To say the two courses at Lake of Isles in North Stonington are among Connecticut’s best courses would not be an overstatement. Renowned golf course architect Rees Jones created a wondrous golfing experience in the woodlands of eastern Connecticut. A stunning 90-acre lake serves as the design centerpiece, a setting enhanced by Jones’ skillful use of the natural topography to create scenic island tees and greens. While the South Course at Lake of Isles, owned by the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe, which also owns the nearby Foxwoods Resort Casino, is a private club, the North Course is open for public play. Both layouts are challenging & scenic and afford golfers of all skill levels a truly unique experience.
The North Course demands golfers use every club in the bag. While the landing areas on most holes are surprisingly generous, the tree lined fairways and multitude of bunkers place a premium on accuracy. There are several forced carries, but most wouldn’t even be given a second thought by all but the true novice golfer. Jones left most greens open in front to allow golfers the option of “running” their approach shots onto the putting surface. There are five sets of tees, many of which are elevated, offering stunning views of the pristine countryside. The holes are set apart to give the player a feeling of tranquility, and the beauties of nature never far away.
Jones, who has created some of the nation’s most acclaimed courses, said Lake of Isles is a throwback design to some degree.
“It is a return to more of a classic design, where the holes were found among the landscape and then formed without a significant altering of their natural character. This was an amazing piece of property on which to build a golf course.”
There are a number of great holes on the North Course. The par-72 layout starts out with a medium length par-five and is followed by a delightful par-three that plays 216 yards from an elevated tee box and asks for a shot across water.
Number five is a shortish, dogleg right-par five that big hitters can reach in two if they work their tee shot from left to right and avoid danger on the right side of the hole. Number nine is a tough, 459-yard dogleg right par-four that calls for a lusty tee shot to set up a long iron into a deep green. Number 11 is another good par-three, measuring 196 yards from the tips and playing over a pond.
The 13th and 14th perhaps best illustrate the interesting blend of holes at Lake of Isles. The 13th is a short, wide-open 370-yard four par that will present a solid chance for birdie. Jones followed this up with a 472-yard par-four that doglegs to the right and has bunkers guarding the right ride of the landing area. Miss your tee shot here and bogey is a very real possibility.
Number 15 is a memorable par-five, measuring 574 yards from the tips. This is a true three-shot par-five with a ravine protecting the front side of the green. Number 17 is another relatively short, 384-yard par-four. But it demands a rather crisp tee shot over a marsh.
The finishing hole on the North Course might be the toughest in the state. The par-four is 459 yards from the championship markers with a carry over water to the landing area. Then it’s another carry over a marshy area to a large green. This hole can make or break your round, as any good finishing hole should.
The North Course measures 7,252 yards from the tips, 6,717 yards from the “golds,” 6,304 yards from the middle tees, 5,569 yards from the “copper” tees, and 4,937 yards from the forward markers. The course is rated 75.8 from the back tees and has a slope of 143.
The Lake of Isles Performance Center features a practice facility that includes 60,000 sq. ft. of teeing space, a large putting, chipping and bunker practice areas. The four indoor teaching studios are open year round and are fit with state-of-the art technology, including TrackMan, Toptracer and video analysis. If you are serious about your game or just starting out, the Lake of Isles Golf Academy has a program for you.
The 50,000-square-foot clubhouse offers commanding views from its hillside location above the lake. The impressive facility includes a Grand Ballroom with capacity of 300 guests, spacious meeting rooms, a public restaurant, members-only dining room, full-service locker rooms and an exquisite golf shop.
For further information about Lake of Isles call 1-888-475-3746 or visit www.lakeofisles.com.
