Top 10 Public Golf Courses in Central MA
Monday, April 23, 2012
If you’re a golfer, and the weather hasn’t given you the “golf bug” yet, then perhaps these suggestions will encourage you to find the "bang for your buck."
As many are aware, the golf course building boom in the ‘90’s, coupled with the downturn in the economy has hit the industry hard in central Massachusetts. Shaker Hills Golf Club in Harvard, MA recently sold at auction – the third such course in the area to sell at a foreclosure auction in the past two years – and other clubs and courses are looking to either sell off land for business purposes, or get out of golf altogether. Shaker Hills, formerly ranked as the #1 public course in Massachusetts by Golf Digest, does have plans to re-open at some point.
However, if you’re looking around – for a place to play regularly, maybe for a place to join, or even just looking to play an occasional round of golf – we’ve come up with a list of 10 clubs where they appear to remain passionate about their courses. Hopefully, that translates to being passionate about their customers.
But that’s for you to decide.
Westminster Country Club
51 Ellis Road, Westminster, MA
A semi-private golf club, the public is invited to play with just a little bit of advance notice – which makes playing Westminster a unique opportunity. “The public golfer can play every day except when a corporate or charity tournament is booked or the members have tournaments,” said Chris Sheppard. “Tee times are available 7 days in advance for weekdays, 5 days for weekends. We are a well maintained 18 hole golf course with 4 sets of tees.” The pricing is very affordable, with the best value being the lunch special during the week for $38, which includes golf, cart, and lunch. 6250 yards from the blue tees, par 71. www.westminstercountryclub.com
Quail Hollow Golf Club
1822 Old Turnpike Road, Oakham, MA
Perhaps the best thing about Quail Hollow is the price…unchanged from 2011. “We are centrally located,” Deborah Donlin of Quail Hollow said. “We offer great conditions on a challenging layout at affordable prices. It’s picturesque and worth playing.” $24.95 for 18 holes, plus cart, on Monday through Friday, and only $41 for the same deal on weekends. But the best deal may be the 9-hole “walk-up” on Mondays, with a cart, for just $16. You want to walk it? $10 bucks, Monday through Friday. Hard to beat, basically, a buck a hole. 5719 yards from the blue tees, par 70/71. www.quailhollowgolf.net
Petersham Country Club
Petersham Country Club
Petersham Country Club
240 North Main Street, Petersham, MA
Petersham Country Club is a nine-hole, Donald Ross-designed golf course with open fairways, and small, undulating greens. Fair enough for the inexperienced golfer, but challenging enough when it comes time to “putt for the dough.” “We are extremely accommodating to all skill levels,” said golf pro Tim Bishop. “We are also the only golf course in the state that has a disc golf course within the facility.” Just 45 minutes from Worcester center, Petersham has a weekday special – just $25 for 18 holes, with a cart. Want to walk? Just $20 for 18, $15 for 9-holes. 6007 yards for 18, playing from the back tees, par 70. www.petershamcc.com
Holden Hills Country Club
1800 Main Street, Holden, MA
Home of the 8th annual Massachusetts Senior Open in June, Holden Hills' length might keep some from playing through. But you shouldn't let that stop you. "The yardage of 6100 is very deceiving at Holden Hills," said Jeff Bailey, general manager and PGA pro at Holden Hills. "It is the most challenging, fairly short golf course I have ever played. You just don't try to hit the ball 300 yards, you have to think a little." Golfers can play all day, Monday through Friday, for just $35 with a cart, $30 without. They also have a "buy six rounds, get a 7th free" deal, cart included. 6088 yards from the blue tees, par 71. www.holdenhillsgolf.com
Gardner Municipal Golf Club
Gardner Municipal Golf Club
Gardner Municipal Golf Club
152 Eaton Street, Gardner, MA
This may be one of the “hidden gems” in central Massachusetts. Gardner isn’t really your everyday “muni,” but a course that has some great views, great shots and a staff eager to assist. “I believe our best attribute to be our greens,” said Benjamin Egan, golf pro at Gardner. “We truly have private club greens in a municipal golf setting. Our layout is playable to players of all abilities, and the scenery along Crystal Lake is quite tranquil.” The price is right, too. $10 to walk 18 holes in April, and just $20 to ride on weekdays. 6131 yards from the blue tees, par 71. www.gardnergolfcourse.com
Winchendon School Golf Club
435 Spring Street, Winchendon, MA
