BostonBeans

…in case the pending sale to convert to solar farm makes this course a memory

Not rewarded when making shots to the greens what with obscure mounds or large mounds protecting the greens …add in rock hard greens and a flop shot is 20 feet off the green…lol

Greens are starting to show a need for some herbicide to stop the “little green patches” showing up to make a putt look like it’s a basketball being dribbled

Bring extra balls as there are some tee shots over water that will intimidate most low handicappers

Add in lightning fast greens you putt strength need no more than 1/4 of the way to the cup

Still laughing at the tee where you go over marsh in one way, only to cross back over in the opposite direction to get to the green

The putts that are close have to GIMME’S lol

..The four of us consistently had PLIG issues on every type of shot...which makes no sense what with the winds and lack of rain for the past several days...UNLESS the grounds crew went a LOT over board...which is the probable cause...it did impact a lot of the wedge play from 75 yds in...but drives were not rolling at all as evidences by the amount of MUD on the balls and wiping the caked on stuff off...divots do have the repair sand...would suggest starter remind folks it is to be used...

GPS on the carts is great and it keeps you out of the wrong places by shutting cart down, so you have to back up to go where you are supposed to...

Might remind folks, at check in, there is a par 3 in the back still under completion...GUR probable for reminders

Finally, there are several greens that have some foreign growth on the surface and if you like basketball lags, there are a few that need ASAP attention...or if nothing else...roll the greens

Just a nice place to play but, the course conditions do vary as suggested...and its my third time through...will play yet again in the future...provided the pricing doesn't get too high in advance of the incoming spring break/Feb arrivals...LOL

…check your distance on their in cart gps to make club selection easier based on your knowledge of your clubs distance control

… found it interesting, folks in other cart, couldn’t figure out why they were unable to go forward when nearing the green or wet areas…the GPS acts as course Ambassador/Ranger to keep you out of places where fairway, cart path only protocols etc in place…and the software also keeps you informed about your pace of play

Fellow golfer shared his former round wherein his partner kept the cart girl too busy…have to wonder if cart staff ever cuts someone off as they rise into holes 12-18…golfer wondered how his partner ever made it home

Fairways, fringe and greens in very good shape for this time year(January)…

Play the course… but be extremely gentle with your putter as you might find yourself rolling off the greens

Not much water

Trees

Lightning fast greens

Hitting straight is still the most common way to be successful and speed of putt no more than 1/2 way to cup so it doesn’t go 6 feet past on a missed cup

Enjoy the

Going inot the gated community...seeing the main lot full set some expectations, then the overflow needed work...and that was a harbinger of my game...lol

Super staff...small bag of range balls...great orientation by starter...then 1 Tee sets the tone of what is to come...the landing area is over water...and that too set the theme...water would be in the most interesting places...the first part 3 is all carry to the green...but the hole that will always be in memory...was the one over all marsh grass to a narrow llanding area needing a carry of 175 yds...only then to be confronted with a second shot, 90 degrees to the left to then execute another 175+ shot with virtually litte usable landing area...as the round progresed, RTJ clearly liked hiding the water hazards...over the course of the round, I hit what would be a layout shot, only to learn I contributed to the water gremlins...

In all seriousness now, the course would challenge any scratch golfer if they dont take the following seriously...look at the layout on the score card, or if you have a yardage app..use it...it will save your tally of lost balls...I realized this neat trick about on the 10 hole...better late than never...

Even after the rains and related tornado that struck PCB area, the course was draining perfectly with the fairways giving good rolls, the greens lightning fast(putt about 1/4-1/3 of the way to the cup if you want to lag properly...and yes, the RTJ greens are full of large and small undulations...with one hold below the front lip with half the flag visible...LOL

If one is unable to consistently control the ball, one will easily go throught a dozen balls as the homes along the course are private property(and do be aware, the course states clearly the golferis responsible for any and all damages to property, cars, people etc.)

The course will have you laughing in stictches, or screaming at the layout and what the Merciless Architect has done to your usual game...

