The Hotchkiss School Golf Course – Played September 2022
- Rankings: None of my four lists
- Location: 48 Interlaken Road, Lakeville, Connecticut
- Year: 1924
- Original Architect: Seth Raynor
- Additional Work By: Charles Banks & George Bahto
- Course Access: Public
- Walking Rules: Carts Available
Score Card Information:
- White/Blue: 6,032 yards, Par 70, 69.5 Rating/118 Slope
- Red/Gold: 4,950 yards, Par 74, 69.5 Rating/114 Slope
The Northwest portion of Connecticut might not be where you thought I was going. The Hotchkiss School Golf Course had me checking out the area. It’s not hard to get me to see a Seth Raynor golf course.
The original six-hole course was designed in 1897 before being extended to nine holes in 1911. Hotchkiss was redesigned in 1924 by Raynor. During his time there, he forged a friendship with Charles Banks, who was an English teacher at the school. The bond led Banks into the golf course architecture business and a partnership with Raynor until the latter’s death in 1926.
It is said that Banks completed over 30 incomplete Raynor courses. For that, the golf world should be thankful. Along those lines, Banks remodeled a few holes at Hotchkiss in the 1930s when a road was rerouted.
Now, I’ve said a lot of positive things. On the negative side, the greens are not synonymous with other Raynor works. If I didn’t know it was a Raynor, I might not have been able to tell by the course alone. The maintenance of the course is not up to the standard of many of the private Raynor courses, which is understandable.
Now that we’ve covered both sides of the debate, let’s get into the tour so you can judge for yourself.
The quaint clubhouse (below) fits in well with the surrounding campus buildings. There is nothing ostentatious in this section of the school grounds.
Hole 1 – 420 yards – Par 4
Instead of a gentle handshake to open, this hole is more like a poke in the chest. It plays all of its yardage and maybe more due to the uphill slope. Missing to the right will leave a daunting pitch or bunker shot up to the green.
Hole 2 – 170 yards – Par 3
A large green awaits your tee shot here. I liked the use of the mound in front of the green to obscure the view just a bit.
As seen below, the green has more contouring than you can see from the tee.
Hole 3 – 401 yards – Par 4
This is a very generous fairway, so unleashing the driver is an easy decision. The intrigue comes on the approach shot which plays to a blind green. Use the flagpole to guide you.
I’m not sure if it’s a design concept but I enjoyed the row of plants around the back of the green.
Hole 4 – 370 yards – Par 4
This hole has had some “recent” updates. George Bahto, noted golf historian/author, was brought in to put in a new green. It is not overstated rather it presents subtle challenges. The uphill slope guides you into the group of holes that play among the campus buildings.
Take note of all the contouring on the right side of this green.
Hole 5 – 140 yards – Par 3
Standing here provides a great view of the lake. In fact, there is a dormitory about 75 yards to the left of this tee that has a great vantage point. The hole itself is pretty good as well. You must judge the distance properly since long is no good and a bunker guards the front.
Hole 6 – 358 yards – Par 4
The tee shot here is blind but there isn’t much trouble. The hole bends slightly left where anything 200 yards or more will leave you with a manageable approach shot.
The green features a noticeable slope. Pins in the back right section would be really interesting.
Hole 7 – 500 yards – Par 5
With the road to the right, it is tempting to shade to the left. Be careful with that strategy though since there are trees and buildings.
Confidence with fairway woods will make this a go zone.
We’ve seen the lake views but Hotchkiss is also surrounded by mountains. Just beautiful stuff out here.
Hole 8 – 188 yards – Par 3
Club selection is important with the grade of this hole. In addition, the green is quite severe. The back section is substantially higher than the rest of the putting surface.
Hole 9 – 533 yards – Par 5
In my opinion, this hole felt like it was squeezed into the remaining land. The tee shot is blind and requires less than driver. After that, the hole bends right but slopes heavily left towards a hazard.
This all struck me as too severe.
The Hotchkiss School Golf Course won’t be at the top of any Raynor ranking. That said, it was an enjoyable nine-holer. If I was a student, I would wear the place out. If you find yourself in this corner of Connecticut, give them a call and check it out.