Briggs was cleared of wrong-doing in that instance. At 450 yards from the tips, the opening at Kittansett is a stout par 4. The conditioning and scenery were also fantastic. Try and clear the bunker on the corner and take on the trees. Outside of the 1953 Walker Cup, Kittansett has largely stayed out of the national spotlight. This green is relatively flat, but plays elevated with slopes on all sides. One thing I find most remarkable about the history of Kittansett is that as the decades wore on, the designer of the course was seemingly lost to time. Kittansett loosely translates to "near the sea," and that only scratches the surface of this gem. For most if not all of us, that includes some very obvious places like Pine Valley, Augusta National, Cypress Point and so on. The wind had shifted, so while we thought wed be heading back towards the clubhouse with the wind at our back that wasnt the case. Add in a cross bunker about 200 yards out (that shouldnt come into play), and another bunker through the fairway on the same line (which also likely wont come into play), and you get a very challenging tee shot visually. But they enjoyed no such luck with the wind or their opponents. The setting of the clubhouse is top 10 among the courses Ive visited in my travels. This has been a habit with you Selectmen for far too long. Epic experience.. To prepare that area for shaping and seeding, workers felled vast numbers of trees and dug up their stumps. The Kittansett Club, a private golf club that fronts the ocean on Kittansett Point, off Point Road, is also located in a flood plain. Col. Anthony Duncan, supported his players and informed Totton Heffelfinger perhaps the most fittingly named USGA President in history that his team could not accept victory if it should depend on disqualification.. Par is a great score here. Like the 7th, this par 5 features numerous well-placed bunkers running down its fairway notably crossbunkers on the left at 260 yards, right at 300, and one very tricky one on the right side of the lay-up area. This fairway bends slightly to the left with marshes on either side. But the discovery of a trove of documents in a Pennsylvania barn in the early 2000s revealed that the actual designer was William Flynn, one of the masters of the so-called Philadelphia school of architecture and a man whose credits include Pine Valley and Shinnecock Hills. We all have our list of bucket list courses. Originally only open to high rollers like Shadow Creek, Cascata is now fully public but doesnt receive much play and commands a hefty $400+ pricetag. True All Day Pants Review: Damn Good (Golf) Pants. Nine holes were ready to go by the following August, and the full 18 two months later. In addition, he constructed a new, L-shaped back tee on Nos. The corridors are naturally ample. Because Kittansett is a golf club youre not going to find a pool, tennis, or all of the other amenities that youll typically find at a country club. With a carry over fescue and bunker, this green is guarded on either side by deep bunkers and slopes extremely hard back-to-front. Once again, golfers must determine just how far they want to hit their tee shots and whether they lay up before that obstacle or try to fly it. Review: The William J. Devine Golf Course at FranklinPark, Review: Marion Golf Club Worldgolfer's Golf Course Reviews, Follow Worldgolfer's Golf Course Reviews on WordPress.com, #134 Best Course in the World Golf Digest (2018), #84 Best Course in North America Top100golfcourse.com (2018), #77 Best Course in America Golf Digest (2021), #65 Best Course in America Golf Magazine (2022), #73 Best Course in America Top100golfcourse.com (2019), #49 Best Classic Course in America Golfweek (2022), #4 Best Course in Massachusetts Golf Digest (2021), #6 Best Course in Massachusetts Golf Magazine (2023), #7 Best Course in Massachusetts Top100golfcourse.com (2020), #7 Best Private Course in Massachusetts Golfweek (2022). Originally, it was the Native Americans who led the Plymouth settlers and their cattle to the warmer winter pastures on these shores. The opening holes provide wide fairways with generous landing areas. Darius Oliver, in this short extract from the book Planet Golf USA, writes: "Enjoying scenic outlooks across the water to Cape Cod, Kittansett is a lovely setting for golf and the ever-changing nature of its holes ensure that a round here is constantly engaging. Which isnt to say Kittansett hasnt been well regarded for a very long time. The 7th is one of three par 5s on the course, and the bunkering on this hole I found to be notable and forces you to really place your 3 shots well. That served to reinforce the wisdom of the work Hanse had already completed with help first from Kittansett golf course superintendent, Lenny Blodgett, and