The centerpiece of Shuttle Meadow Country Club in Kensington, Ct. is a marvelous layout designed by two-time British Open Champion Willie Park, Jr. and opened in 1917, which has been ranked one of the top 200 Classic Courses in the United States.
The course, celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, is so highly regarded that it served as a U.S. Amateur Qualifying site in 2015 and a Senior Amateur Qualifying site in 2015.
“It’s amazing that the founders of the club had the foresight to have such a great champion and notable designer as Willie Park, Jr. create our golf course,” said Frank D’Addabbo, the club’s President. “It’s a classic course and is really special to play. And we have a great superintendent (Andrew Hannah) keeping it in top condition.” The Head Golf Professional is Tim Gavronski, and the club’s General Manager is Ron Cioppa.
But the course is just one aspect of the country club that makes it a home away from home for so many families. There’s a vibrant tennis program, a pool, a superb dining facility and clubhouse that is impressive yet understated.
“The clubhouse really lends to a relaxed, comfortable atmosphere,” said D’Addabbo. “The patio offers incredible views of the first, second, and ninth greens and the 17th hole. It really is something special.”
Kensington, Connecticut
D’Addabbo also pointed to the “legacy” of membership that continues to solidify the feeling of family at Shuttle Meadow. “My father was a member and I have been for a long time. It’s the same with other families. At the same time, we’re been successful in attracting new families. There are so many friendships that are built here. It’s like being with your friends whenever you visit the club. We have been able to weather the conditions in the golf industry the past few years because we are not one-dimensional. We are a relaxed family-friendly, full-service club with so much to offer individuals, couples, and families at all stages of their lives.”
Shuttle Meadow became an early leader among clubs, co-founding the Connecticut State Golf Association. Shuttle Meadow represents golf as it was meant to be–an authentic original designed in the Scottish tradition by Park, Jr., known as “the man who brought golf to the world.” He designed and built only 13 golf courses, and Shuttle Meadow was his first on this side of the Atlantic. Park’s elite courses include Sunningdale in England and Maidstone, Olympia Fields and Woodway in the United States. His courses have hosted U.S., British and Canadian championships. Established on it’s current site in 1917, the club has a historic clubhouse, designed by Kenneth Murchison, an architect of other club facilities enjoyed by families such as the Astors and Vanderbilts.
The great Bobby Jones once said that the club’s 14th hole was among the 18 prettiest holes he had ever played. Historic Shuttle Meadow was placed on over 400 acres.
The number one handicap hole on the 6,534-yard track is the beefy 566-yard third. Play your tee shot down the middle and avoid the fairway bunker on the right with the second shot. The green is one of the largest and slopes slightly from back to front.
The finisher is a fairly short par-five of less than 500 yards that can be reached in two. If going for the green isn’t an option, make sure you avoid “Big Mouth”, a deep bunker that bisects the fairway. A triple tiered green complex (designed to replicate one of the oldest greens in the world) more than compensates for the lack of length.
Shuttle Meadow Country Club offers a range of golf and social membership
opportunities.
