936 Sasco Hill Road
Fairfield, CT 06430
203-255-3951
1914 Seth Raynor
#135 Private. Played at the charitable outing for the Bridgeport Rescue Mission (donation $465)
The 2nd hole is a par4 that follows a vehicle road on the right that accesses a private tennis and beach club. Beyond the road is the river so keep left! This is the handicap 7 hole at 397 yards, so it is easily reachable. The maintenance shed is on the right near the tee box. If riding in a cart (which I highly discourage) be aware that there is no cart path, but the location you should approach the tee box from is on the left hand side. We did have a car come along which we kindly let move on before hitting, and I would suggest the same if it occurs during your play.
The 3rd hole is again a par4 that is a good bit shorter than the previous so there is opportunity to recover if you get off to a bad start on the starting couple of holes. The 344 yard handicap 11 hole continues along the perimeter of the course next to the river's channel. Expect that there are bunkers to watch for, but most everything is open and can be seen in advance. It can get confusing in that there is no course map on the card, and we didn't inquire about a yardage book which is unlikely to be at a caddie course.
The 4th hole is worthy of a postcard. At only 130 yards, you can hit into the steeply banked green and draw it back toward the hole. There is a predominant breeze from the sound which means right to left, so this can really reak havoc on a blustery day. Called "Short" and handicap 17 for the course, you should get out of here with a par. In our group 3 out of the 4 were short and in the water. Club selection is important. There is no signage on the course, but look for the monuments in the ground that indicate the hole and the yardage.
The 5th hole is a dogleg right that you don't want to attempt to shortcut. The bunker you see on the rightside of the fairway in the photo at left is within range of a good drive. The 2nd shot will go over the lagoon, after which this hole was named (though it is not truly an atoll that surrounds it), and toward the green protected by bunkers front right and back left. 357 yards handicap 5.
The 6th is the #1 handicap for a reason. The first target for the 417 yard "Cape" hole is a beech tree in the outside of the slight bend right. If you hit a well struck 2nd shot, you can get a kick off a slope just shy of the green that will push the ball toward the hole. Beware of a SEVERE depth bunker on the right of the green near the water. It does seem to be one of the highest points (marginally) on the outside of the course.
The 7th hole has high grass on right and left that makes it rewarding to be in the center of fairway. The grass on the left and right is somewhat "wispy" but the possibility of finding it is surprisingly poor. The 302 yard handicap 13 hole is called "Dunes" and there is no sense of anything dramatic regarding that feature, but you do come down off a slight rise toward the hole so you want to be accurate with your approach shot for this par4. There is a building structure to the left of the green, but it was closed for our event. It may be the only canteen/bathroom on the course
The 8th hole "Sound" is a par5 of 515yards with the Long Island Sound entirely down the right hand side. It is the handicap 3 hole and there is marsh grass at the left end of the fairway. There is little room to the right of the green and a french drain down the right side (which is ground under repair shown in the local rules).
The 9th hole par3 189yard handicap 15 is called Redan, but you have very little of a view of the hole from the tee area. It is elevated and somewhat protected, but the slope releasing a right to left and kidney shaped green indicative of the title wasn't as evident as I would have expected With no wind, I used a 25degree fairway wood and placed it 10ft3in from the hole missing the closest to the pin competition by 3inches. The view from hear is spectacular and if you are ready for more, head to the 10th tee on your right, otherwise it is into the clubhouse. The locker room is a door just right of center to the veranda for bathroom break. No golf shoe except in locker room.
The 10th hole is a long par5 with marsh on the right, and a sand trap on the outside of the slight dogleg right. The approach has a marsh on the right and the green is elevated about 2ft off the fairway with a hump so don't even think about running it up there.
The 11th hole is a long par3 over water. Take the wind into account which is predominently from right to left. Called Bridge it is supposedly the easiest hole on the course.
The 12th hole is called Dogleg but I don't recall it being that severe.
The 13th hole is a bit longer than the hole previous and the #2 handicap hole on the course. I would agree as there is marsh land all along the left and for a good bit on the right.
The 14th hole is a deceivingly devilish par 3. The bunker on the right makes it look closer than it is, and beware of a bunker behind the left back of the green.
The 15th hole is a straight par4 but keep in mind there is yet again marsh on the left and right stationed where your drive will likely reach.
The 16th hole is called Burn for a reason, it exists along the entire left and right side of the fairway. Keep it in the middle, as despite it being such a narrow water hazard channel, burn's have a nature of grabbing anything that approaches them.
The 17th hole is a cute par3 that will normally be playing straight into the wind coming off the Sound. Choose your club wisely and thankfully without any wind today, my 5wood was appropriate for 190yards.
