Tucked away in the small village of Southport, CT is the Country Club of Fairfield. It’s located off Sasco Hill Road, which is one of Fairfield County’s premier addresses.

With promontory views overlooking Long Island Sound some of America’s biggest business icons such as Jack Welch, Bob Wright, and William Benton of Encyclopedia Britannica fame have called this road home. Its even been said that Jackie Kennedy used to summer at stately 1150 Sasco Hill Rd. 

The clubhouse is unassuming. At first glance you’d think its just another colonial residence. But it’s not. The club is one of the most exclusive in the country. Membership boasts more billionaires than you can shake a stick at. I guess they know a good thing when they see it. This place doesn’t gild-the-lily. It’s all about the golf! 

I’ve got one word for all you golf links aficionados. A.W. Tillinghast. Yes Albert Warren "Tillie" Tillinghast redesigned this course extensively and it's a beauty. It fits the eye seamlessly. The views are spectacular from the road, but from the links they are breathtaking.  From the championship tees the course plays 6,357 yards and par is 71. The slope is 133 and the rating is 71.6.

The course is truly a great walk and my favorite hole is #8 that runs along Southport beach. The yardage is short by today’s standards, but when the prevailing winds pick up off the sound the fast dry greens can challenge a scratch player too.

If you get a chance take a moment and watch the sun go down over Long Island sound above the green on number eight. You may just not want to finish you’re round. It’s magical!

Sunday was a special day here in New England. Fifty-eight degrees and sunny again!

The holiday spirit hadn’t sunk in yet. The horses on the beach caught my eye. They were prancing down Fairfield Beach. Long Island Sound was a sheet of glass. Unusual for December.

Casually strolling along the boardwalk one couldn’t help smiling at the whole scene that was unfolding. Blue skies. Sandy beach. Still waters. Horses. Holiday music. You couldn’t ask to be in a better holiday spirit than this. Could you?

The ponies were catching on to this too.  Rolling in the sand after their salty workout,  they were in horse heaven. It was one of those moments; when you feel grateful for the simple things in your life.

Fairfield Beach offers public access to horse and rider during the off-season. You can park your truck and trailer in the main lot on Fairfield Beach Road too.  For all you equestrians, here’s the information you'll need to make your trip to the beach happen:

Rules:
Dogs or horses may enter beaches, open space areas, and marinas only under the following conditions:

Dogs and horses accompanied by a person responsible for them shall be permitted to enter any town beach only during the period from October 1 to March 31. At all other times dogs and horses are forbidden to enter any town beach, including the parking areas for such beach.

Chuck Taylor

Location:
Fairfield Beach
323 Fairfield Beach Rd
Fairfield, CT 06824