Walk into the Blackledge River Tavern on a Tuesday afternoon and you’ll hear the same thing: someone complaining about the 13th hole. It doesn't matter which course they played—Anderson’s Glen or Gilead Highlands. Both 13ths are par 3s that have ruined more than a few good scorecards over the years. That’s just the vibe at blackledge golf course hebron. It is a place where the history is as thick as the rough in mid-July.
Hebron isn't exactly a bustling metropolis. It’s quiet. Scenic. A bit rugged. The golf reflects that. Since 1963, the Anderson family has been the backbone of this 36-hole facility. Bill Anderson, the owner, has fought literal legal battles to keep this land as a golf course rather than a housing development. You can feel that grit when you’re out there. It’s not some corporate, sanitized resort; it’s a family-run operation that survived the industry’s "down years" by leaning into what New England golf should be: stony, rolling, and incredibly green.
The Tale of Two Courses
Most public facilities are lucky to have 18 holes that don't look like a goat ranch. Blackledge gives you 36. But don't mistake them for twins. They are very different animals.
Anderson’s Glen, often called "The Old Course," is the Geoffrey Cornish classic. Opened in 1963, it’s the elder statesman. It feels wider, more traditional. You can spray the ball a little more here and not immediately hate your life. It plays to a par 72 and stretches out to about 6,787 yards from the gold tees. It’s the kind of course where you think, "I can score here," and then you find yourself staring at a tricky downhill putt on the 9th green that breaks way more than it looks.
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Then there’s Gilead Highlands. Mark Mungeam designed this one, and it opened in 2000. It’s shorter—roughly 6,537 yards—but it’s tighter than a drum. If Anderson’s Glen is a casual stroll, Gilead is a tactical mission. You’re dealing with more woods, more forced carries, and greens that require a surgeon’s touch. The 7th hole on Gilead is a perfect example: a par 5 that bends around a marsh. It’s beautiful, sure, but it’s also a ball-eater.
Why the 13th Hole Matters
People talk about the 13th at Blackledge because it’s a mental hurdle. On the Anderson course, it’s a par 3 that plays around 176 yards. On Gilead, it’s another par 3 that requires serious precision. Why do they both stand out? Because by the time you reach them, the elevation changes have usually started to wear on your legs.
Hebron’s terrain isn't flat. It’s a workout. If you’re walking—and God bless you if you are—the back nine on either course will test your cardio. The slope ratings (up to 128 on Anderson) don't fully capture how much the wind coming off the Blackledge River can mess with a high-arcing 7-iron.
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The Reality of Playing Here in 2026
Let’s talk money, because golf is getting expensive everywhere. For 2026, a weekday round with a cart at Blackledge is sitting around $72. On the weekends, you’re looking at $80. Is it the cheapest in Connecticut? No. But compared to the private clubs in the Hartford area, it’s a steal for 36 holes of this caliber.
Wait times? They’re real. This place is popular.
The Men’s Golf Association (BMGA) here is massive. They get to book tee times two weeks out, while the rest of us get one week. If you’re planning a Saturday morning round, you better be on the website the second those slots open.
- Practice Facilities: They have three putting greens and a range. Buckets range from $12 for 50 balls to $22 for a large 100-ball bucket.
- The Tavern: It’s actually good. Like, "voted best in Tolland County" good. The Blackledge River Tavern isn't just a place for a soggy hot dog. They do dinner specials and live music on weekends.
- Winter Season: When the snow hits, they don't just lock the gates. They offer free cross-country skiing on the trails and have three HD golf simulators inside to keep your swing from falling apart by March.
What Most People Get Wrong
A lot of visitors think because it’s a "Country Club," it’s stuffy. It’s not. The dress code is "proper golf attire," but you’ll see plenty of people just happy to be out in the woods. The staff is famously friendly, which is a rare commodity in the world of overbooked public courses.
However, don't mistake the friendliness for a lack of challenge. The club hosts the CSGA Mid-Amateur Qualifier and the CT Women’s Amateur Championship for a reason. These greens are kept fast. If you show up with a "hit and giggle" mindset, Gilead Highlands will humiliate you by the 4th hole.
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The course is also a bird sanctuary of sorts. You’ll see hawks, sometimes a fox, and definitely a lot of deer. It’s quiet. No highway noise. Just the sound of your ball disappearing into a stone wall on the right of hole #1.
Actionable Strategy for Your Round
If you're heading to Blackledge for the first time, don't just wing it.
- Pick your poison wisely. If your driver is shaky, play Anderson’s Glen. You’ll have more room to recover. If you’re hitting it straight but short, Gilead Highlands is your playground.
- Watch the stone walls. They aren't just for aesthetics; they define the out-of-bounds on several holes. In New England, stone walls are the original hazard.
- Check the pace. The club is strict about the 15-minute-per-hole average. If you’re a slow group, the rangers will find you.
- Download the flyover. Their website has drone flyovers for the Anderson course. Use them. There are some blind shots where knowing the landing area saves you three strokes.
- Book the simulator in February. If you want to use the indoor tech during the winter, those slots fill up weeks in advance because there isn't much else to do in Hebron when it’s 20 degrees out.
Blackledge is a survivor. In an era where many family-owned courses are being sold to developers, the Andersons have kept this place thriving. It’s a piece of Connecticut golf history that happens to have a really great burger waiting for you at the end of the 18th. Whether you're there for the competitive grind or just to lose a dozen balls in the woods, it’s a staple for a reason.