Located on the grounds of the Winchendon preparatory school, the golf club is open to public play, as well as membership options. Another of Donald Ross’ designs, the greens and hilly fairways have largely remained untouched since the day Ross redesigned them in 1926. “The views of Mt. Monadnock and the surrounding area are magnificent,” said Tom Borden, golf pro at Winchendon. “Our prices are very competitive, the members are inviting to all players making it an enjoyable place to play for all, and the course is very accommodating to all skill levels.” The front nine is shorter, the back nine longer with more challenging greens to keep most golfers happy, if not challenged. The twilight deal (after 2:00 pm) is just $14 to walk up to18 holes. 5512 yards from the blue tees, par 70. www.winchgolf.com
Ellinwood Country Club
Ellinwood Country Club
Ellinwood Country Club
1928 Pleasant Street, Athol, MA
Another of the Donald Ross designs (did he ever leave central Mass?), Ellinwood was originally built as a nine-hole layout in 1929 and expanded to 18 holes in 1965 with the expertise of Geoffrey Cornish. “The layout of the course is great, everyone seems to like it, with the Donald Ross and Geoffrey Cornish design,” said general manager Wally Holmes, Jr. “We’ve been called the ‘hidden gem’ of Worcester County.” Indeed, the hidden gem may be in the price…Monday through Thursday, just $30 for 18 holes with a cart and lunch – the “midweek special.” Even more special, on Wednesdays, $40 for all you can play, with a cart. 6195 yards from the blue tees, par 71. www.ellinwoodcc.com
Blissful Meadows
801 Chockalog Road, Uxbridge, MA
There is a lot of history to Blissful Meadows, a club that was built upon land purchased from the King of England in 1726. Owners Gordon and Jean Bliss converted their nearly 300-year-old family farm into an 18-hole layout in 1988…and the Bliss children all have a hand in running the operation. The course itself was designed by Brian Silva (Golf World Magazine’s 2000 Architect of the Year) of the design firm Cornish & Silva. Blissful Meadows features two novel programs – “Get Golf Ready,” designed to teach everything you need to know in five short lessons; and the “Triple Crown,” where you can play three holes (if you’re strapped for time and walking) for just $10 bucks, Monday through Friday. 6700 yards from the blue tees, par 72. www.blissfulmeadows.com
Cyprian Keyes Golf Club
284 East Temple Street, Boylston, MA
Cyprian Keyes was built in 1997, from an estate that dates back to 1734. Featuring 27 holes overall, including a nine-hole par-3 course, there is also a golf school and fitting center on site. "The 18 hole course, which is always in excellent condition, is a good test for all skill levels," said Tom Shaw, teaching pro at Cyprian Keyes. "Our beautiful par-3 course is fun for all, from beginners to skilled players. The driving range features private lessons from our certified instructors, golf schools for juniors and adults and also plenty of individual practice." Rates range from $15 during the week for the nine-hole par 3 course to weekend fees for the 18-hole championship course of $59. Cart rentals are optional. 6871 yards from the black tees, par 72. www.cypriankeyes.com
Red Tail Golf Club
Red Tail Golf Club
Red Tail Golf Club
15 Bulge Road, Devens, MA
Red Tail makes our list because it was most recommended by the golf pros and owners we spoke with. The #1 rated public course in Massachusetts for 2012 by GolfWeek Magazine, Red Tail was also designed by Brian Silva. Featuring rolling wooden hills, streams and ponds, plus maple, birch, oak and pine trees, Red Tail seems to have just about everything you might picture in a perfect golf setting. Complete with a practice range and a practice green for putting and chipping, Red Tail was also host to the ’09 USGA Women’s Amateur Public Links Championship. $70 for 18 holes with cart Monday through Friday, $80 on weekends through April. 7006 yards, par 72. www.redtailgolf.net
Blackstone National
227 Putnam Hill Road, Sutton, MA
Blackstone National was also mentioned prominently by the local golf course owners and club pros responding to GoLocalWorcester’s inquiries. An all-purpose course for beginners as well as the advanced golfer, Blackstone National was designed by Rees Jones, who describes his style as “emphasizing definition. I work hard at giving the golfer a concept as he stands over the ball. I want him to see the intended target and be able to visualize the shot.” With plenty of leagues, junior programs and golf instruction, there’s something for every level of play. Green fees range from $28 on weekdays to $75 on weekends with cart and range included. 6909 yards from the black tees, par 72. http://www.bngc.net
Townsend Ridge/Bedrock
40 Scales Lane, Townsend, MA
87 Barre Paxton Road, Rutland, MA
Townsend Ridge and Bedrock Golf Club are included in our survey, as they were also popular with our contributing club owners and pros. Townsend Ridge (opened in 1996, par 70) includes two golf simulators in their clubhouse, so you don’t have to put away your clubs in the winter. 18-hole rates begin at $27. Bedrock (opened in 1992, par 36), located 10 miles west of Worcester, is a challenging nine-hole course that includes amenities available at most larger clubs. Weekday rates begin at just $18 for 18 holes. www.townsendridge.com - www.bedrockgolfclub.com
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