Investment in Massachusetts courses
The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) is to invest millions of dollars on the redevelopment of two courses in the New England state.
The project will improve operations and conditions at Leo J. Martin Memorial Golf Course in Weston and Ponkapoag Golf Course in Canton.
Ponkapoag and the 18-hole Leo J. Martin Memorial Course opened in 1930. Donald Ross designed both courses and Joe Sprague of the Massachusetts Golf Association told The Boston Herald they were “great old establishment courses that people always have been passionate about.”
The Ponkapoag course will see nine of its 36 holes re-open after a period of closure, as well as significant improvements to drainage, ranges and golf cart numbers.
Recent privatisation attempts for the courses have failed, but a legislature signed last year meant a significant revenue boost for the DCR and facilitating this investment into the course and club improvements.
DCR has reclaimed golf cart and driving range operations from private firms and has hired new managers, while keeping golfer fees and cart rentals at the same price.
“Now we’ll be making the profit and putting it back into the operation,” said DCR commissioner Ed Lambert. “It will be used to pay some of the investment in staff and capital that allows us to raise even more money.”