North Shore Golf Magazine Spring 2017

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N O R T H S H O R E 

GOLF 

S P R I N G 2 0 1 7 

LINKS 

TO 

THE 

PAST 

Plus: 

The new Commish 

The great indoors 

Open-minded at 

Salem CC


Davis Love III 

June 26-July 2, 2017 

38th U.S. Senior Open Championship 

Be a part of the magic 

History returns to Salem 

The 38th U.S. Senior Open Championship is coming to Salem Country Club this June, 

bringing the greatest names in the game to compete for the coveted U.S. Senior Open trophy. 

Be a part of the magic as all-time favorite legends like Davis Love III, Colin Montgomerie, 

Bernhard Langer and Tom Watson challenge the historic golf course to compete for the title. 

Daily tickets start at $25 

Learn more at 2017USSeniorOpen.com 

SALEM COUNTRY CLUB 

2017 U.S. Senior Open | June 26 - July 2 | Salem Country Club | Peabody, MA

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The North Shore’s golf legacy 

is rich indeed. NSG shares little-known 

facts and secrets about our 

clubs and players. 

ESSEX MEDIA GROUP, INC. 

110 Munroe St., Lynn, MA 01901 

781-593-7700 

Subscriptions: 781-593-7700 x1253 

northshoregolfmagazine.com 

COVER PHOTO: Tim McDonough 

2 >>> spring 2017


N O R T H S H O R E 

GOLF 

PUBLISHED BY ESSEX MEDIA GROUP 

PUBLISHER 

Edward M. Grant 

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER 

Beth Bresnahan 

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER 

James N. Wilson 

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER 

William J. Kraft 

EDITOR 

Bill Brotherton 

ASSOCIATE EDITOR 

Anne Marie Tobin 

DIRECTOR OF ADVERTISING 

& BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT 

Mike Germano 

DIRECTORS 

Edward L. Cahill 

John M. Gilberg 

Edward M. Grant 

Gordon R. Hall 

Monica Connell Healey 

J. Patrick Norton 

Michael H. Shanahan 

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS 

Bob Green 

Gary Larrabee 

DESIGNER 

Tim McDonough 

PHOTOGRAPHERS 

Spenser Hasak 

Mark Lorenz 

Owen O’Rourke 

INSIDE THIS EDITION 

Links to the past .................................................................6 

The Commish .................................................................... 12 

A new beginning in Nahant ............................................... 14 

Pro changes at Essex and Myopia .....................................15 

The great indoors .............................................................. 20 

Command performance ...................................................... 23 

Gannon’s 19th hole .......................................................... 24 

USGA Director visits Salem CC ....................................... 25 

Does the golf ball go too far? ............................................. 26 

Bill Flynn’s legacy continues to grow ................................ 28 

Kids are king ..................................................................... 30 

Art of hospitality ............................................................... 32 

Course directory .................................................................33 

NORTH SHORE GOLF

NSGolfMag.qxp_Layout 1 3/9/17 11:33 AM Page 4 

EDITOR’S LETTER 

Bill Brotherton 

bbrotherton@essexmediagroup.com 

Back to the future 

The North Shore of Massachusetts 

boasts a rich golf history. In the 

late 1880s, the North Shore 

was the summer playground for 

the wealthy and golf played a 

major role in attracting and 

engaging the well-to-do. A few 

holes began popping up on 

private land from Ipswich to 

Beverly to Gloucester. Then, in 

1893, construction of the area’s 

first course began in Manchester 

and Essex County Club was 

established. Many more would 

follow. 

As North Shore Golf magazine 

embarks on an exciting new 

adventure, we look back to the 

past in this issue’s cover story. 

The North Shore Golf staff has 

unearthed a wealth of littleknown 

facts, trivia and secrets 

about our courses, clubs and 

the men and women who have 

contributed to the region’s golf 

heritage. We hope you enjoy 

this trip down memory lane. 

And if you know of stories 

we’ve neglected to mention, 

please share. 

A little history about this 

magazine: It started in 2003 

and for a decade won praise for 

its coverage of the North 

Shore’s golf scene. After a 

three-year hiatus, Lynn-based 

Essex Media Group, publisher 

of The Daily Item, La Voz, 

Lynnfield Weekly News, 

Peabody Weekly News and 

01907 and ONE magazines, has 

revived and re-energized the 

publication. We warmed up 

with a digital-only fall edition, 

which can be seen on our website 

(northshoregolfmagazine.com). 

Now we’re back for good; with a 

new issue arriving every quarter. 

I n t h i s i s s u e , w e a l s o 

preview the U.S. Senior Open 

Championship, which will be at 

Salem Country Club June 26 to 

July 2 and challenge the finest 

professional golfers age 50 and 

older. We learn from Matt 

Sawicki, the USGA’s director of 

championships, what it takes 

to prepare for and run such 

a mammoth endeavor. Plus, 

longtime Salem News scribe 

Gary Larrabee, who won the 

NEPGA’s 2016 George S. Wemyss 

Award for his contribution to 

the game and will write a column 

for each issue, looks back at 

Salem CC’s triumphant hosting 

of the 2001 Senior Open. 

Wait, there’s more! Anne Marie 

Tobin, associate editor and a 

member of the Massachusetts 

Golf Hall of Fame, tells the 

amazing story of Jay Monahan, 

the kid who grew up in Bemont, 

played at Winchester CC and is 

now commissioner of the PGA 

Tour. Tobin also writes about 

the late Bill Flynn’s being 

awarded the 2016 PGA of 

America Deacon Palmer Award. 

Bob Green, longtime head PGA 

professional at Tedesco CC, 

in his Shades of Green column 

opines about a move to 

manufacture golf balls that 

don’t go as far! Huh? 

We meet professional fitness 

trainer David DuPriest who 

says getting your body in shape 

for golf season is as important 

as having the swing itself in 

good shape. 

We show how you can play 

Pebble Beach, St. Andrew’s and 

other iconic courses without 

leaving Massachusetts, thanks 

to The Clubhouse in Middleton. 

We report on changes in the 

pro shops at Essex CC and 

Myopia, plans for Lynnfield’s 

town courses King Rail and 

Reedy Meadow, and big 

improvements at Nahant Golf 

Club. We sample the chow at 

Gannon’s 19th hole. 

We hope you enjoy the new 

North Shore Golf magazine. 

Let us know what you like, 

what you don’t like, what you’d 

like to see in future editions. 

This is your magazine; let us 

know how we can improve. 

Let’s make some history of 

our own. 

Please visit our website 

(northshoregolfmagazine.com) 

and Facebook page, which will 

both be updated regularly and 

serve as your go-to-place for all 

things North Shore golf and 

embracing the country club 

lifestyle. l 

Bill Brotherton is editor of North Shore Golf magazine. He grew up in Beverly, caddied and worked in the pro shop at Essex CC, 

is a Ouimet Scholar who graduated from Suffolk University, has written about golf for the Beverly Times and Daily Item of Lynn. 

He recently retired from the Boston Herald, where he wrote about music and edited the Features section. Like all of us, he can’t 

wait for golf season to begin! 



NORTH SHORE GOLF


The game of golf has been an integral part of North Shore life since the late 1800s, as the eager gents who posed for the above 

photo show. Below: an early (1914) look at United Shoe Country Club’s 15th hole (then the 6th hole), known as “The Wedding Cake.” 



LINKS TO THE PAST 

Golf clubs have 

evolved spectacularly 

in the past century. 

Above: Photo courtesy of Tedesco Country Club 

Left: Photos courtesy of Gary Larrabee, from his 

book “The Green & Gold Coast: The History of Golf 

on Boston’s North Shore, 1893-2001.” 

Historians, even those who never 

struck a guttie or a liquid core ball 

with a niblick or a persimmon wood, 

have long been enamored with the 

North Shore and its rich golf legacy. 

The intrepid snow-bound crew of 

investigative journalists at North 

Shore Golf magazine decided to put 

their off-season to good use: Since 

we couldn’t dig up divots on frozen 

ground we opted to dig up littleknown 

facts, trivia and even bestkept 

secrets about our courses, clubs 

and the people who helped make 

our region such a hotbed for golf. 

It all began at Essex County Club 

in Manchester in 1893. So, without 

further ado, let’s start by shining the 

spotlight on the North Shore’s first 

golf club and course, still regarded 

as one of the finest in the country. 

Essex CC, which celebrates its 

125th anniversary in 2018, has just 

been recognized as one of the top 

100 courses in the United States by 

Golf Magazine (#67), Golf Digest 

(#91) and Golfweek (#49). 

The green on Essex’s 3rd hole 

is considered to be the oldest 

continuously used putting surface 

in North America. The green was 

part of the club’s original nine-hole 

layout before Donald Ross 

redesigned the course into an 18- 

hole treasure. The third green is 

called “the bathtub” because of the 

deep depression in the left-center 

portion of the 625-yard, par-5 hole. 

The hole has only been lengthened 

by eight yards since Ross designed 

it. It’s doubtful that even John Daly 

in his prime or Dustin Johnson 

today could reach it in two from 

the back tees. 

Living in beautiful Manchesterby-the-Sea 

has many benefits. This 

might be the best of all: Thanks to an 

arrangement between the town and 

the club, residents (homeowners 

and renters) can pay a small annual 

fee and receive golfing privileges at 

ECC. Here’s why: Parts of the 7th 

and 8th holes use land owned by the 

town. ECC perpetually leases a small 

part of town land in exchange for 

making the course available for 

“townies,” who can play nine holes 

after 5 p.m. every day except Friday 

and Saturday. Either the front or 

back nine is designated for town 

golf; members play the other nine. 

For 22 years, Salem CC has hosted 

Peabody Day, open to all residents 

and employees of the city. All greens 

fees go to the Salem Country Club 

Scholarship Fund. 

Likewise, Kernwood CC hosts 

Salem Day, open to Salem 

residents and city employees. 

All greens fees go to the Kernwood 

Day Scholarship Fund. 

• • • • 

Thomson CC was founded on Oct. 

4, 1910 by a group of GE engineers 

as a social club. Named in honor of 

Elihu Thomson, a co-founder of 

General Electric Co., its mission 

was to provide its young engineers 

flocking to Lynn with a chance to 

meet new people (translation: 

future wives). 

Its first home was a rented room 

at the West Lynn Odd Fellows Hall; 

meetings were also held at 70 

Moulton St. in Lynn, where some 

members lived. The first permanent 

home was the Ashcroft Estate at 24 

Baker St, Lynn. The estate was 

purchased in 1913 and renovated 

into a clubhouse that provided 

meeting rooms and sleeping 

quarters for up to 19 men. 

Ray Moeller, who lived at the 

club for more than 25 years, recalled 

"Living at the Thomson Club is 

much like having a bed in the center 

of a nightclub -- a party practically 

every night. The men who have 

moved in and out of the club 

number in the hundreds. 

Some left to get married and found 

happiness in that state; others 

found it intolerable and returned 

to the Thomson Club wondering 

why they ever gave up such a 

carefree existence." >>> 

NORTH SHORE GOLF


Links to the past >>> 

Hungry sheep 

did the 

“mowing” when 

Essex CC opened. 

Thomson incorporated in 1945 

and purchased the Nahant Tennis 

Club the next year. On June 19, 

1938, Nahant Tennis had hosted 

the wedding reception for Franklin 

Delano Roosevelt’s son John and 

Anne Lindsay Clark. (The couple 

was married at Union Church, also 

in Nahant.) 

Anyhoo, TCC moved to North 

Reading in 1961. The club had been 

looking at land in Middleton but 

settled on two parcels (combined 

196 acres) on Route 62. On Aug. 29, 

1961, TCC purchased the two parcels 

– the larger one (180 acres) from 

Huntington Realty Trust. 

The trustees of Huntington Realty 

Trust? Jerry Angiulo, Michele 

Angiulo, Frank Angiulo, Donato 

F. Angiulo and Nicolo Angiulo. 

All lived steps away from the church 

where FDR's son was married. 

Whatever became of those 

Angiulo boys? 

• • • • 

The Francis Ouimet Scholarship 

Fund honored Nick Price, winner 

of three major championships, 

twice-leading money winner, 

three-time captain of the Presidents 

Cup International team and a Golf 

Hall of Fame member, Monday 

March 13 at its 66th annual banquet. 

It seems just like yesterday that 

the late Buddy Young, a real 

character and low-handicap golfer 

at the United Shoe/Beverly Golf & 

Tennis Club, and Price had a run-in 

at 1992’s Million Dollar Challenge 

in Sun City, South Africa. 

Young was official scorer, then 

tournament director for the NEPGA 

for many years. He was a stickler for 

the rules. He served as tournament 

director for the South African PGA 

Tour for two years and made a 

well-publicized ruling against Price 

that might have cost the golfer a 

huge payday. 

Playing for a million dollar first prize 

at the Sun City event, local hero Price 

and David Frost were battling for 

the third round lead when Price 

found an advertising billboard in his 

line on the 11th fairway. The week 

before in a skins event Price was 

competing in, also in South Africa, 

that type of billboard had been ruled 

a temporary movable obstruction. He 

assumed the same rule would apply 

in the Million Dollar Challenge, so he 

had it removed. 

