Pawtucket

Pawtucket Golf Club was formed in 1902, starting out with a 12-hole layout on a 50-acre site. When more land became available in the early 1920s, Willie Park Jr. was engaged to expand the layout to eighteen holes and he used every available inch of land to shoe horn a new par 69 course into a very compact 105-acre property.

Located on the eastern side of Pawtucket city, only the clubhouse, two tee boxes and the 18th green lie within the state of Rhode Island, the vast majority of the course actually sits on the Massachusetts side of the state line. Following a clubhouse fire, which totally destroyed the building, the club re-emerged as Pawtucket Country Club in 1955.

There’s only one par five on the scorecard and it arrives at the 8th. Measuring 542 yards from the back tees, the hole is reachable in two for big hitters but only if it’s playing downwind. On the back nine, notable holes include the slightly uphill short par four 11th in the southeast corner of the property which plays to a raised green, and the shortest of the four par threes at the heavily sand-protected 170-yard 15th.

Head professional Mike Gelinas told us: “Our toughest hole is #9, a long par four measuring 449 yards from the back tee. It’s a slight dogleg right and trees guard both sides of the fairway. The green is elevated with the front third of the putting surface as false front. Any approach shot that does not make it into the middle of the green will roll off the front. The green has quite a bit of slope to it and a four is definitely a good score on this hole.

Our signature hole is #18, a downhill, straight away par four where a good tee shot leaves a short second into the green. The green is guarded by four bunkers with a narrow opening in front of the putting surface. What makes this hole special is it plays right back to the club house and the patio is usually full of members who will applaud a good shot and obviously heckle those who struggle on the hole. It’s a great way to end a round of golf.”