H Smith Richardson Golf Club

H. Smith Richardson Golf Club occupies a wooded property in Fairfield, Connecticut, designed by Hal Purdy and opened in the mid-1960s. The course was developed as part of a private club serving the Fairfield County community, an area with a long tradition of golf dating to the early twentieth century. Purdy, a regional architect active primarily in the Northeast during the postwar era, created a layout that works with the natural rolling terrain and mature tree cover characteristic of southwestern Connecticut. The routing moves through corridors of hardwoods and evergreens, with elevation changes that add variety to shot values and create natural separation between holes. The design emphasizes accuracy over distance, as tree-lined fairways reward precise ball-striking and course management. Greens are typically modest in size with subtle contours, reflecting the architectural sensibilities of the period. Water features appear on several holes, contributing to the strategic demands of the layout. The club operates as a private facility with a membership drawn from the surrounding Fairfield County area. Its location places it within a region known for numerous established clubs and a strong golf culture. The course serves primarily as a venue for member play and club competitions rather than high-profile tournaments, maintaining a focus on the day-to-day experience of its membership. The setting provides a traditional tree-lined golf experience typical of southern New England courses from the same era.