Big mistake. The Challenge rules 

committee had declared such 

billboards unmovable. So, at the end 

of the round, with Price and Frost 

apparently tied for the lead with 

one round remaining, Young was 

obligated to assess Price a two-stroke 

penalty. Price, one of the finest, 

best-liked gentlemen in professional 

golf, lost it. He erupted, erased his 

signature and departed. Young had 

no recourse but to disqualify Price 

who had not signed or returned his 

scorecard after the round 

Frost shot a 3-under 69 that final day 

to take home the million bucks. 

• • • • 

Patty Berg played an exhibition 

match at Thomson and gave an 

instructional clinic in the early ‘70s. 

Her playing partners were head pro 

Bill Flynn, Alice Berry of Wakefield 

and another woman. Berg and Flynn 

both represented Wilson Staff. "Tee 

it high and let it fly," one longtime 

member remembered Berg saying 

over and over. Berg is in the World 

Golf Hall of Fame and won 63 pro 

tournaments. No woman has won 

more majors than Berg (15). 

• • • • 

Exhibitions were fairly common 

back in the day. Bart Brown opened 

the 18-hole par-3 Middleton Golf 

Course in 1966 and practically from 

day one he sponsored free Saturday 

clinics that were extremely popular. 

Renowned teaching pros Bob Toski 

and Peter Kostis were among 

those who hosted such clinics, with 

hundreds attending. 

The legendary Walter Hagen shot 

83 in the ceremonial opening match 

when Kernwood CC opened 

in 1913. 

Francis Ouimet, Jesse Guilford, 

Fred Wright and Larry Gannon 




played an exhibition when 

Happy Valley in Lynn celebrated 

the opening of its new clubhouse 

and second nine in 1934. 

In 1963, Jack Nicklaus defeated 

Gary Player, 67-71, in an August 

exhibition at Essex CC. 

• • • • 

Mike Busfield, Haverhill native 

and graduate of Slippery Rock 

College where he played on the 

golf team, quit his job at the family 

business (Busfield Oil) shortly 

after the first Boston Five Classic 

at Ferncroft to caddie on the 

LPGA Tour. In 1985, he was Andy 

North's caddie when he won his 

second US Open at Oakland Hills. 

Busfield was a lefty who played at 

Far Corner and other Merrimack 

Valley area courses. 

• • • • 

Colonial Country Club in 

Lynnfield became the first 

championship course in the 

country to offer night golf. But 

the idea was abandoned after 

one year, due to the pesky 

swarms of insects attracted by 

the night lights. 

• • • • 

Myopia golf members are used to 

seeing fox hunts roar past as they 

are playing the par-5 second hole. 

Members are on horses, of course, 

but there is no actual fox.The 

hounds follow a laid scent. Of 

course, polo and other equestrian 

pursuits predated golf, which arrived 

at Myopia in 1894. 

• • • • 

President William Howard 

Taft chose Beverly’s Evans Point 

(now Lynch Park) as his summer 

White House, spending three 

seasons as a regular at Myopia 

and Essex. 

The deep bunker about 50 yards 

short of the green on Myopia’s 

10th hole is known as the "Taft 

Bunker." It seems the plump 

27th president had to be helped 

from it with ropes during rounds 

there in 1915, and reportedly his 

thank-you note could be seen in 

the pro shop. (Thankfully, there 

are now stairs to help players 

escape from the bunker.) 

• • • • 

The North Shore is home to many 

“lost courses.” For example: 

Baker Island Club was a 

60-acre island in Salem Harbor 

that housed the Winne-Egan 

Hotel, which opened in 1888. It 

had 50 guest rooms and catered 

to seekers of "health, pleasure and 

needed rest." Hotel guests could 

sail, fish, swim, play tennis or take 

a quick trip around the hotel's 

six-hole golf course. 

Danvers CC, founded in 1900, 

later called Homestead was off 

Ferncroft Road on the west side of 

Route 1. In 1901, the club moved 

to the current site of the Danvers 

Reservoir where it operated until 

the mid 1940s, at which time the 

land became part of Wethersfield 

Dairy. In 1952, the land was 

flooded for the reservoir. 

Delphine Golf Club was shortlived, 

setting up shop on the Patch 

Farm in Gloucester. 

Eastern Point GC was a 

nine-hole course open to the 

East Gloucester summer colony 

patrons. It opened for play 

in 1900. 

Labor-in-Vain CC was the 

brainchild of Richard Crane Jr., 

who built Castle Hill high above 

Ipswich Bay. World War II led to 

the demise of the 2701-yard, 

par-35 Skip Wogan-designed 

course. 

Misery Island G&CC, visible 

from Beverly Farms’ West Beach 

and Manchester Harbor, was 

accessible only by a boat launch. 

There was a casino on the island 

from 1913-17, and golf seemed at 

the time to be a simpatico pursuit. 

The course was described as 

being of “rough, rugged contour 

along the shore line, with hard, 

closely-knit pasture turf inland. 

Its hills and dales combine to 

make a course at once difficult 

and fascinating.” >>> 

In 1963, 

Jack Nicklaus 

defeated 

Gary Player, 

67-71, 

in an August 

exhibition at 

Essex CC. 

Photos courtesy of Gary Larrabee, from his book 

“The Green & Gold Coast: The History of Golf on 

Boston’s North Shore, 1893-2001.” 

NORTH SHORE GOLF



Montserrat Golf Club’s was a 

nine-hole course whose clubhouse 

address was 67 Boyles St. in 

Beverly, bordering the B&M 

Railroad’s Rockport Line tracks. 

New Ocean View House Course 

was a short nine-hole course the 

Swampscott resort hotel built for its 

guests. The longest hole was 137 

yards. It opened in 1912 and closed 

in 1969, when the hotel burned 

down. Hotel guests included Helen 

Keller, Babe Ruth, Harpo Marx and 

President John F. Kennedy. 

South Fields GC was a nine-hole 

course in South Salem that was 

founded in 1900. The land eventually 

was used to construct Forest River 

Park in 1907. 

Sunbeam GC resulted from Tedesco 

C C’s decision to add a second 18 

holes in the late 1920s. The third 

nine was built, and turned over to 

Lillian Little who ran it for 20 years 

as a public course. 

• • • • 

Golf courses are great during 

winter too. There used to be a pull 

rope on Gannon’s 10th hole for 

skiing. And “Hill 16” at Tedesco 

might be the North Shore’s top 

sledding spot. 

• • • • 

Author John Updike loved to 

play picturesque Cape Ann Golf 

Course on Route 133 in Essex, 

and was especially taken by the 

fourth hole with its elevated tee 

and spectacular view of miles of salt 

marsh and oceanic inlets. He also 

marveled at the par 3 seventh hole 

which is on a natural island and is 

difficult to reach, both figuratively 

and literally, when the tide is high. 

Updike, who lived in Ipswich before 

moving to Beverly Farms, played Far 

Corner and was a Myopia member 

but wrote often about his admiration 

for this course and its owner James 

Stavros. l 

Top to bottom: 

From the top, Tedesco CC’s grand clubhouse; 

the groundbreaking at Rowley CC with, from left, 

town selectmen Milburn Keen Jr. and Leonard 

Cook, founders Alton and Mary Newton, and 

selectman Warren C. Grover; the mansion on 

Turner Hill in Ipswich. 

Photos courtesy of Tedesco Country Club and Gary 

Larrabee, from his book “The Green & Gold Coast: 

The History of Golf on Boston’s North Shore, 

1893-2001.” 



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J O S E P H W. “ J A Y ” M O N A H A N I V 

The Commish 

PGA job was in the cards 

for Belmont native Monahan 

By ANNE MARIE TOBIN 

Many golfers dream of making it to the big 

time. For the few who are lucky enough and 

good enough, that means securing a PGA 

Tour card, which since 2013 has been based 

on player performance in the Web.com Tour Finals, a 

series of four tournaments that follow the conclusion 

of the Web.com Tour "regular season." 

Belmont native Jay Monahan IV had those dreams. 

Monahan’s dreams came true, but not as a player. 

Instead, Monahan, 46, who grew up on the rolling 

fairways of Winchester Country Club, is the new 

commissioner of the PGA Tour. He succeeds Tim 

Finchem, who retired last fall after more than 22 years 

as the Tour’s chief executive. Monahan, who previously 

served as the Tour’s deputy commissioner and chief 

operating officer, took office Jan. 1. 

The PGA Tour, a non-profit organization, has annual 

revenues of more than $1.3 billion and assets 

of more than $2.2 billion (as reported on the 

organization’s 2014 Form 990). Pretty heady stuff for 

Massachusetts native Monahan. 

Monahan’s local ties run deep. He grew up in 

Belmont, graduated from Belmont High School and 

hails from one of the most recognized golf families in 

the state. Four generations of Monahans have won the 

prestigious Winchester Father-Son Invitational, which 

began in 1919. Jay won four titles with his 

father, “Joe the Pro” Monahan, while brother Justin 

has won three. Family bragging rights, however, 

belong to brother Brendan, who has a record nine wins. 

The Monahan dynasty began with Jay’s greatgrandfather, 

Joseph W, Monahan, a state senator in 

the 1930s and Middlesex Probate Court judge, who 

won seven titles with son Joe Jr. from 1938-1958. 

Joe Jr. was an accomplished golfer who played in 

the 1947 U.S. Amateur. His son, Joseph W. Monahan 

III, Jay’s father, won the 1966 New England 

Intercollegiate Golf Association Championship 

and, 35 years later, won the New England Senior 

Amateur. 

Jay’s love for the game began as a 5-year-old, when 

his father would take him to Winchester to play 

and practice. He spent a post-graduate year at The 

Lawrenceville School, where he played hockey and 

golf. He won the state golf championship as an 

individual, helping his school to capture the team title 

as well. It was the highlight of his competitive career. 

“The team was as important as what I had done,” 

said Monahan, “but I had made a significant 

contribution to the team.” 

He graduated from Trinity College in Connecticut in 

1993 where he captained both the golf and hockey 

teams. As a sophomore, he helped lead the Bantams’ 

hockey team to an ECAC South title. He finished his 

hockey career with 23 goals and 48 assists. In golf, 

Monahan earned Division 3 Academic All-American 

honors as a senior. In 1995, he earned a masters 

in sports administration at the University of 

Massachusetts Amherst. >>> 



Jay’s love for the game began as a 5-year-old, 

when his father would take him to Winchester 

Country Club to play and practice. 

PHOTO: Getty Images 

Monahan’s road to the PGA’s corner 

office began at Arnold Advertising, 

where he was an account supervisor for 

Titleist and FootJoy. After a short stint 

at Woolf Associates, Monahan began his 

sports sponsorship career at EMC as 

director of global platform sponsorships 

and branding programs. 

In 2003, Monahan moved on to IMG, 

where he served as executive of the 

inaugural Deutsche Bank Championship 

at TPC Boston, now the Dell Technologies 

Championship. He left IMG in 2005 to 

become executive vice-president in 

charge of sales and marketing for the 

Fenway Sports Group, the parent 

company of the Boston Red Sox. 

In 2008, he left Red Sox Nation for what 

he said was the only thing that could 

take him away from the Red Sox - golf - 

to work for the PGA Tour and become 

tournament director of the marquee 

event, the PGA Tour Championship. He 

rapidly worked his way up the ladder. In 

2010, he was named the Tour’s senior 

vice president for business development. 

In 2013, he was promoted to executive 

vice president and chief marketing officer, 

overseeing business development, 

corporate marketing and partnerships, 

title sponsor relations and media 

sales. He assumed the role of deputy 

commissioner in 2014, adding the chief 

operating officer title in 2016. 

Monahan said his first “job” with the 

PGA Tour came when he was 14 or 15 

years old. His parents, “Joe the Pro” and 

Joanne, took the family to the Bank of 

Boston Classic at Pleasant Valley Country 

Club in Sutton, a tour stop for 30 years. 

Monahan forecaddied for the final two 

rounds, manning the right side of the 

17th hole. He was mesmerized, at times 

hobnobbing with those whose wayward 

shots he tracked down. 

“I remember Gary Hallberg, who had hit 

into the trees into the area right of the 

fairway,” Monahan said. “He was very 

pleasant to me, even though he was 

experiencing an unpleasant moment. 

I just remember every 10 minutes watching 

two great golfers come forward, and kind 

of being in awe being that close to them. 

It was pretty cool.” 

The weekend ended with a very late 

Sunday night. 

“My father forgot to pick me up,” 

Monahan said with a chuckle. 

While the prospect of late hours looms 

large for the new commissioner, 

Monahan says he will never abandon his 

desire to work on his game. He hopes to 

follow in Finchem’s shoes by competing 

in one of the Tour’s pro-ams, provided 

the opportunity is right. Finchem, on the 

invitation of AT&T chairman Randall 

Stephenson, played in the 2009 AT&T 

Pebble Beach National Pro-Am with 

Davis Love III. 

“If it’s an opportunity to spend time 

with our partners and experience their 

event and to build a relationship, then, 

yeah, you’ll see me in that situation,” 

Monahan said. 

Monahan would be a prized addition to 

any pairing: The new commissioner 

plays to a 5 handicap. 

Long before making his mark with the 

PGA Tour, Monahan was giving back to 

the Boston community in a meaningful 

way. In 2003, Monahan’s Fenway Sports 

Group colleague Rob Stevens lost a 

battle with cancer, leaving behind a wife 

and three young children. Monahan and 

a Fenway colleague, Brian Oates, wanted 

to help Stevens’ young family and knew 

that golf had unlimited potential in the 

charitable giving arena. 

