Bullguy

The Safari Club of Golf played here on September 4. It was our inaugural trip to this fantastic layout with well over one-hundred of our members in attendance.

Unfortunately, the greens had been recently punched, but we knew that going into it, and anyone with a modicum of common golf sense knows these annual maintenance issues are paramount in keeping the golf courses pristine. So no big deal there as the layout and facilities are truly SPECTACULAR.

The WOW factor was in play ALL DAY and we already have members asking if we plan on adding Fox Hopyard to our annual schdule in the future. I guess that sums up the Safari Club's experience pretty well.

The Safari Club of Golf played here on August 21. It was our inaugural trip to this fantastic layout with well over one-hundred of our members in attendance.

We were extremely impressed with everything about this golf course. The staff is exceptional and among the most accommodating we’ve experienced in all our years of traveling to 25 or better golf courses each season.

Blackledge is truly a “golfer’s” type facility and dedicated to that service. With two 18-hole championship courses they’re equipped and ready to handle almost anything.

We plan on returning again next season as our members all unanimously fell in love with the place.

The Safari Club of Golf made it's inaugural trip to Brattleboro C C last Wednesday and we're extremely pleased that we did.

The course is in excellent shape and among the very best we have played this season. The buffet they serves our members was out of this world.

Brattleboro C C is an easy drive to get to and worth every extra moment it takes to get there. Many of our Safari Club members plan on going back there this fall.

The Safari Club has developed a reputation of playing some fantastic venues over the last decade or so and Topstone rates right up there among the best. The golf course itself is outstanding. But no more outstanding then the folks that staff their facilities. Everyone from the pro shop to the kitchen and on outside to the guys preparing the carts work as a close team to make your day at Topstone a memorable one. With close proximity to the Bradley airport, Topstone will provide the business or pleasure traveler a real unique golfing experience without breaking the bank. If you like to travel and play different golf courses, Topstone is one you need to add to your list.

Quail Hollow is undeniably one of the best kept secrets in the Bay State. Not a long course, but it's got plenty of challenges to offer, even for those with more ego than talent. One thing for sure, at the end of the day you'll most likely share one thing in common with over four-score of Safarians that played there recently...you'll have had a LOT of fun. This may not be as high priced a venue as some other courses in central Mass, but it'll hold it's own on condition (fantastic greens) and play ability with courses that charge twice as much to play. Do yourself a favor and play this golf course.

Gillette Ridge will challenge, amaze and excite all levels of play, especially as you maneuver through a variety of terrain; tree-lined fairways, spectacular carries, as well as several natural obstacles that have been perfectly considered in the layout of this golf course..

However, it's not a course for the faint of heart. But it is a course that will help you appreciate golf with a whole new level of understanding and appreciation for those who can conquer this crazy game we've all come to love.

Our Safari Club Adventure to Gillette Ridge was nothing short of spectacular. The course itself is incredible in every sense of the word. But everything about the place will invigorate your love of the game.

It should not be surprising to learn this is one of the Safari Club's favorite stops on it 25 plus course schedule each season. The golf course is in EXCELLENT shape, the staff is OUTSTANDING and the food was absolutely FANTASTIC. At least that's the general consensus of opinion from the 130 Safari Club members that attended this event on Wednesday.

You've got to play this golf course to believe anything you might read. It truly is one of the very best conditioned golf courses in the entire Connecticut River Valley. And that includes a BUNCH of top golf courses. Just play this course - that's all you need to do.

A golf round at the Hermitage Golf Club is impossible to describe with any accuracy at all. It's something you have to experience for yourself to truly understand what the best possible experience in golf is all about. The incredible staff, the well manicured property, the incredibly scenic vistas and the fantastic greens all contribute to making this one of the most desirable golfing venues anywhere in the whole northeast. The well over 100 members of the Safari Club that played this course on the 21st of June all feel very privileged to have been part of this being our inaugural experience to this golf club. And we know one thing for sure...we'll ALL be back!

Oak Ridge should be your choice. They're competitively priced and as good a value as you're going to find in the lower Pioneer Valley. If you like a well manicured and fun golf course that offeres the everyday golfer just enough challenge, then Oak Ridge should be your choice. That's probably why the Safari Club of Golf goes there every year and has done so for over a decade now ad will continue to in the future.

The Safari Club of Golf just completed its organization's annual pilgrimage to this incredible golf course. All 140 plus members attending were thoroughly impressed with both the conditions of the golf course, as well as the attention and service we received from the entire staff.

There's lots of renovations and upgrades currently underway that will no doubt return this course to one of the highest ranking public courses in the country.

Our club members can't wait to return to this mecca of golf next season.

