Richter Park GC
Danbury, CT
Top 25 Golf Digest publics
Golf Magazine Review: I haven't been around nearly as much as some of my esteemed colleagues at Golf Magazine and Sports Illustrated, but this weekend I found a course that I enjoyed as much as any I've ever played -- Richter Park in Danbury, Conn. As advertised on the course's official site, fall is especially kind to this layout. We saw trees in every imaginable autumn color. The course has challenging greens, a great natural layout, and amazing views of the West Lake Reservoir, which comes into play on several holes on the front nine.
The course also has one unique hazard I'd never encountered before -- quicksand! On several holes, signs warn against venturing into the woods for fear of ending up like Lord Beasley Waterford on Gilligan's Island.
For non-residents, the course is $95 on weekends and $85 on weekdays, but Danbury natives pay only $48 with cart, $32 to walk. That's got to be one of the best deals in town.
Golf.com Review: This well-conditioned course has water hazards coming into play on several holes. Even though the fairways are tree lined, they are wide open, and the greens are large and fast. Since the terrain is so hilly, walking can be strenuous, so riding a cart is advised. During weekdays, the first two hours of play are reserved for residents. The first three weekends of the season are first come, first serve for tee times, then the club uses the lottery system for setting times. Junior discounts and lessons and senior discounts are available for residents.
Where To Booze & Grub: Richter Park also offers Cafe on the Green Restaurant (www.cafeonthegreenrestaurant.com), a full service restaurant and bar with seating for 120 in a formal dining room. A grill room and patio area are also available.
Fat Guy Recommendations: I spent an overnighter here once on an interview with a local company (I didn't get--and wasn't sure I wanted--the job), but unfortunately it wasn't during golf season so I didn't get the chance to play Richter Park. For good eats in town, hit Rosy Tomorrow's. While it looks like the building was a train station in a former life, a discussion with the bartender revealed that the owner built the joint one section at a time with his own hands. The place houses multiple levels under gabled roof lines, with a handcrafted wooden bar perfect for bellying up. Friendly bartenders, a varied menu, knickknacks in every corner of every wall, and the kind of genuine atmosphere the Applebee's of the world have been copying since the '80's. The area's only Gentlemen's club worth going to is Allanz (sp?) at I-84 Exit 8, per the barkeep at Rosy's.