Pomperaug Golf Club

Located next to the Heritage Hotel in Southbury, Pomperaug Golf Club is not far from I-84. The course is surrounded by picturesque, mature broadleaf trees as well as firs, and a river runs through it: the Pomperaug itself. With mostly large but complex greens, fairways of average widths, and abundant water hazards, this fits the general mold of a “Modern” era golf course. Unsurprisingly, then, it was designed in the early 70s by a capable associate of Robert Trent Jones, Sr., named Ted Manning. A decade later, Manning also worked on revisions to the layout known today as “Wheeler Family Traditions” in Wallingford.

Pomperaug is a relatively short golf course that shouldn’t be punishing for straight hitters, and it's a playable nine. Yet many golfers may find the course difficult on those holes where their golf ball is not being cooperative, especially from the tee. One reason: this layout clearly has its share of problems in the form of bunkers, sharp doglegs, greenside and fairway mounds, intrusively placed trees, woods, and some rolling greens. Then there is the problem of water and more water, enough to come into play one every single one of these nine holes. I can think of no course in Connecticut with this distinction. These hazards are hardly tucked away; they’re lurking, easily within reach. The river also means a couple of forced carries. When I hear a loud groan–or worse–coming from a nearby tee or adjoining fairway here, my guess as to why takes little imagination.

Those who are serious golfers and want a challenge should play these nine from the back tees. A quick description of four holes will support my point:

(NOTE: they show up on the card as 11, 15, 16, and 17–that is, the “back nine” after you’ve played their shorter versions the first time)

The 2nd, par-4, 383: The # 3 handicap hole fights you off the tee: it’s a dogleg-right toughie with a field of rough to the left, a sentinel tree right, and some large mounds thrown in for good measure–all lying in wait to snare marginal misses. The approach must cross a large berm directly in front of the green.

Six, par-4, 392 (#1 index): Cut the corner off the tee too tightly and you’ll likely have tree troubles on the second shot; or, go too long–water. The tee shot, then, must be long, straight, and well-placed to open up the elevated green, which happens to sport a massive mound behind it and trap right.

Seven, par-5, 444. Don’t be deceived by the hole’s length: it’s tight and brutal. With a long and threatening pond to the right and OB left, you must hit a controlled tee shot. After that the hole demands a precisely struck, not to mention well-placed, second shot. Most golfers do not even attempt the reaching green in two. The green itself is elevated somewhat above grade and well protected all around by bunkers and falloffs. From the white tees, it’s an even more rigorous hole as a par-4.

Eight, par-3, 205. The blue tee is nearly always placed around this yardage, and it’s an ideal test of a hybrid or fairway wood (that is, for longer hitters) into a deep and two-tiered green that is both elevated and guarded by numerous hazards, including water in the vicinity.

Conditions:

In the wake of a disastrous flood last year, the Pomperaug groundskeeping staff is refurbishing and reseeding the course. Right now it looks decent enough, but more time is needed–perhaps a month to six weeks–to bring the layout well back to life. Today the greens were very good, putting smoothly. Greenside areas and roughs were decent, but fairways mostly just passable, as many had patchy areas. Several tees still need work. The good news is that this course is clearly on the mend, moving in a positive direction.

Other:

Tommy, the pro here, was outstanding as always. He is a genuine credit to the golfing profession and goes out of his way, it seems, to pay attention fully to those who visit Pomperaug GC. From my experience, he is a rarity. I played with three PGC members today, all of them interesting, friendly, and good-spirited.

Some conclusions:

I like visiting Pomperaug, not the least because I played it for four years as a high school golfer. It is simply as enjoyable today as it was then. Given that the parking lot is always full here, a lot of golfers agree with me. The nice mix of solidly designed holes is a good foundation, but there is an extra level of challenge for those who want it. It may be stating the obvious, but golfers who require something ceaselessly manicured will likely want to stick with places having $65-and-up price tags for 18. At Pomperaug, however, I am hopeful that the staff will gain further momentum in tackling the maintenance challenges, especially given a new head greenskeeper. And by the way, the course next door, Silo Point CC, is 18 holes and of championship caliber. The club hosted the LPGA Tour from 1971-1973, when it was called the Heritage Village Country Club.

It is a simple track that is low quality. Don't expect much. Don't hit it too far over the 9th green or you will be in the private club fairways.

Ok, Pomperaug is a great nine hole course which has had the worst luck of any course in Connecticut in the passed five years. They have had several floods including the worst one ever this last August which destroyed many roads and bridges throughout the town, that one flood totally covered the whole course and brought in silt, sand, rocks, and all types of debris. All that silt weakens the soil and kills the grass. the greens are still great and work has started to bring the course back. We talked to the Head pro and superintendent and they said they are starting to aerate all the fairways and tees and are starting to over seed everything. I see a big different already from March to now as a lot of area's of grass is starting to fill in but until everything is over seeded and grown back in there will be some damaged areas . Several sprinkler heads were also damaged in the floods and they are going though and replacing a lot of them.

I love the course and will continue to play there and give them my support and I hope everyone else does as well,. they deserve it.

The staff there is second to none

Pomperaug Fan

Greens were okay. Fairways and T's very poor shape.

The positives about this course today were friendly service and fast pace. Pomperaug’s flat but watery and clever layout, as I’ve written in previous reviews (including 8/13/24) puts up a good defense of par without being too hard for the average player.

Conditioning: The course is in fair condition–mainly due to the Southbury’s serious flooding on August 19th following torrential rainfalls. Yes, most of the course was under water in the aftermath of the flooding. It seems a bit ridiculous to blame or devalue a golf club for substandard conditions after this kind of catastrophic event, whether here or anywhere else. In any case, Pomperaug’s management seems to have made a solid effort to get the course back on track over a limited timespan. The greens remain what is best about this layout: they ran very smoothly and quite fast, as if a flood had never happened. All of my putts and chips held their lines. Fairways and tees, however, will need a great deal of work to return to normal. I’m no greenskeeper, but I’m guessing this course will have a chance to return to its former condition by mid-2025.

Despite the unfortunate state of the golf course, I still found it relatively playable and still could post a score. I look forward to returning next year.

Nice 9 hole course. Plenty of challenges. Lots of water. Got to try to keep it on the fairway.

Friendly and informative pro shop staff. Course layout is very good with varying length holes and a number of water hazards.

Condition of course points to lack of proper maintenance. Fairways are generally in poor condition. Greens need a lot work but some of the blame lies with players not repairing ball marks. Not sure why they choose to mow fairways in late morning- slows play.

I cannot believe how run down this course has become. Tee boxes are completely bare and the greens are in really bad condition. One hole has been vandalized and greens need major repairs. The course has so much promise and probably needs a new owner and some investment to bring out its best potential.

Worst course in the area only play for a hot deal price. For $10 for 9 holes walking anything more is not worth it. The pace is horrible worst golfers out there play there. I only played 6 holes and then walked off the course because I didn’t want to wait anymore would have took 2 1/2 hours to play 9 holes on a short course. Gainsfield course 5 mins down the road is more worth it for iron work and putting .