Together, they created Golf Fights 

Cancer, which was dedicated to raising 

funds for cancer-related organizations 

and research organizations. Since 2003, 

GFC has raised nearly $5 million to help 

patients and their families. Ironically, 

CFC’s office is just a couple of doors 

down from the cramped office that 

Monahan occupied at the Francis 

Ouimet Scholarship Fund suite at the 

William F. Connell Golf House in Norton 

when he ran the Deutsche Bank event. 

Monahan’s mother, an avid golfer 

herself, lost her battle with cancer in 

2007. Jay Monahan said his favorite golf 

memory was a family trip to Ireland and 

Scotland with his parents and two brothers 

six years before his mother’s death. They 

spent nearly two weeks playing 18 to 36 

holes every day. 

Monahan is a die-hard Boston sports 

fan. His favorite athlete is Bobby Orr, the 

Bruins star, literally since the day 

Monahan was born. In a Jan. 7 interview 

with Rich Lerner of The Golf Channel, 

Monahan said he was born May 7, 1970. 

“The game-winning goal (scored by Orr 

in overtime against St. Louis) in the 1970 

Stanley Cup was May 10. My mom 

always told the story about the parade 

going by Mount Auburn Hospital as I 

was sitting with her waiting to leave the 

hospital.” 

Many years later, Orr and his wife were 

waiting in line at Joanne Monahan’s 

wake to pay their respects. >>> P. 16 

Jay Monahan showed 

great form as a young golfer. 

NORTH SHORE GOLF


Left: The new management team at Nahant Golf Club, from 

left, grounds superintendent Anthony De Dominicis, PGA 

professional Toby Ahern and restaurateur John Moore, are 

renovating the clubhouse and course. 

A new beginning for 

Nahant Golf Club 

By BILL BROTHERTON 

PHOTOS: Owen O’Rourke 

NAHANT — A new management team is 

making big changes at the town’s 9-hole 

golf course. 

John Moore and Anthony De Dominicis 

are partners in Play it as it Lies Golf 

Management Inc., chosen by the town to 

manage its public golf course, which sits 

on 39 oceanfront acres of conservation 

land on Willow Road. PGA professional 

Toby Ahern will run the golf operation. 

The former Kelley Greens is being 

transformed into a clubhouse/dining/ 

function facility that will serve as the base 

of operations for Nahant Golf Club. 

For the past decade, the property has 

been managed by Michael O’Callaghan. 

His lease expired on Dec. 31. Jeff Chelgren, 

town administrator, and the Golf 

Course Management Committee selected 

Play it as it Lies’ lease proposal. The new 

managers were on site on New Year’s Day, 

ready to start ambitious improvements. 

Their deal with the town is for five years, 

with the opportunity to go to 15 years. 

The managers declined to say how much 

they are investing in the project. “It is 

significant and ongoing; we don’t have a 

final figure yet, but it is more than anyone 

has ever invested here,” said De Dominicis. 

Moore added that improvements will be 

ongoing throughout the life of the lease. 

An April opening is planned. 

“Jeff Chelgren and the town have been 

fantastic, very supportive and encouraging, 

very forward-thinking by extending the 

potential length of the lease,” said 

De Dominicis. “It feels very much like a 

partnership with the town,” added Moore. 

Each of “The Big Three” brings a distinct 

skill set to the table. 

Ahern, the St. John’s Prep and University 

of Richmond grad who cut his teeth at 

the former Colonial Country Club course 

in Lynnfield, has spent the past 25 years 

as golf director at Ferncroft Country Club. 

Moore, whose Navy Yard Bistro in 

Charlestown is a frequent Best of Boston 

winner, grew up in Nahant and played the 

course often as a boy. “We are a hospitality 

company, first and foremost,” said 

Moore. “This will not only be a golf club; 

we are also committed to providing a fine 

dining experience, a nice bar and lounge, 

upgraded function space and entertainment. 

Good food at a reasonable price. I 

would also like to bring in some of Boston’s 

top chefs for cooking demonstrations in 

the new patio/grilling area.” 

A second entrance will lead directly to 

the 42-seat Season’s restaurant; families 

will not have to walk through the lounge 

to access the dining room. The bar area 

will be upgraded and will feature 20 

high-top tables and 22 seats at the bar. 

The pro shop will also be updated. 

“Everything will be new,” said Moore. 

The husband-wife team of Bill and 

Jeanne Finnerty served as architect 

and interior designer. 

Grounds superintendent De Dominicis, 

an experienced GCSAA member, said 

many capital improvements are planned 

for the course. “We’ve invested heavily 

in golf course maintenance equipment,” 

he said. “The grounds will be beautified. 

… Having Nahant Country Club become a 

certified Audubon sanctuary is something 

I’d like to make happen.” He plans to 

install two wells and modernize the 

irrigation system, so the course could 

be self-sufficient for water. 

“Above all, I’d like to bring the course 

up to its potential,” he said. 

At a meeting on Feb. 13, the NGC Senior 

Management Team provided an update 

on the extensive clubhouse renovations 

and describe planned menu offerings for 

the restaurant, golf outings and functions, 

including breakfast, lunch, and dinner 

options. They talked about upcoming 

events, including a Derby Day party, 

cooking classes and guest chefs. 

An overview of the improvements to 

the golf operation were discussed. They 

include a more experienced golf staff and 

a heavy investment in golf equipment to 

enhance the overall golf experience for 

both members and non-members. 

Ahern plans to beef up the golf programs 

for juniors and women in addition to 

assisting the many leagues that play the 

par-30 course regularly. “Given people’s 

lifestyles today, where time is so valuable, 

the nine holes we offer is a more realistic 

option. People won’t have to spend six 

hours on the course, about one hour and 

45 minutes for nine holes on Saturday 

will be the norm,” Ahern said. 

The name change to Nahant Golf 

Club is overdue and will help with 

rebranding efforts, said the managing 

partners. The Play it as it Lies moniker 

playfully plays off of Rule 13 in the 

PGA’s rules of golf. l 

For more information and details 

about leagues and booking the venue 

for outings, go to nahantgolfclub.com. 



Pro changes at 

essex and myopia 

Two of the North Shore’s oldest, most 

prestigious golf clubs welcome new head 

PGA professionals this spring. 

Jack Davis succeeds Tom and Jean 

Waters at Essex County Club. Mike 

Bemis succeeds Bill Safrin at Myopia 

Hunt Club. 

Longtime Shinnecock Hills assistant 

Davis, 29, brings a wealth of experience to 

the historic Manchester By-the-Sea club. 

For the past eight seasons he worked at the 

famed Long Island, N.Y., course, site of a 

fifth United States Open in 2018. 

The New Jersey native, who has also 

worked at two elite Florida clubs (Seminole 

and Jupiter Hills) brings a respect and 

appreciation for the traditions and history 

of the game at Essex and throughout the 

North Shore. 

“I’d always known about Essex once I 

became a student of golf architecture and 

its history in the United States,” Davis has 

said. “The Donald Ross connection, the 

Curtis sisters, the Curtis Cups. 

“I considered myself lucky to get an 

interview (out of 100 candidates nationwide) 

and here I am. I’ve fallen head over 

heels for the club and the membership, 

the community, the area — same as 

Amanda (Bruski), my fiancée.” 

Bruski is a PGA professional in 

her own right. She works for KJUS 

golf apparel. 

Davis, a graduate of the Penn State 

University PGM program or PGA 

professional aspirants, interned at two 

other five-star clubs, Plainfield (N.J.) CC 

and Spyglass Hill in California, before 

interning for two summers at Shinnecock. 

That last connection led to his serving 

from 2011 to 2016 as a full-fledged PGA 

assistant professional at Shinnecock Hills, 

head professional Jack Druga’s No. 1 

assistant the last two seasons. 

Davis has said he plans to embrace 

all that makes Essex golf unique, with 

its acclaimed Ross course and grand 

old clubhouse. He also plans to bring a 

fresh approach and energy, especially 

geared to women, juniors, instruction 

and what the golf shop provides. 

Essex CC, which celebrates its 125th 

anniversary in 2018, has been recognized 

as one of the top 100 courses in the United 

States by Golf Magazine (#67), Golf 

Digest (#91) and Golfweek (#49). 

For the past 21 years, Bemis has 

been Safrin’s top assistant at Myopia. 

Safrin retired last fall after 37 years of 

service, surpassing John Thoren’s 30 

years as the South Hamilton club’s 

longest-serving pro. 

Bemis, a Bradford resident, said 

Safrin pretty much let him run the golf 

operation last season. “That’s a huge 

advantage for me and the club. Beyond 

that, succeeding Bill is a great honor for 

me, after learning all these years from 

a tremendous mentor, person and 

professional. I’ll try and build on his 

legacy; keep the golf program moving 

in the same progressive direction.” 

The UMass Amherst grad grew up 

at Wollaston Golf Club, secured his 

first assistant’s job there, then moved 

on to Woodland. He’s been a Class A 

PGA professional since 1995. 

He and his wife Anna have two 

children, daughter Victoria and 

son Joshua. l 

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>>> CONTINUED FROM P. 13 

“Bobby just had his hip replaced. It was raining. It was just a bad 

night,” Monahan told Lerner. “Bobby was about an hour-and-a-half 

out in the line, and my uncle came in and said the Orrs were way in 

the back of the line. Bobby had a bad hip and my dad said, ‘Well, bring 

them to the front.’ ” 

Orr refused the offer. 

“Bobby looked at my dad and said, ‘I’m going to treat that lady with 

the same respect that everybody else in this line is treating her with. 

I’m not moving an inch.’ After an hour and 45 minutes, he came into 

the wake and spoke to us. I’ll never forget it,” Monahan said. 

Monahan has a reputation for being a people-person, but he also 

showed some serious diplomacy skills when Lerner asked him how 

the Tour’s relationship with then-president-elect Donald Trump was 

shaping up. 

“We’ve been very fortunate that we’re coming off a string of 

presidents that have loved this game. That’s going to continue with 

president-elect Trump,” said Monahan. “He probably will be the most 

proficient golfer that’s ever sat in the office of the presidency, and he’s 

certainly the most golf-knowledgeable. We look forward to finding a 

way to continue to work with the Trump organization moving forward.” 

Since officially taking over in January, Monahan has been on 

a whirlwind tour, but is confident he has what it takes to be 

successful. In a Jan. 26 press conference at the Farmers Insurance 

Open in San Diego, Monahan was asked what makes him the right 

person for the job. 

GFMI 

Golf Facilities 

Management Inc. 

OWNED AND OPERATED BY 

Chris Carter, PGA 

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Managing Public Golf 

Courses for 30 Years 

“I think the fact that I’ve had the opportunity to grow up in the game 

and to be a part of a family that just loves this game and I’m fourth 

generation,” he said. “So it starts with a deep-rooted passion for the 

game. ... I love being around people and I love being a part of a team. 

It just so happened that I had the good fortune of being invited to join 

the PGA Tour nine years ago, and it’s led me to this opportunity.” 

Monahan lives with his wife Susan and daughters Phoebe and Sophie 

in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. 

When asked about succeeding Finchem, Monahan told pgatour.com 

he was greatly honored. “Under Tim’s leadership, the PGA Tour has 

made remarkable progress, even in the most difficult economic times. 

We are now entering a very important time in our organization’s 

history, and I know our executive team and I will draw upon and be 

inspired by the invaluable experience of working with Tim as we take 

advantage of the extraordinary opportunities, as well as face the 

challenges, that are ahead for the Tour.” 

Finchem transformed the Tour in many ways, including an 

explosion of prize money and record purses, revenue and 

charitable contributions. He expanded the Tour with the 

creation of new tournaments, such as the FedEx Cup and 

Presidents Cup, and was instrumental in the formation of global 

initiatives, including the World Golf Championships and World Golf 

Foundation as well as the International Federation of PGA Tours and 

the inclusion of golf in the Olympic Games after a 112-year absence. 

He made radical changes to the Tour qualifying process, getting rid 

of the rigorous “Q school” and even changed the way the Tour season 

began and ended. Under his tenure, the First Tee initiative was 

launched and Tour purses grew from $56.4 million in 1994 to $333.8 

million in 2017. More than 3,000 charities are supported by the PGA 

Tour, which made its first-ever contribution in 1938 ($10,000 from 

the 1938 Palm Beach Invitational). Since then, the Tour has donated 

nearly $2.5 billion, culminating with a record-breaking $166 million 

in 2016. l 



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Gary Larrabee 

garylarrabee.com 

W 

e’ve finally made it to 2017, a huge year for our 

resurrected North Shore Golf publication and our 

golf-crazy region. 

Nothing looms larger than the area’s hosting of the 38th 

United States Senior Open championship, set for Salem 

Country Club in Peabody June 26 to July 2, featuring the 

greatest players in the world age 50 and older. 

If the golfing gods are with us, the field will include Fred 

Couples, Tom Watson, Rhode Islander Billy Andrade, 

Tom Lehman, John Daly, 2016 Ryder Cup captain Davis 

Love III, defending champ Gene Sauers, newcomer Steve 

Stricker (who turned 50 on Feb. 23) and the cream of the 

international contingent: No. 1-ranked senior Bernhard 

Langer (Germany), Ian Woosnam (Wales), Miguel 

Angel Jimenez (Spain) and Colin Montgomerie 

(Scotland), the 2014 winner. 

