The International: Oaks Course

Bolton, MA, United States • Private

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Overview

Architect Tripp Davis says this property outside of Boston, with its forested ambiance and rocky, rollercoaster terrain, demanded a more rugged look. That’s what he and shaper Jason Gold gave it, creating expanses of exposed sand and native grasses and bunker edges that look chewed upon. They also added width to the holes, expanded greens and moved tees to make for more meaningful shot options. The Oaks hosted a LIV Golf Invitational Series in 2022.

About

Holes 18

Length 6944

Slope 132

Facility Type Private

Year Opened 2001

Designer Thomas Fazio, ASGCA/(R) Tripp Davis

Awards

Best in State: Ranked 10th, 2013-'14. Ranked inside the top 10, 2003-'05, 2009. Ranked 14th, 2015-'16. Ranked inside the top 15, 2007. Ranked 19th, 2011-'12.

Panelists

Ratings from our panel of 1,900 course-ranking panelists

100 GREATEST/BEST IN STATE SCORES

Shot Options

6.5189

Character

6.2197

Challenge

6.5814

Layout Variety

6.5571

Fun

6.5488

Aesthetics

6.5152

Conditioning

6.5836

Reviews

1 / 8

Review

“A real surprise. Tripp Davis really did a good job with putting a facelift on an old Fazio layout. Number 15 looked like it had been transported from Pine Valley. If Coore/ Crenshaw do as good job on the Pines course it will be a great 36 hole facility. Worth trying to get a tee time as a guest."

2022

2 / 8

Review

“The course was in good condition. It had undergone an extensive bunker renovation. A lot of tees were laser leveled. The greens were very big. Each green had a bunker covering one side of the green and the other side had an alley way to the green. It gave you 2 options if the pin was tucked behind the bunker. One you could go right at it or two play safe to the unprotected side. Very enjoyable to play."

2022

3 / 8

Review

“The course lacks the risk/reward options that are key to separating good courses from great ones. Instead what the Oaks course presents is a challenge of execution. Tee balls that are kept within the tree-lined corridors will give players a chance to score on what’s most definitely a second shot golf course. The majority of these greens have defined sections frequently separated by ridges and spines that put an emphasis on accurate iron play. While the course is certainly well-manicured, it’s not the most visually interesting. Aesthetics are somewhat monotonous despite the sometimes extreme land movement. There was a disconnect between the bright white bunker sand and several more natural waste areas that almost made it seem as if the renovation was incomplete. Given the mountainous terrain it’s probably a course that could never achieve our conditioning ideal, but despite that, and some rain 24 hours prior to my visit, I thought the fairways were surprisingly bouncy and I could see the greens firming up throughout the round"

2022

4 / 8

Review

“Generous fairways and strong strategic bunkering offer good risk reward options off the tee and most greens will accept a aerial or ground attack. No development in view and great mountain terrain add to the aesthetics and although there are no caddies, I was able to walk the course fairly easily. Feels like an old classic. Conditioning was really nice tee to green. Fairways a bit soft from rain the night before and due to prep for upcoming LIV event. Greens complexes were interesting and greens were receptive but fast."

2022

5 / 8

Review

“The Oaks Course at the International is a semi-private, mid-upscale Tom Fazio course located in Central Massachusetts. The Oaks has an mix of good and relatively weak holes. Like many Fazio courses there is width off the tee and the appropriate landing area (L or R) dictates the preferred line in for your second/third shot on par 4's and 5's. That being said, there seems to be a lack of strategy necessary when standing on the tee trying to determine your optimum line. While predominately tree lined, the fairways are incredibly wide in most instances, rarely require to take your driver out of hand. While the appropriate angle is always great, there is limited severity with the green sites and their surrounds/bunkering. The good golfer would be thinking less about line and more about what distance they would like in for their 2nd shots (3rd hole for instance is a wide open 350 par 4 with one small bunker which really isn't in play. One could simply hit a driver as far as they want with a 60 yard wide fairway or lay back to a specific number) The course has a mountain like feel with some dramatic down hill holes #4 but also some incredibly lengthy journeys from tee to green. The front 9 is the easier and shorter of the two 9's but the back has a more interesting collection of holes."

2022

6 / 8

Review

“Still a club in transition but it'll be quite interesting to see it in a few years after both courses and other buildings/infrastructure are complete."

2022

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