| Courtesy of The Boston Globe, Sunday, MArch 7th:
MGA EYES STURBRIDGE COURSE
"The Massachusetts Golf Association has signed a letter of
intent with Old Sturbridge Village to explore the possibility
of constructing, at the MGA's expense, an 18-hole, premier
golf course.
The course would be built on a parcel of land owned by the
Village commonly known as the Morgan Tract, a 1200-acre plot.
The MGA has a working relationship with George Wright GC
in Hyde Park, but has never had its own course.
Representatives of Old Sturbridge Village and the MGA will
meet Wednesday (March 10) to discuss the new course."
Sounds promising.
JD
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| Again, courtesy of The Boston Globe, Sunday, March 13th
............
"Although there is no definite timetable, it is hoped an architect
can be selected by June, and ground breaking could begin as
early as the fall. More than 30 letters were sent to top course
architects as Pete Dye, Rees Jones, Tom Fazio and Brian Silva
and player-architects such as Hale Irwin and Ben Crenshaw.
If anything could hold up the creation of an MGA-Sturbridge
course, it would be financing.
The MGA estimates the facility will cost $3 million to $5 million
and there is a slight possibility there could by 36 holes.
The proposed course would be the site for several qualifying
tournaments but not the permanent home of any major MGA events,
such as the Massachusetts Open or the Mass. Amateur.
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| I felt that this note would be a good place to mention some of the
construction activity that may be going on in central Mass.
There has been mention of a new 18 hole course in Paxton, which is
just north of Worcester. No comments were made if it was going to
public or private. It is to be located at Athern Farm.
I noted that there is going to be an attempt made in my home town of
Sutton (home of PV). A group of investors is supposed to present their
plans to the zoning board very soon to build two 18 hole courses. The
grapevine in town suggests that these will be public courses and both
will be in excess 6900 yards.
This proposed facility may be located very near to PV. Naturally, I am
very excited about having something so close to home. I plan on
attending zoning board meeting (if I find out when this proposal will
be made) to get more details.
If there is any interest, I will give out any information that I can.
Ken
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| Actually, there are about 120 memberships left--with a hitch. They
have 180 members at present. Once they hit 200 or at the end of this
month--whichever occurs first--the deal changes. Right now, your bond
can be sold for a profit when you leave the club and you can get up to
$1500 more than your bond back (the owners get the rest, if it sells
for more than the original bond + $1500). After August 31, all new
membership bonds are non-profit. Also, the annual dues for late
joiners will be an extra $100/year. Something like that, anyway. The
point is, they want to make it attractive to join NOW, rather than
later--to get those who can't make up their minds to climb down off
the fence.
The course is coming along nicely (I live about a mile from it).
They've seeded a number of holes and expect to have the whole course
seeded by September. They hope to open for play in May. That may be
optimistic, but it will certainly be ready by mid June. When it's
ready, it'll be a beauty. Wetlands, ponds and woods frame and accent
the holes. No blind tee shots. Bent grass tee to green. Woods planted
with grass to about 20 yards deep--ala Augusta. And it'll be as tough
as it is pretty. They expect the slope to be about 135-140 from the
tips. If that unsettles you, there are 3 men's tees and 2 women's, so
you'll find a comfortable range somewhere.
Although the course is open to the public, greens fees will be steep
and members can call ahead for tee times well in advance of the
public. That makes weekends and afternoons virtually private. The
clubhouse will have separate facilities for members and public,
including private 19th hole, locker room, and practice tee.
And from what I've seen, a lot of good players have joined.
In case you haven't noticed, I'm pretty enthusiastic about Sterling
CC. Digging deep into your pockets to cover a non-secured bond is not
without its risks, but from everything I've seen the developers are
doing everything right. (Including not tying the project to real
estate--the major cause of other club failures.) They seem destined
for success.
If you're interested, call the club offices at (508) 422-3335. Or drop
me a note, I'll answer all the questions I can.
Tom
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