Located just off Interstate 91 in Bernardston, Massachusetts, Crumpin-Fox Club is 18 holes of golfing magnificence. Rated #1 in Massachusetts in Golfweek’s 2010 Best Courses You Can Play rankings, the course is 45 minutes from Springfield, about an hour-and-a-half from Worcester and two hours from Boston.
Crumpin-Fox Club was conceived in 1969, but delays in development pushed the opening of the back nine holes, which were built before the front nine, to 1977. That same year, the clubhouse was erected, but it wasn’t until 1987 when William A. Sandri of Bernardston purchased the site and began development of the rest of the course. Under the direction of architect Roger Rulewich, the front nine holes were built along with extensive renovations to the existing back nine holes, the driving range and the irrigation system. Bent grass fairways were planted and the course opened to golfers in June 1990.
Sandri, who since purchasing Crumpin-Fox Club has acquired two more courses, has become synonymous with award winning golf. Additionally, he is the CEO of all the Sandri Companies (with holdings in the fuel, gasoline and lubes industry) and still finds the time to give to the community generously as a philanthropist of the highest degree. His dedication to the Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) Association goes back to the late 1970s and his annual BBBS charity golf tournament, which celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2006, has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars. To mark his generosity, Sandri was awarded the inaugural Leadership in Philanthropy Award by the Big Brothers Big Sisters of America in 2007.
Crumpin-Fox Club’s name is derived from the Bernardston-based Crump Soda Company that was sold in 1853 to Eli Fox; thus becoming the Crump & Fox Soda Company. Course management, led by Head PGA Professional Michael Zaranek, has stayed true to the founding mission and continues to provide an enjoyable and challenging golf experience and promote the values of the game of golf. 
Playing just over 7,000 yards from the back tees, Crumpin-Fox is a Par-72 course featuring a plethora of challenges for golfers of all skill levels. Filled with hole after hole of beautiful scenery and wonderfully manicured grounds, the course features two holes in particular that are worth mentioning in greater detail—the 8th and the 14th.
Ranked as the number-one handicapped hole, No. 8 is a Par-5 behemoth, playing 592 yards from the back tees. From an elevated tee box, the golfer will surly be overwhelmed by the expansive fairway flanked the entire distance on the left by a lake, making long and straight off the tee a necessity. Once on the fairway, the golfer has the option of laying up and leaving a mid- to long-iron to the green, or clubbing up and leaving a short iron to the green. Getting to the green in two is nearly impossible, unless your name is John Daly. The third shot plays over the lake to a green that seems to offer a new pin placement every day of the year. Get out of here with par and consider yourself lucky.
The 14th, another Par-5 featuring a green protected by water, ranks as the fifth toughest hole on the course. Playing 527 yards from the back tees, the hole’s modest length should not provoke thoughts of an easy birdie. The hole features a large bunker to the left of the landing area and a brook to the right, requiring a strong tee shot to make reaching the green in two a possibility. Once on the putting surface, the player must contend with a tiered surface and a pin placement that is oftentimes to the left rear of the green, bringing both a pond and a large rear bunker into play.
In addition to the 18-hole main course, Crumpin-Fox Club is home to the new Fox Short Course, designed specifically for young players. Featuring two sets of tees, one for 4 to 7 year olds and the other for 8 to 12 year olds, the course has holes ranging from under 100 yards to just over 300 yards and is the ideal track for introducing children to the game.
When it comes to food and beverage, Crumpin-Fox is second to none, and course management has found a way to combine their exceptional dining options with rounds of golf. Featuring Golf & Dinner, Golf & Banquet, and Golf & BBQ packages, there is definitely something for everyone, regardless if you are playing solo or part of a large group. Additionally, Crumpin-Fox offers a stay and play arrangement with The Fox Inn. The arrangement starts with the aforementioned Golf & Dinner Package and includes a night at the inn for a reasonable price.
Further illustrating the club’s incredible dining reputation are two fantastic eateries—Zeke’s Grill and Bella Notte II. Zeke’s, located in the Crumpin-Fox Clubhouse, was rated one of the Five Best 19th Holes in America by Men’s Fitness in 1997. Boasting a comprehensive menu featuring some of the region’s best pub food, Zeke’s also has an assortment of beers, wine, scotches and even cigars, to choose from.
The family owned and operated Bella Notte II is an elegant Italian restaurant perched above the course, and provides unforgettable views of the Pioneer Valley below. The restaurant is the perfect setting for weddings, corporate events and family celebrations. For more information, call 413.648.9107.
Although a public course, Crumpin-Fox Club offers a few different membership packages, including corporate, individual, family and junior categories. An exceptional instructional program is available to members and guests, featuring teaching professionals ready to work with all levels of golfers, from beginners to PGA professionals, young children to retirees. The course also has a Junior Golf program and the renowned Fox University, a two-day golf school designed to teach men and women the intricacies of the game.
Finally, Crumpin-Fox Club is home to a highly ranked golf shop, featuring a complete inventory of the finest men’s and women’s apparel, the latest equipment and a full spectrum of accessories. Their professionals offer services such as complimentary club fitting, demo programs and trunk shows, and if your item is not in stock they will special order it for you. The Crumpin-Fox Golf Shop, along with 1994 PGA National Merchandiser of the Year Award winner Ron Beck, has been recognized as one of the Top 100 golf shops in America by Golf World magazine.
Crumpin-Fox Club is just one-third of the Sandri family of courses, with Fox Hollow Golf Club in New Port Richey, Florida and Fox Hopyard Golf Club in East Haddam, Connecticut rounding out the group. For more information on any of these courses, visit golfthefox.com. This comprehensive site provides details on everything from stay and play packages to rates to instructional courses. Tee times can also be made via the site and Crumpin-Fox Club allows for tee times to be scheduled up to 30 days in advance online.