There’s a certain feeling of grandeur the first time you turn through the large stone gates onto Silverwood Terrace, home to The Orchards Country Club. As you pass the cozy homes on either side, you can’t help but feel as though everything is simply meant to be there. Then you reach the pink blossom tree, and it becomes apparent that this place is so much more than you originally believed it to be.
On your right is the driving range, complete with astro turf hitting mats and top of the line golf ball holders. Every hitting bay is full with yellow Callaway practice balls, which help provide golfers with smoother contact and increased accuracy. On your left you can just make out the practice green, which is wider than a house.
All of this may seem nice and new, but the course provides golfers with the feeling that this has always been here, and that’s how it will always be. This is partially true, as it was created in 1922 for Elizabeth Skinner, who lived just across the street. She was tired of having to travel far away simply to play the game she loved, so her father hired Donald Ross to make her a nine hole golf course across the street.
Donald Ross is recognized
as one of the greatest golf course designers to ever live, creating around 400 different courses in his limited years. At the time it simply seemed like another job, but this couldn’t have been more wrong. The Orchards golf club has stood the test of time better than anyone could have anticipated, just celebrating their centennial year in 2022. I was fortunate enough to attend this party, and it was a perfect mixture of class and enjoyment.
Another nine holes was added to the course in 1927, and once this occurred The Orchards were very similar to how we know it now. Through this time it has accumulated a rich history of hosting tournaments, which consist of the 2004 U.S Women’s Open, and the 2002 NCAA Women’s DIII National Championships.
Knowing all this extensive information about the clubs history, playing the course gives off the same feel as walking through a museum. This course is older than your great grandfather, and it seems to simply belong there. The course rolls with the hills, each hole fitting together like pieces of the most perfect puzzle.
These hills are most evident on holes like the par five number three, with its false front green and large mound in the middle of the fairway. Or these are prominent on the elevated sixth teebox, with the large pond within driving distance down the left hand side.
The greens are consistently difficult to read throughout the year, making the course one of the most difficult in the area. They are slick, and fast like rolling a ball down a basketball court. The thick rough 2 feet off the green seems hard to miss, and even harder to efficiently get out of. Despite these challenges, the greens role smooth no matter when you play the course, which is something they are very proud of.
All in all this course was in incredible shape, with just enough challenge to keep you frustrated but enough beauty to keep you coming back.
Five out of five paws. Would recommend for anyone who has the chance.
