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Jeffery R. Bertch
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Jeffery R. Bertch
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Jeffery R. Bertch
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Jeffery R. Bertch
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Jeffery R. Bertch
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Jeffery R. Bertch
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Jeffery R. Bertch
Overview
Essex County Club is considered the first great Donald Ross design and perhaps his most intriguing. He wasn’t the original architect, but he served as its professional from 1909 to 1913 (until his design business became so lucrative he no longer needed the pro job) and lived on site, so he was able to tweak many holes. Ultimately, he returned to do a substantial remodeling in 1917. Unusual holes are the order of the day, from the flat opening nine with fuzzy chocolate drops covered in tall fescue grasses to the blind shots, both uphill and downhill, on the back nine. The par-3 11th, with its green resembling the deck of a sinking ship, and the downhill par-4 18th, shaped like an S around small hills, are special. The club insists its third green, created in 1893 and preserved by Ross in his remodel, is the oldest green in continuous existence in America.
About
Awards
Ranking history:
100 Greatest: Ranked since 2017.
2023-'24 ranking: 78th.
Previous ranking: 79th.
Highest ranking: No. 73, 2019-'20.
Best in State: Ranked third, 2019-'20. Ranked fifth, 2011-'14, 2021-'22. Ranked sixth, 2015-'18. Ranked inside the top 10, 1987-'91, 2009. Ranked inside the top 15, 2001, 2005-'07.
Current ranking: Fourth
Panelists
Ratings from our panel of 1,900 course-ranking panelists
100 GREATEST/BEST IN STATE SCORES
Shot Options
Character
Challenge
Layout Variety
Fun
Aesthetics
Conditioning
Reviews
Review
“Essex offers nearly outstanding shot options with a great variety of risk reward trade-offs on both the tee (#2, 6, 10, & 13) and the approach (#5, 7, and 8). Fun is outstanding for both the scratch golfer and the higher handicap with options of play available on almost all holes. The course is fair and scorable for a scratch golfer, but provides nearly excellent challenge. Essex’s layout design is nearly outstanding, with the Par 3s being outstanding, the Par 4’s mixing great length, direction and strategy, and the two Par 5s playing in different directions and very differently. Donald Ross’s stamp is all over Essex and his design strategy makes the course particularly distinctive. Essex boasts some of Massachusetts’s most bold topography and the course uses it to its upmost benefit making the course aesthetics nearly outstanding, particularly the rock cropping to the left of #1. Essex had nearly outstanding conditioning, which allowed the player to experience Ross’s intent on the holes and green complexes. Essex is a classic New England Club with a nearly outstanding character. "
Read More2022
Review
“A wonderful old school Donald Ross design. Course feels like a throwback in time. Really unique routing, especially back 9 around the ridge and then up and through it on 17 and 18."
Read More2022
Review
“My favorite course I've had the opportunity to play in Massachusetts. Outstanding variety in the layout and some really distinct design features. Beautiful piece of property - Ross used the topography to maximum effect. Hole 18 is one of my favorite finishing holes of all time."
Read More2019
Review
“What a golf club! Best conditions of any course I have played in a decade. The fact that Donald Ross lived on site should tell you that this is a classic, quintessential Ross design. Do not pass up to the opportunity to visit this club (or its locker room)!"
Read More2018
Review
“Great golf and incredibly enjoyable experience. Back nine is as unique as it gets."
Read More2018
Review
“Just a terrific golf course. Such classic, golden age Donald Ross features. The "bathtub" on #3? Come on, where do you see stuff that good in modern architecture. Only a few holes (I'm looking at you #13) keep this course from being rated higher."
Read More2018
Review
“My favorite Donald Ross course at a very cool club."
Read More2018
Review
“Maybe Donald Ross' best! The routing moves well through the different topography. Some amazing holes that you won't see anywhere. Exciting to play! The clubhouse is a fantastic old house."
Read More2018
Review
“The back nine is about as fun as golf gets. What a cool club and course, this is a must play if you get the opportunity."
Read More2018
Readers
Collection of reviews from our readers
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