West Hartford’s Rockledge Golf Course opened for the season as of Wednesday, March 13, 2024.
Golfers enjoy the spring weather on March 13, the 2024 opening day at Rockledge Golf Club in West Hartford. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
By Ronni Newton
The Town of West Hartford announced Tuesday evening that Rockledge Golf Club would open for the season on March 13, and with sunny and mild weather on tap for the day, dozens of golfers hit the links on opening day.
“We had at least 65 to 75 players, and many people buying season passes,” said Josh Moses, who was named the pro at Rockledge in late February.
Moses is excited about the opening of the season, and about his new position. He was the assistant pro at Rockledge for the past two seasons and prior to that was an assistant pro at Greathorse in Hamden, Massachusetts. He was hired following a Request for Proposal process by the Town of West Hartford, and both the Rockledge Men’s and Women’s Clubs were highly supportive of his appointment.
“I’m going to operate the golf course the best way I know how,” said Moses, serving the town and the course patrons.
He grew up in East Longmeadow, Massachusetts, and has golfed most of his life, including in high school and at Nichols College.
Golfers enjoy the spring weather on March 13, the 2024 opening day at Rockledge Golf Club in West Hartford. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
This year is the 100th anniversary of Rockledge, and Moses is eager for the celebration. “It will be part of everything we do here,” he said. There will be a 100-year logo that will be run use, and a gala is in the planning stages to be geld on the course this fall.
The Rockledge Golf Shop has been recently remodeled, and merchandise is arriving daily to stock the shelves. Going forward, he hopes to keep the Golf Shop open pretty much year-round, and it will complement the expanded year-round operations of the driving range, for which there are plans for significant improvement and modernization with the addition of 20 covered tee stations and several enclosed bay, as well as a small snack bar and restroom facilities.
The Golf Shop at Rockledge Golf Club has been remodeled and merchandise is arriving to fill the shelves. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
The Golf Shop at Rockledge Golf Club has been remodeled and merchandise is arriving to fill the shelves. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Before the renovation of the driving range goes forward, a Special Use Permit needs to be secured from the Town Plan and Zoning Commission, and a hearing on that application is scheduled for April 1. There will be some downtime but the goal is to have the new driving range completed by August, Moses said, and it will be “the No. 1 driving range in the state of Connecticut.”
Also new is an irrigation system. “It’s about 90% done,” Moses said. The new system, for which the town received a grant, is amazingly efficient, he said, because it’s set up in zones allowing for portions of the course to be isolated which will have a significant impact on water conservation.
The Conard and Hall high school girls golf teams begin practice on Monday (the boys season is in the fall), and Moses said he is looking forward to running town clinics and camps for kids.
“It’s great to bring in new golfers,” he said. The assistant pro position is open, and he said once the driving range project is complete, he will look to bring in a teaching pro as well.
Golfers enjoy the spring weather on March 13, the 2024 opening day at Rockledge Golf Club in West Hartford. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Carts aren’t permitted yet because the course is still a bit wet, but “everyone is super excited,” Moses said. Despite the above-average rainfall over the past several months, he said Tim Nadeau, the golf course superintendent at Rockledge, has done a great job preparing the grounds.
Tee times can now be reserved online here and are on a first-come, first-serve basis. Because the weather can be unpredictable, hours may be adjusted but are currently 8 a.m. until dusk.The practice greens, driving range, and Golf Shop are also open during regular seasonal hours. Season passes and discount passes are available for sale.
More information about Rockledge Golf Club can be found on the website.
Any questions can be directed to the Golf Shop, at 860-561-8280.
The opening of the golf course means that for safety reasons the trails on the Rockledge Golf Course that the public uses for walking and running during the off-season – as well as cross country skiing and snowshoeing when there is snow – are closed for the season.
Golfers enjoy the spring weather on March 13, the 2024 opening day at Rockledge Golf Club in West Hartford. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Golfers enjoy the spring weather on March 13, the 2024 opening day at Rockledge Golf Club in West Hartford. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Golfers enjoy the spring weather on March 13, the 2024 opening day at Rockledge Golf Club in West Hartford. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Rockledge Golf Club in West Hartford is open for the 2024 season. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
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