By Joe Morelli, Register Staff

HAMDEN — Terry Crawford spent more than half of his life working at Brownson Country Club in Huntington, first as the head pro, then the last 13 years as general manager.

Crawford planned to pursue other opportunities in the business, possibly in teaching. Then he heard about the opening for a general manager at New Haven CC. He applied and got the job in March, replacing Sean McLaughlin, who went to work at the Patterson Club in Fairfield.

New Haven CC had to replace its two other primary positions as well. Bill Wallis, formerly a senior assistant pro at Shinnecock Hills GC in Southampton, N.Y., came in as the new head pro, replacing Bill Shaw, now an assistant at Bulls Bridge GC in South Kent. Jason Booth came over from Woodbridge CC to be the new course superintendent. He replaced Matt Burrows, now at Winged Foot GC in Mamaroneck, N.Y. All three people inked three-year contracts.
“I will need to adjust. It’s a totally different operation,” Crawford said. “My expectation is to make New Haven (CC) the best private club in New England. I think we can accomplish that with the staff we have in place. Between the three of us, we can completely raise the level here.”

New Haven CC is in the process of trying to restore all 18 greens to its original shape. Crawford also said transitional cuts of rough and walking paths will be added to holes this year.

One of Crawford’s long-term goals is one problem facing many country clubs throughout the region: increasing memberships. He said the club’s current total membership is around 500. While New Haven CC recently renovated its clubhouse, Crawford knows the golf course itself is the main draw for new members.

“If they could stay in the 325-member range (for golf only), the club would be very happy,” Crawford said. “The club went through a transition period, to get bent greens and become a little firmer and harder. That had some growing pains. Now that the club has gone through it, Jason will pick up the ball where Matt started. I still feel members are the best avenue of bringing in new members, not advertising. You cannot advertise to bring in a member. A member has to want to join their club and you have to give them a reason to join.”

When people do come to New Haven CC with the thought of joining, they can expect Crawford more often than not to being there to welcome them. The job may have changed but the man himself has not.

After more than a decade-long absence, there will be a women’s association at Alling Memorial GC in New Haven beginning Saturday.

The New Haven Women’s Golf Club will likely have assigned tee times and tournaments every Saturday morning. Natalya Sapko, vice president of the new organization, hopes it will grow throughout the season.
“The best way to get guaranteed tee times for the women was to form an association,” Sapko said. “New Haven needs a women’s golf club. We have a municipal course here and the women of New Haven need to be able to enjoy the course.”

Sapko said dues will be $85 for the season. That will get you a handicap care and inclusion in all of the tournaments, including a club championship and the President’s Cup. Sapko, a New Haven resident, said the club should play through to October with at least three to four groups every Saturday.

The women will also have a weekly nine-holers group every Thursday morning under the direction of Gail DeBaise.
“There hasn’t been a women’s league here of any sort in at least 10 years, probably longer,” said Larry Thornhill, the head pro at Alling. “In today’s golf business environment, if you want to grow the business, you need women and you need new golfers.”

Said Sapko: “I do think women probably look for camaraderie, a place to play and a place where they will feel comfortable. Maybe it will open the course up to women who live in the area who wouldn’t have considered coming here before.”

Sapko said women from any town can participate. You can join by e-mailing Sapko at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Joe Morelli can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it