I will be back to try again...my sides hurt so much form laughing at myself and what the course did...you just got to play this at least once...and if so, you'll be hooked...enjoy

Indian Summers day...amazed at the course conditions from tee boxes, to fairways, to greens...and the lack of leaves on the fairways...
As the season closes here in the NE, the amount of play is evident on many courses...not here...the groundskeeper and crew are the real stars...
Just be ready to be challenged...and dont get greedy with your shots...the greens nuances will drive you to drink more than you think...LOL

Enjoy this time of year...for the snowfall in the coming winter will be here soon enough...but a warm memory of the round here, will carry you through to the return of the course next Spring...

...of a potential Solar Farm in its place...

With all the play this course gets from golfers, and leagues, the fairways are in great shape considering how late in the season we are...the course is definetly going to challenge your bag of clubs...and the putter is going to need to cared for if you want to score well...else, just enjoy this time of year...and do have your group have a 'spotter' for every shot...particularly since Monther Nature is undressing her trees with falling leaves...LOL...

Please, to the owners, read this, check with your on site GM, and then ponder some choices...about the impact of the Golf Camp and its ownership/protocols as they impact your ownership/busines..

After planning my morning,for a 12:14 pm tee time, and knowing there IS a Golf Camp, I arrived early to check in and as I was walking I saw the Golf Campers teeing off from the FRONT tees, and a whole host behind them as well...and first thought was UH OH...as I walked to the PRO SHOP I saw the 10th tee with no one on it...after getting checked in, I then loaded up, and went to putt, and in so doing crossed paths with the Starter/Ranger on his way out to see where the earliers Golf Campers were...I would later learn, the campers are sent out, then brought back in for their lunch...but there should be about a 4-5 hole gap before I would run into them...I then am told I am a single(go back to not being able to go off the 10th earlier) with the assurance by the Clubs Asst Pro the kids would be no issue as I am approaching the first green...so I putt out, make the drive to the next hole and see golf bags etc in the middle of the fairway...I simply turn around, not wanting to play hop scotch in any remote way, with youngsters, for a potential 5+ hour round as I felt it would become...

At the PRO SHOP I advised the GM of my reason for asking for a refund, and that I would deal with it via GOLF NOW...and ironically, since he and I chatted at length about it outside, he presented that I was the fourth incident that he has had with the CAMP OWNER...not caring...since he felt he could make his tee times any time he wanted since he has been doing these for 30 years(I have been playing here quite some time, and no where near 30 years has there been a GOLF CAMP on site)...the owners should know, I have repeatedly in carts with a camper in the seat, one on the outside of the driver holding on, one on the passenger side holding on, and two on the back holding on...and behind the 1st and 8th holes where, any over shoting of a shot, could hit the kids...then, the driving range is an area where the Camp counselors are virtually non existent...golfers think they are HAPPY GILMORE and bouncing balls off the side separaters...
To the owners, Erick did a great job chatting with me, but, the need to support him, is up to the business decision the owners make about how to perhaps REIGN IN THE ARROGANCE/ENTITLEMENT ATTITUDE OF THE CAMP OWNER....by not supervising his counselors about the insurance risk and physical harm both the kids and those around them might have happen...
For now, I will call ahead, at all times in the future, to see if there is a camp on site, and if so, defer until it ends before playing and bringing my four some to be potentially subjected to the campers

Day after a strong rainstorm, saw the greens in great shape, the fairways were being finished up by the groundscrew with the big blower to dissipate the cuttings..
To those that play on post rain days, please remember that Cart Path Only is going to slow everyone down...and that not everyone is where you are in skill set/or that there may be a newbie couple(which I was paired with) and not to lose your patience...we let a group through, then the next group caught up and asked...where did you come from?...we explained...and then that group had a 'jack rabbit' single ride past us with snarky comments...
To the course...definetly a good mix of regular fairways, and then those with links style growth that drives had to clear...greens pretty straightforward if you can do a Plumb Bob or Aim format...twosome I was with were trying sooo hard and soo aware of the pace of play and was refreshing...
To the owners..please, do something with all the divots on your fairways(like put up a sign to replace CPO with FIX YOUR DIVOTS on all carts)...and, please, cut back the growth on all the cart paths...should one have a ball cross over, there is no way to find it...the growth is that thick...sthe kind that are used to clear growth along side roads etc...signage for 8/9 th holes need clarity(ended up on the 9th tee instead of 8th since there was no sign)...else, to the owners, you have a great course, and will be bringing the foursome I play with to enjoy the challenges...

