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I have often thought that if I had a career in insurance (Aetna, Cigna, The Hartford) or aerospace (Pratt & Whitney, Hamilton Sundstrand, Kaman) and had to fly often to Hartford, CT, for meetings, I would have brought my golf clubs. Within just 10 miles of Bradley International Airport are three outstanding public golf courses, two of which I have reviewed here – Keney Park in Hartford and Gillette Ridge in Bloomfield. (I consider myself lucky to live within 20 minutes of each course.) ...
Read more: Wintonbury Hills Golf Club, Bloomfield, CT

        My return to Simsbury Farms after a couple of years away brought back long-buried memories, mostly pleasant. The only unpleasant memory was lining up in the Simsbury, CT, course’s pro shop at 6:30 a.m. on Thursday mornings in 1984 to secure a tee time for the weekend. My wife and I had just moved to town from New York City and, on my way to work that first year, I would stop at the pro shop and wait in line for a Saturday tee-time as the pro alternated between ...
Read more: Simsbury Farms Golf Course

Bloomfield, CT's Gillette Ridge Golf Club opened in 2004 to major criticism.  The Arnold Palmer layout was just too difficult for the average public golfer.  It was so tough that after a few years, the Palmer group was called back to soften it up.  Course managers had decided that Gillette Ridge's survival was a matter largely of removing some of the treachery around the greens, specifically the parade of bunkers that made greens in regulation nearly ...
Read more: Gillette Ridge Golf Club

Fairview Farm in Harwinton, CT, meets the strictest definition of off the beaten cart path.  It is out in the country, on the site of a former working farm, a good 45 minutes from Hartford and 30 minutes from my own home.  In other words, you have to go a bit out of your way to get there. It is worth the trip in that the course is typically in fine condition, the staff of the family-run business is always friendly and helpful, and the layout is not quite like any other public golf ...
Read more: Fairview Farm Golf Course

First, a confession.  My review of the 27-hole Goodwin Park Golf Course complex in Hartford (bordering neighboring Wethersfield) may be favorably tainted by the fact that it’s where I first took up the game nearly 50 years ago.  I had discovered my dad’s set of pristine clubs in the garage — I don’t believe he ever used them — and asked if I could have the set.  Thus, began a lifelong quest for par, or something better.  I remember one round in my early teens when ...
Read more: Goodwin Park Golf Course

Lost in the media’s fascination with the alleged death of golf are the stories of long-established golf courses that have undergone significant restoration and renovations. You might read about these in LINKS magazine, or Golf Digest or at GolfAdvisor.com, where golf architecture buffs care about such things; but the mainstream and business media tend to prefer the negative stories about golf’s future status. Keney Park, a municipal golf course on the extreme north end of Hartford, CT, ...
Read more: Keney Park Golf Club, Hartford, CT
That's All

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Here is what the experts are saying:

“The book is chocked full of information…applicable to anyone looking for a move to the Southeast regardless of whether they are looking for a golf community or not.” — John LaFoy, golf architect (Linville Ridge CC, CC of Charleston, The Neuse GC)

“Larry has done a tremendous amount of work and anyone — like me — who is looking to search for a golf home now or in a few years needs this book.” — Brad Chambers, golf blogger, ShootingYourAge.com

“Wow!  What a thorough piece of work…a must for anyone moving South. This book will help many people.” — Brett Miller, owner and founder of MMA, Inc, a golf industry consultancy

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GCR questionnaire
     Dreaming of a vacation home on a golf course?  How about a forever home a short walk to the first tee?  For 15 years, I have helped golfers find their perfect home on the course.  If you would like some recommendations that match your preferences for a golf home, please click here, fill out our Golf Home Questionnaire, and I will get back to you in a few days with some ideas.  By the way, it’s free.
Larry Gavrich,
Editor