Shennecossett Golf Course is a municipal golf course located in Groton, Connecticut. The origins of the course go back to 1898 when Thomas Avery, a local resident, established a four-hole course on his farm. Shennecossett changed significantly over the next few decades, including a redesign by Donald Ross, eventually evolving into a full 18-hole country club. The course hosted a number of significant events during the early 20th century including the Connecticut Open, a PGA Tour-level event. In the 1960s, the town of Groton purchased the property, transforming it into a municipal course. In 1997, the town performed a "land swap" with the pharmaceutical company Pfizer, losing three holes to the corporation but gaining three along the Thames River and Long Island Sound. The acquisition of these new holes has, according to Golf Magazine, "turn[ed] the perennially solid muni into one of the deals of the century." History The early days of the course go back to 1898. Thomas Avery, descendent of one of Groton's first settlers, established a four hole course on his property with "fairways extending on both sides on his barn and farmhouse." Over the next few years five more holes were added to create a nine-hole course. The club was constructed on territory once occupied by the Pequot and Mohegan Native American tribes. The word "Shennecossett" means "level land" in the Pequot language. During this era, a summer resort, the Griswold Hotel, was built adjacent to the course. During the early 20th century, the owner of the hotel, Morton Plant, was buying much local property, including property from Thomas Avery. Plant ultimately bought his golf course and, over the course of the years 1913 and 1914, added several more holes to create a full 18-hole course. A clubhouse was also constructed during this era and opened to the public on June 9, 1914. On August 10, 1916, the club became the 128th "active member" of the USGA. During this era, this property was referred to as "Shennecossett Country Club." In 1926, the well-known golf course architect Donald Ross redesigned the course. Ross's design remained unchanged until the end of the century. During the early 20th century, Shennecossett hosted a number of significant tournaments including the Connecticut Open, a PGA Tour-level event. It also hosted the Connecticut Amateur several times in the 1920s. Around this time, the notable professional Alex Smith became Shennecossett's first club pro and