There is something particularly appealing about a golf course that respects its past while continuing to evolve, and Windham Golf Course in North Windham is doing exactly that.
With roots dating to 1922, Windham has long been part of eastern Connecticut’s golf landscape. The traditional New England parkland layout features rolling terrain, mature trees, interesting green complexes, and a style of golf that values position and course management over simply overpowering the property.
In recent years, however, Windham has entered a new chapter under its new owner, Tim Devivo.
He has invested in a multi-million-dollar renovation that has brought significant improvements throughout the facility, including a state-of-the-art covered driving range featuring Toptracer technology and Power Tee automatic teeing systems. More importantly for golfers heading onto the course, the project rerouted the layout and added two new holes.
New Hole 13 designed by Tim Garvish
The new 13th and 14th holes, designed by Tim Garvish, add a distinctly modern element to a course whose character stretches back more than a century.
The 13th is a medium-length par 4 that demands accuracy from the tee. Fescue guards the left side of the fairway, making tee positioning important before players turn their attention to a challenging green complex. The flag’s location can dramatically change the approach, making a conservative strategy more rewarding than simply attacking.
The 14th provides an entirely different challenge — and perhaps an even more interesting decision.
A short, risk-reward par 4, the hole is potentially drivable for longer players. But going for the green brings considerable trouble. A pond and bunker protect the left side, while the slope of the putting surface makes holding the green anything but automatic. Players who choose discretion can play an iron or hybrid from the tee to their preferred yardage and attack the green with a short approach.
It is exactly the type of hole that makes golfers think — and almost guarantees a conversation on the tee about which club to hit.
Hole 14 designed by Tim Garvish
The two holes are part of a larger transformation at Windham.
The owner is currently constructing five new holes, also designed by Tim Garvish, on the back side of the property, expected to open in Fall 2027. Once these holes open, holes one through five will be eliminated, and a new clubhouse and parking area will be built in this space. This will locate the new clubhouse adjacent to the newly constructed Toptracer range.
Adding the new practice facility required routing changes, allowing ownership to rethink parts of the course while retaining much of its traditional character.
Throughout the rest of the layout, Windham remains a strategic golf course. Tree-lined fairways, elevation changes, bunkering, fescue, and relatively demanding greens reward players who put the ball in the proper position. The course doesn’t have to rely solely on length to provide its challenge.
The result is an interesting blend of old and new.
Windham still feels like the century-old Connecticut golf course it is. Still, the investment in new holes, improved facilities, and a technology-driven practice range has positioned the property for another generation of golfers.
For a course that first welcomed players more than 100 years ago, that’s a pretty impressive second act.