then his successor, John Kelly as it also acted as a guide for future work. Its easy to see why the course is consistently rated among the best in the country. American Jack Westland, the reigning U.S. Kittansett plays short (not even 7000 yards from the Tips) and even shorter given the firm and fast conditions, but I played horribly here and found the course to be extremely tricky. Go further to the right and youll have the best angle in towards the green, but be more likely to catch the 3rd mound. During their annual 4-Ball Tournament I got my first hole-in-one on #3. With the Ocean glistening in the background to remind you where you are, the 14th is the last of an amazing collection of one-shotters. The 1953 Walker Cup, on the other hand, is easily the biggest thing ever to hit The Kittansett Club, one of New Englands most revrered if serially under-exposed golf venues. It makes for an extra special moment on 16 when you come out of the trees and out towards the water and the 3rd hole. The right corner of the dogleg is lined by deep bunkers while a hidden pond guards the left. The 5th is a strong straightaway 395 yard par 4 that prominently features two large bunkers in the middle of the fairway between 150 and 180 yards. Although the land is flat, Hood and Flynn sculpted numerous mounds and subtle elevations throughout that add to the courses tremendous character. So my good friend joined The Kittansett Club this year and Ive been lucky enough to play about a dozen rounds there. In 2017, Murray reportedly yelled at people taking photos of him before abruptly departing from a VIP reception that charged $150 for, among other perks, the opportunity to take a photo with the legendary actor, according to the Chicago Tribune. In light of the recent state Board of Ethics ruling against Sherman Briggs, I request that you send a message to the other town boards that this is not acceptable behavior, and that if you engage in this type of behavior you will be removed. For instance, Ive always loved mountain golf and Wade Hampton is one course that is in my personal top 10 Id like to play. Had the absolute pleasure of waiting on the comedic ICON himself, Bill Murray, McCarthy wrote on Facebook. Its been a fixture on the various top 100 lists for decades. More recently, concerted clearing efforts have rendered portions of the routing, especially those holes furthest out on Butler Point, darned links-like surely more open and scenic today than they were when the Hood finished his lifes work. So, we cut them back and planted native grasses on and around the mounds instead. He and Urzetta easily won their foursomes match and the San Franciscan breezed past a beleaguered James Wilson in singles, 9 and 8; Venturis outward round of level-par 70 was the competitions lowest. It was showing its age, and as good Yankees who were not inclined to spend very much, we waited awhile before doing something about it.. At just 360 yards, the par 4 4th appears easy on the scorecard but is actually one of several very difficult dogleg rights at Kittansett. For as challenging as this hole is, the green complex is one of the most interesting on the course. But taking out the chain saws was not only about bringing back the vistas. Playing from the whites, most golfers should have no trouble clearing the center-line bunkers, but they certainly make you second-guess your line. The hole looks pretty innocent from the tee, but there is more to it than initially meets the eye. The Kittansett Club Originally, it was the Native Americans who led the Plymouth settlers and their cattle to the warmer winter pastures on these shores. Im not sure people realize just how difficult this golf course really is, says Steve Demmer, the head pro here since 1994 [departed in 2014]. Please remove Mr. Briggs from the Conservation Commission immediately. In some areas its more subtle (like on the 2nd fairway for instance.) The conditions were surprisingly calm and beastly hot that Labor Day weekend 53 years ago. You and those before you have made a habit of these tainted appointments for years and years. 