GolfNewsRI

I had the chance to play Rhode Island Country Club (RICC) this week. I found the experience to be spectacular. There is no course that I am more familiar with than RICC and never actually played the course. 

 I have attended the annual CVS Charity Classic at least ten times and have walked the course and have seen the course close up.

As GolfNewsRI reported earlier this summer, the CVS Charity Classic ended after a 23 year run.

RICC is in Barrington, RI and on the water but easy to get to. It was established in 1911 and designed by Donald Ross. The website describes the course as a combination of parkland, wooded and seaside holes located on Narragansett Bay.

For many, the course is well known for its success in developing outstanding junior golfers who have go on to national prominence ~ including Brad Faxon and Billy Andrade ~ Andrade is this year’s winner of the prestigious Payne Steward award.

If you review their website, it explains in great detail the manner in which a junior golfer demonstrates playing proficiency to be able to play by themselves. 

Age has nothing to do with it.  It is merit-based on playing ability and course etiquette knowledge. When I read it, it is well laid out and gives me an Augusta like sense of the club.

When I arrived at the club, I made it known that I was, one, a guest, two playing here for my first time. Staff and members alike went out of their way to make me feel comfortable and to find my way around.

First order of business for me was to get a cart and head down to the range. The range is across the street near the water so one should be cautious of traffic on Nayatt Street.

The range is not particularity large and is adjacent the 18^th fairway.  The range utilize new yellow Titleist balls to avoid confusion for golfers playing in the fairway.

I was excited on the range. It appeared that I brought my A game and was hopeful I could bring it to the course.

I had no idea what condition the course would be in as I had only seen it during the CVS tournament.  I found the course in spectacular condition ~ basically untouched by this summer’s drought.

We played from the back tees, and I was grateful that I brought by long game with me. If not, I could see this round as being extremely challenging.

The greens were in terrific shape and very consistent hole to hole. However, I putted terribly. 

I shot an 83 as I was ecstatic ~ knowing if I putted half decent I would have broken 80.  Some of my low scores could be attributed to the lack of wind ~ a primary defense for RICC ~ especially for holes 15-18 across the street and on the water.

After the round, we had cocktails and appetizers in the new designed dining area which, among other things, places more emphasis on the views of the bay. The Club has limited area, so every available space seems to be carefully considered to maximum utilization of the non-golf course areas. 

I cannot wait to play here again. In short, my expectations were high for my visit to Rhode Island Country Club, and they were exceeded.