Arguably the best course seen for women...the red tees are in positions that will help women enjoy the course...

The course is in the process of getting new carts and that will make it even better...my buddy and I were testing the course for our group and by the second hole we were all in on coming back...

Yes the course is worth bringing along a camera for some great pix for winter screen savers...

And if you play the course just the first time...dont ask for any insight...in fact, you will probably enjoy discovering so many really interesting features...and challenges...depending on your tee selection...lots of great signage that you will need to follow...but added to the mystery of ...what is next thing we find?

Great pace...ranger roaming seen 3x times in round...one of the few 'active' ranger courses we have been too...nice to see but no need methinks mid week...for the week end folks, remember too, there a lot more of newbies due to CV19 and with it, one must 100% set realistic expectations for week end rounds...protocols are still being learned by the new folks...think how wrong it is to have four folks looking for a ball hit into the woods rather than at least one golfer swinging...or, playing read golf vs honors...or even knowing the courses 'pace of play' tempo...

The deck shown in the picture does not do justice since it over looks the 9th hole and cant wait to get back here...we have placed this course on our rotation, and truth be told, will be back very shortly since the group and wives(see female course friendliness above) are already to go asap...

Superintendant and the work started is far from over...there are still no real rough grasses just about everywhere...such a outstanding potential, yet, needs $$$ to be reinvested...very long way to go and marginal progress over the past several years...even before covid...still have blind/dangerous holes(2,4 can slice into 8) and so many others...no wonder they need 4 spotters on week ends...

Thing is, make certain, as the season progresses, you check to see if there are any golf schools underway...still seeing one on the left side, the right side, one inside and two outside where the clubs are mounted of youngsters...being driven in a golf cart...pray nothing happens when the summer version of camp starts...

A well loved course if one listens to the golf range chatter...yet, as we went throught the 18 holes we became more and more convinced the holes themselves, were recently cut, but NOT tamped in any way...meaning you had to crush a 2 foot putt to get it to go in...else, three inches away, it would fade hard in one direction...simple fix...someone do spot check when holes are relocated...

So have to give the new superintendent a chance

Par 3, 8th is really interesting where they want you to go to tee off…they have signs directing you go back across the bridge to 8 th tee
Guess the folks still need to assess the potential for a drive from 7 th tee being in the landing area of the 8 th tee… and since it’s not visible from either tee box to the other, no “fore” alert would be sounded for those on the 8th tee… since this was what happened
Four rangers on the weekend to way “all clear” to golfers on blind holes seems a good start
Lots of progress seeing some sod actually being used… just hope the superintendent budget is big enough to keep growing a llot more rough

Considering this is a town run course, it was in good shape for this time of year as the groundscrew and Mother Nature are working to see if some grass can grow...

Greens were quick, the traps fluffy, and the staff worked very hard...coming off a 100+ golfer week end)per the pro shop)...and that says it all...

A good course to play and worth the drive...

To the starter, dont work so hard(he will understand)...LOL

Oh, most important...tossed up my first hole in one on 17th...saved the ball, and had the scorecard signed...

Play this course!