The 18th hole is a tester of the hill toward the clubhouse where everyone in the club can watch from the veranda and porch. A truly beautiful finishing hole. The high grass on the right and the bunker on the right are within range of most drives so keep it straight. If you are right, be aware that looking for your ball puts you in the line of fire for players on the 10th tee. Don't be intimidated by the flag pole and clubhouse - launch at the target staying in front of the flag. If you get behind it you face a downhill put that must be severe in the summers they likely face on the water with windblown dryness making the greens fast.
Fairfield, CT 06430
203-255-3951
1914 Seth Raynor
#135 Private. Played at the charitable outing for the Bridgeport Rescue Mission (donation $465)
Blue -- 6374 - 71.9/134
White - 6227 - 71.2/133
Gold -- 5661 - 68.5/128
Gold -- 5661 - 68.5/128
Red --- 5533 - 73.1/130
5 on a scale of 1-5
5 - Layout
5 - Layout
5 - Condition
5 - Aesthetics
5 - Staff
5 - Facility
During 2006 I've played in 32 (at this writing) different locations, enjoying the most expensive public course each in Massachusettes (Taconic), Vermont (Gleneagles) and Connecticut (Lake of Isles), and observing the top courses in the world (Winged Foot West for the USOpen, K Club for the Ryder Cup). This rivals them all for top rank.
The course is absolutely fabulous. It is a true links course sitting on the Ocean (Long Island Sound) at the confluence of a river (unsure on name). Part of the beauty was playing in mid October with temps in the mid 60's with hardly a breeze. The view over the Southport Harbor toward Westport and Norwalk is breathtaking.
The staff and the pro ran the event like a well oiled machine, but I'm told that very few "outings" are held here. I believe it as this is trophy course on the "gold coast" known as Fairfield County Connecticut. It was a good thing it was designed in the days before wetlands regulations, because I can't imagine you would be able to construct it from scratch today.
The course is on a peninsula that creates one boundary of Southport harbor. In fact, the 2nd hole begins a long run along the channel with numerous sailboats moored along the channel perimeter. From that vantage point you can pick out the former house of GE's former CEO Jack Welch. (3 sets of french doors on to a veranda for the house closest to the river and upstream from the marina).
While the eye candy of homes and yachts can destract you, the real belle of the ball is the course. It undulates gently on the low lying land with hidden burns and bunkers and drainage ditches. It would be advisable to get a caddy.
The 1st hole is a par5 straight away with OB on the right and marshgrass on the left. A tree reaches out on the 2nd shot landing area from the right so be judicious with club choice. The photo on left is in 2nd shot landing area. Be aware that there is a drainage ditch along the left side of the fairway between this hole and #16 which is aptly called "Burn". This hole is named "Away" and it is a challenge to start with a hole that is 515 yards (White). This is the handicap 9 hole.
During 2006 I've played in 32 (at this writing) different locations, enjoying the most expensive public course each in Massachusettes (Taconic), Vermont (Gleneagles) and Connecticut (Lake of Isles), and observing the top courses in the world (Winged Foot West for the USOpen, K Club for the Ryder Cup). This rivals them all for top rank.
The course is absolutely fabulous. It is a true links course sitting on the Ocean (Long Island Sound) at the confluence of a river (unsure on name). Part of the beauty was playing in mid October with temps in the mid 60's with hardly a breeze. The view over the Southport Harbor toward Westport and Norwalk is breathtaking.
The staff and the pro ran the event like a well oiled machine, but I'm told that very few "outings" are held here. I believe it as this is trophy course on the "gold coast" known as Fairfield County Connecticut. It was a good thing it was designed in the days before wetlands regulations, because I can't imagine you would be able to construct it from scratch today.
The course is on a peninsula that creates one boundary of Southport harbor. In fact, the 2nd hole begins a long run along the channel with numerous sailboats moored along the channel perimeter. From that vantage point you can pick out the former house of GE's former CEO Jack Welch. (3 sets of french doors on to a veranda for the house closest to the river and upstream from the marina).
While the eye candy of homes and yachts can destract you, the real belle of the ball is the course. It undulates gently on the low lying land with hidden burns and bunkers and drainage ditches. It would be advisable to get a caddy.
The 1st hole is a par5 straight away with OB on the right and marshgrass on the left. A tree reaches out on the 2nd shot landing area from the right so be judicious with club choice. The photo on left is in 2nd shot landing area. Be aware that there is a drainage ditch along the left side of the fairway between this hole and #16 which is aptly called "Burn". This hole is named "Away" and it is a challenge to start with a hole that is 515 yards (White). This is the handicap 9 hole.