With some chilly winds and temps only reaching the high 40's, it wasn't the most pleasant day to play golf. But the sun was out most of the time and we were with great friends ALL of the time, so it wasn't difficult at all for our Safari Club members to enjoy another fabulous outing at this Safari Club favorite called Tekoa Country Club.

The wind from the previous two days had really dropped a lot of leaves down on the course and finding balls at times became quite a challenge. But we managed it all pretty well and the idea of hot chili and delicious sandwiches awaiting us in the clubhouse made our goal of completing the round even more inspirational.

The general consensus of opinion from our 100 plus members that played was as expected..."Can't wait to get back to Tekoa next spring"!

This course was a late addition to the Safari Club's already jam packed and incredible 2016 season lineup. It was chosen as a replacement to another course in which management there had difficulty in understanding they needed to be better listeners than verbal provocateurs. But what an incredibly fortuitous the decision to drive down the road another 20 miles turned out to be!

This golf course offers everything and more to those that truly enjoy the game of golf. The staff represents a perfect match for this perfect golf course destination. They were all friendly, respectful and extremely helpful in meeting our needs. They gave us all that private golf course experience in a public golf course venue.

Anyone traveling to the Hartford area looking for an affordable, yet top notch course to play should try Topstone. And they're right near Bradley International Airport.

After only a few holes you'll quickly understand why the Golf Channel recognized Topstone as one of the top 5 public golf courses in the greater Hartford area. Many members of the Safari Club thought it should rank in one of the top 5 in southern New England.

I had never played this course before, but heard several good things about it from people who had. So, when the Safari Club chose to play there it seemed like a great opportunity to try it out. What a wonderful surprise it was to play this golf course!

Great greens and incredibly well kept and well manicured fairways. It presents itself in a park like pristine condition and the staff is extremely friendly and accommodating. This is one of those courses the Safari Club wants to go back to again.

The often used words of "hidden gem" couldn't describe this course better. Whether you're a scratch golfer or high handicapper Quail Hollow has the tees that will suit your game and a golf course that will offer you a challenge you're bound to appreciate.

This is one of those courses that you may also wish to seek out the owners and say hello. You'll quickly understand why Debi & Gary Donlin have earned such a popular and loyal following as they have from the Safari Club's vast membership. To put it fairly simple...they are just fantastic people that will make you feel both welcomed and appreciated.

Try Quail Hollow. It may seem like it's in the middle of nowhere, but it's really only an hour or so from most major population areas of southern New England and certainly worth the drive.

Westover is truly a golf course that exemplifies the fact that quality and value can go hand in hand, even in this day and age.

The staff is superb and the layout, although long if you choose to play from the tips, is fair and challenging.

It's difficult to believe they can keep this course as green and lush as they do, particularly on a drought year like the one we've been experiencing.

They handled our 100 plus member Safari Club outing like real pros and despite having that many folks playing the course over one shotgun start, we were all able to finish in just a bit over 4 hours.

Try Westover - you'll be glad you did.

It's hard to believe we're in the midst of a severe drought when playing at Southampton. They have great access to water and have used it liberally to maintain both the course 's fairways and greens. Believe it or not, you don't get much roll out on these fairways.

Very green and very well kept. They do an absolutely fantastic job maintaining their beautiful golf course.

If only the golf courses in heaven are anything as close to being as perfect as Woodstock is, well, it makes the 'after-life' that much more to look forward to.

From arrival to departure our Woodstock experience was one of the most memorable Safari Club Adventures yet, Everything, I mean absolutely EVERYTHING was absolutely incredible.

The simple fact that well over 100 Safarians traversed well over 100 miles to play this course and are already anticipating a return trip with great expectations for next season speaks volumes for this fantastic golf paradise safely tucked away in the heart of the green mountains.

Haven't played here the last few years because the previous pro went out of his way to make people feel uncomfortable and unwanted.

The course has always been a good one and is in amazingly great shape, especially given the drought we've had this year.

But what shocked everyone in our group was the way the new staff treats everyone. They take the word "professional" very seriously and you just won't find a better environment to play a round of golf anywhere.

This is a municipal golf course that makes you feel like you're playing a private club. But without the often pretentious behavior many of the private clubs seem to display.

This course is certainly one that deserves a lot of play.

Played here with the Safari Club this past Wednesday and what a treat it was. I've played here for over 35 years and each year the course seems better than the year before. It has really matured into a first-class semi-private golf club and deserves a lot more play.

There's no doubt about it. The greens at Hickory will be among the best anyone could play this year.

If you take advantage of their 19th hole you won't be disappointed a bit. Good food, friendly staff and plenty of cold adult beverages.