18 brings you back to the clubhouse, and again throws off vibes of the opening and finishing holes at Maidstone and Fishers Island. During its memorable history Kittansett has hosted several Massachusetts Golf Association championships over the years. This approach is fairly straightforward with a narrow green guarded by large bunkers on either side. American James Jackson was another type of newcomer in 1953, playing his first Walker Cup foursomes match on the Friday when he unwittingly instigated the events most poignant moment. Because of the ever-present winds perhaps, Hoods design rarely calls for forced carries into the greens themselves. Fun work place with very supportative management. State Ethics Commission Executive Director Karen Nober gave Briggs two weeks from the March 5 offer to get back to Ethics Commission or face up to a $50,000 fine. Anytime you want to come back I can absolutely get you back out there, (hes a really good friend) just let me know. This hole is notable for a creek that bisects the fairway at 255 yards, causing many golfers to shy away from driver. You have a recipe for a special place, and one Ive always personally been excited to see. I imagine this hole floods or becomes a true island green when the tide is up. This green generally slopes back-to-front. Kittansett hosted U.S. Back in 1922, when he got things rolling by donating the Cup, Walker had fully intended for the competition to be called by its official name, The United States Golf Association International Challenge Trophy. The Conservation Commission, which Briggs has long presided over, was the only board the school had to go to for permitting. He said the irony of this situation is that his association with Tabor was part of the reason he was appointed to the ConCom in 1997 by then-Selectmen Al Winters, Lori Schaefer and Jody Dickerson because the town wanted a better working relationship with Tabor Academy and the Kittansett Club. As I usually mention when writing about notable golden age courses, I can never do as good of a job recounting the history of the club, as they can. Then, they are left with an uphill approach to a slick green backed by the bay, again with bunkers right and left. Kittansett members have the good sense to know that big tournaments and their attendant crowds would overwhelm their little slice of heaven, even if the competitors most assuredly would not. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); The 337 yard 10th hole at We-Ko-Pa Saguaro is a really fun risk/rewark hole that features two templates: a Reverse Cape on the teeshot and Lions Mouth by the green. You may use these HTML tags and attributes: document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2021. By the time Hanse was done with that part of the program, 11 of Kittansetts 18 holes boasted water views, giving golfers the pleasure between shots of watching ketches cut across the waters in full sail and fishermen trolling for bluefish and striped bass in their MasterCrafts. The 126 yard 9th hole is Cabot Cliffs shortest hole. The club has followed through by continuing to fell trees, opening up never-before-seen vistas on the point holes 1, 2, 16, 17 and 18. But as in the case of the Marine Science Center situation, Briggs professional work and his public service crossed a blurred line when his excavating company was hired by D.W. White Construction, which was Tabors general contractor for the field construction, to haul excess dirt from the project to land owned by Tabor behind the new Marion Police Station at 550 Mill St. (Route 6). [Ed. At a prodigious 220 yards, this is a semi-blind par 3 courtesy of tall fescue directly in front of the teebox. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. The maps on this site are based on Cesium which in turn is based on WebGL. This approach plays slightly uphill to a small, undulating green surrounded by deep bunkers. The Master Plan has been updated on a couple of occasions since Hanse and his longtime design associate, Jim Wagner, first started working at Kittansett. For decades, the layout was regarded as the creation of one of the clubs charter members, a local rubber company magnate named Frederic C. Hood. Originally, it was the Native Americans who led the Plymouth settlers and their cattle to the warmer winter pastures on these shores. MARION, MASSACHUSETTS | Competitors in last weeks Massachusetts Amateur had the pleasure of playing one of the Bay States best golf courses at the Kittansett Club. Since the 1990s the course has gone through a series of redesigns by Gil Hanse, who has been a longstanding consultant with respect to restoration, improvements, and renovations of Kittansett. Member Services Representative (Former Employee) - Marion, MA - November 1, 2015. Some of the mounds at Kittansett ran down the edges of holes and others diagonally across them. The bunkers on the right are among the deepest on the course. 32% of Kittansett Club employees are women, while 68% are men. When you get your first glimpse of the club on the left-hand side my GPS was telling me Id arrived. But the fact is, we hate losing. One of those revisions came shortly after the discovery of the Flynn drawings in that Pennsylvania barn. This is certainly one of the easier holes out there and one of several holes on the course that provides the golfer numerous options. The average employee at Kittansett Club makes $0 per year. Receive the latest news and breaking updates, straight from our newsroom to your inbox. The Kittansett Club, a private golf club that fronts the ocean on Kittansett Point, off Point Road, is also located in a flood plain. But that hasnt always been the case with the actor in the past when it comes to photos taken of him. This green is one of the largest on the course. