Chanticlair Golf Club is a public par-70 course measuring approximately 5,983 yards from the tips. The course was originally designed in 1972 by Hymie Stoloman and is located in Colchester, Connecticut.
Chanticlair Golf Club opened in 1972 as the vision of Hymie and Anita “Gigi” Stollman, who not only founded the facility but personally designed and built the entire course themselves. Hymie Stollman was a Renaissance man who previously served as first violinist with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra at age 18 before becoming a successful poultry farmer and then golf course proprietor. The course has remained a true family operation for over five decades, originally run by Hymie and Gigi and now operated by their sons Dave and Carey Stollman. This family continuity has maintained the original character and intimate, community-focused atmosphere that defines the Chanticlair experience. The facility has undergone continuous improvements over the years while preserving its founder’s architectural vision. The course’s most distinctive feature is its famous island green on the 4th hole, which creates a psychological challenge that can make or break a scorecard. Chanticlair hosts regular competitive golf with a 100-member men’s league and active Monday evening Ladies League. The course represents an important piece of Connecticut’s public golf history as one of the state’s quality 9-hole regulation facilities. Multiple weekly leagues operate throughout the season, including Sunday Morning Men’s Club, Tuesday Evening Men’s League, Wednesday Morning Jr. League, and Thursday Morning Mixer’s League. The facility has consistently served as a community cornerstone for over 50 years. Corporate events and tournaments are regularly hosted, establishing Chanticlair as a reliable venue for Connecticut golf gatherings. Tournament hosting capabilities accommodate various group sizes and competitive formats. The course has maintained its original design integrity while adapting to modern maintenance standards and player expectations.
The course utilizes approximately 100 acres of scenic New England countryside to create a traditional parkland-style layout that maximizes strategic interest within its compact footprint. The terrain features both elevated tees and downhill approaches, with natural elevation changes adding complexity to club selection throughout the round. Water features are integrated strategically, including a pond that comes into play on multiple holes and creates both visual appeal and scoring challenges. The routing incorporates the natural topography with the 6th hole playing notably downhill into the green. Bent grass greens are maintained year-round and considered among Connecticut’s better playing surfaces for public courses. Winter rye fairways provide consistent playing conditions across seasons while sand bunkers are positioned strategically to catch wayward shots. The design philosophy emphasizes accuracy and course management over raw distance, making it accessible to players of varying skill levels. The 3rd hole features a notably wide 60-yard fairway that provides generous landing areas for developing swings. Multiple tee options accommodate different playing abilities, with the red tees measuring 5,001 yards compared to 5,983 from the white tees. The course targets golfers seeking an affordable, accessible daily-fee option that provides genuine strategic challenges. The compact routing allows for efficient maintenance while creating varied playing experiences through different pin positions. Players appreciate the comfortable mom-and-pops atmosphere that welcomes both casual rounds and competitive league play. The target demographic includes local Connecticut golfers and beginners transitioning to regulation golf. The design integrates natural hazards effectively without creating overly penal conditions that frustrate higher handicap players.
Strategic Test
Strategic decision-making at Chanticlair centers on precision and course management rather than power, with the 9-hole layout repeated creating unique variety as players adapt to different pin positions and tee placements. Water hazards demand risk assessment throughout the round, while strategically positioned bunkers require thoughtful club selection and approach angles. The signature island green on the 4th hole represents the ultimate strategic test, offering no bailout areas and demanding precise execution under pressure. Elevation changes add complexity to distance control, particularly on the downhill 6th hole where club selection becomes critical for approach shots.
Course accessibility varies significantly based on tee selection, with forward red tees at 5,001 yards providing manageable distances for developing players while white tees at 5,983 yards present legitimate challenges for accomplished golfers. The bent grass greens feature contouring that rewards accurate approach shots while penalizing wayward attempts, making green-in-regulation statistics crucial for scoring success. Multiple strategic decision points arise on each hole, from tee shot placement to approach angles, encouraging repeated play to master the nuances. Higher handicap players benefit from the course’s forgiving width on several holes, while lower handicappers must navigate strategic hazard placement to score effectively.
