KemperSports has been selected to manage Lyman Orchards Golf Club, a 45-hole public golf destination in Middlefield, Connecticut.
The partnership brings together one of the most established multi-course public golf operators in the United States and one of New England’s most unique and historically significant recreational properties.
The result is a mutually advantageous arrangement poised to elevate guest experiences, expand player development opportunities, and strengthen long-term facility performance.
A Best-Fit Management Relationship
For KemperSports, the addition of Lyman Orchards Golf Club aligns with its existing portfolio of premier public facilities and reinforces its presence in the Northeast.
With a nationwide track record of improving course conditions, optimizing operations, and enhancing guest service standards, the firm is well-positioned to build on Lyman Orchards Golf Club’s existing strengths.
Its guest-first management philosophy—grounded in hospitality principles as much as agronomic excellence—addresses the contemporary consumer expectation that golf facilities serve as holistic lifestyle venues, not merely places to play.
For Lyman Orchards, the decision to partner with a professional golf management company provides access to specialized operational expertise:
- established vendor relationships,
- modern marketing capabilities, and
- cutting-edge turf management practices.
In a competitive public golf environment, these capabilities help ensure sustainable financial performance and continual improvements to the golfer experience.
A Distinctive and Award-Winning Golf Offering
Lyman Orchards Golf Club features an expansive 45-hole configuration located 22 miles south of Hartford.
Its diverse routing includes two championship-length 18-hole courses and a celebrated 9-hole par-3 course:
- The Jones Course, opened in 1969, was designed by Robert Trent Jones, Sr. Considered a classic example of strategic design, the course blends risk-reward shot values with subtle elevation changes, expansive green complexes, and well-placed bunkering that integrates seamlessly into the natural terrain.
- The Player Course, designed by nine-time major champion Gary Player and opened in 1995, winds through working apple orchards and features dramatic elevation changes and smaller, more demanding green surfaces. Its setting and playability profile make it visually distinctive within the region.
- The Apple Course, an executive 9-hole layout designed by Mark Mungeam and opened in 2012, was ranked Connecticut’s top par-3 course and offers an accessible, time-efficient option for juniors, beginners, and avid players seeking short-game skill development.
The property’s historic setting and course variety differentiate Lyman Orchards from conventional daily-fee facilities.
KemperSports is expected to enhance agronomic standards across all three courses and reinforce consistent service levels throughout the operation.
Strength in Player Development and Instruction
Lyman Orchards Golf Club has earned significant recognition for its commitment to junior development, beginner-friendly programming, and instruction. Honors include
- the Youth Player Development Award from the Connecticut Section PGA,
- as well as national recognition among the Top 50 U.S. Kids Coaches, Top 50 Operation 36 Instructors, and the Top 100 Growth of the Game Teaching Professionals.
The club has also been home to recipients of the LPGA National Professional of the Year and LPGA Northeast Section Teacher of the Year awards.
KemperSports’ experience in cultivating successful instructional platforms, league play, and community engagement complements Lyman Orchards Golf Club’s existing strengths.
Combining Lyman Orchards’ instructional pedigree with KemperSports’ programmatic infrastructure will likely broaden participation and strengthen pathway-to-play initiatives, contributing to long-term golfer retention and regional golf growth.
Lifestyle Components and Year-Round Value
Beyond golf, Lyman Orchards Golf Club includes the 1741 Pub & Grill, a casual year-round restaurant and bar featuring burgers, beverages, and house-made offerings such as the 1741 Connecticut Crisp hard cider.
This food-and-beverage component is well aligned with KemperSports’ hospitality orientation, presenting opportunities to enhance non-golf revenue streams, seasonal events, and destination marketing.
Why the Partnership Can Work
The management agreement creates mutually beneficial advantages:
Benefits to Lyman Orchards Golf Club:
- Operational and agronomic expertise from a nationally recognized management firm.
- Improved guest service, facility standards, and hospitality programming.
- Enhanced marketing, digital engagement, and community outreach efforts.
- Strengthened financial performance and long-term sustainability.
Benefits to KemperSports:
- Expansion of its public golf portfolio through a distinctive, high-profile 45-hole property.
- Alignment with a facility that already prioritizes instruction, player development, and recreational quality.
- Opportunities to showcase best practices in agronomy, guest service, and programming in a highly visible regional market.
In an era where public golf success depends on hospitality, quality, and community engagement, the relationship between KemperSports and Lyman Orchards Golf Club appears both timely and advantageous for all stakeholders.