“See that mountain; that’s toward Maine. If you look away from that mountain, you’re looking at Vermont. All putts break toward Vermont, so look at that mountain and you know they’ll break away from it.” That was the starter at the Panorama, the Donald Ross beauty at the Balsams. What he didn’t tell us was that any putt left above the hole was unlikely to drop. We learned those things as we proceeded around this stunning layout where Ross discovered how much more comfortable summers were in the White Mountains than in Carolina At 6804 from the back, the layout has plenty of challenge. Most of us play the blues at 6097 but the slope is still 130 due to the dramatic changes in elevation, several ponds, strategic traps and those sloping greens.
As enjoyable as playing the Panorama by the day can be, the total experience of staying at the Balsams adds so much more. This hotel at the base of Dixville Notch has been providing exceptional hospitality for more than a century and the golf package provides unlimited play. With an award winning culinary institute working in the kitchen guests on the full American plan need the exercise if they take advantage of the meals that come with the package. Most years, late September and early October are ideal times to golf at the Balsams and enjoy the spectacular foliage, but this year that changes. Ocean Properties has bought the resort and will close it September 14 for extensive renovations to the hotel. So book now or wait for the new resort with the same historic golf course next year.
Lake Morey
In 1905 the town of Fairlee, VT voted to allow George Kendall a five year tax exemption if he would build a hotel costing at least $8000. It was a good deal for the town as the hotel on the shores of Lake Morey is now the anchor of a resort that hosts conferences and multitudes of guests to enjoy everything from swimming and boating to golf. Of course, when the golf course was laid out between 1900 and 1915 and the back nine in 1929, no one could have known that an exit off I-91 would be just yards from the entrance to the resort. That proximity makes Lake Morey on of the easiest to access resorts in Northern New England. Golfers on the MAP get a full breakfast, dinner, green fees and unlimited use of most of the rest of the amenities for rates starting as low as $153 midweek and $175 weekends. Seven of the front nine are part of the original nine and laid out on flat land. Numbers 6 and 7, a pair of par threes are part of the newer back nine, part of a rerouting in 1989 that allowed 18 to finish at the clubhouse. At 6024 yards from the back tees the course is relatively short, but it provides enough challenge to have hosted the Vermont open for 50 years. Number 11 is a good example. At 369 yards this dogleg finishes over water. A drive down the left side will leave a mid to long iron in while a drive down the left could leave a wedge in , as long as it stays out of the pond that fronts the green. Lake Morey is the total resort offering plenty for non-golfers, with a golf course that is challenging and interesting but not punishing. The layout provides what most of us are really looking for on a golf vacation, fun.
About Greg Sampson
I am the Sales and Marketing Manager for NEGM. I am a member of the International Network of Golf & the Golf Writers Association of America. I specialize in customized all-inclusive programs across a multi-media platform.
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