History of Newport National Golf Club
2002
The Orchard Course
Newport National Golf Club is one of New England’s finest golf courses. Located in Middletown RI, this award winning 200-acre golf course originally opened in 2002.
Newport National which started out as a landscape nursery is now deemed the “Number One Public Access Course in New England,” by New England Golf Monthly. Newport National is a 7,200-yard, par 72 championship golf course as well as an open space tribute to environmental sensitivity. Built to challenge golfers of every skill level, including the best in the world, this links-style course will take your breath away with its beautiful vistas of the Atlantic Ocean and the Sakonnet Passage. The fescue-lined, bentgrass fairways, tees and greens will remind you of the great courses of Ireland. The bridle trail and restored natural areas will illustrate our vision of a golf course built in harmony with the land.
Golf course architect Arthur Hills used this former nursery farm and orchard as the canvas upon which to craft his masterpiece. We are honored to have you experience our addition to the rich golf heritage of Rhode Island and encourage you to see it for yourself.
2024
The Vineyard Course
The Vineyard Course at Newport National is a wonderful complement to its predecesor The Orchard Course. Set on a gently rolling terrain, the holes are carefully crafted so they blend seamlessly with their natural surroundings and preserve the historic stone walls and specimen oak trees. Much like the Orchard Course, the Vineyard Course has a charming New England feel that is reminiscent of many classic old golf courses found in the Northeast. Along with a beautiful new clubhouse, the Vineyard Course will also provide a new state-of-the-art practice facility, which includes a double-ended driving range with over 70,000 square feet of practice tee and multiple target greens. It also includes a one acre short game area with multiple bunkers and ample fairway surrounds so players can practice virtually any short shot they can imagine.
More History to come
Golf Course Architect
Designed by
Arthur Hills
Hills • Forrest • Smith
The name Arthur Hills is well recognized in the world of golf. Arthur was the founding principal of Hills & Forest International Golf Course Architects. With over 40 years of experience, he was responsible for designing more than 185 new golf courses around the world and was called upon to refine or renovate more than 125 courses including some of the country’s most renowned clubs.
Course Conservation
Audubon International has designated Newport National Golf Club as a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary. This certification recognizes the efforts we have made in environmental stewardship through participation in the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses. Under this program, we continually strive toward best management practices in environmental planning; wildlife and habitat management; chemical use reduction and safety; water conservation; water quality management; and outreach education.
Newport National partners with the Aquidneck Land Trust to preserve open space and natural wildlife habitats. A conservation easement protects the property which includes nearly five miles of the Sakonnet Greenway Trail, a bridle and walking path along the course perimeter.