Disclaimer: CountryClubMag.com is an independent resource and is not associated with any of the clubs on this website. Club initiation and membership cost information are estimates only and should not be relied upon for making club membership decisions.

Is there information in this article that’s inaccurate or out-of-date? Please contact us and let us know.

Located in the town of Cromwell on the banks of the Connecticut River, TPC River Highlands is a beautifully modern country club with a long, prestigious history. A proud member of the PGA Tour’s Tournament Players Club, TPC River Highlands offers keen golfers many of the luxuries boasted by some of America’s most famous clubs, without the ‘old money’ exclusivity.

Though TPC River Highlands has only been operated by the PGA Tour since the 1980s, the site has been used as a golf club for nearly a century. The club was originally founded in 1928 under the name Middletown Golf Club, and was renamed Edgewood Country Club a short while later in 1934.

After several decades of catering to a small clique of Connetcticut’s golfing elite, the course was acquired by the PGA Tour some time in the early 80s. It was redesigned according to the organization’s standards by esteemed course architect Pete Dye, then reopened in 1984 under the name TPC of Connecticut. A short while later, in 1989, the course had further remodeling work done by designer Bobby Weed, with pro golfers Roger Maltbie and Howard Twitty consulting.

Though TPC River Highlands doesn’t have the same history of major tournaments as some comparable clubs, it is the home of the Travelers Championship, a yearly stroke play tournament that happens every June, and has been played at River Highlands since 1984.

River Highlands’s other big claim to fame is that it was the site of the lowest 18-hole score in the history of the PGA Tour, a record held by Jim Furyk, who shot 58 during the final rounds of the Travelers Championship in 2016. This achievement is commemorated to this day by a plaque near the course’s 18th hole green.

The course itself is known for its beautiful surroundings, with lush treelines full of maple and oak trees, and ample use of bentgrass on every hole. Don’t let this picturesque appearance fool you though – the course is known to be very challenging, especially in the final stretch. The 15th, 16th, and 17th holes make for a particularly memorable state of play, as all three of them bring you close to a lake covering 4 acres.

TPC River Highlands Amenities

TPC River Highlands’s club house is a stately, yet modern home that’s recently undergone extensive renovation. As part of the most recent development, the club house has gained a delectable new restaurant named Grille 58 (named after Furyk’s record), a patio area, state-of-the-art men’s and women’s locker facilities, as well as a sprawling event lawn and a large banquet hall. There’s also a large deck overlooking the course, promising great views for outdoor dining during the summer season.

River Highlands also has a 23-acre practice facility available for use, all up to a professional standard and used often by PGA pros. This facility encompasses a 360-yard driving range, a 6,000 square-foot chipping green, and a 10,000 square foot putting green.

Aside from making sure their members and guests feel comfortable off the course, TPC River Highlands also has spaces that can be hired for events. It’s a popular spot for corporate golf outings for professionals traveling into Hartford, and has a beautiful boardroom space that can be used for meetings. The club is quickly gaining a reputation as a Michigan wedding venue, inviting soon-to-be newlyweds to take advantage of the club’s grand banquet facilities, exceedingly skilled culinary staff, and an array of private function and meeting rooms for their needs. They’re also able to offer bespoke space rentals for other events, such as bridal showers, baby showers, rehearsal dinners, and other occasions.

TPC River Highlands Membership Costs

Membership at TPC River Highlands requires a $35,000 initiation fee, with monthly dues of around $416. This makes it relatively inexpensive when stacked up against country clubs of a similar reputation near cities the size of Hartford, especially considering that the course hosts a professional tournament.

As a Tournament Players Club, membership at TPC River Highlands is highly centralized and overseen by the PGA Tour. When you’re a member of one club, you’ll be able to enjoy 50% discounts on green fees at other TPC clubs and advance booking privileges on tee times that can be arranged from your home club.

TPC River Highlands Visitors Guide and Dress Code

Though it may be more accessible than some old-money clubs in the US, TPC River Highlands remains a private club, and all guests must be accompanied by a full member. The club operates a fairly standard country club dress code. Golfers are required to wear collared shirts and Bermuda shorts, with all headwear being kept straight and forward. The club prohibits T-shirts, gym shorts, halter tops, and similar casual attire. Unlike many other country clubs, TPC River Highlands does allow jeans in the clubhouse, provided that they’re dark, in neat fashion, and free of any holes or rips.

Leave a Review

There are no reviews yet. Be the first one to write one.