The par-71 layout in Belchertown will open to the public on June 1.
Cold Spring Country Club In Belchertown will open to the public on June 1.BELCHERTOWN – Local golf jeopardy: Four-letter word describing status of golf on Cold Spring property.
What is . . . O-P-E-N?
Cold Spring Country Club will open to play for public on June 1, ending approximately 15 years of legal and financial troubles of previous owners.
What golfers will find is a scenic, playable course described as having a “Crumpin-Fox” feel and daily-fee access
“We’ll be a high-end facility with moderate (priced) greens fees and membership rates that are appealing,” Cold Spring CC manager and head golf professional Bill Tragakis said. “we are very excited. A start-up course requires a lot of work, but we’re going to offer people a fantastic experience.”
The 260-acre property, along both sides of Route 21, has long been a topic among the golf community, but it is now less than seven weeks away from opening to the public.
“We can’t wait . . . the golf course itself has been ready for more than a year,” Tragakis said
Cold Spring CC will be the first golf course to open in Western Massachusetts since the summer of 2002, when The Ranch Golf Club in Southwick and Ledges Golf Course in South Hadley each opened.
The course was purchased, in partial state of completion, for approximately $2.35 million at a foreclosure auction in 2009. New ownership – a China-based family with multiple international business ventures – asked that its name not be made public.
“Ownership has a love for the game of golf and they want a five-star operation, from the conditions, to the facility to the service,” Tragakis said.
Tragakis has described the 260-acre property as having a “Crumpin-Fox” feel, in reference to a layout where most holes are set apart from each other, aesthetically pleasing and it caters to all levels of golfers.
The par-71 layout, with seven holes located on the east side of Route 21, is unique in that it has six par 3s and five par 5s.
“That’s why the (total) distance can be deceiving . . . it’ll be the longest 6,521 you’ll play,” Tragakis said. “We have a couple of par 4s in the 450 (yard) range and it’s not boring. There are doglegs right, doglegs left, short holes . . .”
The course plays at 6,521 yards from the black tees, where the course rating is 71.7 and slope is 130. The whites play at 67.8 with a course rating of 120.
Course conditions and maintenance are under the care and direction of superintendent Doug Stachura, who spent 30 years at Springfield Country Club, and first assistant Robbie Dickson.
Cold Spring Country Club manager and head golf pro Bill TragakisThe original Cold Spring CC project began during the sport’s boom, and the first rounds (May 1 for members) will mark the end of a trail of misfortunes since talk of building the club on a former apple orchard began in 1997.
Construction started in 2000, but was derailed when a business partner with the original ownership group was convicted of wire fraud.
The project then fell into the lap of an on-site contractor, who came within “weeks” of opening before he ultimately defaulted on a $4.2 million mortgage.
The process had dragged on so long that the original course architect with New Hampshire-based Armstrong Associates has since undergone a sex change. In addition, a number of greens have been re-shaped and the original drainage system has already been replaced.
But what members and daily-fee golfers will see this spring is a glimpse at what could quickly become one of the region’s gems.
“We had a full growing season in 2010, to see how the turf reacts to weather, conditions,” Dickson said. “That can prevent a lot of problems and it was a huge reason they wanted to wait.”
Water hazards are few and its bunkers, with bright-white sand, are filled with crushed marble from quarries in North Adams
“You’ll need to wear sunglasses, no lie,” Dickson said. “People think it’s snow out there.”
Greens fees, with a cart, during weekend play in the summer are $75. Twilight rates (after 2 p.m.) are $35 without a cart. Tee times can be booked seven days in advance.
Full individual membership for a single adult is $1,725 per year, while a family rate goers for $2,900. Junior membership is listed at $300 and seniors are at $750. Tragakis said there was no initial target number for memberships, but said 300 would be ideal.
The 6,700-square foot clubhouse, with a first-floor pro shop, upstairs restaurant and west-facing, outdoor patio, is located halfway up the “mountain.”
Plans for as many as 150 homes and a banquet facility are eyed for the top of the hill, with panoramic views in all directions.
“You can see the Berkshires, Connecticut, Vermont . . .” Tragakis said.
The course is located seven miles north of the Massachusetts Turnpike’s Exit 7 in Ludlow and its main phone number is (413) 323-4888.
Full description of rates are available here.