Simsbury Farms Golf Season Gets an Early Start

Submitted release

The mild winter and even milder spring so far have led to an earlier than normal opening of Simsbury Farms golf course, which, according to Golf Pro John Verrengia, is in “great shape.”

The course, often referred to as a “hidden gem” among Northern Connecticut courses, is now offering on line tee times and will soon offer additional website functionality as well at www.simsburyfarms.com. 

“We intend to make our website a complete resource for golfers, including the ability to book tee times, join our alerts list,  see outing information and rates, and even find ways to improve your game” said Verrengia.  “For residents that might not have been here for a while, or even parents that are considering teaching their children the game, we are redoubling our efforts at being user friendly.  We have lots to offer all members of the family, including lessons, equipment at our Pro Shop, practicing on our driving range and putting greens, and of course our summer programs as well.”

This year also marks the 40th year of play at the course, and some long overdue repairs are currently underway.  Local Golf Course designer and Simsbury resident Douglas Beach, of Douglas Beach Golf Course design (beachgolfdesign.com), is overseeing repairs to a number of bunkers throughout the course.  Those improved bunkers, according to Beach, will make a world of difference, both functionally and aesthetically. 

“Over time, bunkers just wear out.  At Simsbury Farms, some of the bunkers actually were not draining.  In conjunction with Superintendent Mike Wallace, we are reconstructing a number of bunkers, and in fact, Mike is actually doing the work “in-house” in order to save the Town money,” Beach said.

The benefits of the renovations, according to Beach, are many.

“Modernizing a forty year old golf course will not only make it more attractive looking and improve drainage, but hopefully it will attract more players that aren’t currently playing here. Right now we’re focusing first on bunkers near the putting greens, because we want consistency around the greens.  Like any living, breathing thing as it gets older, things wear out, and the bunkers are in need of a face lift. What we have for a course is good, but this will make it much better," Beach said.

Beach, who professes a nearly life-long love of course design, is a 15 year former employee of Jack Nicklaus Design, where he learned many of the essentials of his trade.  He is also an award-winning designer, with one of his recent projects – Heritage Hill Golf Course in Shepherdsville, Kentucky-being named one of the Top 10 new U.S. public courses, in 2008.  His love of the Simsbury Farms course is apparent in conversation. Says Beach:”At Simsbury Farms, you have the best of the best in Superintendent Mike Wallace.  He is a past president of the National Golf Course Superintendents association, and does a wonderful job of maintaining the golf course”.   

To schedule lessons, inquire about a camp, check on available tee times, or learn more about the renovation project, contact Simsbury Farms Golf Pro John Verrengia at 860-658-6246, or go to www.simsburyfarms.com (the new, fully functional and expanded website is expected to be up and running by April 1).