Jeff Maggert, the 2015 champ, and Kenny Perry, the 2013 

title holder, also should be in the field. Brad Faxon, like 

Andrade a regional favorite, will not play because of his duties 

serving as a lead commentator for Fox Sports, the network 

that will be providing four-day TV coverage starting on the 

first day of the competition, June 29. 

Last year’s top 10 at Scioto Country Club outside Columbus, 

Ohio, were Sauers, Jimenez, Billy Mayfair, Woosnam, 

Michael Allen, Kevin Sutherland, Paul Goydos, Joey 

Sindelar, David Frost and Loren Roberts. Let’s see how 

many return to the top 10 at Salem. 

In addition to being up-close witnesses of golf history as 

spectators, North Shore residents can get even closer as 

volunteers, working on the golf course or behind the scenes, 

many assignments of which can lead to direct encounters with 

the 150 players. To get involved, contact the championship 

office at 978-818-6006 or via the tournament website at 

2017ussenioropen.com. 

Hard to believe Championship Year has finally arrived – and 

that, 16 years later, the world of big-time championship golf 

is returning to the North Shore; and that the Senior Open is 

returning to the East Coast for the first time since 2002. 

The championship means hundreds of jobs, temporary as they 

are, as well as millions to the region’s economy, maybe as 

much as $15 million. 

The man on the hot seat, as he was in 2001, is Kip Tyler, the 

dean of North Shore course superintendents, in his 36th year 

on the job at Salem and the unsung hero of both the 1984 U.S. 

Women’s Open and 2001 Senior Open held at Salem. 

S T R A I G H T D O W N T H E M I D D L E 

Ohio native Tyler had been hired away from Medinah, outside 

Chicago, in 1982 specifically to ready the course for the ’84 

Women’s Open; the club’s first occasion in the USGA spotlight 

since 1954. Tyler did a great job with his staff getting Salem 

ready in ’84 and then successfully fighting a heat wave that 

struck tournament week. 

In 2001, Greater Boston suffered a difficult winter that led 

to a large portion of Salem’s fairways and greens suffering 

ice-frozen turf, better known as winter kill. The famed 

Donald Ross-designed layout was closed to members for 

most of the spring. When defending champ and course 

designer Hale Irwin stopped by for media day on April 30, 

he doubted the course could be ready by championship week 

the end of June. “If he (Tyler) can get this place in shape for 

the Open,” Irwin confided to a few attendees before departing 

the property, “it will be a miracle.” 

Tyler became a miracle worker. Based on the exceptional 

condition of the turf during championship week, one would 

never have known the grasses had struggled into late May. 

Tyler could not open any greens until May 25, when 10 were 

opened. The other eight opened in early June. In stark 

contrast, the Salem greens were open for play in 2000 by 

March 24, in 2002 by March 16. What were the odds the 

near-catastrophe would occur the very winter leading into 

the 2001 Senior Open? Mother Nature plays no favorites. 

“When we realized the extent of the damage back in 2001,” 

Tyler recalled, “I gave myself a few minutes to mope, then it 

was time to get down to business. We did nothing magical; 

just used sound agronomic practices and they paid off.” 

Here’s hoping that by the time you read this dispatch, the 

Salem CC grasses will have come through a normal winter in 

excellent condition. Tyler deserves as much. 

There is a second “major” tournament coming to the North 

Shore this summer, providing another treat for fans who enjoy 

watching professional golf. The 97th New England PGA 

Championship will be held at Turner Hill in Ipswich and 

Renaissance in Haverhill August 21-23. 

Lastly, a special welcome to the North Shore for new head 

professionals Jack Davis at Essex CC, coming from the 

No. 1 assistant’s post at U.S. Open site Shinnecock Hills on 

Long Island; Michael Bemis of Myopia, a longtime top 

assistant to the retired Bill Safrin at Myopia and the first 

head professional at Renaissance before he returned to the 

South Hamilton club; and Jeffrey Wirbal, who has 

succeeded Eric Stevenson at Bear Hill following Eric’s 

25-year tenure. l 



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The great indoors 

Play the world’s greatest courses at 

The Clubhouse 

in Middleton 


Eric Karpinski, CEO and director of golf operations at 

The Clubhouse Golf & Entertainment, demonstrates a 

proper golf swing in the teaching module. 

PHOTO: Mark Lorenz 



THE GREAT INDOORS >>> 

Bob Bowman takes a mighty swing 

and splits the fairway with his tee shot. 

His playing partners, Mike Bondanza, 

Marc Jean and Jim Varzakis, applaud 

his effort, but not without a bit of 

good-natured ribbing. The foursome 

is about halfway through their round at 

Wildstone Golf Course in Cranbrook, 

British Columbia. 

But they are not in Canada. They are 

golfing indoors at The Clubhouse Golf 

& Entertainment center in Middleton, 

hitting their balls at a wall-size screen. 

The state-of-the-art simulators give 

local linksmen and linkswomen the 

chance to play such iconic courses as 

Pebble Beach, St. Andrews, Harbour 

Town and TPC Sawgrass – about 70 

championship courses in all – without 

the hassles of traveling. You can even 

plug in weather conditions, wind speed 

and eight other variables. Cost is $15 

per hour per person. Tee times can 

be reserved one week in advance. 

cornhole courts, foosball and 

shuffleboard tables, Skee Ball games, 

and 19 TVs, including three ginormous 

14-footers. There are ample lounge 

areas for relaxing and a 19th hole that 

has food service, a full bar, craft beers 

and premium wine. It is a perfect spot to 

host corporate events and parties of all 

kinds,including birthday, bachelor and 

bachelorette. The Clubhouse can host 

functions for up to 150 on one side 

without disturbing any of its golf or 

bar customers on the other side. 

Eric Karpinski, CEO and director 

of golf operations and one of The 

Clubhouse’s teaching pros, is jazzed 

to demonstrate the computer he uses 

while giving lessons. The teaching 

module, the only one of its kind in the 

Northeast, measures and displays 

on a screen everything from setup, 

alignment, balance and weight 

distribution to the distance the ball 

travels, the club and ball speed and 

vertical launch. It’s an important 

part of his teaching regime, 

Karpinski said. >>> 

The Clubhouse is an indoor golf/ 

entertainment facility on Route 114 in 

Middleton. The former Optigolf site 

has been transformed into a massive, 

12,000-square-foot family-friendly 

sports and entertainment complex. 

In addition to nine aboutGolf brand 

simulators and an indoor driving range, 

the venue has three billiard tables, 

three ping-pong tables, six leagueapproved 

dart boards, four custom 

NORTH SHORE GOLF


THE GREAT INDOORS >>> 

A computer software program analyzes 

all aspects of a golfer’s swing. > 

Above: Bob Bowman hits the ball during a 

simulated round of golf at The Clubhouse while 

playing with friends, Michael Bondanza, Marc 

Jean and Jim Varzakis. The entertainment 

complex features 19 TVs and a welcoming 

19th hole. 

PHOTOS: Mark Lorenz 

Karpinski, a former caddie and 

caddie master at Vesper CC and a PGA 

Certified Golf Instructor, said March is 

typically his and The Clubhouse’s 

busiest month. “We’re slammed. The 

weather is getting good and golfers are 

overly ready to practice and play.” He is 

committed to getting kids and women 

more interested in golf. The Tuesday 

noontime ladies group lesson and a 

series of junior clinics he and other 

PGA certified instructors teach are 

very popular. 

The owner Dr. Wayne Pasanen, an 

Andover resident, said The Clubhouse 

offers “golf without intimidation. … You 

play at your own pace and you never 

lose a ball.” 

Pasanen, an 18-handicap member 

at Salem CC and Vesper, two Donald 

Ross-designed gems, said neither 

course is available via simulator. In fact, 

there are no Massachusetts courses 

offered at this time but he’s hopeful 

that will change. There is a Donald Ross 

Memorial course, comprised of 18 of 

the designer’s classic holes, including 

the 13th at Salem. 

There’s also the “Infamous 18,” a wild 

course that brings to life the absurd 

paintings of “Bud” Chapman. Imagine 

hitting your drive over the Grand Canyon 

and whacking the ball around Victoria 

Falls or the ancient ruins of Machu 

Picchu; this’ll have you laughing 

even if you’re playing badly. 

Let’s check in on Bob Bowman and his 

pals, who play in a league at Mt. Hood 

in Melrose and try to get together at 

The Clubhouse at least once a week. 

“It helps my game, and it’s pretty 

accurate,” said Bowman, who lives in 

Malden. Marc Jean of Danvers looks 

through a book that has intricate details 

about Wildstone Golf Course, including 

distance and pin placements: he grabs 

a club from his bag and swings away. 

He’s just short of the green. 

Mike Bondanza of Danvers said the 

simulators are remarkably similar to 

playing on a real course. “The first 

times we played, we played the famous 

courses, TPC Scottsdale for its par-3 

16th hole, and Pebble Beach and 

St. Andrew’s.” 

Varzakis pipes in “and one time we 

made it rain, just to make it more 

challenging. It hurt our scores but 

at least we didn’t get wet.” l 

The Clubhouse Golf & 

Entertainment complex is 

at 220 South Main St. in 

Middleton. For information 

or reservations, go to 

www.theclubhousege.com 

or call 978-539-8725. 



Command PerformancE 

T r a i n i n g p r o g r a m a p e r f e c t F i t f o r A l l g o l f e r s 



D 

avid DuPriest, owner of 

ALLFIT Performance Training 

in Wilmington, teaches his clients to 

work from the ground up. 

“You have to learn how to do things on 

the ground first, then you can get to the 

standing exercises,” said DuPriest. “Like 

an infant starts on the ground and works 

its way up, you have to crawl before you 

can walk.” 

This day, professional trainer DuPriest 

is putting Jim Lane, the retired head golf 

professional at Winchester Country Club, 

through the paces. The 70-year-old 

great-grandfather’s left knee and right 

hand are on a mat, while his right leg 

and left arm are s-p-r-e-a-d w-a-y o-u-t 

while he does a stretching, strengthening 

exercise called the Bird Dog. It’s mighty 

impressive. 

“This works both sides of the body.” 

said DuPriest. ”In golf, that’s important 

because the hands come across 

the body.” 

Interestingly, Lane never picks up a 

golf club during his workout. He tugs 

on 8-pound weights as DuPriest says 

“I work on the body. I don’t work 

on the swing. There’s a synergistic 

relationship between the pro and me.” 

Lane agrees. The golf pro corrects 

faults in the swing, while DuPriest 

corrects faults in the body. “If I’m 

working with someone who doesn’t 

have the ability to do what David 

teaches, the golfer will not reach 

full potential,” said Lane. 

DuPriest, a trainer for 13 years, has 

worked primarily with golfers since 

2009, when he earned his certification 

from the Titleist Performance Institute. 

Overcoming or stabilizing weaknesses 

in the body is the goal. After a comprehensive 

90-minute-to-2-hour evaluation, 

DuPriest will design a personalized 

mobility plan for each individual. The 

next step is to train the body to move 

that certain way. 

“Changes can be dramatic,” he said. 

“You’ll be able to play golf more often 

with less pain. There will be more 

stability in your body, and you’ll be 

able to hit the ball farther.” 

Lane is a big believer in DuPriest’s 

program. In 2009, the two started a 

conditioning program at Winchester 

CC. Twenty-three members, men and 

women, participated. “One woman won 

two tournaments at the start of the 

season. … Everyone said ‘What’s up with 

her?’ When someone works with David, 

you can see it in the swing. They show up 

on the range in the spring and, wow, you 

wonder where that came from.” >>>P. 36 

David DuPriest, fitness trainer at ALLFIT Performance 

Training, works with Jim Lane, on doing "The Bird Dog", 

which is key for working the core of the body. Lane is 

retired head golf pro at Winchester Country Club. 

NORTH SHORE GOLF


GANNON’S 

By BETH BRESNAHAN 

A GEM 

Acolleague once took me to 

the driving range to teach 

me the basics. After a few 

swings and misses, I finally connected 

with the ball. It ricocheted off the 

divider and somehow sailed behind 

me, nailing him between the legs. 

As he folded toward the ground, I 

apologized profusely. I then gave away 

what remained of my bucket of balls 

while my friend tended to his. I never 

tried golf again. And not surprisingly, 

no one, especially my male friends, 

has since offered to teach me. 

Luckily, Essex Media Group has 

several skilled golfers on its staff 

who make up for my shortcomings 

by providing North Shore Golf 

readers with top-notch writing 

about the game. 

But having grown up in Lynn, I do 

know Gannon Golf Club very well. 

As a kid, I sledded the hills of the 

course, which was then known as 

Happy Valley. As a mischievous 

teenager, my friends and I would 

sneak onto the course at night with 

our backpacks filled with cheap 

beer for parties. And as an adult, 

I’ve attended many family events, 

fundraisers and functions held 

in the public course’s distinctive 

clubhouse. 

As soon as you pull up Gannon’s 

steep driveway, you cannot miss 

the clubhouse that has sat atop 

the hill for more than 80 years. 

It’s hard to believe that the 

magnificent building was 

constructed entirely using 

recycled and reclaimed stones 

unearthed during the process 

of clearing and excavating the land 

for the golf course. Tucked between 

the 18-hole course designed by 

Donald Ross disciple Wayne Stiles 

and Lynn Woods, the clubhouse is 

truly a gem. Inside, on the second 

floor, is another gem waiting to be 

discovered in Diamond’s in the 

Rough – the course’s 19th hole. 

