Red at Tunxis Country Club

A) the staff couldn’t have been any kinder
B) it was raining so there was no one else there
C) fun course, short holes but some tricky shots

We paid $27 for 9 holes, including the cart! Course was in great shape for the Fall in NE. Would definitely go again!

Built on a pleasant tract of unspoiled land, Tunxis Red’s parkland style is distinguished by handsome and mature tree-lined fairways, along with a peaceful, immediately likeable setting. At the west end of the property sits the clubhouse; on the east, the Farmington River borders holes three and four. The course is unshowy but still beautiful, delivering a solid test of golf, especially from the lengthy blue tees. In most respects, this is a typical Al Zikorus layout, although the greens lack the more elaborate contouring that he generally favored; they are the one ‘generous’ aspect of the design. A tough stretch begins at the ever-tightening par-5 fifth; the long par-4 sixth, watery seventh, and challenging par-3 eighth are equally impressive in turn. Nine is a nice, but not difficult, closer.

A few of the fairways bend with a seemingly calculated precision, but otherwise the holes play straight away. My favorite is seven, where a large pond leftward of the fairway is counterbalanced by a bit of room--for bailouts--on the right. The seventh green is guarded by a big bunker on its right flank and backed by densely packed trees.

Conditions have improved markedly since my last play here six weeks back, though the fairways are not yet back to their typical, finely- groomed state.

After a long work week, I felt revitalized after playing here on this warm Friday afternoon. Then again, Tunxis usually has that effect upon me.

Played Tunix Red this morning. The course was in the best condition it's been in a while. The Red course is a great 9-hole course and one of my staples.

Played early morning. Course is recovering from recent flooding and heavy rains but overall in good condition. Still a great 9-hole course.

I played the Red for the second time in as many years, and--as usual--enjoyed the experience.

The course’s conditions, primarily the fairways, have suffered somewhat from recent flooding (Tropical Storm Henri of late August, with more rain events following). This has affected mainly the fairways, which are now dry, but with several left in weak condition, especially near the Farmington River bordering this property. Still, the greens putt smoothly enough and the course is in playable condition, though it probably won’t get back to ‘normal’ for a few more weeks.

The setting of this layout invariably carries the day for me. It’s nice to play a course where nature rules: here you’re apart from nearly everything created by humans, except for the road on tee one and green nine. The natural feel is enhanced by stately trees, the river, an expansive pond at the seventh, and the course’s general parkland character. The holes benefit from spaciousness, and, although fairways are not overly generous, they’re wide enough that you’ll not feel shy about using your driver on nearly every par-four and five.

The Red’s character is forged over the opening three holes: a couple of burly (if a bit bland) par-4’s followed by a mid-length par-3 that features huge bordering trees, which tighten the screws on your tee shot. After an ultra-tight par four, the heart of this nine begins with a long and challenging three-shotter at the fifth. Here the driving zone is welcoming, but the rest of the hole narrows to put a premium on the accuracy of the approach into green five. Six and seven, first-rate par-4’s both, will challenge even those whose long game prowess is strong. The routing concludes with a 200-yard par-3 playing slightly uphill to a fortified green, then the dogleg-right closer, where a well-placed tee shot is a plus.

Some Conclusions:
Doubtless the Red’s fairways will rebound in a few weeks, though the course is fully playable. I still enjoyed my round here on this beautiful late summer afternoon. Tunxis--no matter which of the three courses is played--should impress most everyone with its pleasant atmosphere, clubhouse, and service. For me, it’s always been a winner.