Shennecossett Golf Course

Shennecossett Golf Course in Groton is the only public-access Donald Ross course in the state of Connecticut — a fact that by itself earns Shennecossett a place on every architecture-focused golf trip through New England. The course was founded in 1898 as a four-hole layout, gradually expanded to six, nine, and eventually eleven holes over the next 18 years, then Donald Ross redesigned the course in 1916 (one of only five Connecticut courses he designed). Ross returned in 1919 to reroute three additional holes, completing his work. The Town of Groton purchased the course on April 10, 1969, which opened Shennecossett to public play as the only Donald Ross public-access course in Connecticut. The playing roster in the Ross era is historically rich: Arnold Palmer, Walter Hagen, Bobby Jones, Tommy Armour, Francis Ouimet, Babe Didrikson, Marion Hollins, and Glenna Collett all walked these fairways — plus club professionals Alex Smith and Harry Cooper. That level of Golden Age playing history, combined with the Ross pedigree and public access, makes Shennecossett a must-play round for the Mystic / Foxwoods / southeastern Connecticut trip visitor. Paired naturally with Lake of Isles North and Mohegan Sun for a three-round southeastern Connecticut package.