Gannon Building Association 

oversees the clubhouse operations. 

The not-for-profit association taps 

proceeds from beverage sales and 

bar activities to fund clubhouse 

improvements (in fact, the 

association is currently renovating 

the floors), sponsors youth golf 

programs and donates to local 

charities. Diamond Caterers, owned 

by Lynn resident Kim Diamond, 

operates the kitchen and since 2014 

has provided food for the 19th hole 

(hence the name, Diamond’s in the 

Rough), function room and Snack 

Shack, located next to the 18th hole. 

It's clear that Diamond’s in the Rough 

is not only enjoyed by golfers, but has 

also established itself as a friendly 

neighborhood bar and restaurant. 

I stopped in late on a Thursday 

afternoon during the off-season. 

I was pleasantly surprised to find 

a decent-size crowd seated at the bar 

in an almost Cheers-like atmosphere. 

Everyone knew one another’s names, 

and even knew mine (because I called 

ahead to let the bartender on-duty, 

Clarke Morrison, know I was coming). 

>>> P. 29 


24 >>> FALL spring 2016 2017


USGA director 

visits Open site 


Matt Sawicki, director of championships 

for the United States Golf Association, 

says he spends about 180 days a year on 

golf courses. “Recently I spent five weeks 

in a row on courses and I didn’t hit a 

single golf shot,” said the St. Louis native. 

“I play five to 10 times a year, and my 10 

handicap reflects that. … though it’s a 

trending-up 10.” 

It’s a breezy but surprisingly warm 

late-January day and Sawicki is at Salem 

Country Club, standing behind what will 

be the 18th green for the 2017 U.S. Senior 

Open. It’s the 9th hole for members, but 

the nines are flipped for the Open championship. 

Sawicki, pulling his Budweiser 

ski hat over his ears, points to a skinny, 

orange stake in the ground. “That’s where 

Fox will set up (its main broadcasting 

tower for Joe Buck and the announcing 

team),” he said. “Fox will present start-tofinish 

coverage of the championship. 

We’re very excited about that.” 

The Open doesn’t arrive at Salem Country 

Club until June 26-July 2, but Sawicki and 

his team haven’t been sitting idle. They’ve 

been meeting and planning every detail of 

the event for some three years. The 

process has hit a fever pitch for Sawicki, 

Executive Director Eddie Carbone and his 

Bruno Event Team management staff as 

the championship, the crown jewel of the 

Senior circuit, approaches. 

Sawicki said the purpose of this specific 

24-hour visit is to brainstorm over 

marketing efforts and develop an initial 

plan for the spring campaign. He will also 

tour the Donald Ross-designed gem with 

executives from corporate sponsor Lexus, 

familiarizing them with the course and 

going over such logistics as where people 

will congregate, spectator flow and optimum-exposure 

spots for the positioning 

of three luxury Lexus automobiles. 

“I often get asked, ‘What takes so long 

to plan an event such as the U.S. Senior 

Open,’” said Sawicki, a resident of 

Hoboken, N.J. “Well, by the time the 

tournament rolls around everything is so 

intricately detailed that we’re confident 

that every person who walks on the course 

on the Monday of championship week 

will get the highest quality experience 

that’s possible.” 

The University of Colorado Boulder 

graduate, who earned enough money 

caddying to pay for his education, joined 

the USGA in 2005 and has worked his 

way up the ladder. He even volunteered 

at the 2004 Senior Open Championship 

at Bellerive Country Club in his 

hometown. He knows just what needs 

to be done “outside the ropes” to make 

a championship successful. His duties 

include fostering a relationship with the 

host club from selection to the close of 

the event, developing a revenue plan 

inclusive of corporate and ticket sales, 

working up a marketing and communications 

strategy, putting an operations 

plan in place with vendors, state, regional 

and local officials, and assisting in the 

training of some 2,500 volunteers. 

“The volunteer leadership team at 

Salem has been great. This is a major 

commitment by members, who give 

up their course for several weeks in the 

middle of the golf season, but everyone 

here is committed to making this an 

incredible success,” added Sawicki, 

who expects to visit Salem CC at 

least every couple of weeks as the 

championship nears. 

“Salem Country Club has been a 

phenomenal partner with the USGA,” 

he added. “Ollie Cook, the chairman when 

the 2001 championship was held here, 

and Bill Sheehan, chairman of this 

championship, and I have become good 

friends. And Eddie Carbone has such 

good relationships here. That’s part 

of what I love about golf, working 

relationships become friendships.” 

Sawicki said the USGA has been 

impressed by the club’s commitment. 

“You need a great course to host a 

championship. This is one of the best. 

The club did everything needed to 

prepare for it. As a golfer, I love the 

course. The first time I came up here I 

was blown away. The club restored it back 

to the way it was, the way Donald Ross 

designed it. Its strength is on the greens. 

If you have no short game, chip or putt, 

you’re in trouble. But it’s a course you can 

play every single day and have fun. It’s a 

special place.” 

And the job doesn’t end once the Ouimet 

Trophy has been handed to the winner on 

July 2. “We are building a small stadium 

here. It takes six to eight weeks to build. 

Members are golfing in the midst of 

drilling and hammering, and we are 

mindful of them while we work. And then 

there’s the teardown on the back end. 

Again, the members are very supportive 

and committed, giving up their course 

for an extended period.” 

His job puts him on the road about 

200 days a year. Upon leaving Salem, 

he was headed to the site of this year’s 

U.S. Women’s Championship at Trump 

National Golf Course in Bedminster, 

N.J. – “yes, that Trump,” he said with a 

smile – and then to Pinehurst in North 

Carolina, which is hosting this year’s 

U. S. Amateur Four-Ball Championship. l 

Top left: Matt Sawicki, the USGA director of 

championships, shows where Fox will have its 

platform for television broadcasting from the 

18th hole. Above: Sawicki speaks about the 

upcoming US Senior Open, to be held at 

Salem Country Club. 


NORTH SHORE GOLF


>>> SHADES OF GREEN 

HAS THE GOLF BALL GONE TOO FAR? 

By BOB GREEN 

To most golfers, this seems 

like a rhetorical question. Personally, 

I wish the ball went farther, as do 

most non-tour professionals. 

Actually, I don't hear current tour 

professionals calling for the golf 

ball to be rolled back either. 

But some are leading the charge to 

scale back the ball, or even to have 

all the tour players play a scaled 

back version of the same ball? As 

you can imagine, there’s 

an uproar from manufacturers and 

players with contracts. 

According to statistics on 

pgatour.com, in 1980, Dan Pohl was 

the tour leader with an average of 

274.3 yards. Dustin Johnson led the 

tour in 2015, averaging 317.7 yards. 

That's a difference of 43.4 yards. 

Where did those yards come from? 

Well, the golf ball is just one of many 

contributing factors. Let's 

take a look! 

Course conditions: Fairways 

on tour are cut at .5 inches, and 

the PGA Tour Agronomy Staff 

guarantees that fairways are firm 

enough to ensure, without heavy rain, 

that no tee balls come up with mud 

on them. Thus, the balls tend to roll 

up to 30 yards after tee shots land. 

This is contrary to how most clubs 

prepare their courses for the 35 or so 

weeks (hopefully) of New England 

golf. Most of our best-conditioned 

courses are kept green with a healthy 

practice of watering. 

Members tend to judge playing 

conditions by the color of the grass: 

The "Augusta Syndrome" dictates 

that every blade of grass must be 

green, and there are questions 

when they aren't. 

PGA Tour players fitness: Today's 

tour players throughout the world 

are fitness fanatics, regularly visiting 

the Tour Fitness Trailer, watching 

their diet, practicing stretching 

routines and having personal 

trainers. Up until about 25 to 30 

years ago, "working out" was not 

recommended; a golfer needed 

flexibility and lifting weights would 

tighten the muscles. The players 

today work out constantly, are in 

incredible shape and still maintain 

amazing flexibility. 

More great players: Today 

there are so many very good players, 

capable of winning any given week. 

The game has attracted more and 

better athletes in the past 15 to 20 

years. These numbers create more 

competition, which keeps moving 

the bar higher. There are also tours 

throughout the world, providing 

opportunity for players to develop 

their skills to the point where they 

can compete on the PGA Tour. Look 

at the large number of players on 

our tour who were born in countries 

other than the U.S. 

The clubs: The improvement 

in golf equipment during the past 

35 years might exceed the gains 

the golf ball has made. In the ‘70s, 

a persimmon or laminated woodheaded 

driver had a 43 inch steel 

shaft that weighed 145 grams. 

Today's Titanium drivers are 460 

cubic centimeters, are 45-45.75 

inches long and have a graphite 

shaft that can weigh as little as 

45 grams. 

In 1980, the tour average 

for driver club head speed was 

104 mph; in 2016 it was 113 mph. 

In 1980, the standard loft for 

a pitching wedge was 52 degrees; 

today it's 44 or 45 degrees. 

In the ‘60s, a 7 iron was 40 

degrees; in 2016, the Titleist AP1 7 

iron is 31 degrees and 1 inch longer 

than its ancestor. 

Club fitting: Today’s tour 

professionals have total access to 

launch monitors. Most, in fact, own 

one themselves. These incredible 

pieces of technology (for $30,000!) 

allow the tour player to optimize 

launch conditions with the fine 

tuning of launch angle and ball 

spin rate among other things, and 

pinpoint for them, the most efficient 

club head, loft, shaft and golf ball 

to maximize carry and roll. 

No guessing for them. 

Still wonder why the ball 

goes farther? 

And now, back to the star of 

the show: the golf ball. 

The Titleist Pro V1, a solid 

core ball, debuted in late 2000. 

>>> 



Take a look at the average 

driving distances on tour: 

2000 •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 272.8 

2001 •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 278.8 

2002 •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 279.5 

2003 •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 285.9 

2004 •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 286.5 

2005 •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 289.7 

In 5 years, driving distance 

went up 17 yards. 

The equipment, including the ball, 

has actually served to level the playing 

field on the tour. 

During 2000 to 2002 there was only 

one PGA Tour player averaging more 

than 300 yards: John Daly. 

In 2014, there were 25 players who 

averaged 300 yards; and 26 in 2015. 

What have improvements done to 

scoring? We keep hearing the ball is 

making the great courses obsolete, 

or major redesigns are necessary to 

lengthen courses and keep them 

challenging. 

Well, let's look at the numbers. 

In 1947, Jimmy Demaret won 

the PGA Tour's Vardon Trophy, 

presented to the tour player each 

year who has the lowest stroke 

average for a certain number of 

rounds. His average was 69.90. 

Check out the list of others: 

1948 > Ben Hogan - 69.30 

1979 > Tom Watson - 70.27 

1980 > Lee Trevino - 69.73 

2002 > Tiger Woods - 67.79 (a record) 

2016 > Dustin Johnson - 69.17 

Yes, courses have been lengthened 

and green speeds have increased -- 

factors that somewhat neutralize the 

gains in distance. But the statistics 

don't seem to indicate any major 

changes are needed to anything. 

In 1963, Jack Nicklaus won the 

PGA Championship's Long Drive 

Competition with a measured 

drive of 341 yards. That was with a 

persimmon headed, 43 inch steel 

shaft and a wound golf ball. Today, 

Jack is one of the leaders of "the 

ball goes to far" brigade. Really, 

Jack? It didn't go too far when you 

were flying it past most of your 

fellow competitors from 1962 to 

1980 or so. 

As long as the cup stays the same 

size, the game will continue to be a 

challenge to everyone who plays the 

game, from Jason Day to the beginner. 

I've been teaching golf for 47 years, 

and the equipment improvements 

since 1970 have enabled so many 

more golfers to hit the ball a little 

more consistently, possibly 

straighter, and a little longer than 

with the old-school ball and clubs. 

Because of that, they derive more 

enjoyment from playing and will 

hopefully want to play more. 

As for the PGA Tour Players, I'd 

rather see bombs than bunts, and 

more birdies than bogeys. 

In 2002, my then-21-year-old son 

went to the Greater Hartford Open 

with some friends. It was a decent 

field. Phil Mickelson was playing. 

When he got home that night I asked 

him who they had followed. I was 

waiting for him to say "Mickelson", 

but that's not who they followed. 

Along with about 20,000 other spectators, 

they watched John Daly. 

I go to the Honda Classic in Florida 

every March with three or four other 

pros. We are always in search of the 

"bombers" in the field. We're not 

much different than my son and his 

friends were in 2002. 

He talked about Daly's drives that 

whole summer. As you read in the 

stats above how many players 

averaged 300-plus yards on tour, 

more of today’s pros hit it like John 

Daly today, providing a real show 

for golf fans. 

The stats also show that courses 

are still a challenge. There really 

isn't a significant scoring difference 

from 1947 through 2016, so where's 

the harm? 

The USGA is the governing body of 

golf in North America. In the past 8 

to 10 years it has implemented strict 

controls and limits regarding equipment. 

Driver heads can not exceed 

460 cubic centimeters. 

The ball is limited to a certain speed 

off the club head when swung by the 

modern-day Iron Byron at the incredibly 

advanced testing facility. 

So now, manufacturers design and 

research teams have to find new 

ways to increase performance of the 

next generation of clubs, things like 

head and shaft materials, and moving 

weight around the head as we've 

seen recently in adjustable drivers. 

