Years ago when my husband’s work was based out of Taunton, he had a group of buddies he’d play post-work golf with on a regular basis.
The other day, as we clicked on tee times and pondered to play next, a memory popped into his head.
“Poquoy Brook Golf Club!” he said. “I used to love that place.”
We were able to score a mid-day tee time for the following day and headed out into the heart of Lakeville to a club I’d never heard of and wasn’t sure how to pronounce (It’s pehh-kwoy).
What did I find? A fabulous championship course with a bit of a punch, friendly staff who made us feel like we were visiting friends, and I don’t say this lightly: perhaps the best cheeseburger I’ve ever scarfed down in my life.
We arrived early for our round, a great idea at Poquoy because their driving range, short game practice area and putting green are simply spectacular. The driving range has 25 stations, a bucket purchase system that takes your card and does not require those silly coins (hurrah for the little things!) and easily readable yardage signage.
We warmed up there and then meandered over to the putting green for some practice. “Whoa,” my husband said, “if the course greens are even somewhat as well maintained as this, we’re in luck.”
We knew we were matched up with another couple because – and I love this – when we checked in the lovely woman at the pro shop not only told us that, she wrote down their names for us. What a nice touch.
Before talking about the course, a few disclaimers: If you’re looking for cape shingled, ivy vine covered classic golf club buildings, you’re not going to find them here. Poquoy’s building set-up (a restaurant, small pro shop, and a cart and maintenance building), are for the most part utilitarian.
That’s fine with me because, while I love a view of a pretty clubhouse, Poquoy focuses on what I love even more: incredibly well-maintained fairways and greens, lush and lovely landscaping and pin and tee selections that keep you thinking. In other words, it’s a golfer’s course.
Poquoy Brook plays best with some advanced study – it tosses you some pretty challenging doglegs (the 18th feels more like a boomerang that a dogleg), and even my always-wants-to-go-for-the-green spouse found himself laying up more than a few times.
We got a little gift though: Bob, the male member of our partner couple, works part-time at the club as a starter. He gave us tips, pointed out possible troubles to avoid and – while he was off the clock – helped us truly enjoy our round. Poquoy should send Bob out with every new visitor.
Poquoy is a parkland-style course and embraces all that makes parkland course play fun. There are plenty (believe me!) of water hazards, gullies and bluffs that force you to lay up with precision, tall, tall trees and plenty of challenge. Their greens demand thought too, but are so well maintained you won’t mind that at all.
Even their Par 3’s are demanding, coming in at over 200 yards for the whites and close to that for the golds. It’s a true win when you par them.
Bob had told us the last three holes would hold the most challenge, and he wasn’t wrong. The 18th, in particular, demanded courage, a few lay ups, power and then precision when you chip up to the final green – just below where the 19th-holers hang out to watch (and cheer and maybe, here and there, heckle [its all good]).
Our round took a long time – nearly five hours, but I was not surprised by that. Reviews had told me to be sure to know it takes time there (many complained it’s because of a lack of rangers). But I never really felt like I was waiting too long, and I didn’t mind having extra time to ponder this challenging course. Plus Bob and Paula were fun.
We decided, on their suggestion, to stay for dinner, which was a solid choice.
First, we sat outside watching folks wrap up their rounds on that challenging hole. The nice woman who’d checked us in was off the clock, sipping a post-work beer next to us, and piped in with color commentary as folks chipped up. “He’s a four handicap!” she told us of one player, and of another when we cheered “Oh, that’s going to go right to his head!” The setting was perfect.
And so was the food. As I said, I ate one of the best burgers I’ve ever had, after our truly delightful server told me it was just that. And their beer on tap list? Makes the grade and then some.
Poquoy Brook Golf Club (https://www.poquoybrook.com/en/) is on our “to return to” list.