Golf Course Review-Green Mountain National

Route 100, Sherburne (Killington), Vt. # 802-422-4653

This is one of the most attractive and interesting courses in the state. With many beautiful vistas, the course possesses some of the most appealing holes in Central Vermont. There is a lovely clubhouse and some fine playing conditions. Stone walls, new and old, dot the course. Green Mountain is an impressive venue. Confusion is often created by the presence of the word, "National" in the name, however. Visitors should not expect a grand, plush playing experience akin to the Country Club of Vermont or The Equinox. Those accustomed to the extravagant scale and luxurious trappings of high-end country clubs throughout states to the south may find this venue a bit rustic. This is a municipally owned course that uses the word, "National" to denote the fact that they have intended to create a course worthy of hosting professional tournaments.

Green Number 7

Our "Expert Opinions" poll has demonstrated that tournament-level players have been quite generous in their praises for the playability of this venue. The members of the FUTURES Tour have been as well. But, the "enthusiasts" (handicaps between 7 and 27) for whom these reviews are primarily aimed, have been a bit less glowing in their praises. In most instances it is a case of, "I'm glad that I went, but I am not sure that I want to go back too often." They are rarely critical, instead they are simply not as impressed as they thought they would be - a case of "raised expectations" failed to be met. Had this course been called the Green Mountain Golf Club, players would enter with a different set of criteria in the back of their minds. In all probability, they would be very impressed.

The nature of the playing challenges at this tough and rugged course also alienate more than a few visitors. A number of the features that help guarantee a tough, tournament layout can be annoying to average golfers - impossible for duffers. Many holes provide lengthy approach shots for weaker players. The thick, uncleared undergrowth that tightly borders many greens and fairways does not upset those players who rarely leave the intended landing zones. It is a serious problem for those that do. One PGA professional who regularly contributes his input to our reviews summed it up best, "It's a terrific course for me, but I don't think it's a very good 'resort' course. The average golfer will have too much trouble out there - a high score and a lot of lost golf balls."

Directly to the point was the reaction of an 18 year old, junior champion from the Upper Valley when he was asked to comment on Green Mountain, "It's my favorite course in Vermont, but it added ten strokes to my score." The gleam of delight in his eye gave credence to the recent Golf Digest ranking of this venue - #2 in the state of Vermont. As a resort course for those who love the moguls of Killington's Outer Limits and Devil's Fiddle, this is an absolute triumph. "Easy" they don't want. There are many double black diamond trails at Green Mountain.

Fairway Bunker - Number 9

This project was begun under the talented, new architect, Steve Durkee, a Sherburne resident. Due to problems and disputes, the town board members switched to the design firm of Bates & Couples midway through the project. Heavy, protracted rains during construction, cost overruns and a tight opening day schedule meant that this course got a bit short changed. As one town supervisor told one of our regular contributors, "We needed another $500,000 and a few more months of work." The first year or two was rough going, but some dedicated efforts over the last several years has noticeably elevated the playing status of this course. Cartpaths have been nicely paved and several areas with drainage problems have received structural work. This course improves every year.

There is much beauty and numerous touches of design elegance at Green Mountain. Many marvelous features and hole designs exist on this layout but. However, Green Mountain suffers from redundancy in some places. Too many holes have the same look, the same feel and require the same shotmaking skills. Those that enjoy the particular challenges and circumstances that are presented find that this to adds to the course. Those that prefer a wider diversity of hole designs, do not. Some enjoy the many narrow fairways and massively elevated tee boxes on the back nine, while some tire of them. Most prefer the open, varied terrain of the front nine where holes such as the par-5 sixth and the par-3 seventh are particularly nice.

The Sixth Green

Green Mountain was intentionally designed to be a long and difficult, tournament quality venue. What has emerged possesses the highest slope rating in the state - the whites are tougher than are the blues at all but a few rival courses. Expect high scores and lost golf balls, but also expect a playable course that can be readily manageable for mid-handicappers. Since there are no forced carries of any great length, shorter hitters can score adequately well if they can keep it out of the forests and thickets. Be prepared, though, to hit many approach shots with the longest clubs in your bag. If you own a fairway driver or strong 3, take it with you.

The Eighteenth Fairway

Those not adroit with the flatstick may plan on losing more than a few strokes putting on these large, sometimes hugely undulating, greens. Expect to encounter a few that apparently have no good landing zones whatsoever. They can require the golfer to fathom perplexing triple and quadruple breaks. While the presence of these few, contrived exaggerations (a curse apparent at many modern courses) can be distracting, it should also be noted that an equal number are as lovely and as fine as any you will encounter in the state. A few are even quite gentle. Number 18 is an absolute beauty! High praise is generally given to the graceful bunkering that is widespread throughout the entire layout. These traps come into play on most holes. Outright water hazards exist in only a few places, but little streams, wetlands and marshy areas do pop up quite often.

A few relative shortcomings aside, there is a great deal to recommend Green Mountain: a fine, little clubhouse, some stunning beauty, a number of exceptional holes and an overall feeling of "class". The course will doubtlessly mellow and improve even more over the years and become an increasingly valuable asset to the Vermont golfing community. To date, the town has showed a very admirable desire to maintain a constant program of on-course improvement. Their greens keeping standards have been consistently excellent and their bent grass tees and fairways grow nicer every year.

Approach to Eighteen

For any serious golfer, a trip up into the hills to investigate these offerings is well worth their time. But, if you are short off the tee or weak with the flat blade, be prepared for some very high scores. Macho types love to tackle the challenges and masochistic types love to hike it s steep back nine with bags in tow. If you are a long-hitting "pipeliner" you are going to be very, very fond of Green Mountain National - it plays longer than its 6600 yards would indicate. Many prefer playing the front nine as a separate (and walkable) course. It sets up as a beautiful, nine hole course unto itself.

The nature of Green Mountain makes it a fine compliment to the simpler, often easier, courses in the region. For tourists looking for a well-rounded golf destination, the Killington/ Woodstock/Rutland region now offers a good balance of playing options. During foliage season everyone loves Green Mountain National. It is fabulous!

A full-size range, sand trap and two practice greens are within walking distance of the clubhouse. Slope, rating and actual playing length are high.