Good things for every golfer to help 

them play better. 

As I get older and shorter off the 

tee every year, I really wish the ball 

went farther. 

Speak up if you feel differently. 

The silence is deafening. 

Now if they can just do something 

about putting... 

Bob Green is the head PGA professional at 

Tedesco Country Club in Marblehead. Write to 

him at bgreen@tedescocc.org. 

160 SO. MAIN ST., Rte. 114 • MIDDLETON 

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NORTH SHORE GOLF


By ANNE MARIE TOBIN 

T 

he late Bill Flynn accomplished many things 

during his lifetime. A member of the 

Professional Golf Association of America for 52 

of his 74 years until he passed away in 2011, 

he excelled as a player, was a skilled businessman and, 

when it came to giving back to the game of golf, had an 

unparalleled passion for serving others and promoting 

the game, especially when it came to juniors and innercity 

youth. He believed that the game of golf could teach 

children some of life’s most important values. 

Flynn’s legacy continues to grow. 

On Nov. 9, Flynn was posthumously awarded the 2016 

PGA of America Deacon Palmer Award at the 100th 

PGA annual meeting at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in New 

York City. The award is named for Arnold Palmer’s 

father. It honors the PGA golf professional who displays 

outstanding integrity, character and leadership, in the 

effort to overcome a major obstacle in life. The recipient 

is an unsung hero at their facility and in the community, 

one who served to inspire, empower and assist others, 

both inside and outside the game of golf. 

The inaugural award was presented posthumously to 

Deacon Palmer, who had polio as a child, and 

accepted on his behalf by his son Arnold in November 

2014 at the 98th PGA annual meeting. Though he 

walked with a limp, it did not hinder his passion for 

golf. As a teenager, he was hired to work on a 

construction crew building Latrobe Country Club 

in Pennsylvania. He was named golf course 

superintendent in 1926 and was later named golf 

professional, becoming a PGA member in 1946. He 

passed away in 1976 at age 71. 

Bill Flynn’s 

legacy continues to grow 

Flynn was one of 41 PGA golf professionals under 

consideration for the Palmer Award, having received 

the New England Section of the PGA’s Palmer Award 

in late October. 

The entire Flynn family – Flynn’s widow Janice 

and children Michael, Joanne, Bobby and Janna 

Flynn – made the trip to New York City for the event. 

Flynn’s eldest daughter Joanne Flynn, the golf pro at 

Windham Country Club in New Hampshire, accepted 

the award on behalf of her dad. 

“It was just a great experience for my entire family and 

such a great honor for my father,” she said. “The PGA 

really outdid themselves, it was just an amazing and 

incredible week, one we won’t ever forget.” Bill Flynn’s 

accomplishments were also recognized by the 

Massachusetts Golf Association in October when he 

was one of six people inducted into the MGA 

Massachusetts Golf Hall of Fame, bringing the total 

members to 17. 

A Mass Open victory 

kiss for Bill Flynn from 

wife Janice, with sons 

Bobby and Michael 

and mother Honora 

looking on. 

Photos: Courtesy of 

the Flynn family 

The Class of 2016 also included fellow professional Bob 

Crowley, winner of more than 400 tournaments, 

legendary blind champion Joe Lazaro, two-time 

Massachusetts state amateur champion Frank Vana 

Jr., golf writer Herbert Warren Wind, and this writer, 

winner of seven women’s state amateur titles. >>> 



bill flynn’s legacy >>> 

A self-made man, Flynn made the 

most of every opportunity that came 

his way. He was born with a physical 

disability that limited the use of his 

right arm, which was noticeably shorter 

than his left. He overcame his adversity 

by deciding to play left-handed. Against 

all odds, Flynn became one of the most 

recognized and accomplished players 

of his time, winning the 1959 Vermont 

Open at Lake Morey and setting a 

tournament record. His biggest title 

was, no doubt, the 1968 New England 

PGA Championship at Pine Brook. 

His most memorable victory 

happened at Kernwood Country Club 

in Salem, in the 1963 Massachusetts 

Open, when the first-year Thomson 

Country Club pro ripped a page from 

Arnold Palmer’s book and made up a 

three-shot deficit over the final six 

holes to charge to a two-shot victory 

over Weston Country Club head 

professional Jim Browning. Flynn, 

who lived 10 minutes away as the 

crow flies across the Danvers River, 

shot 66 and played the final six 

holes at 5-under par. 

Born in 1936, Flynn started as 

a caddie at age 10 at the former 

United Shoe Golf Club in Beverly, 

now Beverly Golf & Tennis Club. 

He eventually worked for head pro 

Tom Mahan in the pro shop and 

also logged extra hours working 

in the kitchen during the winter. 

When he was 15, he moved 

down the road to Colonial Country 

Club in Lynnfield, working for 

former Boston Bruin-turned-golf 

professional Bill Ezinicki. 

Flynn turned professional before 

his 18th birthday. Bill Barclay hired 

him as caddie master at Salem 

Country Club, where he worked until 

1963 when he was hired as the first 

head professional at Thomson Club 

in North Reading, where he remained 

until 1988. 

Flynn also served as vice-president of 

the PGA of America and was elected 

to the NEPGA Hall of Fame in 1998. 

It was in 1973, however, that Flynn put 

the building blocks in place to take his 

career to a new level with the formation 

of the Bill Flynn Management and 

Development Co. Flynn had purchased 

Lakeview Golf Club in Wenham in 1972 

for $75,000. (Lakeview was sold last 

year to Lynnfield-based Atlantic 

Tambone Co., which plans to turn 

the property into a luxury residential 

condominium community of approximately 

25 townhouse units priced 

at $1 million or more.) 

Flynn’s company was widely credited 

with working with the MGA to rescue 

and restore historic Franklin Park 

Golf Course and George Wright Golf 

Course, both in Boston. 

Later, he purchased Far Corner 

Golf Course in Boxford in 1977 and 

expanded the 18-hole course to 

27-holes, then built Windham Golf 

Club in Windham, N.H., which 

0pened in 1994. l 

CONTINUED FROM P. 24 

Another pleasant surprise was the 

expansive, but not-at-all expensive 

menu: 5-pages chock-full of pub-style 

favorites. You can order an appetizer, 

soup and a salad, a wrap, hot sandwich 

or a full dinner while watching an 

array of sports on a few flat screens 

positioned around the bar. 

And speaking of the bar, it’s fullystocked 

and offers a wide selection 

of bottled and draught beers, wines, 

cocktails and spirits. There are eight 

beers on tap and another nine in 

bottles. Domestic beers are just $3. 

Imports and microbrews are a deal 

at just $4 a pour. Bud Light and 

Guinness are two of the standards on 

tap, while two brews from Chicago’s 

Goose Island Beer Co. and an IPA 

from Worcester’s Wormtown Brewery 

provide refreshing options for beer 

connoisseurs. The wine list features 

10 by-the-glass options priced at $5 

to $6. And while there isn’t a signature 

cocktail list, Clarke will mix just about 

anything you desire. 

With so much to choose from on the 

menu, I asked my waitress, Doreen, 

for a few recommendations. She 

shared that the clam chowder ($5), 

which is homemade, is a bar favorite, 

as is the “19th Hole Platter” ($10.95) 

as a starter. The platter gives diners a 

choice of three items from a long list of 

appetizers. I selected the latter with 

buffalo fingers, mozzarella sticks and 

potato skins loaded with cheddar and 

bacon. Thankfully my friend John 

joined me at the bar to help me eat 

my way through the menu. Otherwise, 

I wouldn’t have made it past the 

enormous first course. 

For our main course, we ordered 

“The Mulligan,” a charbroiled burger 

topped with beer-battered onion rings, 

bacon, lettuce, tomato, cheese and 

barbeque sauce ($9.95) and “The 

Birdie,” a boneless grilled chicken 

breast topped with bacon, lettuce, 

cheese and mayo ($8.95). Both, as 

do all sandwiches and wraps on the 

menu, came with a heaping pile of 

fries and a pickle spear. Neither of us 

put away our sandwiches, but made 

sure to have Doreen wrap them up to 

go so we could continue enjoying them 

later. She told us we must come back 

during golf season, after working up a 

bigger appetite on the course, for the 

fried haddock sandwich ($8.95) as 

the fresh fish is brought in daily, or 

for the marinated steak tip dinner 

($14.95) that is served with a choice 

of two sides. 

I’ll definitely take Doreen up on her 

suggestion and return to Diamond’s 

in the Rough, but for the safety of 

Gannon’s golfers I will stay off the 

course. My next round will be 

confined to the 19th hole. 

What’s your favorite 19th hole at 

North Shore Golf clubs? Let us know 

and Beth will check it out! l 

NORTH SHORE GOLF


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Junior golf has a special place in the heart 

of Donnie Lyons, general manager and 

director of golf for the town of Lynnfield, 

just as it did for his mentors Bill Barclay 

and Bill Flynn. 

Lyons, who oversees the golf operations at 

Reedy Meadow (formerly Lynnfield 

Center) and King Rail golf courses, both 

9-hole public courses owned by the town, 

began caddying at age 14 at Salem Country 

Club. One year later he started working in 

the pro shop at Salem. It led to a lifelong 

career in the sport for Lyons, who was 

inducted into the New England Section 

Professional Golfers Association Hall of 

Fame in 2015. 

The Danvers resident is determined to give 

youngsters today the same opportunities. 

“Kids are king,” said Lyons. “We are 

planning many kids programs this season, 

especially at Reedy Meadow.” Among the 

events planned at Reedy Meadow, a 2560- 

yard, par-34 course, are discounted rates 

for juniors, a golf camp for juniors and a 

“Family Special” that lets kids play for free 

after 4 p.m. on weekends if an adult pays 

his or her greens fee. 

At Reedy Meadow, Lyons would like 

to bring back the North Shore Junior 

Invitational, designed for younger kids, 

ages 8 to 13. It was held in 2013 and 14, 

and the cost was free to participants. 

“Promoting junior golf is a passion of 

mine,” Lyons said. 

Lyons added that the motto at Reedy is 

to provide an affordable and enjoyable 

golfing experience to players of all ages and 

abilities; juniors, seniors, adults; men, 

women, boys and girls. Lynnfield residents 

and non-residents are welcome. Private 

and group lessons are available. The course 

will open as soon as the ground is bare. 

Over at King Rail, a 2404-yard par-34 

(par 35 for women) course adjacent to the 

MarketStreet mall off of Route 128, 

“Frequent Player Passes” and discounted 

memberships for five and seven days will 

be offered, said Lyons. Head professional 

Eddie Whalley and grounds superintendent 

Mike Johnson, who oversaw the 2008 

redesign, hope to surpass the 18,000 rounds 

played at the course last year. >>> 



Visit our 

Website for available 

Outing Dates 

Greater Boston’s Rediscovered Classic 

WEB SPECIALS 

at 

playgolfne.com 

Mike Farrell, PGA Professional 

Slayton Road, Melrose, MA 

www.mthoodgolfclub.com 

Call for tee times & directions. 

781-665-6656 

Junior Schools & Clinics 

Full Service Pro Shop • Lessons 

Bar • Restaurant • Functions 

Golf Outings & Tournaments 

The course is gorgeous, bordering wetlands 

and marshes. The King Rail birds, for which 

the course is named, are omnipresent. 

Golfers who played Colonial Country Club 

back in the day will feel right at home. 

Seven of that course’s original front-nine 

holes remain, along with two newly 

configured holes, including the short (about 

85 yards) par-3 ninth. 

“The course is fun. There are three par 3s, 

five par 4s and one par 5. Some of the 

greens are elevated and there’s water, 

lateral hazards, on four or five holes,” said 

Lyons. “Time is an issue these days. Both 

parents work. Seniors often provide child 

care for their grandchildren. Playing nine 

holes here is fun, it’s usually easy to get on 

the course, both courses are family-friendly 

and both courses are affordable,” said 

Lyons. Rates at King Rail and Reedy 

Meadow are $22 for 9 on weekends, 

$21 weekdays. 

An April 1 opening is projected for King 

Rail, said Lyons, who added that a 

clubhouse will one day be built. For now, 

though, the trailer of past years will suffice. 

Lyons is hopeful that a liquor license can be 

obtained eventually. 

Both courses are now accepting men’s and 

women’s leagues and outing requests 

online at lynnfieldgolf.com. l 

Player friendly for all levels 

Lynnfield Golf 

REEDY MEADOW 

G O L F C O U R S E 

AT LYNNFIELD CENTER 

195 SUMMER ST., LYNNFIELD, MA 

781-334-9877 

FAMILY SPECIAL 

Saturday and Sunday Kids play for 

free with paying adult, after 4:00pm 

JUNIOR GOLF CAMP 

SPECIAL JUNIOR RATES 

K I N G R A I L 

GOLF COURSE 

AT MARKET STREET 

1 KING RAIL ROAD, LYNNFIELD, MA 

781-334-4643 

OFFERING FREQUENT 

PLAYER PASSES 

5 AND 7 DAY MEMBERSHIP 

PASSES ARE AVAILABLE 

OUTING AND LEAGUE 

DATES ALSO AVAILABLE 

RATES & DETAILS AVAILABLE AT LYNNFIELDGOLF.COM 

NORTH SHORE GOLF


THE ART OF 

HOSPITALITY 


The art of hospitality is defined as 

the friendly and generous reception 

and entertainment of guests, visitors, 

or strangers. 

