Tashua Knolls Golf Course is a public par-72 course measuring approximately 6,540 yards from the tips. The course was originally designed in 1976 by Al Zikorus and is located in Trumbull, Connecticut.
The original 18-hole championship layout occupies picturesque farmland once inhabited by the Tamtashua Indians and later the Mallet family, establishing a historical foundation that adds character to the property. In 2004, the facility expanded when Al Zikorus’s son, Michael Zikorus, completed the family-friendly Tashua Glen nine-hole layout, bringing the complex to 27 total holes. The course underwent a significant bunker renovation project at the end of 2013, modernizing hazard placement and conditioning throughout. This municipal facility has earned considerable recognition in the Connecticut golf community, hosting the 2017 Connecticut State Golf Association Amateur Championship as the first exclusively public course to do so in the organization’s 115-year history. The property also hosted the CIAC Girls Golf Championship multiple times and received the 2017 Walter Lowell Public Golf Course Distinguished Service Award from the Connecticut Section PGA. Spanning an estimated 200 acres, the Tashua Knolls layout features classic New England terrain characterized by rolling hills, mature tree corridors, and original stone walls that create natural definition throughout. Water comes into play on approximately seven holes, presenting manageable strategic challenges rather than punitive hazards. The routing takes advantage of elevation changes to create visual interest and tactical diversity, with the back nine particularly showcasing dramatic grade shifts. A 200-year-old church and cemetery add historical texture to the landscape, while frequent wildlife sightings enhance the pastoral atmosphere. The course rewards position golf over pure power, with doglegs and elevation-influenced approach angles testing course management skills. Mid-handicappers who appreciate shot variety and strategic routing will find the most satisfaction, though multiple tee boxes accommodate players from 5,050 yards up to the championship 6,540 yards, ensuring accessibility across skill levels.
Strategic Test
| Handicap | Course Strategy |
|---|---|
| High Handicap (18+) | From the green tees at 5,050 yards with a slope of 119 and rating of 65.1 for men, the course presents manageable distances that keep scoring opportunities realistic while maintaining enough challenge to build skills. The shorter yardages reduce the penalty for mishits, though the elevated, undulating greens still demand precision on approaches. The slope rating suggests approximately 5-6 additional strokes compared to a scratch player’s expected score on this layout. Hole 7 offers an ideal test at 436 yards, playing as a reachable par 5 that encourages aggressive play while providing ample bailout room for those choosing the three-shot approach. The brook crossing before the green creates a clear decision point on the second shot, with layup areas available to set up a manageable pitch. Club selection off the tee should favor accuracy over distance, as finding the fairway eliminates forced carries and allows straightforward approach angles to the elevated green complex. |
| Mid Handicap (8-18) | Playing from the white tees at 5,656 yards presents a slope of 124 and rating of 67.9 for men, adding approximately 3-4 strokes to par compared to a scratch player’s baseline. This yardage creates genuine risk-reward scenarios without overwhelming shot requirements, particularly on the par 5s that become reachable with two quality strikes. The course demands thoughtful club selection on tee shots, as several doglegs and elevation changes reward positioning over maximum distance. Hole 7 measures 480 yards from these markers, transforming into a legitimate three-shot par 5 for most players in this handicap range. The brook placement requires calculating whether the second shot can safely clear the hazard or whether laying up short maintains better control. Hitting driver off the tee followed by a controlled mid-iron layup to approximately 130 yards sets up an ideal approach angle to the elevated green, where the back-to-right slope creates difficulty for long approaches but rewards properly positioned wedge shots. |
| Low Handicap (0-8) | The championship black tees stretch 6,540 yards with a course rating of 72.4 and slope of 133, indicating approximately 2 strokes above par as the expected score differential. The elevated slope rating reflects the precision demanded by firm, sloped greens and strategic hazard placement that penalizes marginal execution. Water hazards on seven holes create genuine strategic tension, particularly where carries influence club selection and risk calculation. Hole 7 plays 501 yards as the number one handicap, presenting a classic strategic par 5 that rewards calculated aggression. The fairway narrows approaching the brook that crosses approximately 270-290 yards from the tee, creating a legitimate decision on whether to lay back or challenge the hazard with driver. Most low handicappers will take driver, then face a 200-220 yard approach that must consider the elevated green complex where the back half slopes down and right. The hole exemplifies proper risk-reward architecture, offering birdie opportunities to players executing two quality shots while providing recovery options for those choosing conservative angles. Club selection from the tee should consider wind and carry requirements to the brook, with approach shots demanding precise distance control to avoid the difficult back pin positions. |
Nearby Course Alternatives
H. Smith Richardson Golf Course in Fairfield presents a compelling alternative approximately 15 minutes south of Tashua Knolls. The Hal Purdy-designed municipal layout stretches 6,704 yards from the championship tees with a slope of 126 and rating of 72.1, offering similar length but distinctly different terrain characteristics. Opened in 1972, Smith Richardson occupies an estimated 150 acres of rolling Fairfield County landscape with noticeably more dramatic elevation changes than Tashua Knolls, particularly on the back nine where grade shifts significantly influence club selection and stance. The course has received Stephen Kay renovation work that modernized strategic elements while preserving the original Purdy routing principles. The greens feature more severe undulation than Tashua, with virtually no flat putts creating additional short game challenge that rewards precision iron play. Four different tee configurations accommodate various skill levels, though the forward tees still present considerable challenge at 5,773 yards. The property showcases mature tree definition and strategic bunkering that demands accuracy over distance, with penalties for wayward drives more severe than at Tashua. Players who prioritize elevation-based shotmaking and prefer tighter corridor definition over Tashua’s more open fairway character will find Smith Richardson particularly engaging. The course maintains excellent conditioning with bent grass fairways and greens, supported by a well-regarded practice facility and the Shebeen restaurant. High to mid-handicappers who struggle with sidehill lies and elevation-adjusted yardages may find Tashua’s flatter front nine more forgiving, while low handicappers seeking maximum short game challenge will appreciate Smith Richardson’s severely contoured green complexes.