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for B Draddy THE KITTANSETT CLUB Blair Half Zip Golf Pullover Logo Blue Large New at the best online prices at eBay! Featuring a crossbunker on the left at 170 yards and dense forest down the left, this difficult teeshot causes many golfers to bailout right, leaving a more difficult approach possibly blocked out by trees. The two that stand sentinel on either side of the somewhat lunar 16th fairway appear to frame the target but are actually 50 yards short of the green, seriously messing with a visitings depth perception. But there are so many other holes of note. It was nice to have the extra time to wander around and soak in the setting. What exactly did the protest stem from? But these situations of local trades and business people serving and doing business with the municipalities they serve has confounded small town public government for years. It only took a minute, but from the moment I arrived, I knew I was going to like this place. Its an island green, but instead of being surrounded by water, its completely surrounded by a bunker. This keeps the vibe more chill and low-key, and really allows you to soak in the wonderful setting on the Bay. I paid the fine and Im living up to the agreement.. Hood helped build it, but it was unclear who did the initial plans. The eye-catching hazard sits well short of a flamboyant green cleaved by a deep swale but all this is obscured by the bunkers 7 foot lip. It feels quaint, subdued, and local in a good way. The setting of Kittansett is phenomenal. The left side is fairly open until 280 yards when it too develops forest. The 375 yard 17th is another dogleg left running in the opposite direction of 16. In a recent letter to Selectmen, resident Annie Rockwell, of Parlow Mill Farm Road, asked Selectmen to stop the practice of dual and questionable appointments. Briggs maintains that he voted under the Rule of Necessity, which is a Common Law construction that may be used when a public body is legally required to act on a matter due to members being disqualified by conflict of interest. But that has to end, say some. Featuring perhaps the tightest fairway at Kittansett, this dogleg doesnt occur until 240 yards, forcing the golfer to hit something longer than theyd prefer off the tee. The Kittansett Club is a Please contact the clubhouse For membership rates & information Course Info Location and Contact 11 Point Road, Marion, MA, 02738 kittansett.org update website (508) 748-0148 update phone Have you golfed here? Briggs admitted to violating the conflict-of-interest law by voting as a town Conservation Commission member to issue an Order of Conditions authorizing Tabor Academy to install two 2,000-gallon saltwater tanks at its Marine Sciences Center building. Kittansett has hosted the state amateur four times; each time it set a record for the number of entries. with Hanse continuing to act as the clubs architectural consultant, one can be sure that the course at Kittansett will keep getting better. The Caddyshack actor was on the South Coast this weekend for the U.S. Senior Amateur golf championship at The Kittansett Club in Marion before heading up to Mattapoisett for a 7:30 p.m. dinner of swordfish and sushi specials at Turks Seafood on Sunday, according to Fun 107. Briggs said he had been doing work for Tabor Academy for 23 years and this was a known fact before he was appointed to Marion Conservation Commission by the then Marion Board of Selectmen. Kittansett was one of the first courses to be built with predetermined specifications. When asked what he thinks brought the matter to the attention of the state Ethics Commission, Briggs offered a few theories. 17 is a visually tricky hole, as from the tee it can be tough to know exactly where youre going. The other dangers on this teeshot include bunkers on either side at 175 yards and marshland for those who go way offline. Theres another bunker 100 yards short and on either side of this small circular green. In 1969, Hal Purdy lengthened the course to a full 18 holes. 