Andrea Bruno, Salem Country Club’s 

executive committee division chair of 

the Hospitality Committee for the 2017 

U.S. Senior Open, says it’s the perfect job 

for her. And it’s easy to see why, after 

sitting in the clubhouse and chatting for 

a bit with the affable Lynnfield resident. 

She’s having a blast, and the hip surgery 

she had 2½ months prior hasn’t slowed 

her down one bit. 

“This is the fourth year we’ve been 

meeting, actively preparing for this, the 

sixth national championship Salem has 

hosted,” she said. “We’ve made three 

road trips, including Oak Tree in 

Oklahoma in 2014 and Scioto Country 

Club in Columbus, Ohio, which hosted 

last year’s championship won by Gene 

Sauers, to watch and learn how they 

organized and ran the event. Our 

amazing course superintendent, Kip 

Tyler, is from Ohio so that made for 

extra fun. 

“And the executive committee for the 

2018 Senior Open from The Broadmoor 

in Colorado has been observing 

us to help them prepare for their championship,” 

added Bruno, a 12-handicap 

who looks remarkably like her mom, 

Edie O’Connor, one of the most 

accomplished golfers in the history of 

Salem CC. 

Bruno, the lone female on the executive 

committee, said her committee helps 

plan and provide hospitality services for 

corporate sponsors, caddies, construction 

workers. “Caddies and construction 

workers must eat and drink during the 

tournament; seven area restaurants will 

be donating food for that purpose. >>> 

“The players, they 

love to come to this 

area. A lot of them 

bring their families 

for the week.” 

~ Andrea Bruno 

PHOTO: Mark Lorenz 



THE ART OF HOSPITALITY >>> 

They need transportation and a place 

to stay; some caddies come with players 

and others arrive looking for a bag. We 

aim to make things easy for them. 

“And the players, they love to come to 

this area. A lot of them bring their families 

for the week. There’s something special 

about New England. And this course is 

special. Players realize it’s one of Donald 

Ross’ greatest courses and they look 

forward to the challenge.” 

Bruno said her “small” committee has 

much to do, members from other clubs 

have been recruited and she’ll happily 

accommodate golfers who would like 

to join, even at this late date: the 

championship is June 26 to June 2. 

How hospitable is that! 

Bruno praises the work of her 

fellow executive committee chairs: 

Joe Mahoney Jr. (Accounting and 

Finance), Andy Campbell (Corporate 

Hospitality Sales), Dan Doherty 

(Championship Services), Wayne Guyer 

(Player Services), Walter Nugent 

(Scoring Services), Mike Tripoli 

(Spectator Services), Steve Freyer 

(Volunteer Services) and Bill Sheehan 

(General Chair). 

The Committee meets monthly with 

Executive Director Eddie Carbone 

of Bruno Event Team, SCC General 

Manager Greg Cincotta and SCC 

Vice-President Ron Mini, who serves 

as the liaison with the Board of Governors. 

“I’m so proud of this club. The members 

are so enthusiastic.” And Bruno is looking 

forward to another big golf event. “I’m 

going to the Masters. My first one, it’s a 

bucket list item. I’m so excited.” l 

Interested in volunteering or learning 

more about sponsorship opportunities? 

Go to 2017ussenioropen.com for details. 

NS GOLF /// COURSE DIRECTORY 

PRIVATE CLUBS 

PUBLIC CLUBS 

Andover Country Club 

60 Canterbury St., Andover, MA 01810 

andovercountryclub.com; 978-475-1263 

Golf Professional Daniel Taylor 

Slope 131; Rating 73.1 

Bass Rocks Golf Club 

34 Beach Road, Gloucester, MA 01930 

bassrocksgolfclub.org; 978-283-1866 

Golf Professional Peter Hood 


Bear Hill Golf Club 

2 North St., Stoneham, MA 02180 

bearhillgolfclub.com; 781-245-4295 

Golf Professional Jeff Wirbal 

9 holes; Slope 133; Rating 71.9 

Bellevue Golf Club 

320 Porter St., Melrose, MA 02176 

bellevuegolfclub.com; 781-665-7900 

Golf Professional Jeffrey Monteleone 

9 holes: Slope 128; Rating 69.8 

Essex County Club 

153 School St., 

Manchester-by-the-Sea,MA 01944 

essexcc.org; 978-526-7311 

Golf Professional Jack Davis 


Ferncroft Country Club 

10 Village Road, Middleton, MA 01949 

ferncroftcc.com; 978-739-4032 

Golf Professional Philip Leiss 


Haverhill Country Club 

58 Brickett Lane, Haverhill, MA 01831 

www.haverhillcc.com; 978-373-1146 

Golf Professional Jason Dufresne 


Indian Ridge Country Club 

Lovejoy Road, Andover, MA 01810 

indianridgecountryclub.us; 978-475-9484 

Golf Professional Mike Miller 


Ipswich Country Club 

148 Country Club Way, Ipswich, MA 01938 

ipswichclub.com; 978-356-3999 

Golf Professional Daniel R. Dwyer 


Kernwood Country Club 

1 Kernwood St., Salem, MA 01970 

kernwoodcc.org; 978-745-1210 

Golf Professional Frank Dully 


Long Meadow Golf Club 

165 Havilah St., Lowell, MA 01852 

longmeadowgolfclub.com; 978-441-1542 

Golf Professional Gene Manley 


Meadow Brook Golf Club 

292 Grove St., Reading, MA 01867 

meadowbrookgolfclub.org; 781-942-1334 

Golf Professional Steve Sheridan 


Mount Pleasant Golf Club 

141 Staples St., Lowell, MA 01851 

mpgc.com; 978-452-8228 

Golf Professional Joel Jenkins 


Myopia Hunt Club 

435 Bay Road, South Hamilton, MA 01982 

myopiahuntclub.org; 978-468-4433 

Golf Professional Mike Bemis 


Nabnasset Lake Counmtry Club 

47 Oak Hill Rd., Westford, MA 01886 

nabnassetlakecc.com; 978-692-4606 

Golf Professional Dan Gillis 


North Andover Country Club 

500 Great Pond Rd., 

North Andover, MA 01845 

northandovercc.com; 978-687-7414 

Golf Professional Peter Farley 


Renaissance Golf Club 

377 Kenoza St., Haverhill, MA 01830 

renaissancema.com; 978-241-6700 

Golf Professional Stuart P. Cady 


Salem Country Club 

133 Forest St., Peabody, MA 01960 

salemcountryclub.org; 978-538-5400 

Golf Professional Kevin Wood 


Tedesco Country Club 

154 Tedesco St., Marblehead, MA 01945 

tedescocc.org; 781-631-2800 

Golf Professional Robert Green 


Thomson Country Club 

2 Mid Iron Drive, North Reading, MA 01864 

thomsoncc.com; 978-664-2016 

Golf Professional Christopher Young 


The Golf Club at Turner Hill 

3 Manor House Lane, Ipswich, MA 01938 

turnerhill.com; 978-356-7070 

Golf Professionals: Nate Hopley 

and Mike Brown 


Vesper Country Club 

185 Pawtucket Blvd., Tyngsborough, 

MA 01879 

vespercc.com; 978-458-8731 

Golf Professional Stephen Doyle 


Winchester Country Club 

468 Mystic St., Winchester, MA 01890 

winchestercc.org; 781-729-1181 

Golf Professional Jim Salinetti 


Winthrop Golf Club 

453 Main St., Winthrop, MA 02152 

winthropgolf.com; 617-846-9775 

Golf Professional Jim Bruce 


Amesbury Golf and Country Club 

46 Monroe St., Amesbury, MA; 978-388-5153 

amesburycountryclub.com; 9 holes. 

Club Pro Butch Mellon; Tee times: 5 days in 

advance; Fee for 9 holes: $20/$21 

weekday/weekend;Fee for 18 holes: $30/$32 

weekday/weekend; Cart rental: $15 per 

person for 18 holes, $7.50 per person for 9 

holes; Yards 6,095; Slope 125; Rating 70.5 

Beverly Golf & Tennis Club 

134 McKay St., Beverly, MA; 

978-922-9072 ext. 111 

beverlygolfandtennis.net; 18 holes. 

Golf Professional Dave Dionne; Tee times: 

7 days in advance (members), 5 days in 

advance (non-members); Fee for 18 holes: 

$40/$45 weekday/weekend; Cart rental: $16 

per person for 18 holes; Yards 6,276; 

Slope126; Rating 70.8 

Black Swan Country Club 

258 Andover St., Georgetown, MA; 

978-352-7926; blackswancountryclub.com; 

18 holes. Director of Golf: Dave Trull; 

Tee times: 6 days in advance; Fee for 9/18 

holes: $26/$45 weekday, $29/$54 weekends; 

Cart rental: $19 for 18 holes; Yards 6,803; 

Slope 129; Rating: 72.9 

5,862; Slope 119; Rating 68.3 

Bradford Country Club 

201 Chadwick Road, Bradford, MA 

978-372-8587; bradfordcc.com; 18 holes. 

Club Pro: Kevin Murphy; Tee times: 5 days in 

advance (online tee times also available); Fee 

for 9/18 holes: $19/$34 weekdays, $23/$44 

weekends; Cart rental: $20 per person for 18 

holes; Yards: 6,157; Slope 130; Rating 70.8 

Candlewood Golf Course 

75 Essex Road, Ipswich, MA; 978-356-5377 

candlewoodgolf.net; 9 holes. 

Tee times: no; Fee for 9/18 holes: $16/$21 

weekday, $17/$22; weekend; Cart rental: 

$14 for 9 holes; Yards: 2,075; Slope N/A; 

Rating N/A 

NORTH SHORE GOLF


NS GOLF /// COURSE DIRECTORY 

PUBLIC COURSES, continued 

Cape Ann Golf Club 

99 John Wise Ave., Essex, MA; 

978-768-7544; capeanngolf.com; 9 holes. 

Club pro: none; Tee times: 5 days in advance; 

Fee for 9/18 holes: $25/$38 everyday; 

Cart rentals: $11 per rider for 9 holes; 

Yards 5,862; Slope 119; Rating 68.3 

Hickory Hill Golf Club 

200 North Lowell St., Methuen, MA 

978-686-0822; golfhickoryhill.com; 18 holes. 

Club pro: none; Tee times: every day; 

Fee: 18 holes: $42 Mon.-Thurs., $45 Fri., $52 

Sat.-Sun., Cart rental: $18 per person for 18 

holes; Yards 6,287;Slope: 123; Rating: 70.8 

Murphy’s Garrison Par 3 

654 Hilldale Ave., Haverhill, MA 

978-374-938; garrisongolf.com/contact; 

9 holes. Club Pro: Ted Murphy; Tee times: no; 

Fee for 9 holes: $11 weekday, $12 weekend; 

Yards 1,005; Slope N/A; Rating N/A 

Stoneham Oaks 

101 R. Montvale Ave., Stoneham, MA 

781-438-7888; stonehamoaks.com; 9 holes. 

Club Pro: Michael Gaffney; Tee times: no; 

Non-resident fees for 9 holes: $16 weekday, 

$18 weekend; Cart rental: $9 per person 

for 9 holes; Yards 1,125; Slope N/A; Rating N/A 

Cedar Glen Golf Course 

60 Water St., Saugus, MA; 

781-233-3609 cedarglengolf.com; 9 holes. 

Club pro: none; Tee times: no; Fee for 9/18 

holes: $20/$34 weekdays, $22/$37 weekend; 



Chelmsford Country Club 

66 Park Road, Chelmsford, MA 

978-256-1818 

sterlinggolf.com/chelmsford; 9 holes. 

Club pro: Gary Burke; Tee times: 4 days in 

advance; Fee for 9/18 holes: $19/$26 weekday, 

$22/$30 weekend; Cart rental: $16 for 18 holes; 

Yards: 4,934; Slope 108, Rating 64.6 

Country Club of Billerica 

51 Baldwin Road, Billerica, MA 

978-667-9121 ext. 22; 

countryclubofbillerica.com; 18 holes. 

Club Pro: Ed O’Connell; Tee times: 5 days in 

advance; Fee 9/18 holes: $22/$35 weekday, 

$25/$40 weekend; Cart rental: $17 per person 

for 18 holes; Yards 5,847; Slope 123; 

Rating 67.9 

Crystal Lake Golf Club 

940 North Broadway, Haverhill, MA 

978-374-9621; golfcrystallake.com; 18 holes. 

Club pro: none; Teetimes: 10 days in advance 

for members, 7 days in advance for public; 

Fees: 18 holes $28 weekdays, 

$37 weekends; Cart rental: $18 for 18 holes; 


Evergreen Valley Golf Course 

18 Boyd Drive, Newburyport, MA 

978-463-8600; evergreenvalleygolf.com; 

9 holes. Tee times: no; Fee for 9/18 holes: 

$13/$25 everyday; Cart rental: $14 for 9 holes; 


Far Corner Golf Course 

5 Barker Road, Boxford, MA; 978-352-8300 

farcornergolf.com; 27 holes. Club pro: John 

O’ConnorTee times: 5 days in advance; Fee for 

9/18 holes: $23/$41; weekday, $27/$47 weekend; 

Cart rental: $18 per person 

Four Oaks Country Club 

1 Clubhouse Lane, Dracut, MA 

978-455-0054; fouroakscountryclub.com 

Golf Professional Anthony Martinho 

Tee times: 6 days in advance; Fee 9/18 holes: 

$24/$41 weekday, $30/$51 weekend; Cart 

rental: $20 per person for 18 holes; Yards 

6,268; Slope 136; Rating 71.4 

Gannon Municipal Golf Club 

60 Great Woods Road, Lynn, MA 

781-592-8238; gannongolfclub.com; 18 holes. 

