Courtesy of Jon Cavalier
Wannamoisett Country Club
Rumford, RI • Private
Wannamoisett Country Club
96 Hoyt Ave
Rumford, RI 02916-2598
United States
Overview
Built on just 89 acres, barely enough for 18 holes, no room for even a small practice range, with lots of bunkers and tiny greens, the Donald Ross-designed Wannamoisett has long held the reputation of the Sugar Ray Leonard of golf courses, compact but carrying plenty of punch. The course has received a number of renovations over the decades, the latest by Andrew Green in 2021, which included green and fairway expansions, the rebuilding of the bunkers in a more authentic Ross style (based on the architect's field notes and sketches) and the continuation of an existing tree clearing program. A long-time host to one of amateur golf’s premier events, the Northeast Amateur Invitational, Wannamoisett is considered today the best par-69 layout in the land.
About
Awards
Ranking history:
Second 100 Greatest: Ranked since 2013.
Previous ranking: 163rd.
2025-'26 ranking: 146th.
100 Greatest: Ranked in 1966 and 1975 through 2004.
Highest ranking: 35th, 2001-'02
Best in State: Top 5 in state since 1977, ranked 1st in state 1985-2011, ranked 2nd in state 2013-'14 and 2025-'26.
Previous ranking: 3rd.
2025-'26 ranking: 2nd.
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
“Wannamoisett Country Club - Rumford, RI Wannamoisett is the best argument in the country for what a great architect can do with almost nothing to work with. The property is 100 acres, barely enough for 18 holes and no room at all for a practice range - yet Donald Ross's 1914 redesign packs in a genuinely difficult, genuinely varied par-69 test. Ross is on record, calling it among the best work of his career, and having played it, that claim doesn't feel like hyperbole. Every square foot of the site is used, and the routing keeps the golfer moving in a different direction almost every hole to make the most of a relentless Rhode Island wind. Challenge is where the course announces itself most loudly. The 2nd and 9th both demands forced carries over gullies on their way to being two of the hardest two-shot holes in the state, and the par-3 3rd - at roughly 130 yards depending on the tee marker - is the acknowledged signature hole and the emblem of the Donald Ross Society, a tiny, tightly defended green that punishes anything but a precise strike. Shot Options are sharper than the yardage suggests, since the small targets and Ross's crowned, contoured greens force real decision-making on approach even when the tee shot itself is straightforward. Andrew Green's 2021 restoration expanded several greens and fairways and rebuilt the bunkering to match Ross's original field sketches, and the result is a course that feels remarkably fresh for its age - Conditioning here is as good as anything I've evaluated in New England, firm and true in a way that rewards the ground game the design was built around. Layout Variety and Aesthetics are good rather than spectacular, which has more to do with the site than the architecture - there's only so much natural variety available on a property this size, and Ross does about as much with it as seems possible. This is a course that punches enormously above its acreage, and it's easy to see why it's held onto its reputation as one of Ross's most personally cherished designs. For a compact, walkable test that never stops asking real questions with real consequences, Wannamoisett is hard to beat."
Read More2026
Review
“For a par 69, wannamoisett packs a punch. Although not many hazards, the challenge here is really high due to quite a few difficult par fours and very firm/fast ross greens. When you finally reach some of the shorter holes, the complexity and difficulty of the green complexes ramps up making them equally challenging. Tee shots are relatively open, although the rough is highly penal and some of andrew green's new bunker locations bring them much more in play for the better, longer players. The removal of tons of trees allows for high marks in shop optionality, which was also enhanced by some of the closely mown areas green added around the greens. Variety is also very high given no two holes play or look alike and the golfer is forced to use his full arsenal of clubs and shot shapes. Character scores increased post-Green as he restored many of the original green shapes including the iconic ross short par 3 3rd. The lowest score is for aesthetics, although still relatively high. Despite being a true land-locked parkland course with no real backdrops, the true beauty of the golf course lies within each hole and the overall routing as opposed to the surrounding vistas."
Read More2026
Review
“Par 69 with plenty of challenge. Great routing and fantastic restoration by Andrew Green with excellent bunkering."
Read More2026
Review
“Great classic layout"
Read More2025
Review
“Great renovation. Don't let the par 69 fool you....lots of long, difficult par fours. Short par three third is a treat, almost a Ross volcano."
Read More2025
Review
“Arguably one of the best courses in New England. Recent renovation by Andrew Green turned out great. Tremendous green complexes with a varied routing. Bucket list course that should be played at every opportunity."
Read More2024
Review
“Elite set of greens with some genius golf holes"
Read More2023
Review
“Great group of par 4's. Conditioning very good. Hole number 3 a par 3 is the logo for the Donald Ross Society."
Read More2023
Review
“Classic Donald Ross design that recently underwent an Andrew Green renovation. It's amazing how much Ross got out of this small parcel of land. He used every inch to perfection. Don't let the par of 69 fool you. There are plenty of long, difficult holes to challenge even the best players. The staff is most welcoming. If invited, don't pass up the opportunity to play here."
Read More2023
Review
“Wannamoisett is a great Donald Ross classic, this time on a tiny property near Providence, Rhode Island. The course is well-known for packing an near-absurd level of challenge and variety into it's 6800-yard par 69 course that uses every inch of its property to great effect. Despite hosting the prestigious Northeast Amateur each year, Wanny tends to sit slightly below mass (pun intended) consciousness, as it maintains hidden gem status even though it is only 40 miles from the Boston Donald Ross stalwarts. The variety in this course is astounding, as only here can you find the 130-yard par three 3rd hole sandwiched between 510 (!) and 455 yard par fours. Ross also used a small central hill to great effect, essentially setting greens or tees on the feature for the 5th through 13th, and 15th holes!"
Read More2022
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