Golf Course Review: The New England Country Club
By Jerry Donovan (feedback@barstoolsports.com)
When I set out on the weekends to play golf, I try to choose a different course each time out. This time around I headed down 495 to Bellingham to play The New England County Club. Our 8:10 tee time was on schedule but today we were one guy short. My friends Bob and Shauna finally got to bring their new baby girl home this past week and it was a little hard pulling him away for this round.
The first tee was not in its customary proximity to the clubhouse. After paying our greens fees it took a little investigative searching to find the starter and the tee box about ½ a mile through the woods. When we found it, we decided on the black tees which are the middle tees here and run a little over 6100 yards.
I wouldn’t call myself a die hard golfer. I don’t enjoy playing when the temperature drops much below 50. I usually get all golfed out by the middle of September and I certainly try to avoid playing if there is any chance of rain. I didn’t plan well enough ahead here and the morning mist turned to drizzle and then rain all by the time we got to the green on the first hole. I was wet but it didn’t affect my 5 footer for par.
After banging out the front 9 in 43 strokes, I was hoping for some food at the turn. The layout of the place is a little different and I really don’t understand the benefit of why it is. The first hole doesn’t start anywhere near the clubhouse, and the 9th hole finishes in the middle of nowhere. No big deal but just a little odd. And the 18th finishes in the same general area. I realize the land dictates the course but I think they put the building with the grub in the wrong spot.
One thing about this place is it really is a very fun course to play. All the holes are laid out nicely. The par 3’s, which I usually enjoy the most, are all on the shorter side with the longest playing around 155. The par 5’s make for some interest approach shots. It’s always a good feeling when you have a clean look at a green and you can actually watch your approach shot land on the green and roll towards the pin.
Although, the carts are equipped with a GPS system, they are a little primitive and I don’t complete trust their accuracy. There were times when our 2 carts were side by side and there was a 10 yard difference on the screens. And it wasn’t just the GPS that seemed a little out dated. All the machines are gas powered and my #22 had seen better days; she was old and tired and labored through the hilly terrain.
The rain didn’t stick around too long and we also didn’t have to wait long to hear the hum of the beverage cart. Pat and I started off with a couple of Bud Lights but you can get yourself a bloody mary if that’s your morning drink of choice. Steve went with the bloody which didn’t have enough kick but Helen, the girl mixing the drinks brought some Tabasco and pepper next time around.
Over all, I would say The New England CC is a must play. It is a true New England style course; woodsy, hilly and unique. We finished our round in about 4 hours 15 minutes which is a very comfortable time. Egans restaurant is the on sight pub but it really isn’t much to brag about. No comment from this guy on the food. We didn’t have anything but a few captains and cokes in there and there’s no way to screw that up.
Two things I would like to mention, one of them being the greens. I believe they normally would be very true but today they were still healing from recently being aerated. And secondly, if you have a gun or a bow and you’re there within the next few weeks, you can bag yourself a turkey while you’re out there. They’re all over the place.
The New England Country Club is located at 180 Paine Street in Bellingham, MA.
For tee times: 508.883.2300