Under New Management and Name, CC of Woodbridge (Conn.) Shows New Life

After the town purchased the former Woodbridge Country Club for $7 million in 2008, MDM Golf Enterprises, now in litigation with the town over finances, managed the property. Billy Casper Golf took over operations in April.

Under new management and a new name, The Country Club of Woodbridge (Conn.) is working to return to its former glory, the New Haven Register reported.

In 2008, the former Woodbridge Country Club was millions of dollars in debt and a developer looked to turn the 160-acre parcel into a senior housing facility. But the town’s residents approved the land purchase of $7 million and reopened the club as The Country Club of Woodbridge. The town hired MDM Golf Enterprises to operate the club; the company and the town are now in litigation over financial compensation, the Register reported.

As of April, the club came under the management of Billy Casper Golf. Since then, reports Deke Hotchkiss, Chairman of the Country Club of Woodbridge Commission, the greens and grounds have been revived as part of overall improvement of the course and club facilities.

“The greens were phenomenal,” Hotchkiss said while recalling the condition of the course when it was maintained by the former Woodbridge Country Club. “The last couple of years, the greens didn’t get the same level of attention [as they used to]. It’s now coming back as a very respectable course.”

Roy Garafalo, who has a family membership at the club, has noted the improvements, the Register reported.

“It is a fun place,” Garafalo said. “The new management is doing an excellent job. They are doing a lot of work on the course to make it player-friendly.”

The club was established in 1948 as a place for Jewish people to gather because they were not welcome at another area club, the Register reported.

Now, the club has an 18-hole golf course, swimming pools, tennis courts and men and women’s locker rooms on 160 acres. Jason Berreft, the club’s General Manager, said groundskeepers have been fertilizing the fairways and greens and the turf quality has improved. The club has also received positive feedback on its fleet of electric golf carts.

The formal banquet room is not currently in use, as the roof leaks and the air conditioner does not function. The club constructed a large tented area near the swimming pool to accommodate large parties, which is complete with lighting and electrical amenities, the Register reported.

Phil Matts, a mechanic, helps care for the equipment and reminds workers to be respectful of the equipment they use, by listing the price of each piece on the machines.

Tags: Billy Casper Golf Country Club of Woodbridge deke Hotchkiss Jason bereft mdm golf enterprises Phil matts roy garafalo Woodbridge Conn. Woodbridge Country Club