10 shows off more interesting mounding which is a theme throughout the course. Kittansett differs from vintage fare in this respect as well. In 2018, Marthas Vineyard Times photographer Peter Simon (brother of singer Carly Simon) filed a police report accusing Murray of slamming him against a door for taking photos of him at Lolas, an Oak Bluffs restaurant. The 11th with its massive cross bunker gaping in from the left is perhaps the most brutish poser on a course replete with them. Very accomodating to employees' needs. The course was so well designed and there were so many well-executed strategic elements, that it seemed like there had to be additional help from someone who was more prominent during the era. Designed by William Flynn and Frederic Hood in 1922 (it was restored by architect Gil Hanse in 1998), Kittansett was not particularly well known prior to the 53 Walker Cup. Selectmen seemed hesitant to act immediately. I hit my tee shot to 8 feet and drained the putt for my only birdie in 3 days. Accolades for Kittansett include: Conditions:8/10, Similarly to nearby Newport Country Club, Kittansett has a decidedly linksy feel to it with firm, fast fairways and greens that never run faster than an 11 on the stimp. 8 is a fantastic par 3 with an interesting green, nice mounding in the rear, and bunkers directly in front of and to the right of the green. We also raised some of the sand faces so they were easier to see and more impressive visually. Having hosted the Walker Cup in 1953, this club has long enjoyed an enviable reputation. The view from this teebox is world-class, with 390 fantastic yards separating you from the water. At Kittansett fescue grass can frame a lot of the features well, and this hole is an excellent example of it. Im of the opinion we should have further discussion, Marion Selectman Chairman Steve Cushing said. The 47 year old from Washington state the sitting U.S. Flynn also broke up several fairways into sections, with cross bunkers protruding into landing areas from different sides of holes and gnarly stretches of rough and sandy waste areas stretching across some of them entirely. The locker room is surprisingly small, but it fits the quaint atmosphere of the club. The fairway is level, there is a very narrow creek about 15 yards to the left of the fairway. It makes for an interesting choice off the tee. That finish of Ronnie Whites made us all proud to be British.. Those who go left or long will find a bunker at 195 yards or worse be OB. The 6th plays out towards the water and has a sign off the green designating the high water level from previous hurricanes. The 8th marks the start of the interior holes, which have a decidedly different feel than their seaside companions. When asked what he thinks brought the matter to the. There are a number of very good golf holes with interesting routing, and a beautiful setting. So now we were faced with a 23o yard tee shot into the wind, with a very tricky green. The course layout originated and concluded at the unprotected ocean end of the Point. And on other occasions, Flynn made them more pronounced, as on the fourth, which doglegs sharply to the right. This was his first Walker Cup and he showed the promise he would later fulfill, going unbeaten on the weekend. This integrated piece appeared as a course feature and Walker Cup sidebar in LINKS Magazine during the summer of 2006. This approach plays to a large, flat green lined by bunkers on either side. Walker died just prior to the Kittansett Matches, in June of 1953, and his death did little to buttress his longstanding efforts to keep a low profile. Looking back, the interest and intrigue are found in the details. Stay up to date on all the latest news from Boston.com. Ive heard that before the trees were removed you could be standing on 16 and 17, which come back towards the water on 3, and you wouldnt even be able to see the bay. Most critics point to the 16th as the best par 4 at Kittansett and I have to agree. Tabor officials then hired Briggs business to perform the excavation work. 12 and 13. Par is a tremendous score here. There wasnt a ton of weather the day we played, but the wind shifted halfway through our round, forcing us to play into it pretty much all day. The course is located in South Newark and is operated by Essex County along with classics Francis Byrne and Hendricks Field. You must have JavaScript enabled to fill out this form. The club was established in 1922, and officially opened for play in 1923. The underdog British might have hoped for a some of their weather to level the playing field. Its a special place, and one its members are extremely lucky to be a part of. The most famous hole at Kittansett comes early in the round in the form of the 167-yard par 3, 3rd hole. This hole is perhaps the courses only routing blemish as the 8th green is near the 9th and you have to walk the length of the hole backwards to reach the teebox. I find it interesting how the parking lot and practice areas are found on some of the most beautiful parts of the property, but I think it speaks to the strength of the inland holes that this isnt more readily apparent. Change). The American