Nestled in the foothills of the Berkshires, Shaker Farms Country Club is known for having one of the best layouts in all of Western Mass. Geoffrey Cornish, the renowned New England golf landscape architect, designed the course using the contours of the land as his canvas. The layout is incredible; each hole has its own personality, with the trees and brooks serving as natural boundaries between holes. Golfers can leave out the word "fore" when they "Come Play A Round" at Shaker Farms. It says on their website www.shakerfarmscc.com that Shaker Farms Country Club is a Shot Maker's Dream; it is perfect for all golfers, from beginners to club champs.
Nancy Kotowitz, president of Shaker Farms, says, "The most prominent myth people think is that you must be a member to attend the many events we have. You do not have to be a member of Shaker Farms to golf here. You don't have to be a member to eat in our pub or enjoy the patio. And it's not just golf that we have. Clay tennis courts have a separate membership that anyone can join. Walkers, hikers, bikers, rollerbladers, and outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy the bike path. That entrance is right past the pavilion. We have locks for your bikes that my husband made at his shop. And after you walk, hike, or bike, you can enjoy lunch on the patio with the beautiful view and, for laughs, you can heckle the golfers. Where else can you do that?"
In addition to their 18-hole championship golf course, they host special events in their elegant indoor banquet hall. The chandelier in the ballroom is breathtaking, and the Fairway Room has a panoramic view of the course. The outdoor pavilion is perfect for special occasions, including weddings, family reunions, birthdays, and more. Events are timed and organized to avoid disrupting golfers and wedding parties. They have a Pavilion, Courtyard, and a Summer Concert Series of local bands, such as "Aquanett, 91 South, Looney Tunes," and more posted on their Facebook Page. "Everybody is happy when they're here."
Shaker Farms has become a home away from home for area residents and local golfers. Nancy wrote a "great huge business plan with pictures. It was an overgrown cow pasture when we bought it. There was a lot of work to be done. I said, 'We have to make several profit centers, and they all have to be profitable, or this place isn't going to work'. So that's what we did." The Banquet Hall seats 250 people comfortably. She hosts the Westfield Chamber of Commerce breakfasts monthly and appreciates every employee. "Shaker Farms...it's a family; our most extended member has been here for 60 years. Members have been here for a long time," Nancy says, smiling.
"We do things for the community. When we bought Shaker Farms, I told my husband, 'We have to give back to the community.' So we provide free golf lessons to local scout troops. At Christmas, Santa Claus comes by helicopter, which is enormous, and we do that for the Shriners. The Easter Bunny comes too, with an annual Easter Egg Hunt, color-coded and organized into age-appropriate areas. The National Honor Society from the local high school and Senior Center will help prepare, starting in August. We've donated 20-30K to the Shriners so far," Nancy proudly added.
Shaker Farms Country Club offers golf lessons for beginners, ladies' lessons, and private lessons with a golf pro. They also offer loyalty benefits to their members and military discounts because Nancy has a military family. Shaker Farms offers chip and putting areas and is the perfect place to improve your short game. Enjoy their chef-inspired menus and detailed event packages. An experienced banquet coordinator will guide you in planning and finalizing the details of your event. To get more information on Shaker Farms Country Club, lesson packages, tennis, golf memberships, and more, simply contact their pro shop to speak with one of their golf professionals at (413) 568-4087.
866 Shaker Rd, Westfield
"You do not need to be a member to enjoy Shaker Farms. You can golf, eat in the pub, and access the bike path. All without a membership."