Wannamoisett, Rhode Island, USA  

The Wannamoisett golf course in Rumford, Rhode Island has everything and yet the property didn't. The fact that Donald Ross managed to get so much out of seemingly so little is testimony to his skill as an architect (it is also testimony to the fact that his Rhode Island summer office isn't far away).

It is well documented that Wannamoisett occupies only 104 acres. What isn't as well known is the variety that Ross enthused into each hole. The two-shot holes in particular are a fascinating mix and taken as a group, they are of singular merit. There are several monstrously difficult par fours, two of them (the 2^nd and 9^th) requiring forced carries over gullies. On the medium length par fours like the 5^th, the golfer may well hit the green only to appear foolish as his putt from the back continues to roll until it comes to rest off the front of the green. The shortest two-shotter (the 7^th) fittingly possesses the most wicked green.

The art of fairway bunkering is alive and well at Wannamoisett. There are 29 fairway bunkers on the front nine alone (compare that to Augusta National). Not only is length required off most tees, but the better golfer is always given something to do. Can he fade the tee ball around the bunkers on the inside of the 5^th hole? Can he hit a rifle straight shot down the 7^th fairway and avoid the five fairway bunkers? Can he draw it up the throat of the 10^th fairway? Does he carry the pond on the 14^th or lay off to the left? Decisions, decisions… that is what makes any course fun not just on the first round but for many thereafter.

At Wannamoisett, once you are in the fairway, the fun is just beginning. The approach shots vary from a hard chasing shot that runs onto the 1^st green to flying the brook on the 2^nd hole, to hitting a plateau green on the 3^rd… you get the point. Ross excelled (even for him) in the green site selections at Wannamoisett. Greens like the 5^th and 15^th seem to nestle in their own saddle while a punchbowl green like the 10^th always adds spice to any proceedings.

The 4th green is an extension of the fairway, allowing the player a reasonable
opportunity to bounce in his approach on this 445 yard hole.

Once on the green, Ross's talent is most evident. Many good golfers, such as those who play in the annual Northeast Amateur, will tell you that these are Ross's finest greens. The original random undulations remain. The greens possess great diversity and range from a punchbowl to an elevated green like the 7^th that falls away on all sides. Hitting the right shot to stay on the right side of the hole becomes an exercise in skill. Given today's conditioning of the greens and their pacing, the golfer will soon appreciate the value of keeping the ball below the hole. To the authors, the praise of Inverness's small undulating greens is more deservedly placed here.

The cumulative result from the tee until the putt drops is a course that is good enough to test the best. Since 1962, Wannamoisett has hosted the Northeast Amateur, one of the most prestigious important amateur events in the country. The course is closed for a week and the members open their home doors to the contestants. The list of past champions from Ben Crenshaw to David Duval attests to the quality of the design.

Holes to Note

1^st hole and 2^nd hole, 430 and 475 yards respectively; Be ready is all we can say. While waiting to play during a rain delay, several members approached one of the authors and said words to the effect of 'Don't be too discouraged after the 4^th hole, you will be OK after that.' What a strange way to introduce your course and yet they were absolutely right.

The long approach to the 2nd: The creek 30 yards short of the green is
not visible but is still very much in play.

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