Keney Park Golf Course – Played September 2022
- Rankings: None of my four lists
- Location: 171 Windsor Avenue, Windsor, Connecticut
- Year: 1927
- Original Architects: Devereaux Emmet & Robert J Ross
- Additional Work By: Matthew Dusenberry
- Course Access: Municipal
- Walking Rules: Carts Available
Score Card Information:
- Gold: 6,449 yards, Par 70, 70.6 Rating/127 Slope
- Blue: 6,046 yards, Par 70, 68.6 Rating/124 Slope
- White: 5,629 yards, Par 70, 66.5 Rating/121 Slope (Men’s), 72.0 Rating/124 Slope (Women’s)
- Green: 4,712 yards, Par 70, 63.0 Rating/109 Slope (Men’s), 66.9 Rating/113 Slope (Women’s)
Keney Park Golf Course is steeped in history as it dates back to the Golden Age of golf course architecture. Devereaux Emmet designed the front nine while Hartford engineer, Robert “Jack” Ross, designed the back nine.
After many years of leasing the course to management companies, Hartford decided to take over the daily operations. Through partnerships with the PGA and Knox Inc, the course has become a muni gem and source of employment for residents.
Let’s take a look at this delightful course!
Hole 1 – 332 yards – Par 4 – Valley
Your first shot doesn’t have to be a driver. The fairway runs out on the left, so if you can fit a fade out there that is best.
If you find yourself too far left, the green will be obscured by the contours.
When you get closer to the green, you are presented with a view of an excellent putting surface. That will be a theme of the day.
Hole 2 – 509 yards – Par 5 – Cross-Country
My only gripe with Keney Park is this hole. The drive is awkward/impossible with a driver and the layup is haphazard. The hole bends hard right before turning back left. The layout eliminates some options and forces you into decisions.
This is the view from the fairway. The green is way off to the left and cannot be seen.
Hole 3 – 160 yards – Par 3 – Pit
Hitting the green is important on this shot. Notice the shortly mown, steep slopes around the green.
Hole 4 – 383 yards – Par 4 – Klondyke
The slope of the fairway blocks your view of the green from the tee box. If you can get the drive close to the bunker on the right it opens up the best angle to the green.
Going over this green is an absolute no-no.
Hole 5 – 428 yards – Par 4 – Long
The positioning of trees impacts your tee shot decisions. With the yardage, you’ll need a good drive but going too far left impedes the second shot.
Coming up short of this green will result in a long pitch shot due to the massive fronting slope.
Hole 6 – 152 yards – Par 3 – Short
The long grass seen here ends well shot of the green. The front is guarded instead by rough and bunkers. Check out the green though, the slopes are intense.
Hole 7 – 455 yards – Par 4 – Biarritz
This hole is named for the Biarritz, which is usually seen on a par three. The hole itself plays straightaway before getting to the green. This iteration of the Biarritz is a bit toned down compared to some I’ve seen. It also plays at an angle to the fairway.
Hole 8 – 407 yards – Par 4 – Hogs Back
I’d imagine this tree on the left gives faders some pause, especially with the trees down the right side. Other than that, the fairway is still a generous target. A good drive will set you up to tackle the large green with many pin position options.
I wanted to note the bunkering on the right side of the green. It’s not a style you see every day.
Hole 9 – 457 yards – Par 4 – Road
It’s time to step up and wail on the driver at this brutish par four. Luckily, the fairway is a big target and allows for some leeway in accuracy.
The second shot will be a long one for many players. The green is open in front. Missing to the left makes for difficult up and downs with the slope of the green.
Hole 10 – 533 yards – Par 5 – Sheep Meadow
You’re presented with a wide fairway for the tee shot here. After that, the hole turns left and has a large crossing bunker that factors into your layup. Sharp slopes to the right of the green make for difficult recoveries.
Hole 11 – 237 yards – Par 3 – Dell
Even with the downhill slope, this shot plays long. As long as you can stay out of the bunker, short grass chips should provide a fair chance for par.
Hole 12 – 323 yards – Par 4 – Soldiers Field
This is an enticing hole for longer hitters. However, there is a big slope on the front portion of the green that will repel all but the most precise shots.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the cemetery on the right side. Take a moment for some reflection as you walk past.
The green is in a solemn setting.
Hole 13 – 188 yards – Par 3 – Peninsula
This is one of my favorite holes at Keney Park. I like the look of the bunkering and the setting of the green. Additionally, there is an element of a Redan on the right side that will kick balls to the left.
Hole 14 – 513 yards – Par 5 – Sentinels
We’ve got a hard dogleg to the right here. Anything to the right of the tree will put you in a good spot to go for the green.
The green is up there to the right of the three trees.
This is just another example of the compelling greens.
Hole 15 – 409 yards – Par 4 – Camels Back
With a wide fairway here, all focus is on the approach shot. An elevated green with short grass in front makes for a challenging task.
Hole 16 – 397 yards – Par 4 – Meadow Brook
The sixteenth is the tightest hole on the course. Trouble lurks all down the left in the form of a lateral hazard. Good drives allow you to attack one of the tamest greens at Keney Park.
Hole 17 – 369 yards – Par 4 – Principal’s Nose
This is a really cool hole. The green is not visible from the tee and you need to move the drive to the left over the bunker. There is some room to the right if you want to go that way.
The greens is very cool even if you don’t factor in the heavily roughed mound in the front. This view is not something you’ll see in modern courses. I like the change of pace.
As I mentioned, the green has a lot of interesting slopes. Depending on where your approach ends up, putting can be quite engaging.
Hole 18 – 197 yards – Par 3 – Punch Bowl
From the tee, only the top of the flag is visible as the green sits in the hole’s namesake bowl.
I’ve seen a few punchbowls but I don’t remember them having two tiers. That adds a layer of challenge because putting from the top tier is quite tough.
Keney Park was an absolutely delightful round of golf. The residents are blessed to have a sensational municipal course at their fingertips. If you find yourself in the Hartford area, I cannot recommend Keney Park enough!