I attended a golf outing at Dorset Field Club yesterday. Located in the charming little town of Dorset, VT, Dorset Field Club claims to be the oldest continuing operated golf course in the U.S. The story is that a group of men who summered in Dorset laid out nine holes in 1886. When a clubhouse was built in 1896, it was named Woodruff Hall for one of the founders. In any case, I’ve seen lists that indicate other clubs of longer duration (e.g. San Francisco’s Olympic Club), but let’s just say Dorset Field Club is old (although its second nine were not added until 1954 but seem quite harmonious with the other nine).
        The course was in superb condition as befits an exclusive private club, and despite a 10-minute torrential downpour in the middle of our final nine holes, it was a joy to play. I hope the accompanying photos give a sense of the setting, terrain and layout of the wonderful Dorset Field Club.

DorsetFieldteeboxwith4golfers
DorsetFieldgreenbunkersaround
DorsetFielddownhillpar3falsefront
DorsetFieldbigpar5dogleg

        Or at least the one that offers the most “free” stuff ever. Our July/August edition of Home On The Course is overstuffed with helpful information, especially for those currently searching for a golf home in the southern U.S. Noted economist Ingo Winzer, who warned the world about the impending housing crash in 2005, almost three years before it happened, provides highly specialized forecasts for housing markets across the U.S., using up-to-date jobs and population data. He shares in this month’s newsletter his thoughts about the future of some of the most popular markets in the Southeast, and makes an exciting offer exclusively for subscribers to Home On The Course: Three in-depth market reports for the price of one. That could be reason enough to subscribe today to Home On The Course -– click here, it’s free! -– but...
        We are especially excited to announce our second ever Golf Community Discovery Weekend, co-sponsored with CarolinaLiving.com, at one of the east coast’s most value-oriented golf communities. (Our first such couples weekend was held at The Landings, outside Savannah.) Because this is an exclusive initial offer to Home On The Course subscribers, we can’t mention the name of the community here –- not yet, at least -– but here is just a taste of what the weekend will include:

• Waterfront hotel for two nights
• River cruise
• Two days of golf
• Non-golfer activities
• Friday evening cocktail hour & buffet dinner with residents
• Special chef-created lunch on Saturday
• Tour of community with a resident expert
• A look at current specific properties and homes currently for sale (optional); opportunity to learn building process and prices from site contractors.
• Panel discussion: "How to Search for a Golf Community Home"*
• Price per couple: $350

        There has never been a better reason to subscribe to Home On The Course. Please click here and be sure to confirm your subscription when asked. We publish on Monday.