Designer: Leonard Byles (1901), Donald Ross (1924, 18 holes, Redesign), Robert McNeil (2024, 9 holes, Redesign)
Location: East Providence, Rhode Island
History: Depending on how you look at it, Met Links is either the remnants or rebirth of Metacomet Country Club, a historic Donald Ross private course that closed in 2020 amidst much controversy. Met Links contains several of the original front 9 holes with a redesign and several new holes from local architect Robert McNeil.
Conditions: 7/10, These greens will likely never be as blazing as Metacomet’s, but overall the course was in solid condition for a course that just opened.
Value: 7/10, For $32, this sporty 9-holer offers solid value, especially considering you get to play six of the original Metacomet holes.
Scorecard:
Tee Par Yardage Rating Slope
Blue 34 2569 32.3 117
White 34 2449 31.8 114
Gold 34 2205 30.7 99
Red 34 1918 30.9 105
Hole Descriptions: After playing Met Links, I debated whether to make an addendum to my Metacomet review or dedicate a whole blog to this new 9-hole course. Six and a half holes from the original course still remain, but the new course has three new holes, a new architect, and a completely different feel so I decided it was worth another review. Besides, the sad saga of Metacomet is worth another entry.
One of the oldest and most historic courses in Rhode Island, Metacomet was redesigned by Donald Ross in 1924 and was in my opinion a top 6 or 7 course in state before it closed. Membership sold the course to local golfing legend Brad Faxon in 2019, hoping to rejuvenate it, but sadly the partnership didn’t work out and the course closed permanently in 2020 with plans to build retail and housing on the waterfront property. Metacomet’s closing was a big loss to golf in Rhode Island but rumblings of a “Met Links” opening had me optimistic but a bit skeptical.
I was able to play Met Links shortly after its opening in 2024 and was pleasantly surprised by what I saw. The new course plays over much of the original front 9 and still contains six of the original 9 pretty much untouched. I always thought that Metacomet had a better front 9 anyway and was very happy to see some of the best holes (2, 4, 5, 7) had survived. The major flaw at Met Links is the fact that McNeil had limited space and filled in the remaining holes with two par threes and a very short, questionable par 4. These new holes are solid, but it creates a stretch where you’re essentially playing four par threes in the final five holes. Despite this limitation, Met Links is much better than nothing and is an excellent way for former members and the general public to play some of the historic Metacomet holes. As long as it is open, it will be one of the best 9-hole courses in Rhode Island.
The opening hole is a downhill par 4 that is essentially the same hole as Metacomet’s opener but shortened by about 50 yards to 337 yards. I don’t know for certain why it was trimmed, but perhaps it’s the fact that the practice green is just to the front right of the old teebox and this would have been dangerous on a public course. This hole plays shorter than the yardage with an undulating fairway containing a speed slot providing lots of extra roll. A back-to-front sloped green sits up against the fence and is defended by bunkers left and short.
The par 4 1st
The 2nd hole is the same as Metacomet’s 2nd as a 488 yard dogleg right par 5. One of the most iconic holes from the original design, this interesting par 5 plays straightaway for the first 260 yards before turning 90 degrees to the right at this point. Water lines the right side of the hole the entire way and several bunkers line the left side of the fairway between 230 and 250 yards. I’ve played this hole many times and still am not quite sure the ideal strategy here. Longer hitters will certainly have the option of carrying the water, however, and having a short iron into a back-to-front sloped green defended by bunkers on either side and marsh long.
The par 5 2nd
The water is in play on every shot at 2
Met Links follows Metacomet again on the 3rd hole, a tricky 359 yard uphill dogleg right par 4. I’ve always found this teeshot to be a bit awkward from a teebox in the marshes to a tight fairway that begins to bend right around 150 yards with tall trees down the right. A standalone pesky tree down the left around 285 yards can block approaches from those who run through the fairway and longer hitters may want to think about laying up here. This green used to be one of the scariest in the state, with a severe back-to-front tilt, bunkers on either side, and a false front, but is a bit tamer now with slower green speeds.
The 4th hole is the first real deviation from the original design, as you now have to walk up a hill to the old 7th. A downhill 161 yard par 3, this gorgeous hole was my favorite on the old design and holds sentimental value for me, as my great-grandfather made an ace here in 1960. Proper club selection is critical here, and this green slopes left-to-right and back-to-front with bunkers on either side and steep slopes of rough right and long. I’m very happy this hole survived.
Tree removal down the right has improved visuals at 4
The 5th and 6th at Met Links are two new holes created from the old 8th hole. I always found the short dogleg left 8th to be one of the weaker holes at Metacomet and think McNeil did a solid job of breaking the hole up into two better holes. The current 5th plays to the edge of the original fairway as a 261 yard par 4. While a pretty hole with large bunkers dominating your view between the teebox and green, this hole is actually closer to 230 yards and is much better suited as a long par 3. This green is on the flatter side and is defended by bunkers on either side.
The new “par 4” 5th
The best part of the old 8th was an exhilarating approach over a valley to a classic Ross green. The new 6th preserves this and is now an 156 yard par 3 playing over the aforementioned valley to a back-to-front sloped, smaller green surrounded by bunkers. I would say this green works much better as a par 3.
The powerlines are unfortunately still an eyesore on what’s an otherwise beautiful par 3
A closer look at the 6th green
At 149 yards, the 7th is another new hole and yet another par 3. Playing from the original 9th teebox, this pleasant but a bit forgetable one-shotter features a green with a horizontal ridge defended by a deep bunker short left.
The par 3 7th
The 8th hole is the old par 4 4th, but is now a par 5 at 486 yards. A very memorable design, this hole begins with an exhilarating downhill teeshot to a fairway that bends to the right around trees at about 230 yards. While possible to cut the corner here, golfers need to be wary of a hidden creek that requires a longer carry the further right you go. This approach runs straight back uphill to a perched, undulating green lined by bunkers on either side. This was one of the toughest and best par fours in Rhode Island and should’ve remained a par 4 in my opinion.
The par 5 8th
Met Links closes with the original 5th hole, an excellent 172 yard uphill par 3 that plays longer than the scorecard. Bunkers defend well-short of another perched, back-to-front sloped green surrounded by steep slopes. I’m happy this hole survived as well.
The par 3 9th
General Comments: A decidedly low-frills affair, Met Links still features Metacomet’s practice green but otherwise has a trailer for a clubhouse and no range. Pace of play was very strong when I played, but I imagine this course will get lots of play once word gets out about it.
Verdict: Although limited by space and on the shorter side, Met Links is a very welcome edition to the Rhode Island golf scene and contains six of the original front 9 at Metacomet. For some former members, this won’t be enough, but it’s certainly better than nothing and will be one of the best public options in Northern Rhode Island as long as it stays open.
