A Hidden Gem
By Joe McDonald
RIGA Senior Writer
THOMPSON, Conn. – Most Rhode Island golfers haven’t played Quinnatisset Country Club, while others haven’t even heard of it, which is too bad because it’s an impressive piece of property close to the state border.
“Quinny” members, however, enjoy the fact that their club flies under the radar, but they are proud of it. Well, it will be on display this week as Quinnatisset CC hosts the 30th Mid-Amateur Championship Tuesday and Wednesday. Nearly 100 golfers will compete on the 120-year course.
“This is a working man’s club and we like it that way,” said longtime member and club president EJ Wholey. “It’s definitely old-school, a no-frills clubhouse and we like it that way.”
Completed in 1903 as a nine-hole course, the back nine opened in 1966. Major renovations were completed in 1995 and again in 2004 on the par-72 layout.
Here's the complete history of the property.
“The stonewalls are unique, the flowers are unique and there’s nothing else around here like it,” said Wholey, who also serves as secretary of the RIGA. “There’s definitely a lot of pride, hosting an RIGA tournament. Our superintendent (Jeff Tibbetts) does a fantastic job. When he first got here, we were in a little bit of rough shape, but he’s put this place back together. It’s a beautiful piece of property and there’s not a lot of places like it. We’re thrilled when we get to host an event here.”
A total of 14 Quinnatisset members are competing in the Mid-Amateur Championship this week on their home course.
In fact, Quinny members won four senior events and had four members qualify for the Tri-State Team in 2022. Wholey won the 29th Mid-Amateur Senior Division Championship. Fellow member Dave McNally won the senior division of the Stroke Play Championship, while McNally and Chris Markiewicz claimed the Senior Four-Ball (Gross) on their home course. Also, Tim Murray won the Rhode Island Senior Amateur Championship. Murray has been a member at Quinnatisset for three years and understands the club’s passion for golf.
“It’s absolutely incredible,” Murray said. “We love to show our place off. (Superintendent) Jeff Tibbetts and his crew do an amazing job with the golf course. I would stack up our greens against anyone’s we play all year – they’re that good. We have a lot of really good players at Quinny, and since I’ve joined they’ve only gotten better. We love having RIGA events at Quinny. Everyone is excited, and even though we’ve had a tremendous amount of rain, Jeff will have that place in tip-top shape.”
Tibbetts, of Uxbridge, has maintained Quinnatisset for the last six seasons. He previously worked as an assistant superintendent at Pleasant Valley Country Club and jokes that he didn’t even know Quinnatisset existed.
He’s looking for perfection here, and while that level is nearly impossible to achieve, Tibbetts is using all his resources to accomplish it. Even when he receives a compliment from a member, or guest, Tibbetts’ response is always the same: “It’s getting there.”
He added, “The land here is outstanding. My personal standards are pretty high. As long as there is incremental growth in a positive direction, that’s a good thing.”
Michael Hamilton, of Kirkbrae Country Club, won the 2022 Rhode Island Player of the Year and he’s excited about the 30th Mid-Amateur Championship at Quinnatisset.
“Quinny is a great track,” he said. “There are a ton of great holes, especially on the front nine, and I’m excited to see some of the new tees they’ve added. The par-5s are places you can score but you have to be careful on some holes to make sure you hit it into the right spots and keep the ball below the pin on some of the scoring holes. It’s a really pretty piece of property and it’s a good test of golf. You really can’t overpower the place, you have to be precise, and I think being patient will be the key, especially on the back nine.”
Kirkbrae’s Larry Lafauci, Jr., is the defending Mid-Amateur Champion after posting a victory last season at Triggs Memorial Golf Course.
