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I attended the meeting in Leominster last night. They introduced
all the majors involved with the project, and illustrated the layout
of the course and clubhouse. Last night they were looking for 50-100
people to make deposits. Clinton Savings Bank will be holding all interest
bearing escrows. They were looking for $500 deposit last night to
reserve your spot, to be followed by $2500 balance due in Oct. for
the first year and $3000 due the second year, for a total bond of $6000.
This bond is totally refundable at anytime within the next 2 years
until the club opens. Upon opening of the club, bond holders will
be asked for their final decision.
I don't know how many people signed up last night, however the room
could not hold all the people that were there. Many people were
in the doorways and halls. I did not stay for the Q+A session, they
were running late.
They handed out a package of information. I would suggest
writting/calling for the info.
It seemed to be very well organized and presented!
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Re: .3
I had written for information about the club. A representative phoned
me last week to discuss some details. I was on the way out the door
when he called so I didn't write anything down. He promised to send
info, but from what I remember:
Bond (previously mentioned) - $ 6000.00
Annual Dues - $ 1250.00
Clubhouse minimum - NONE
Driving Range with seperate area for members
Semi-private maximum of 300 members
Open to public after 3:00 on weekends - Cost $ 30.00
Course to be seeded next summer, open for play the following year.
Did not mention pool/tennis, had not determined if a family
membership would be offered
When I receive packet, I'll post more info, if necessary.
Phil
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| I finally had a chance to play Sterling last Fri. - 9/4 - and thought
I'd share some observations.
Practice facilities are very good - decent range, beautiful putting
green and good practice bunker. Folks in the shop are very pleasant,
and the shop itself, although temporary is quite good. Limited
selection, but prices are o.k.
The course itself is in terrific shape - better than "The Fox," IMO,
and the greens are the quickest, toughest to read that I've seen since
Rockaway Hunting Club over a year ago. We played it from the "tips,"
and here's an example: #10 is a dogleg right par 5 of around 500 yards
to a severely trapped and elevated green. Hit a pretty good drive and
second shot and had 12 footer for eagle. Had a 4 footer for par... You
just can't believe the swings in the greens ! Very tough for me to
read, but the surfaces were great !
The course itself isn't as tough as the Fox - doesn't play that long.
I liked the back 9 slightly better, especially the two fairly long 4's
and 3's. Some holes on each 9 require a pretty decent carry from the
back tees to reach the fairway. One hole must have been 220, with
several others over 200. The big thing seems to be placing the tee shot
to avoid being blocked out, and to have a reasonable club in. I was
driving it o.k., and had 9 iron, PW, SW into all the 4's except for two
pretty strong 4's on the back. Hit bad drives on them (0ne was 430 or
so, the other 441) and had 5 iron and 4 iron in. First two par 3's on
the back are pretty good - hit two 3 irons. I thought the second was a
tad unfair - trap in front of the green, shallow green and hill behind,
yet played abot 205-210. Hit a 3 iron over, but chipped it in for a 2,
so it couldn't be too bad... Still, I don't like my chances under
normal conditions. Managed to birdie 18 also - only putt I made all
day.
One bad note - the "ranger." I was playing with another guy who is a
decent player - 10 hcp or so - and he and I played the tips, as I said.
Our other two players were pals of mine that shoot phone numbers, but
are great to play with. One guy however hits it weak and ugly. The
other guy hits it weird, but plays fast and reloads it if he hits it
into the trash. They played the front tees. Guys behind us didn't have
to wait, but as we got to #16, the "ranger" comes up and tells us we
have a hole open - speed it up. I wasn't aware of it, but said "fine,
we'll pick it up," and head for the back tees. This guy says "Why are
you playing the back tees ? What are you shooting (About 80, I told
him) ? You don't belong on the back tees, back tees are for pro's, golf
isn't a macho game, blah blah blah." Now I'm really getting hot - all
he has to do is say "pick up the pace, please," and I get the message.
Instead we get some bulls%^$t philosophy from some dork that obviously
wants a confrontation. Truthfully, if the "weak/ugly" golfer isn't with
us, we'd have flown around, but - that's golf. We finished in 4 hrs. 15
minutes, which is within their guidelines, and I was so P.O.ed that I
played the last 3 holes 1 under. I did play #17 and #18 from the back
tees. At that point I was REALLY hot, especially when our "weak/ugly"
guy needled me about being slow. I was about 1" from telling this guy
to learn how to play, but figured it wouldn't help.
Sterling is a fine course, and I recommend it. I also recommend to
y'all that are members that you "lose this ranger." he reflects
unfairly on a quality place, and a quality operation.
--Jack
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