The 2nd hole is a par4 that follows a vehicle road on the right that accesses a private tennis and beach club. Beyond the road is the river so keep left! This is the handicap 7 hole at 397 yards, so it is easily reachable. The maintenance shed is on the right near the tee box. If riding in a cart (which I highly discourage) be aware that there is no cart path, but the location you should approach the tee box from is on the left hand side. We did have a car come along which we kindly let move on before hitting, and I would suggest the same if it occurs during your play.
The 3rd hole is again a par4 that is a good bit shorter than the previous so there is opportunity to recover if you get off to a bad start on the starting couple of holes. The 344 yard handicap 11 hole continues along the perimeter of the course next to the river's channel. Expect that there are bunkers to watch for, but most everything is open and can be seen in advance. It can get confusing in that there is no course map on the card, and we didn't inquire about a yardage book which is unlikely to be at a caddie course.
The 4th hole is worthy of a postcard. At only 130 yards, you can hit into the steeply banked green and draw it back toward the hole. There is a predominant breeze from the sound which means right to left, so this can really reak havoc on a blustery day. Called "Short" and handicap 17 for the course, you should get out of here with a par. In our group 3 out of the 4 were short and in the water. Club selection is important. There is no signage on the course, but look for the monuments in the ground that indicate the hole and the yardage.
The 5th hole is a dogleg right that you don't want to attempt to shortcut. The bunker you see on the rightside of the fairway in the photo at left is within range of a good drive. The 2nd shot will go over the lagoon, after which this hole was named (though it is not truly an atoll that surrounds it), and toward the green protected by bunkers front right and back left. 357 yards handicap 5.
The 6th is the #1 handicap for a reason. The first target for the 417 yard "Cape" hole is a beech tree in the outside of the slight bend right. If you hit a well struck 2nd shot, you can get a kick off a slope just shy of the green that will push the ball toward the hole. Beware of a SEVERE depth bunker on the right of the green near the water. It does seem to be one of the highest points (marginally) on the outside of the course.
The 7th hole has high grass on right and left that makes it rewarding to be in the center of fairway. The grass on the left and right is somewhat "wispy" but the possibility of finding it is surprisingly poor. The 302 yard handicap 13 hole is called "Dunes" and there is no sense of anything dramatic regarding that feature, but you do come down off a slight rise toward the hole so you want to be accurate with your approach shot for this par4. There is a building structure to the left of the green, but it was closed for our event. It may be the only canteen/bathroom on the course
The 8th hole "Sound" is a par5 of 515yards with the Long Island Sound entirely down the right hand side. It is the handicap 3 hole and there is marsh grass at the left end of the fairway. There is little room to the right of the green and a french drain down the right side (which is ground under repair shown in the local rules).
The 9th hole par3 189yard handicap 15 is called Redan, but you have very little of a view of the hole from the tee area. It is elevated and somewhat protected, but the slope releasing a right to left and kidney shaped green indicative of the title wasn't as evident as I would have expected With no wind, I used a 25degree fairway wood and placed it 10ft3in from the hole missing the closest to the pin competition by 3inches. The view from hear is spectacular and if you are ready for more, head to the 10th tee on your right, otherwise it is into the clubhouse. The locker room is a door just right of center to the veranda for bathroom break. No golf shoe except in locker room. 
The 10th hole is a long par5 with marsh on the right, and a sand trap 
The 11th hole is a long par3 over water. Take the wind into account which is predominently from right to left. Called Bridge it is supposedly the easiest hole on the course.The 12th hole is called Dogleg but I don't recall it being that severe.
The 13th hole is a bit longer than the hole previous and the #2 handicap hole on the course. I would agree as there is marsh land all along the left and for a good bit on the right.
The 14th hole is a deceivingly devilish par 3. The bunker on the right makes it look closer than it is, and beware of a bunker behind the left back of the green.
The 15th hole is a straight par4 but keep in mind there is yet again marsh on the left and right stationed where your drive will likely reach.
The 16th hole is called Burn for a reason, it exists along the entire left and right side of the fairway. Keep it in the middle, as despite it being such a narrow water hazard channel, burn's have a nature of grabbing anything that approaches them.
The 17th hole is a cute par3 that will normally be playing straight into the wind coming off the Sound. Choose your club wisely and thankfully without any wind today, my 5wood was appropriate for 190yards.
The 18th hole is a tester of the hill toward the clubhouse where everyone in the club can watch from the veranda and porch. A truly beautiful finishing hole. The high grass on the right and the bunker on the right are within range of most drives so keep it straight. If you are right, be aware that looking for your ball puts you in the line of fire for players on the 10th tee. Don't be intimidated by the flag pole and clubhouse - launch at the target staying in front of the flag. If you get behind it you face a downhill put that must be severe in the summers they likely face on the water with windblown dryness making the greens fast.
