Silo Point Country Club is a private par-71 course measuring approximately 6,241 yards from the tips. The course was originally designed in 1967 by Al Zikorus and is located in Southbury, Connecticut.
The property’s history dates to the 1800s when it operated as farmland owned by Alfred Kruger, inventor of the Scotch Tape dispenser. His barn, constructed in the 19th century with its signature silo, was converted into the clubhouse and pro shop during the mid-1960s. In 2020, Alliance Management acquired the facility and rebranded it from Heritage Village Country Club to Silo Point Country Club, a strategic move to shed the misconception that it was a 55-and-over community. The course underwent significant infrastructure improvements at that time, including updated locker rooms and installation of a first-rate irrigation system. The layout occupies roughly 120 acres of rolling terrain carved through foothills and along the Pomperaug River in the Pomperaug Valley. Sixteen of the eighteen holes feature curved fairways that meander through the landscape rather than straightaway corridors. The routing style embraces natural topography with elevation changes that reward strategic positioning off the tee. Bent grass greens and fairways define the playing surfaces, with push-up green complexes that demand precision on approach shots. The course appeals to players who value accuracy over raw distance, as directional changes and elevated greens create optical challenges that require thoughtful club selection and local knowledge.
Strategic Test
| Handicap | Course Strategy |
|---|---|
| High Handicap (18+) | From the gold tees at 5,595 yards with a rating of 67.7 and slope of 118, high handicap players face a manageable test that rewards straight ball striking. The slope differential of approximately 18 strokes suggests scoring opportunities exist for those who avoid penalties. The 13th hole plays as a 429-yard par-4 from the blue tees, making it the number one handicap hole and likely the most demanding test on the property. For higher handicappers playing forward, this becomes a two-shot proposition requiring a solid drive followed by a mid to long iron approach to an elevated green. The hole’s difficulty stems from the approach angle and green reception rather than length alone. Club selection on the second shot proves critical, as missing the putting surface leaves a challenging up-and-down. |
| Mid Handicap (8-18) | The white tees stretch 6,041 yards with a rating of 69.9 and slope of 124, presenting a balanced examination for middle-tier players. The 23-stroke differential between course rating and par suggests opportunities to score near handicap exist with solid execution. The 13th hole at 429 yards demands a precisely placed tee ball to set up the preferred angle into an elevated green. Mid handicappers typically face a 220-plus yard approach after a quality drive, making this hole a true three-shot challenge where par represents a victory. Strategic layup positioning becomes paramount when driver finds the fairway in less than ideal spots. The elevated green complex penalizes anything short or offline, requiring commitment to the approach shot. |
| Low Handicap (0-8) | From the championship blue tees at 6,241 yards with a rating of 70.7 and slope of 126, accomplished players encounter a course that tests precision more than power. The 25-stroke slope differential indicates the course defends par through angles and green complexes rather than brute length. The 13th hole’s 429-yard distance seems benign by modern standards, but its status as the number one handicap reveals its architectural complexity. Low handicappers face a driver and mid iron, but the real test arrives at the green where elevated surfaces and internal contours demand specific entry points. Missing in the wrong spot leads to three-putt scenarios or difficult recovery shots. The hole epitomizes the layout’s philosophy that strategic positioning matters more than distance, rewarding those who understand corridor framing and green reception angles. |
Nearby Course Alternatives
Watertown Golf Club in Watertown sits approximately 15 minutes northwest of Silo Point, offering an 18-hole private facility spanning 6,638 yards from the back tees with a par of 71, course rating of 71.5, and slope of 128. The course opened in 1915 as nine holes on Taft School grounds before expanding to eighteen holes between 1971 and 1973 under the design guidance of Geoffrey Cornish and Bill Robinson. The property occupies rolling hills in lower Litchfield County with elevation changes more pronounced than Silo Point’s terrain. The layout features bent grass greens and fairways across approximately 150 acres of established landscape, with mature tree lines defining playing corridors. Strategic bunkering and green complexes characteristic of Cornish’s design philosophy create visual and actual challenges that reward thoughtful shot-making. The facility provides full practice amenities including a driving range and short game area, plus extensive social programming with family events throughout the season. Players who prefer more dramatic topography and slightly longer holes will find Watertown’s additional yardage and elevation shifts appealing compared to Silo Point’s shorter, more subtle routing.
Rock Ridge Country Club in Newtown lies roughly 12 minutes southeast of Silo Point and presents a unique nine-hole private facility that plays to different yardages from alternating tee boxes, creating an 18-hole experience totaling approximately 6,061 yards at par-70 with a course rating of 68.6 and slope of 133. Designed by Alfred H. Tull and opened in 1954, the course evolved from a backyard hobby layout into one of Connecticut’s premier nine-hole facilities over its 70-year history. The property sits in northern Fairfield County’s hilly countryside across roughly 80 acres, featuring some of the state’s fastest bent grass greens that demand precise speed control. The slope rating of 133 indicates significant challenge despite modest yardage, as elevated greens and strategic hazard placement create difficulty for all skill levels. The facility offers a five-star driving range with both mat and grass tees, plus dedicated putting and chipping areas with bunker practice. The hillier terrain and quicker green speeds suit players who enjoy testing their short game against firm, fast surfaces. Mid-to-low handicappers seeking a different nine-hole experience with more severe green speeds and pronounced elevation will appreciate Rock Ridge’s distinctive character compared to Silo Point’s 18-hole traditional routing.
Final Word
Practice facilities at Silo Point include a driving range with mat surfaces conveniently walkable from the parking area to the first tee, with all members receiving unlimited range access as part of their membership. A practice putting green sits adjacent to the clubhouse, providing space for pre-round warmup and short game work. The property’s centerpiece remains the converted 19th-century barn featuring its distinctive white silo, now serving as the clubhouse and pro shop with 15-foot cathedral ceilings, original exposed beams, and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking multiple holes and the Pomperaug Valley. The 1850 House restaurant operates on property as part of the Chabot Hospitality Group, offering full dining service with a covered patio providing views across the golf course. The menu features contemporary American cuisine utilizing fresh local ingredients, with service available for lunch, dinner, weekend brunch, and happy hour. The facility maintains locker room amenities for both men and women, plus bag storage for members. Alliance Management’s ownership structure provides reciprocal playing privileges at sister facilities Oxford Greens and Tunxis Country Club, expanding access for members throughout Connecticut. What distinguishes Silo Point from comparable private clubs is the strategic routing philosophy emphasizing angles and elevation over length, creating a layout where precision trumps power and where understanding the architecture yields scoring advantages regardless of handicap level. The bent grass playing surfaces consistently receive high marks for conditioning, with fairways described as plush carpet and greens running at stimpmeter readings around 9-10 throughout the season. This combination of strategic design elements, quality conditioning, distinctive architectural character in the converted barn clubhouse, and access to multiple Alliance Management facilities demonstrates the facility’s value proposition within Connecticut’s private club landscape.
David is an avid golfer who loves walking Connecticut’s courses and playing alongside his family. He’s passionate about golf course architecture and one day hopes to play at Pebble Beach.
