee shot. Another careful tee shot is required on the following hole, a long par-4 that curves along the river. Coming home are three moderately easy par-4's that make a fun finish back to the clubhouse. The pro shop offers club rentals and a limited merchandise selection. There's an above-average practice range at White River C.C. that offers private instruction or complete golf schooling. White River C.C. is about golf, but it's more about fun. Weekday crowds are non-existent, and you'll feel relaxed, comfortable and very welcome for being there. From Rutland, it's about a 30 minute drive. From Killington, less than 20 minutes... and well worth the short trip. Woodstock Country Club (18) Woodstock (802) 457-6674 Central Vermont certainly has its share of great golf courses, but long before high tech, graphite shafted, titanium metal woods started sprouting out of golf bags like geraniums, people have been playing golf in Woodstock. In fact, Woodstock Country Club celebrated its centennial recently. The passion for the game started when Dr. F.B. Harrington, a Boston surgeon and member of The Country Club in Brookline, arrived in Woodstock for a visit in October, 1895. Undaunted by the lack of a golf course (even then, true golfers never let such minor details get in the way of pursuing their passion), he and an employee of the Woodstock Inn trekked to Mount Peg to hit a few balls. The town has never been the same since! At Woodstock, the premium is placed on accurate, precise shot making, as opposed to brute strength and driving distance. Long hitters at Woodstock can get themselves into trouble fast with errant shots! So, if you'd like a chance to even the playing field a bit with that big hitting gorilla in your group, you might want to make a friendly suggestion that you play your next round at Woodstock, because distance is much less of an advantage here than at most courses. Woodstock's course is part of the larger hotel/ski area and resort complex offering lodging and amenities. The course itself has a well stocked pro shop, practice range and a full service bar and restaurant. All content © The Mountain Times 2006