Hickory Ridge at Hickory Ridge Country Club

Hickory Ridge Country Club occupies rolling terrain in Amherst, Massachusetts, a college town in the Pioneer Valley of western New England. The course was designed by Geoffrey Cornish and Bill Robinson, a partnership that shaped numerous layouts across the Northeast during the mid-to-late twentieth century. Cornish, who emigrated from England and became one of New England's most prolific architects, typically emphasized playability and strategic variety suited to the region's climate and topography.

The routing at Hickory Ridge works across varied elevation changes characteristic of the area's glacially formed landscape. Fairways move through corridors of mature hardwoods and evergreens, with the natural contours providing both visual interest and strategic challenge. The design reflects Cornish's practical approach: holes that reward accurate placement over pure distance, greens with modest but meaningful undulation, and bunkering positioned to define preferred angles of approach.

As a private club in a university community, Hickory Ridge serves both local families and members connected to the academic institutions in Amherst. The course provides a traditional country club experience in a region where golf seasons are compressed by New England winters. The layout remains a representative example of Cornish and Robinson's regional work—courses built to accommodate a range of skill levels while respecting the natural character of their sites.