Evan Schiller
Evan Schiller
Evan Schiller
Evan Schiller
Evan Schiller
Evan Schiller
Overview
Fenway is a fine A.W Tillinghast design that often gets overlooked because of its famous neighbors, Winged Foot and Quaker Ridge. That being said, Fenway’s unique features with fantastic green complexes and interesting topography allow it to stand out to those who get to experience it. From the massive Sahara bunker on the third hole to the Principal's Nose bunkers on the 10th, Fenway’s thoughtful bunkering stands out. After Gil Hanse was hired to restore the course to Tillinghast’s original handiwork the course has been rejuvenated and will co-host the stroke-play qualifying for the U.S. Mid-Amateur in 2023.
About
Awards
Ranking history:
100 Greatest: Ranked in 1966.
Best in State: Ranked Top 20 in New York in 2001 & 2015-2018; Top 25 in 2003, 2011-2012, & 2019-2020; Top 30 2009, 2013-2014, & since 2021.
2023-'24 ranking: 29th.
Previous ranking: 26th.
Panelists
Ratings from our panel of 1,900 course-ranking panelists
100 GREATEST/BEST IN STATE SCORES
Shot Options
Character
Challenge
Layout Variety
Fun
Aesthetics
Conditioning
Reviews
Review
“Fenway Golf Club – 8/1/2024 Tucked between Scarsdale, Westchester, and Mamaroneck there are 5x more golden age golf courses than there are Trader Joe’s locations. In a sea of options, Fenway can hold its own. In the early 1920s, AW Tillinghast was provided ample opportunities in the area and the 1924 opening of Fenimore Golf Club, later to be renamed Fenway Golf Club, stood out as a stern test as a 70 par 6,680-yard course. Since that time, many other courses around the area have grown and hosted major championships, Fenway remained in the shadows. Since Gil Hanse has been the restoration architect of record since the early 2000s, Fenway has quietly become a strong candidate with interesting land movement and quick greens that offer generous openings for slow-swinging golfers, not the case at many others. The first third of the golf course is confined to a smaller section on the east of the property, the first hole is a gentle handshake but requires less than driver which can put the better golfer on the backfoot or offer a birdie chance right out the gate. Followed by a nice mid-length par-4 back towards the clubhouse, the 3rd hole shines. The first of two par-5s and the last one before the 18th hole, the hole asks for a straight drive with excellent bunkering and OB left. After a well struck drive, the second shot offers a chance to get home in two, but the severe uphill approach to the green is guarded by two deep well positioned bunkers on the front right. The green like many others has internal kickers and spines that can set up an easy two putt or difficult 3 putt depending on placement. Once you’re on the top of the southernly hill, the 4th is a short 3, followed by a brawny 4, and excellent long uphill 3. This cadence keeps the golfer interested and excited, provides opportunities to either excel or be made to look foolish. Particularly the two 3s that are 100-yards in difference for distance. Once walking to the green on the sixth, the expanse of the rest of the course can be viewed for the first time. With very few trees to block the view, the rolling land moves down the hill towards a creek and pond back up to the hill where you can see 6 holes flow back and forth against the backdrop. Nearly all the greens offer options short and deep rough penalizes shots missed left and right, this will undoubtedly improve the fun for shorter hitters compared to more daunting designs in the surrounding area. There are four shorter par-4s that offer varied options off the tee and the greens can be dialed or down at the discretion of the greens committee. Overall, Fenway Golf Club was a fun, moderately challenging, well-conditioned course that deserves to be in the second 100. It’s not going to win any awards but is a great example of what attention to detail, removal of trees and green expansion can do to improve playability and variety for courses pinned in by houses and roads on all sides."
Read More2024
Review
“Tillinghast design...the greens showcase a great deal of variety in shape, size and contour. Some of the most unique greens i have played. Many of the greens are expansive/large with a significant amount of undulation, very challenging. The greens slope mostly from front to back with speed, penal if on the wrong side of the green or when recovering green side in the rough or bunker. Each of the holes differ from each other enhancing the layout with elevation changes, doglegs left and right, short (drivable first hole very unique) and long par 4's. A memorable golf course that is challenging and unique."
Read More2024
Review
“Green slopes and speeds add to the challenge and penalize the golfer who misses on their approach. Each hole felt like it was different from the last. Several holes had a distance from green to tee. This Tillinghast design is true to form, with green complexes that were undulating and challenging."
Read More2024
Review
“Fenway is an excellent Tillinghast design recently renovated by Gil Hanse. While not overly long and on a small property, the course features strong variety and especially notable greens, which are large, heavily undulating, and make the course challenging. Risk/reward opportunities begin on the first hole, which is only 267 yards and dead straight, but features a very well-defended green that leaves many golfers scratching their head when they walk away with bogey. There are only two par fives and both are reachable and another especially memorable hole is the drivable par 4 14th, which features one of the most severe and narrow greens I've ever seen. Fenway is a course that gets a bit overlooked considering there are three fantastic Tillinghast designs within several miles, but is a course that is well-worth a play and features some of the most interesting greens in America."
Read More2024
Review
“Tough course that was renovated by Hanse. Well worth your time if you can get on the course."
Read More2018
Review
“Great club and course. Nice variety with great conditioning. Doesn't get the recognition due to the other great coursed in the area, but a Must Play if you get the opportunity."
Read More2018
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