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May 2010
The Atkinson Resort and Country Club features 27 holes of golf in one of the finest atmospheres you’ll find in a public facility. From the moment you park your car a staff member is there to greet you, carry your bag, and point you in the right direction. After your round you’ll find a great view just off the 18th green on the resort’s patio restaurant.
The recent addition of a training facility on site makes Atkinson unique in that it has become a year round destination for New Hampshire golfers. The training facility features covered and heated hitting bays, three large instruction bays with the latest in video swing analysis technology, and a full service fitting facility. The training area has a large short game practice area, grass hitting stations, a lounge with complimentary wireless internet access, and several of the courses’ instructors are always around for a quick lesson or fitting.
Atkinson is committed to service. Few public facilities can match the level of individual attention and concern given to their patrons. Every player was treated like a member or like a guest of the resort.
The course is a tight, challenging test of players’ accuracy and mental makeup. Pine trees seem to jump out at your ball all around the back nine. It is a very difficult course to play the first time, at least half the holes on the course feature blind or semi-blind shots, small creeks, ponds and other hazards. The greens are fair, and always break towards the closest water hazard which on most holes is pretty close.
The front nine plays a bit longer and offers slightly more breathing room off the tee, while the back nine is tighter with more elevation changes and blind shots. The back nine defends itself well with a pair of legitimate three shot par fives guarded by fairway bunkers, creeks, elevation changes, and trees. If you can keep your wits the 18th is a great reward. The short par four features a small man made creek a few paces from the front of the green, use the clubhouse's rooftop flags for wind direction and make sure you have one more great shot left for the gallery assembled on patio.
Anyone who hasn’t come back to Atkinson in the last couple years should feel welcome to return. Head Professional Peter Doherty and his staff cleared dozens of trees, widened nearly every fairway, and made the rough less penal over the last five seasons making Atkinson much more user-friendly while maintaining a slope rating of 135. The alterations maintained the demanding nature of the course, but made stray shots difficult recoveries instead of round killers.
Even early in the season, with rates still at their reduced winter level the course was unfailingly playable and often times was in surprisingly good shape.
Atkinson will test every club in your bag and can be a great equalizer on your next golf trip to the Manchester area. The layout will keep the long hitters honest, and the tight back nine will play into the strengths of shorter hitters and smarter players. The resort is a gem of the New Hampshire Golf Trail.
Atkinson Resort & Country Club is less than an hour’s drive from Boston and less than 30 miles from Manchester. Tee times can be made through the pro shop at (603) 362-8700. For more information and a detailed course layout visit http://www.atkinsonresort.com/golf.htm |
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