Slope rating measures the relative difficulty for bogey golfers compared to scratch players, while course rating indicates the expected score for a scratch golfer under normal conditions. The white tees carry a slope rating of 121 and course rating of 68.0, indicating moderate difficulty that becomes more challenging for higher handicap players. The red tees feature a slope rating of 111 and course rating of 68.4, providing more manageable challenges while maintaining strategic interest. These ratings directly influence handicap calculations, with higher slope ratings meaning bogey golfers receive more strokes relative to scratch players, while course ratings establish realistic scoring expectations for tournament and casual play.
| Handicap | Course Strategy |
|---|---|
| High Handicap (18+) | Play red tees (5,001 yards) for manageable distances, focus on keeping ball in play rather than attacking pins, use conservative club selection on island green with higher lofted club for better trajectory, prioritize avoiding penalty strokes over aggressive scoring |
| Mid Handicap (8-18) | Choose white tees (5,983 yards) for appropriate challenge, develop specific strategies for island green and elevation changes, work on distance control for downhill shots, begin attacking accessible pins while respecting dangerous positions |
| Low Handicap (0-8) | Attack white tees aggressively, use island green as birdie opportunity with precise distance control, optimize course management for different wind conditions and pin positions, focus on scoring on the shorter par-4s and accessible par-3s |
The 4th hole’s island green represents Chanticlair’s signature strategic challenge, playing 138 yards from the white tees and 103 yards from the red tees to a completely water-surrounded target. The hole demands precise club selection and confident execution, as the small green offers no recovery options for missed shots. From the championship tees, players typically face a smooth 8 or 9-iron depending on conditions, but psychological pressure can affect club selection and swing tempo. High handicap players benefit from taking an extra club to ensure sufficient carry distance while focusing on smooth tempo rather than pin hunting. Mid-handicap golfers should prioritize hitting the center of the green regardless of pin position, as missing the target results in penalty strokes that quickly inflate scores. Low handicap players can attack pin positions aggressively, using elevated green position and spin control to their advantage. Wind direction assessment becomes crucial for proper club selection, while pin position evaluation determines risk-reward calculations. The green features subtle breaks that reward course knowledge, making multiple rounds valuable for understanding putting nuances. Strategic elements include mental preparation and commitment to the selected club, as tentative swings often result in coming up short in the water hazard.
Nearby Course Alternatives
Blackledge Country Club in Hebron, located approximately 15 minutes north, presents a larger-scale public golf experience with its 36 holes of parkland golf. The facility features two distinct layouts, including the Geoffrey Cornish-designed Anderson’s Glen course, which opened in 1963 and is a prime example of his work from that era. Playing to a formidable 6,787 yards from the tips with a slope of 127 and a rating of 72.4, it offers a traditional test on a much grander property than Chanticlair. The strategic value is derived from navigating mature tree lines, doglegs that demand proper shot placement, and Cornish’s characteristically subtle yet challenging bunkering. Its pedigree as a well-regarded regional facility provides a more comprehensive, 18-hole challenge that unfolds over a more expansive acreage. A player who prefers a full day of golf with more variety, longer holes, and the rhythms of a classic championship-style design would find Blackledge to be a compelling and satisfying alternative. The club’s reputation for quality conditions and its dual-course offering make it a destination for those seeking a more robust golfing day.
Portland Golf Course in Portland, situated about 25 minutes west of Chanticlair, is another respected Geoffrey Cornish design that opened to the public in 1974. This par-71 layout stretches to 6,213 yards from its back tees, carrying a slope of 127 and a rating of 70.5, numbers that speak to its challenging nature. The course’s reputation is built on its exceptional routing through the rolling hills of the Connecticut River Valley, creating significant and memorable elevation changes that define the round. This topography is the core of its strategic identity, demanding thoughtful club selection and the ability to execute a wide variety of shots from uneven lies to often-elevated green complexes. Its most unique features are the scenic vistas afforded by the high points on the property and the constant variety in elevation from tee to green. Golfers who enjoy a layout where the land itself is a primary feature and who appreciate the cerebral challenge of navigating dramatic terrain would find Portland Golf Course a highly enjoyable option. It appeals to the shot-maker who values creativity over pure power.
Final Word
The club provides the essential amenities required to support a comfortable and complete day of golf. A well-stocked pro shop is available on-site, offering not only necessary supplies and apparel but also a welcoming first stop for players. For those looking to warm up or dedicate time to honing their skills, the facility includes a designated practice area, allowing golfers to work on their full swing and short game. After the round, golfers can relax and recount their game in the clubhouse, which serves as the social heart of the facility. These offerings provide the core non-course features expected at a dedicated golf facility, ensuring players have what they need before, during, and after tackling the course itself. The focus remains squarely on the game, with these amenities providing the necessary support structure for a rewarding experience.
What makes Chanticlair special is its masterful and efficient use of a nine-hole footprint to deliver a complete and genuinely strategic golf experience. It proves its value not by trying to be a sprawling championship venue, but by excelling at its intended purpose: being a thoughtful, well-designed course that is both accessible for new players and engaging for the more experienced. The famous island green on the 4th hole provides a memorable moment of high-stakes drama and architectural flair rarely found on a local, public nine-hole course. This single hole elevates the entire round, creating a talking point and a challenge that brings players back. Ultimately, the courseas a testament to the idea that a great golf experience does not require immense acreage, but rather clever design and a commitment to providing a fun, engaging round for its community.
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.