Club Pro: David Sibley; Tee times: 2 days in 

advance after 6 p.m.; Nonresident fee for 9/18 

holes: $22/$39 weekday, $24/$47 weekend; 

Cartrental: $18 per person for 18 holes; Yards 

6,110; Slope123; Rating 70.2 

Hillview Golf Course 

149 North St., North Reading, MA 

978-664-4435, hillviewgc.com; 18 holes. 

Golf Professional: Chris Carter; 

Tee times: 3 days in advance; Fee for 9/18 

holes: $22/$40; Weekday, $25/$43 weekend; 

Cart rental: $16 per rider for 18holes; 


Nahant Golf Club 

1 Willow Road, Nahant, MA; 

781-581-9000; nahantgolfclub.com; 

9 holes; Golf Professional: Toby Ahern; 

Tee times: 3 days in advance; Non-resident 

fee for 9 holes: $18 weekday, $21 weekend; 

Cart rental: $12 for 9 holes;Yards 3,910; 

Slope: 104; Rating 61.0 

King Rail Reserve Golf Course 

427 Walnut St., Lynnfield, MA; 781-334-4643; 

9 holes. Club Pro: Eddie Whalley; Fees for 

9/18 holes: $21/$31 weekday, $22/$44 

weekend; Cart rental: $9 per person for 

9 holes; Yards 3,460; Slope 112; Rating 63.6 

Lakeview Golf Course 

60 Main St., Wenham, MA; 

978-468-9584;lakeviewgc.com; 9 holes. 

Club Pro: Michael Flynn; Tee times: 7 days in 


$20/$30 weekend; Cart Rental: $7 for 9 holes 

per person; Yards 4,200; Slope 91, Rating 59.3 

The Meadow at Peabody 

80 Granite St., Peabody, MA; 978-532-9390 

peabodymeadowgolf.com; 18 holes. 

Director of Golf: Peter Cronan; Tee times: 

3 days in advance; Nonresident fee for 9/18 

holes: $21/$40 weekday, $26/$47 weekend; 

Cart rental: $10 per person for 9 holes 


Merrimack Valley Golf Club 

210 Howe St., Methuen, MA; 978-685-9717 

merrimackvalleygolfclub.com; 18 holes. 

Club Pro: Steve Katter; Tee times: 7 days in 

advance; Fee for 9/18; Holes: $23/$38 

weekday, $28/$48 weekend; Cart rental: 

$18 per person for 18 holes; Yards 6,012; 

Slope 29;Rating 70.1 

Middleton Golf Course 

105 S. Main St., Middleton, MA; 978-774-4075 

middletongolf.com; 18 holes. Club Pro: Chris 

Costa; Tee times: 1 week in advance; Fee for 

9/18 holes: $23/$36 daily; Cart rental: $12 per 

person for 18 holes; Yards 3,215 

Slope N/A; Rating N/A 

Mount Hood Golf Club 

100 Slayton Rd., Melrose, MA 

781-665-6656; mthoodgolfclub.com; 18 holes. 

Club Pro: Mike Farrell; Tee times: 5 days in 

advance; Nonresident fee for 9/18 holes: 

$25/$43 weekday, $50 for 18 on a weekend; 


New Meadows Golf Club 

32 Wildes Road, Topsfield, MA 

978-887-9307; newmeadowsgolf.com; 9 holes. 

Club Manager: Gerry Peckerman; Tee times: 

yes; Fee for 9 holes: $19 weekday, $22 

weekend; Cart Rental: $9 per person for 9 

holes, $15 perperson for 18 holes; 


Olde Salem Greens 

75 Wilson St., Salem, MA 

978-744-2149; 

9 holes. Club pro: none; Tee times: 1 day in 

advance weekday, 2 days on weekend; 

Non-resident fee for 9 holes: $20 weekday/$21 

weekend; Cart rental: $13 for 9 holes; 

Yards 3089; Slope 121; Rating 69.4 

Ould Newbury Golf Club 

319 Newburyport Turnpike, Newbury, MA 

978-465-9888; ouldnewbury.com; 9 holes; 

Club Pro: Jim Hilton; Tee Times: No; Fee for 

9/18 holes: $25/$38 weekday, private play on 

weekend; Car Rental: $10 per person for 9 

holes; Yards 6,230; Slope 128; Rating 71.0 

Reedy Meadow At Lynnfield Centre 

195 Summer St., Lynnfield, MA 

781-334-9877; 9 holes. Club Pro: Donnie 

Lyons; Tee times: no; Fee for 9/18 holes: 

$20/$30 weekday, $21/$31 weekend; 

Cart rental: $8 for 9 holes per person; 


Rockport Golf Club 

Country Club Road, Rockport, MA 

978-546-3340; rockportgolfclub.net/; 

9 holes.Club Pro: Stephen Clayton; Tee times: 

1 day in advance; Fee for 9/18 holes: $25/$37 

everyday; Cart rental: $13 for 9 holes; 


Rolling Green Golf Course 

311 Lowell St., Andover, MA; 978-475-4066; 

9 holes. Club pro: none; Tee times: no; Fee for 

9 holes: $16 weekday, $17 weekend; Pull cart 

rental: $3 for 9 holes; Yards 1,500; Slope N/A; 

Rating N/A 

Rowley Country Club 

235 Dodge Road, Rowley, MA 

978-948-2731; rowleycountryclub.com; 9 holes. 

Club Pro: Darin Chin-Aleong; fee for 9/18 holes: 

$21/$33 weekday, $23/$35 weekend; 

Cart rental: $19 for 9 holes for two riders; 


Sagamore Spring Golf Course 

1287 Main St., Lynnfield, MA; 781-334-3151 

sagamoregolf.com; 18 holes. Club Pro: 

Steve Vaughn; Tee times: 4 days in advance; 

Fee for 9/18 holes: $26/$44 weekday, $28/$50 

weekend; Cart rental: $10 for 9 holes per 

person; Yards 5,972; Slope 125; Rating 69.1 

Swanson Meadows GC 

216 Rangeway Road, Billerica, MA 

978-670-7777; swansonmeadows.com; 

9 holes. Club Pro: none; Tee times: 7 days in 

advance; Fee for 9 holes: $22 weekday,$25 

weekend; Cart rental: $11 per person; Yards 

4,486; Slope 108; Rating 62.6 

Tewksbury Country Club 

1880 Main St., Tewksbury, MA; 978-640-0033 

tewksburycc.com; 9 holes. Club Pro: Mike 

Rogers; Tee times: Friday-Sunday 2 days in 



for 9 holes; Yards 5,268; Slope 116; Rating 65.6 

Trull Brook Golf Course 

170 River Rd., Tewksbury, MA; 978-851-6731 

trullbrook.com; 18 holes. Club Pro: Al Santos; 

Tee times: 7 days in advance; Fee for 18 holes: 

$42 weekday, $53 weekend; Cart rental: $18 

per person for 18 holes; Yards 6,345; 


Tyngsboro Country Club 

80 Pawtucket Blvd., Tyngsboro, MA 

978-649-7334; 9 holes. Tee times: 5 days 

in advance for weekends; Fee for 9 holes: 

$17weekday, $19 weekend; Cart rental: $14 


Unicorn Golf Course 

460 Williams St., Stoneham, MA 

781-438-9732; unicorngc.com/aboutus/rates; 

9 holes. Club Pro: Jeff Barnes; Tee times: no; 

Nonresident fee for 9 holes: $22 weekday/ $24 

weekend; Cart rental: $9 per person; 


Wenham Country Club 

94 Main St., Wenham, MA; 978-468-4714 

wenhamcountryclub.com; 18 holes. 

Club Pro: Jason Greene; Tee times: weekends 

only; Fee for 9/18 holes: $23.50/$38 weekday, 


for 18 holes; Yards 4,554; Slope 118; 

Rating 63.3 

Windham Country Club 

1 Country Club Drive., Windham, NH; 

603-434-2093; windhamcc.com; 18 holes. 

Club Pro: Joanne Flynn; Tee times: 7 days in 




Woburn Country Club 

5 Country Club Road, Woburn, MA 

781-933-9880; woburncountryclub.com; 

9 holes. Club Pro: Paul Barkhouse; Tee times: 

2 days in advance; Non-resident fee for 9 

holes: $21 weekday and $22 weekend; 





DRIVING RANGES 

INDOOR FACILITIES 

BFM Mini Golf & Driving Range 

327 Main St., North Reading, MA 

978-664-9276 

Big Sticks Golf 

26 Ray Ave., Burlington, MA 

bigsticksgolf.com 

781-229-2269 

The Clubhouse Golf & Entertainment 

222 S. Main St., Middleton, MA 

theclubhousege.com 

978-539-8725 

Delisio Golf Range 

115 Swampscott Road, Salem, MA 

delisiogolfdrivingrange.com 

978-745-6766 

Golf Country 

160 S. Main St., Middleton, MA 

golfcountry.org 

978-774-4476 

Golf Country 

860 Broadway, Saugus, MA 

golfcountry.org 

781-231-0032 

Golf Galaxy 

40 Walkers Brook Drive, Reading, MA 

golfgalaxy.com 

781-944-0535 

Golfers Warehouse 

4 Newbury St., Danvers, MA 

edwinwattsgolf.com 

978-777-4653 

Golftec 

194 Newbury St., Peabody, MA 

golftec.com/locations 

978-777-2930 

Paradise Family Golf 

25 Lonegan Road, Middleton, MA 

paradisefamilygolf.com 

978-750-4653 

Sagamore Golf 

22 North Road, North Hampton, NH 

sagamoregolf.com 

603-964-8393 

Sarkisian Farms & Driving Range 

153 Chandler Road, Andover, MA 

sarkisianfarms.com 

978-668-5522 

Sun ‘n Air Golf Center 

210 Conant St., Danvers, MA 

sunairgolf.com 

978-774-8180 

NORTH SHORE GOLF


COMMAND PERFORMANCE >>> 

>>> CONTINUED FROM P. 23 

DuPriest said he has worked with many 

junior golfers, including Duke University 

player Steven DeLisio of Swampscott 

and Phillips Exeter Academy, and North 

Andover’s Nick Antonelli, who played on 

the Canadian Tour and is now on the 

staff at Atkinson Resort and Country 

Club in New Hampshire. 

Somerville native DuPriest earned a 

bachelor’s degree in exercise physiology 

from UMass-Lowell and previously 

owned and operated the only FitGolf 

center in Massachusetts at this same 

site. He said he’s a longtime golfer: 

“My mom has a picture of me in 

diapers, swinging a golf club. I started 

really young.” The 45-year-old North 

Reading resident tries to play at least 

once a week, even if it means teeing it 

up at 5 a.m. at Unicorn. He’s a past 

winner of the Winchester Father & 

Son Invitational and currently carries 

a 10 handicap. 

DuPriest and Lane both observe that 

this reporter, while standing, puts most 

of his weight on his left leg. Not good, 

they say. “I watch people all the time, 

even when I’m not working,” said 

DuPriest, “and I think, ‘I can help 

him or her.’” 

Lane laughed. “I do the same thing 

when I teach. On the range I can look 

at someone and say ‘He’s got a problem 

with his hip.’ You shouldn’t hurt when 

you golf or when you’re done.” 

“A good foundation and a good stable 

base is paramount,” added DuPriest. 

“If you can’t do that, the body can’t do 

what you want it to. 

“The king of swing is the glutes. The 

queen of swing is the core. If you don’t 

have the king or the queen, you have a 

couple of jokers.” l 

For more information, go to 

allfitperformancetraining.com. 

E M G 

ESSEX MEDIA GROUP 

Target your message 

to an affluent audience 

Contact us at: 

781-593-7700 

info@essexmediagroup.com 

FAR CORNER GOLF 

Far Corner Golf Course is a challenging 27 hole layout nestled on 250 acres in the beautiful West 

Boxford countryside. An 18 hole combination on any of our three nines, The Fox, The Heron and 

The Hawk boast yardage of over 6,700 yards from the championship tees. As challenging as the 

course may be from the championship tees, it is player friendly from the white, gold and reds. 

New 3,700 sq. ft. Pro Shop fully stocked 

with clubs, apparel, bags and more. 

~ 

Beautiful function area with wraparound 

deck overlooking the golf course 

~ 

Play any combination of our 3 nines, 

The Fox, The Heron & The Hawk 

~ 

One of the most scenic courses 

in New England 

~ 

Far Corner offers the 

best outing packages on the North 

Shore! Have your next event at Far 

Corner Golf! 

FarCornerGolf.com • 978-352-8300 

A Member of Bill Flynn’s Golf Course Management and Development Inc. 



Defining Excellence. 

Residential | Commercial | Retail


BOSTON PORCH AND DECK CO. 

Ofce: 781•584•8060 

Showroom: 781•990•1729 

BostonPorchandDeck@hotmail.com 

Visit our showroom 

387 Atlantic Avenue - Marblehead, MA 

www.BostonPorchandDeck.com

North Shore Golf Magazine Spring 2017

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