This is written after the 4+ inches of recent rainfall...
So many brown spots on so many fairways...
So many brown spots on so many tee boxes, with some not much more than over worked grass...
The greens were lightning fast...flop shots bounced off of greens due to lack of rain...
Course will soon become THE location as the the FALL season gets underway with some tremendous vistas from several of the tee boxes(you can start by looking behind you on the first tee...but the back 9 is where you will be rewarded...
Interesting to note, they have a PACE OF PLAY on their scorecard, yet no one in the Pro Shop, Starter, Ranger mentioned this important item...while admittedly playing mid week, the 'active' ranger program could be better...saw one heading to his favorite spot, having just come on duty, to eat his lunch...the other, was along side the shade in the 16th just beyond the port a potty...but not much checking on pace...water coolers on course were appreciated
COURSE will ALWAYS be one of THE courses to play...just have be aware of Mother Natures impact...

Tried the course after 2 yr hiatus and it looks like the Glen Ellen former Super is slowly bringing this back...there were new machines visible during play...and work being done during round but that is normal...
Thing that has yet to be improved are their 'roughs'...still dominated by hard pan packed dirt...so if you should run off the fairway or miss, no telling how far the ball will roll...
Hole #2 is a blind tee shot and yet again, with no way to indicate the fairway is clear to those waiting in the tee box,led to an early tee shot missing this writer by about 6 feet...with no FORE verbalized...the 15th hole used to have some sort of mirror to see the blaind landing area for tee shots and that too has disappeared...so for future layers send some one ahead for safety...
Course still needs work on greens/tees in about 4-5 holes...unrepaired divots, and virtually no grass in tee boxes...
This course continues to be, on the mend, and depending on purchase price may or may not be a value since there is a sense of time surge pricing...
Did notice they POST PACE OF PLAY on the score card, yet,neither the Pro Shop nor the Started mentioned it and it would be such an asset if it were promoted 100% at every touch point for staff...particularly on week end play
Do call ahead during summer months to see if the GOLF CAMP is still there, kids took over the putting green and some of the driving range with HAPPY GILMORE type kids(lacked supervision).
The course, methinks, like many I have played the last 12-18 months, has had the opportunity to rebound financially and would hope they continue to enable the course Super to do his job...and be patient, this will get there...

...summer golf camp took over the putting green and driving range...just wonder how busy the course is on week ends, with or with out a RANGER..(I played during the week day)

Took a few holes to get the speed of the greens dialed in...

Did see NEW equipment on the course working on the fairways...

Alas, the cart paths are the same as three+ years ago, a couple of greens had nasty divot scars that clearly need attention...

The Glen Ellen Superintendent, if still there is making progress...yet, there must be a reason the course has yet to get to the rough(if you like dirt this is for you)...staying in the fairway is essential...

Safety...almost got hit by group behind us on #2 hole...need a bell or some way to communicate with those wanting to tee off...missed by about 8 feet

...later in the back, there is a blind tee shot(15th if, I remember... that once had a mirror contraption to see who might be ahead of you prior to teeing off...but no more...

In summary, while coming a long way, it is still a work in progress(think no real rough in a majority of holes), and there IS noticeable NEW equipment being used...the course itself, will get better as more investment is made...

...PLAY THIS COURSE...

Just wish GOLF NOW, showed SENIOR RATES FOR ALL ITS COURSES...for example advertised rates, for senior vs GOLF NOW, cost one of foursome a full$65 vs sr rate of $56...it is GOLF NOW to be alert to...

Then tee colors very upside down with remnants of recent aeration still impacting round… aeration is short term and when Mother Nature and grounds crew finish this is a MUST play course

Our group will return and into the late Fall

Rock hard greens due to lack of rain/watering that all but mandated putting from afar to get ball to hold the green. First two tee shots had all but 8 iron and driver(for knock down shots) be used. Do bring a water ball retriever if you hook/slice as I spent time helping group that loved the water

Bring some $inhales for the bagger, the starter, cart guy and the generic tip jar in cart return area

Good news is they have Rangers on the course but seems one would be sufficient whereas other courses don’t

If you need par3 practice or mid iron work it’s fine

Perimeter/ rough area needs to have the leaf blower be used

Beverage cart seen five times

Prime time pricing in effect in this geographic region with same condition described so it’s a nice course for the monies