Hop Meadow country Club and the 1981 canon Greater Hartford Open
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Hop Meadow Country Club in Simsbury, Connecticut, hosted the 1981 Canon Greater Hartford Open, a PGA Tour event remembered for its challenging course conditions and eventual winner, Roger Maltbie.
The 1981 tournament took place from August 27-30, 1981. Maltbie won with a score of 8-under-par 272, defeating Andy Bean by one stroke.The tournament was notable for the arduous greens and overall challenging layout of Hop Meadow, which tested the players’ skills. The event attracted a field of prominent golfers, including hale Irwin and Tom Watson.
Roger Maltbie’s winning performance at the 1981 Canon Greater Hartford Open marked a important victory in his career. He secured $60,000 from the $300,000 purse. PGA Tour official results confirm Maltbie’s score and Bean’s runner-up finish.
Course Details and History of Hop Meadow Country Club
Hop Meadow Country Club is a private 18-hole golf course designed by Flynn & McGowan and opened in 1927.
The course is known for its undulating terrain, challenging greens, and mature trees. It has hosted several significant golf events over the years, including the Canon Greater Hartford Open (now the Travelers Championship) multiple times. The course underwent renovations in recent years to enhance its playability and maintain its championship-level standards. The club also offers other amenities, including tennis courts, a swimming pool, and dining facilities.
According to the club’s official course overview, the course plays to a par of 70 and features a length of 6,812 yards from the championship tees. The course rating is 72.4 and the slope rating is 138.
The 1981 Canon Greater Hartford Open – Key Players and Competition
The 1981 Canon Greater Hartford Open featured a competitive field of professional golfers vying for the title.
Besides Roger Maltbie and Andy Bean, other notable players in the tournament included Hale Irwin, who finished tied for 11th, and Tom Watson. The tournament was characterized by tight scoring and a dramatic finish, with Maltbie holding off Bean’s challenge in the final round.The challenging course conditions contributed to the competitive nature of the event.
The Golf Digest article provides a retrospective on the tournament, highlighting Maltbie’s clutch performance and the difficulty of the course.
Breaking News Check (as of 2026/01/22 22:13:31)
as of January 22, 2026, there are no new developments regarding the 1981 Canon Greater Hartford Open or Hop Meadow Country Club. The event remains a historical milestone in the club’s and the tournament’s history. The Travelers Championship continues to be held annually, but not at Hop Meadow. The Travelers Championship official website provides current information about the ongoing tournament.
