Charles River Country Club Review: The 2nd 2013 U.S. Am Qualifying Venue
- photo courtesy Charles River CC
A young Eddie Lowery famously caddied for Francis Quimet in winning the US Open at The Country Club in Brookline, Mass. When he looked to join a club many years later – he joined Charles River CC in Newton Centre, MA. A classic old Donald Ross golf course on a wooded piece of land about 10 miles west of downtown Boston. Today, the club founded in 1921 plays to a par-70 at 6,657 yards for the 2013 US Amateur and will treat the players to a wonderful old style golf challenge.
While the scorecard provides you the impression that the 1921 golf club will be a push over, reality is quite a different experience. The course can play firm and fast. Thick rough and a wonderfully challenging set of green complexes will provide you ample opportunities to test your approach game, your short game and your putter! While there are some good scores out there, don’t be surprised to see many struggle to post low scores.
The last USGA event at Charles River CC was the 2003 State Team Championship won by Tennessee. Since then the course has seen a few changes that will present challenges to the players in 2013. The 5th green was flattened one degree. The 10th has a new back tee and will play as an almost 500 yard par four. The fifteenth has restored the ledge at the end of the landing area and will present itself as a great risk reward par five.
Best of all, whatever you shoot at Charles River CC, you will be welcomed by the club and it’s wonderful membership. The club a wonderful example of New England golf and hospitality. Enjoy your visit to CRCC.