History of the Norwich Golf Club

The Norwich Golf Course has been an integral part of the Norwich community for more than 130 years. This page highlights a few of the countless community events the course has been involved with or sponsored over the years.

SLEDDING AT THE NORWICH GOLF COURSE

Bunny Hill? … or … Suicide Hill?

For generations, as soon as the first heavy snow blankets the Rose City, a familiar migration begins toward the Norwich Golf Course. At the heart of this winter tradition is the legendary “Suicide Hill,” a steep, split-level stretch located on the second hole that has long been considered a premier sledding destination in Southeastern Connecticut. But many sledders, of course, opt for the more tranquil “Bunny Hill.”

The age-old question, of course, is: Which shall we choose, Bunny Hill or Suicide Hill??

People flock to Suicide Hill for the adrenaline rush of its sharp descent. Sledders sail down a long, steep stretch, level out briefly on a plateau, and then “catch a little air” as they continue their plunge toward the bottom. For local families, it is a time-honored tradition; parents who raced down the slopes as children now bring their own sons and daughters to experience the same thrill. On busy Sunday afternoons, the parking lot is often as full as it is during the height of the summer golf season.

Generally, the city treats sledding as a public privilege rather than a sanctioned activity. While the Norwich Golf Course Authority recognizes the hills as a “great resource” and has historically been reluctant to shut them down, they do not formally “sanction” the activity due to insurance risks.

At various times, the hill has been declared strictly off-limits. As of 2021, while most of the course is open to the public for winter recreation, signs explicitly prohibit sledding on the second hole (Suicide Hill) due to its dangerous proximity to Trading Cove Brook.

During periods of high injury rates, the city has used police patrols and physical barriers such as logs, brush, and felled trees to deter thrill-seekers.

History of Sledding on Suicide Hill

The documented history of Suicide Hill reflects a constant tug-of-war between community tradition and safety concerns:

Late 1970s: During the course’s transition to municipal ownership, Chairman Barney Caulfield advocated for formalizing winter use. In November 1978, he proposed a ski trail to augment the “wintertime sliding areas” that had been open to residents since the Dawson family owned the property.

1984: The hill was recognized in an informal survey as one of the area’s top spots, though it was then often referred to as “Deadman’s Hill.” Police noted it was “fairly safe,” though parking on the New London Turnpike was a major issue.

In addition to Suicide Hill, there is a “bunny hill,” shown below, very near the parking lot and first fairway. This 2026 video, with the Norwich Golf Club clubhouse in the background, shows a very small portion of the attraction.

Kids Blissfully Sliding Down Bunny Hill

1987: A “black year” for the hill. After five or six people were injured in a single Sunday, the Norwich Golf Course Authority banned sledding and posted warning signs. The hill had become like a sheet of ice because many sledders used saucers that packed the snow into sheets of ice. Sledders reportedly disregarded the signs and even removed logs and brush placed on the slope to block them, leading to threats of arrest for trespassing.

1995: The atmosphere had shifted back to cooperation. Course Supervisor Bruce Morse admitted that staff plowed the parking lot specifically for sledders, noting, “As soon as the snow hits they flock here”.

2004: Safety concerns resurfaced. The hill was again barricaded with cut trees, much to the frustration of local sledders who still considered it “truly the best hill around.”

2015: A new threat emerged: trash. After a weekend storm, residents found the hill littered with broken plastic sleds and debris. Despite maintenance concerns, the Authority confirmed that “trash won’t shut down sledding,” reiterating their commitment to keeping the course available for traditional winter use.

2021: The current era is defined by warning signs. While the rest of the holes remain open to the public, Suicide Hill is officially marked with signs prohibiting sledding because it is “steep and drops off quickly to a stream.” However, Superintendent Eric Kundahl noted that “thrill seekers” continue to ignore the signs for the sake of the legendary run.

Ultimately, Suicide Hill is far more than just a steep slope on a golf course; it is a cherished symbol of community spirit and winter joy for the people of Norwich. While formal policies and warning signs have evolved over the decades to enhance safety, the core of the story remains a positive, long-standing tradition that brings generations of families together to “catch a little air” and experience premier sledding in eastern Connecticut.

From the early advocacy of leaders like Barney Caulfield to modern efforts by residents to keep the slopes clean, the hill represents a vibrant public privilege maintained through mutual respect and a shared love for the land. As long as the snow falls on the Rose City, the laughter echoing off the second hole fairways ensures that Suicide Hill remains a legendary and enduring part of the course’s multi-use legacy.

NORWICH BULLETIN GOLF CHALLENGE

In late June 2007, the Bulletin placed an advertisement seeking three individuals to learn the fundamentals of golf. Three eager golf novices accepted the offer several days later, and the challenge was off and running. The Bulletin sponsored the series, supported by the Norwich Golf Course and the Mohegan Sun Country Club.

The Bulletin Golf Challenge was a summer instruction series sponsored by the Norwich Bulletin and the Norwich Golf Course that selected three local novices with little to no prior golf experience and paired them with area golf professionals for seven weeks of intensive private lessons, culminating in a five-hole showcase tournament. The event took place from June through August 2007.

Lauren Heinonen: A 26-year-old from North Franklin, was coached by Scott Potter, who at the time was the head professional at Willimantic Country Club.
Michael Soriero: A 62-year-old from Killingly, was coached by Cameron Johnson and Frank Segaline, who at the time were assistant professionals at the Norwich Golf Course. Cameron is the President of today’s Norwich Senior Golf League.
John Bassett: A 38-year-old pilot from Dayville, was coached by Mike Svab, who was at the time head professional at Mohegan Sun Country Club at Pautipaug. Mike is today’s head professional at the Norwich Golf Course.

Over seven weeks, the novices received weekly one-hour lessons covering swing mechanics, putting, chipping, bunker play, sidehill lies, and course etiquette. For Soriero, who was recovering from cancer treatments at the time, the program served as a therapeutic outlet that restored his energy and spirits.

Showcase Tournament & Results

The program concluded with a five-hole tournament at Mohegan Sun Country Club at Pautipaug in Baltic:

John Bassett turned in the lowest score among the group, overcoming an initial tee-shot jitter to play solid recovery shots out of greenside bunkers and card bogeys.
Lauren Heinonen displayed a strong putting touch, sinking 15-foot putts on consecutive holes.
Michael Soriero nearly holed a dramatic 30-foot downhill putt on the par-5 fifth hole