USGA-ASGCA Site Evaluation Program
Simsbury Farms Golf Course & Connecticut National Golf Club
I n December 2015 , the United States Golf Association ( USGA ) and the American Society of Golf Course Architects ( ASGCA ) announced a collaborative initiative to help improve public golf courses across the United States . The program , which is comprised of ASGCA member architects and USGA agronomists , scientists , and researchers , selected six recipients in 2016 . Among them was Simsbury Farms Golf Course ( West Simsbury , Conn .) and Connecticut National Golf Club ( Putnam , Conn .), along with courses in South Carolina , Kansas , South Dakota , and Alabama . The six recipients were provided pro bono consulting services to assist courses in creating more enjoyable layouts , while helping to reduce maintenance costs for the golf course .
Some of the priorities for these facilities included improving the turf quality of greens , determining the best locations for forward tees and creating a more welcoming experience for golfers . The recommendations ranged from quick solutions that require few resources to long-term plans that will require more time , money and support to implement .
“ At both courses , we did a holeby-hole check-up of the tees , fairways , greens , trees and helped formulate a “ master
plan ” that can be used for future projects ,” said Hunki Yun , Director of Partnerships , Outreach and Education for the USGA . “ Many of the public and municipal courses around the country tend to fix things as they go without a master plan , so we helped give each course a road map that they can use for planning , budgeting and fundraising .”
Dave Oatis , an agronomist with the USGA , and John Harvey , a golf course architect , visited the two courses to help set out a plan for improvement . Simsbury Farms GC , which was looking to make the golf course friendlier for ladies , children , and shorter hitters , received guidance on its front tee locations . Many of the holes have forward tees that require a long carry to the fairway or green , making it difficult for beginner golfers .
“ The ultimate goal of any golf course superintendent is to provide an enjoyable , memorable golfing experience to his or her clientele ," said Mike Wallace , Golf Course Superintendent at Simsbury Farms Golf Course . " In today ’ s competitive golf market , one ’ s facility has to strive to create that experience . The assistance of the USGA and the ASGCA will allow a plan and vision for the future to be developed for Simsbury Farms .”
Connecticut National Golf Club , which recently underwent an extensive renovation , received a checkup from the team to ensure the changes are leading them in the right direction and what steps could be taken to bring the course to the next level . With a plan set in place to improve the irrigation system at Connecticut National , and a redesign of the forward tees at Simsbury Farms , both courses are clearly headed in the right direction .
Bill Bigler , CSGA Director of Club Relations commented , “ It is exciting that of the six courses selected throughout the country , two of them are right here in Connecticut . Simsbury Farms and Connecticut National are two of the best and most supportive courses in the state and the CSGA is proud to have them as member clubs .”
Both Simsbury Farms GC and Connecticut National GC are regularly featured on the CSGA championship calendar . Simsbury Farms GC hosted the CSGA ’ s Super Senior Championship in 2016 , and will do so again in 2017 , while Connecticut National GC hosted US Mid-Amateur Qualifying in 2016 and has previously hosted US Amateur and the New England Junior in recent years .
84 / CONNECTICUT STATE GOLF ASSOCIATION / 2016 ANNUAL