The Patterson Club
Fairfield, Connecticut, USA
Hole 15 / 165 Yards / Par-3
Architect: Robert Trent Jones, Sr. (1947)
Updated: Jaeger Kovich (2025)
Years ago, Clifford Roberts, the longtime major domo chairman of Augusta National was asked by a reporter to comment on the changes made to the course in preparation for the annual Masters tournament. Roberts reportedly swiftly rebuked the premise of the question and sternly replied — “We don’t change Augusta National – we improve it.”
Numerous golf clubs in the United States have sought to follow the Roberts edict. Some have succeeded and others have failed.
The Patterson Club was one of the early Robert Trent Jones, Sr. courses in 1947. The architect would rapidly expand his footprint in golf design and ultimately became the most prominent and sought after architect for the next several decades.
Over the span of time all courses evolve and the feedback from those playing will gauge whether a serious re-examination is needed. The Patterson Club hired architect Jaeger Kovich with the expressed desire in crafting a comprehensive master plan.
Infrastructure issues were central in that plan but also specific property and hole improvements were put into motion.
Three new holes were created and the nines were reversed. The former consecutive par-4 holes in the previous 17th and 18th positions were replaced with a par-5 and par-3 combination. This allowed for an expanded practice facility which abuts the area.
The par-3 6th — now the 15th — was also updated.
The earlier version of the hole was set on a butte with large flanking bunkers. The wherewithal to reach the green was extremely challenging and not scorecard friendly as approach shots that missed too far left and right were dealt with severely as the ground tapered off both sides from the greensite.
The previous version of the hole was in excess of 200 yards. The “new” hole plays 165 yards from the championship tees. The green is patterned after the “postage stamp” 8th at Royal Troon in Scotland.
The plan by Kovich was to emphasize playability in tandem with fun, interesting, beautiful and strategic golf.
Construction started July 7, 2025 and the course was ready by early May of 2026. The total cost of the project was $14.5 million — half a million under budget and on time.
Kovich describes his involvement as “a transformative renovation with some homage to Robert Trent Jones, Sr.”
The new 15th provides for elasticity in overall length stretching from 165 yards to a mere 85 yards. Interestingly, while the “new” green is smaller it actually provides more than double the available pin positions.
The approach is bolstered by a fall-off to the left side. The green is narrow, lengthy and split in different sections. When a pin position is in the deepest rear area, the requirements intensify dramatically.
Kovich also added to the infrastructure of the area in deepening a frontal pond and adding to the flow of the water to and from the immediate area short of the green to prevent routine flooding that would happen after heavy rain storms.
The Patterson Club has jettisoned itself from a staid layout to one that is more engaging. Change for the better is not always a sure thing when sought. But actual improvement is indeed front and center at The Patterson Club now. That improvement is manifested at the “new” 15th and how that hole leads golfers into a final quartet of fortified holes that bring the round to a fitting climax.
Photos / renderings courtesy of The Patterson Club and Jaeger Kovich.
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M. James Ward
A long-time member of both the GWAA and MGWA. The 68-year-old has covered all facets in golf since 1980 — including reporting on over 100 major championships and 13 Ryder Cup matches. His writings have appeared in various outlets. On a personal level, has played over 2,000 courses globally and is lead reviewer for Top 100 Golf Courses.
Previously served for 17 years as national course rating panelist for Golf Digest. Has also personally competed in USGA Championships. Resides in the metro New York City area with his wife Celeste. Favorite quote paraphrased for golf — “You are what your golf score says you are.”