Chris Bargas Golf Club at Whitney Farms in Monroe offers a contrasting experience approximately 12 minutes northeast of Tashua Knolls. Designed by the Hal and Malcolm Purdy team and opened in 1982, the championship layout measures 6,628 yards with a slope of 130 and rating of 72.4, presenting slightly more difficulty than Tashua’s 133 slope. Built by developer Chris Bargas Sr. on former Whitney family farmland, the course integrates ponds, rolling terrain, and natural wildlife corridors across approximately 180 acres of residential golf community property. The routing features more water hazards than Tashua, with strategic pond placement influencing club selection on multiple holes, particularly early in the round where the opening three holes immediately test players with substantial length requirements. The front nine opens with consecutive par 4s exceeding 400 yards, establishing an aggressive tone that contrasts with Tashua’s more gradual difficulty progression. Whitney Farms’ greens showcase significant mounding and undulation with fewer straight putts than Tashua, creating additional short game complexity. The course plays tighter through wooded corridors than Tashua’s open character, rewarding accuracy over distance and penalizing wayward tee shots more severely. Five tee configurations ranging from 5,832 to 6,628 yards provide flexibility, though even the forward tees maintain challenge through strategic design rather than pure length. Players who prefer residential course aesthetics with more dramatic water features and tighter shotmaking demands will gravitate toward Whitney Farms, while those valuing Tashua’s historical character, open sightlines, and municipal accessibility may find the former more appealing. Mid to high handicappers who benefit from visual confidence and recovery options will appreciate Tashua’s forgiveness, whereas low handicappers seeking target golf with multiple forced carries will find Whitney Farms more demanding of precise execution.
Final Word
Tashua Knolls provides comprehensive practice facilities that support player development and pre-round preparation. The driving range features multiple hitting stations with both mat and grass options, allowing full swing work with all clubs. Two dedicated putting greens offer varied contours and speeds that closely replicate on-course conditions, enabling proper green-reading practice. The chipping and short game area includes bunker practice, essential given the course’s recent bunker renovation that emphasizes quality sand conditions and strategic hazard placement. Locker facilities for both men and women provide convenience for regular players and tournament participants alike. The full-service pro shop stocks contemporary equipment and apparel with knowledgeable staff available for fitting consultations and purchase guidance. The facility houses restaurant and banquet operations that serve both golfers and event attendees, providing dining options from casual post-round meals to formal occasion hosting. The Academy at Tashua Knolls, directed by Connecticut Section PGA Teacher of the Year Dave Bove, offers instruction programs ranging from beginner clinics to advanced coaching with modern technology including launch monitors and video analysis. The junior golf program has earned national recognition, ranking among the top 50 youth programs and regularly hosting LPGA Girls Golf Club activities and CIAC state championships. What distinguishes Tashua Knolls from comparable municipal facilities is its demonstrated commitment to championship-caliber conditioning and tournament hosting despite public access and moderate pricing structures. The course proves its architectural merit through thoughtful shot values that reward strategic thinking over pure athleticism, with the Al Zikorus routing creating genuine risk-reward scenarios through natural terrain manipulation rather than artificial difficulty. The historical character provided by century-old stone walls, the preserved church and cemetery, and the farmland heritage creates authentic sense of place that transcends typical municipal development. Tashua Knolls succeeds by balancing accessibility for recreational players through multiple tees and forgiving fairway widths while maintaining enough strategic complexity and conditioning quality to host state amateur championships, validating its position as one of Connecticut’s premier public golf destinations.
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.
