CraigRoth

I played Red/Gold on consecutive days Labor Day weekend, going out as a single both days. Due to lack of rain over the past couple weeks, the grounds, from tees to greens, are very fast, meaning you need one less club everywhere. Overall, these are two good nines, best played from the tips (blues) both because of the hard ground and because it's fairly short.

The staff in the clubhouse was very friendly, a departure from the Flanders I remember from years ago. The greatest drawback, and it IS a drawback, is the pace of play. It was a 4:40 round the first day, and just around 5:00 yesterday, with waits at many tee boxes. They need rangers who will speed things along, because that pace makes what should be a great round very frustrating.

I'll give it another shot, but if the experience is the same, it's back to Neshanic or another muni where they take pace of play more seriously.

I hadn't played Pinch Brook in many years, despite it being so close to my home. It's an executive course, barely 5000 yds from the tips, so for one thing, if nothing else, it'll make the weekend warrior feel mighty. Its a fairly forgiving course, with large greens and fairly open fairways.

The staff was super friendly and accommodating -- that alone means I'll be back. I signed up for a 4:30 tee time online, and they basically said I could join any of two or three groups that were teeing off in front of me.

The course, from tees, to fairways to greens, were all in good shape, despite a few fairways with GUR ( ground under repair).

All in all. A good value at a nice, short course. Thanks to the staff.