Boston is the ideal spot to take a stroll and hit a few shots in the fall. When The Fliers Club invited us to their inaugural Summit at Charles River Country Club, we jumped at the chance to participate. Attending a get-together of golf industry folks at a 100-year-old Ross classic was a no-brainer in our book.
Despite the wet conditions, we had a blast navigating this stellar layout. The Newton, Massachusetts property is located just a few minutes from The Country Club, which will host the 2022 U.S. Open. Like other area clubs, The River really showcases the natural landscape with rolling fairways and exposed rock outcroppings. There’s a great look and feel to a classic design on bent grass when the leaves are starting to turn.
The front nine is an enjoyable set of holes with numbers 3, 4 and 5 on the west side of Winchester Street. Fun fact: the Charles River borders the course only at the short flip wedge par-three fourth. From a breather par-3, you are thrown into the fire on the uphill beast par-4 fifth. We had a good laugh thinking about 1920s golfers trying to play this hole with hickories.
Another standout on the front nine is the beautiful and tough par-four eighth. Carved through a few different slopes with ample fescue and bunkering, this hole truly encapsulates New England fall ball. Any shot short of this green is coming back to you and good luck if the pin is front right as it was for us.
Things really get interesting on the finishing nine. You notice it right away on the par-5, or as our host would say par-4.5, tenth hole. The second shot is directly downhill, and this is the first of a number of elevated shots you will encounter on the back.
One of the most captivating visual “reveals” is on the par-4 twelfth hole, an uphill then downhill slight dogleg left. We crested the hill at about the 170-yard mark, and the view was incredible. The green is situated in a small hollow with a vivid backdrop of blazing orange and red trees.
We’re suckers for classic on-course infrastructure, and The River’s two wooden walking bridges did not disappoint. The more impressive of the two is located on the par-3 fourteenth, offering a scenic view of the fall foliage and our upcoming tee shot.
Holes fifteen and sixteen are enjoyable back-to-back par fives where you can reclaim a few strokes before heading in. Sixteen is the tougher of the two, with an intense uphill approach and walk, especially in the rain! To finish, the eighteenth is a demanding straightaway par-4. The green is set down as if in an amphitheater, and one can just imagine the mid-summer atmosphere here during club events.
One thing is certain, The Fliers Club is a consummate pro at running golf events. Everything from the check-in to the tee gifts to the announcements was world class. We want to thank The Fliers Club President and the TFC team for including H&B in the Summit. We can’t wait to return to Charles River for another round. We'd also like to thank Charles River Country Club's Head Pro, Daniel Taylor, for making us feel so welcome during The Summit and for presenting H&B so well in the pro shop.