team was, in a word, loaded. For the 2022 season they expanded their outdoor bar, which is a fantastic place to have a drink and enjoy the view of both the course and the water. A cross bunker comes into play from the left on tee shots, and the best move is taking on that hazard with ones drive, keeping the ball on that side of the fairway for a more open approach to the green. While I feel Kittansett finishes a close race as 4th best in the state, if you like courses along the lines of Garden City Golf Club, Maidstone, San Francisco Golf Club, and Minikahda then Kittansett should be right up your alley. All of a sudden the courses you want to play tend to have less to do with prestige, and more to do with your personal preferences, geographic history, and the style of golf you enjoy most. Kittansett Club has great variety in its routing. The par 4 2nd also plays 415 yards and is another very difficult hole. The name is interesting as its a combination of two Native American words meaning near the sea.. Like the short 4-par at No. At just over 5700 yards, this par 70 plays more difficult than youd expect with small greens, tight fairways, and a hilly terrain. This circular green is lined by two deep bunkers on either side and the Ocean long. As for the Conservation Commissions need for a better relationship with Tabor: Much of the academys waterfront property is located in a flood plain and wetlands, and therefore subject to Conservation Commission overview for building projects. With his plans and knowledge, the club brought in famed architect Gil Hanse to restore the course to fit Mr. Flynns original designs. It was here that Wilson and MacGregor proved they were very good sports indeed. That brought the hazards back into play for better golfers while removing them as a concern for higher handicap players who did not hit the ball so far. Your email address will not be published. Sorry. 6, 10 and 13 a bit further from the tees. In summer 2022, it hosts only its second USGA event, the Senior Amateur Championship. The two Brits urged Pierson not to impose the penalty stipulated by the rules. The most prestigious event hosted by Kittansett was the 1953 Walker Cup when the United States defeated Great Britain & Ireland 9 to 3. The reachable 330 yard 10th gets my vote for easiest hole at Kittansett. Ward and Charlie Coe were the top international amateurs of their day, and Sam Urzetta, a 51 Walker Cupper, was the 1950 U.S. Known as one of the top courses in the blossoming Scottsdale golf scene, this Coore/Crenshaw design is thoroughly enjoyable with minimal houses, an easily walkable, intimate routing, and plenty of strategy and variety. The Kittansett Club, appropriately named from two Native American words meaning near the sea, is situated in the town of Marion at the end of Butler Point, which extends into Buzzards Bay. These include the Massachusetts Amateur Championship in 1958, 1978, 1990, 1999, 2008 and 2020 and the WGAM Edith Noblit Baker Trophy in 1954, 1979, 1989, 1995, 2005 and 2015. Holes 3 through 8 is my personal favorite stretch of holes on the course. But some 70 years after the clubs founding, in the mid-1990s, its leaders hired Gil Hanse. Kittansett Club Team Growth. Sure enough, in the early 2000s plans for the course were found in William Flynns attic. The Country Club is definitely Massachusetts' best course and then it is a battle among Kittansett, Boston Golf Club, and Old Sandwich as the state's next best track. (LogOut/ Friday 8:45PM . Littler and Jackson went to lunch 2-up and closed out Wilson and MacGregor 3 and 2 proving once again that no good deed goes unpunished. This is also one of the best bunkered holes on the course with numerous bunkers running through this fairway forcing the golfer to think carefully on each shot. But considering, again, there was no water in sight, I had a feeling a still had a little ways to go (The GPS sends you to the halfway house after the 9th hole). Despite being a mostly out-and-back course, it weaves in a nice selection of doglegs in both directions with straight holes as well, and you see this throughout the back 9. The Kittansett Club opens with the two longest par fours on the course. G.H. Some of that credit goes to Hanse who recommended some serious tree clearing when he first refurbished the bunkers in 1995 (adding fescued eyelashes to each one, a perfect fit). The first tee time isnt until 1 on Mondays, so the course and club was pretty quiet. No reviews at this time. The fund-raiser has. We need to schedule a public hearing to discuss the next steps relative to this.. Oh, and while he's traveling around doing that, he also golfs as much as humanly possible in his quest to break eighty for the first time ever.
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