Shining Rock Golf Club
The newest addition to the New England golf landscape, Shining Rock Golf Club in Northbridge, MA, has been receiving accolades for its dramatic layout since opening on April 23. An 80-foot high sheer cliff of granite stands prominently near the 16th green, offering a beautiful panorama of the Blackstone River Valley. The abundance of mica found in the glacial rock causes the formation to glisten in the sunshine shortly after rain. It proved to be a landmark for early settlers to the valley, including the Nipmuc Indian tribe, thus coining the phrase Shining Rock. The evolution of the golf course has also become a story unto itself. In 2000, the course was first considered by a local developer to be built along with 350 units of housing, which the town of Northbridge fully endorsed. Soon after the first hole (No. 18) was built in 2004, financial difficulties ensued and the project went into foreclosure. The course eventually became a design project much in line with the hilly landscape which it sits on.
According to construction site superintendent Patrick Sullivan, there were only three holes that could actually be shaped. Dirt was in heavy demand for the remaining holes. "We were short 1 million yards of dirt," said Sullivan. We brought in 100 trucks a day with dirt from Boston for 2 years. It's a real integral part of the setting as to how this course was built." Construction was ongoing over three years at 3-to- 4 holes per year with the course substantially completed by 2008. The end result is a stunning, 165-acre tract carved out of rolling landscape that affords sweeping vistas with chiseled beauty. A major component of this par-72 golf course is shorter par 4's and longer par 3's. From the blue tees (6,210 yards), the shortest of the par 3's is 176 yards while there are four quirky par 4's measuring slightly less than 300 yards. Thee teeth of the course is holes 2- thru-6, which are narrow and hilly with multi-tiered greens. The longer back nine opens up considerably and the greens aren't as severely sloped. A make-or break score will definitely come from around the greens. A good short game will go a long way in mastering this layout.
Both Hopkinton CC and Shining Rock GC are managed by Niblick Golf Inc., which is owned by Tim Gordon. Hopkinton CC charter or full-golf members receive unlimited access to tee times at Shining Rock, while other Hopkinton membership categories receive reciprocal playing privileges for a modest greens fee. "It's a hybrid," said Gordon. "With the private component of Hopkinton (CC) having access over here, we're trying out a regional cluster to enhance the overall appeal. The addition of Shining Rock Golf Club to the membership of Hopkinton (CC) puts our membership as one of only four private clubs in the state, and the only club in Metrowest, to offer 36 holes of golf to their members. "Our goal is to accommodate a significant number of players," said Gordon, who is looking to host outings and charity tournaments. "We believe we have a very special golf course that should prove to be exceptionally popular with New England golfers."
For more information and tee times, visit www.shiningrock.com or call 508-234-0400. For membership information, contact Tim Gordon at 508-735-7540.
Bob DiCesare is a regular contributer to myNEGM, is the golf writer for the Enterprise in Brockton, MA, and he is also a member of the International Network of Golf.
