Boston - New England | Golf Monthly

published 27 June 2007

New England in the fall is one of the prettiest places on earth to play golf.

Getting there

The Berkshires, rolling mountainous hills in Berkshire County near neighbouring Connecticut, are considered the ideal summer retreat. Visit the serene courses at Cranwell Resort, Spa and Golf Club in Lenox. Set back amid mature trees and with a splendid mansion, Cranwell Resort and Spa has a reputation as a luxury ?wellness retreat?. In the foothills of the Berkshires, at Southwick, on the site of a working farm dating back to 1896, I found The Ranch Golf Club, a daily-fee golf course which is the closest thing most of us will get to playing one of America?s elite private set-ups.

Crumpin-Fox in Bernardston, about 90 minutes drive from The Ranch, draws its name from the Crump & Fox soda company. Its clubhouse is secluded, rustic and unassuming. The course is a fiendishly difficult challenge and perfectly laid out between vast acres of pines. Architect Roger Rulewich has built a public course worthy of comparisons with Pine Valley, a regular in the world?s top three courses. The fairways are tight and tree-lined with water at every turn and narrow, quick sloping greens.

At the Ballymeade Country Club an impressive entrance and stately clubhouse are matched by the magnificent course. Designed by Chi Chi Rodriguez, Ballymeade requires accuracy from the tee and a great touch around the greens. At the 11th tee you stand at the highest point on Cape Cod and play a tough par 3 of 174 yards. Views of the shimmering Buzzard?s Bay will distract even fully concentrated players.

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