The Challenger

By Barry Scanlon

During leisurely strolls around the course, he has seen deer, wild turkeys and foxes. One day, he even saw a moose.

Cyprian Keyes Golf Club, an award-winning 18-hole layout in Boylston, has many fine attributes. Its serene setting may top the list, according to Terry O’Hara, the course’s Director of Golf.

“You go to some courses and all you hear are fire engines and police sirens,” O’Hara says.

Built on 230 acres in this town, which is located 10 miles from Worcester and just 45 minutes from Boston, Cyprian Keyes features several wetland areas and plenty of wildlife activity. Due to the challenging nature of the course, however, eagles and birdies can be rare sights - especially if a player is playing a set of tees not suited to his/her ability level. Club officials frown upon the term “target golf,” but this is no stroll through the park.

Just ask Todd Lane, a talented 17-year-old from Shrewsbury. Lane grew up playing Cyprian Keyes’ adjacent par 3 course (most holes are between 95-165 yards) and he experienced growing pains when he graduated to the big course. Today, he knows every nook and cranny of the course, but that doesn’t make it any easier.

“It always makes you think. I prefer target golf, which is basically what the whole course is,” Lane says. “Where else are you going to find a tougher course around here? You go to other courses and you’re like, ‘Hey, this isn’t too bad.’ If you go left or right (at Cyprian Keyes), there’s always something that’s going to hurt you.”

Lane’s low score on the 18-hole course is 74. Still, he advises newcomers to bring “two sleeves” of balls. In order to make the course easier - and increase the amount of sunlight several greens receive - club officials removed 70-100 trees last winter. Similar clearing may take place this winter.

The course plays 6,871 yards from the black tees with a slope of 136. Unlike most courses, Cyprian Keyes offers five sets of tees with varying yardage and slope. The blues (6,498 yards, 134 slope), whites (6,134, 132), greens (5,676, 121) and golds (5,029, 126) all pose their own set of challenges.

“The black (tees), to be honest, are a very challenging test,” says Daniel Frem, the course’s vice president and a son of Robert and Liz Frem, the owners. “I think it’s a classic New England layout. You get to see a lot of elevation changes. We’ve tried very hard to keep the natural look of every hole. We prefer the word challenging to difficult.”

“But at the same time I think it’s a fun course to play.” Frem continues. “Our course right now is spectacular.”

Indeed, during a July visit, the greens were in the type of velvet condition any private course would be happy to have. The fairways, even after a night of torrential rain, were immaculate and firm.

“I played a couple of private courses recently and I would put our greens up against all of them,” Daniel Frem adds.

The Mark Mungeam-designed course opened Aug. 11, 1997 to rave reviews. Before long, the golfers - and awards - were rolling in from Route 290 and beyond.

New England Golf Guide called Cyprian Keyes, “maybe the best New England course built in the 90s.” The Golfer, in 1998, called it “one of the 10 best new courses in America.” Boston Magazine, in 1999, labeled it the “Best Suburban Golf Course.”

Mid-week green fees are $49, while weekend green fees are $59. Carts are an additional $17 per rider. Club officials say 32,000-36,000 rounds are played each year at Cyprian Keyes, with the par 3 course seeing slightly less play.

“We’re closer to Boston than a lot of people think. We have a lot of people from Boston show up half an hour early for their tee times,” Daniel Frem says. “When they see the condition of the course, and the rates, we do have a lot of people return.”

In 1718, Gershom Keyes purchased the land that Cyprian Keyes is located on. The club is named after his son Cyprian. Cyprian Keyes’ logo is based on the endangered marbled salamander, which during Colonial times was a symbol of welcome. Out of respect for the salamander, 11 acres to the right of the third hole remain untouched.

The Frems purchased the land that would become Cyprian Keyes in the mid-1990s from the Archdiocese of Worcester. Frem says the course is proud of its reputation for being friendly to female and junior golfers.

“With the five sets of tees, we can cater to everybody,” he explains.

Cyprian Keyes’ junior program, which services 220 young players, recently received a Junior Development Award from Golf Digest.

“We’ve tried to do as much as we can to make it as accessible as possible,” Frem adds.

In addition to the five sets of tees, another thing that makes Cyprian Keyes different is that their tee times are separated by 10 minutes, a couple of minutes longer than most clubs.

“We want them to be able to take their time and enjoy it,” Frem says. “I think a lot of people may not be used to this type of golf. A lot of people at public courses think they’re going to hit driver on 14 holes. This is a unique experience for a lot of people.”

Despite plenty of rumors, the Frem family is adamant that Cyprian Keyes will not become a private club. Forty-five people have become members - club officials want to keep the number low - and for an annual fee can play unlimited golf.

The challenge of playing Cyprian Keyes begins on the very first shot. From the blue tees, the par 4 first hole is only 344 yards, but the tee shot requires a carry of some 150 yards over marshy terrain - and the challenges just keep coming.

A terrific test awaits at the par 5 fourth hole, where the fairway is slightly wider than Yao Ming’s legs. By the time a golfer has tried to avoid the seven bunkers at the par 18th, a 485-yard hole from the blue tees, every club in the bag has likely been used. The scenery can be spectacular and good shots will be rewarded.

“People need to think about what tees they play,” O’Hara cautions. “If you’re a 15 or an 18 handicap, you’re not going to enjoy it from the black tees. Play the tees that fit your level. If you play well here, you can play well anywhere.”

O’Hara said golfers who play Cyprian Keyes want three things: pristine conditions, strong services and a challenge. He’s confident his club delivers on all three.

“Our philosophy is you’re a member for a day, whether you’re a $19 green fee or a $59 green fee” O’Hara says.