Smith-Collett Classic at Shennecossett Golf Course

Shennecossett Golf Course is among the oldest courses in the state, with the original layout consisting of four holes constructed near the Ocean House and Edgcomb House hotels on Groton's eastern point in 1898.  The course was expanded over the years to eventually become an eighteen-hole facility.  Donald Ross completely redesigned the course in 1914, with further modifications in 1919.  It is the state's only public Donald Ross track, and today it has been only minimally modified from Ross' original layout.  Those modifications were the result of a 1997 land swap with Pfizer, which led to the redesign of five holes by Mark Mungeam.  Mungeam's work blends well with the rest of Ross' 1919 design. Three of the newer holes overlook the Thames River, offering remarkable views of Long Island Sound and the occasional sighting of a submarine departing the New London Naval Base. The current superintendent, Eric Morrison, has helped return the course to its roots by improving drainage, reducing irrigation, restoring the course's many bunkers, and replacing trees with areas of longer native grasses. The result is a course that runs firm and breezy -- it is an excellent test of hickory golf.

The tournament is named after two of Shennecossett's golfing greats -- Alex Smith and Glenna Collett Vare.  Alex Smith was the 1906 and 1910 U.S. Open champion and the golf professional at Shennecossett for many years.  Glenna Collett (later Vare) was one of his pupils, and perhaps the greatest female golfer of all time.  "The Female Bobby Jones" was a long hitter (one of her drives was measured at 307 yards) and a frequent champion, winning four U.S. Women's Amateur championships between 1925 and 1930.  She once won sixteen consecutive tournaments, and she won seven times at Shennecossett's Griswold Invitational.  The Connecticut Hickory Golf Association's members are excited to honor the memory of these great golfers by bringing hickory golf back to Shennecossett.

Clubs must be antique hickory shafted clubs from 1935 or earlier, or modern replicas from the SoHG approved list of clubmakers.  If you have questions about club guidelines please email us and we are happy to help you determine if your clubs are eligible.  A limited number of rental sets are available for a fee of $20, payable by cash, check, or Venmo/PayPal to Jacob on the day of the event.  Period attire is not required but is highly encouraged!  For more detailed equipment and clothing guidelines see the Society of Hickory Golfers' Tournament Guidelines Page.  While food is not included, the Par Four Restaurant at the course will be open and available to players on the day of the event.  

For any questions, or for travel and accommodation recommendations, please contact Jacob Orcutt at jacob@cthickorygolf.org. 

To register for this year's event, please click here and complete the form.