George Wright (Boston Ross) rumors

[Brad Tufts]

Heard through the grapevine the other day that the "Friends of George Wright" group has solicited plans from Brian Silva and Gil Hanse for a restoration/renovation of the Ross muni in Hyde Park just south of Boston.  I believe they have put out some feelers for some private financing as well to compliment any city $$ (if any).

Obviously, money is tight these days so this project's fruition is probably years away, but things are headed in the right direction!

Franklin Park's renaissance over the past 25 years has been brilliant, and it's nice to think of what a refurbished GW could add to the MA public golf landscape.

In my opinion, a restored GW could be mentioned right up with the private Ross classics in Boston, as the bones are most definately there.  Holes 5, 7-12, 15 (a doppleganger for TCC #11), and 17 are standouts specifically, and the other 10 are decent as well.

[PCCraig]

Brad-

This would be fantastic news for golfers in Boston. You're right that the bones are there.

If there was to be a restoration and a decently low price on a round you would see Bethpage-like lines out the door on weekend mornings to play.

[Brad Tufts]

Yeah Pat, I agree.

It already is very tough to get a weekend tee time as it is, with the course being in the best shape it has been since the 80s.

They also already have the really cool WPA clubhouse.

The person I talked to that had seen the plans also said that the ultimate goal is to perhaps host an LPGA or SR. tour event someday...it would not have quite enough length to be possible for the big boys even with some additional tees.

[PCCraig]

Yeah Pat, I agree.

It already is very tough to get a weekend tee time as it is, with the course being in the best shape it has been since the 80s.

They also already have the really cool WPA clubhouse.

The person I talked to that had seen the plans also said that the ultimate goal is to perhaps host an LPGA or SR. tour event someday...it would not have quite enough length to be possible for the big boys even with some additional tees.

I haven't been out there in about three years, and I don't remember it being in very good shape, so I'm guessing that the conditions have gotten better. How have they improved? More funding or just better weather?

The key in all of this would be keeping green fees low and having it available to everyone. It would be great if a place like this would block off an hour a day in the afternoon during the summer (say 3-4) that only Juniors would be allowed to make tee times and play for $10 or so.

It's amazing that Boston for as big of a town it is and fore how many golfers there are living in the area that there are so few decent and affordable public golf options close to the city. This would be a huge step forward.

[Joel_Stewart]

I've been following this course for a few years.  It looks like somebody finally updated the web site.  The FOGW appered to be dormant for the last 2 or 3 years, its good that somebody has finally put together something.

http://georgewrightgolfcourse.net/FOGW.html

I think I heard they need some significant drainage work and a modern irrigation system.  It would be interesting to see the numbers, but you would think they would be able to raise $5 million in that city for a historical renovation?

[Brad Tufts]

I agree that the city does not have many golf options.  You have to travel decently far to reach some truly good public layouts.

I actually haven't played this year, so I don't have first-hand info of the improvements (conditioning), but have heard many good reviews.  They actually hosted a MA amateur qualifier this year, which is a HUGE indication that the conditioning is better.

I think the turning point was the removal of Johnson Golf Management as the company in control of the maintenance.  They are relatively well-known in Mass. as a company that puts minimal profit back into the conditioning of their courses.  When they had GW, the first two holes were always under water, and the 13th fairway was always half pond.

Hopefully they do eventually find the money, as this would be a great project.

[Dan_Callahan]

As far as public golf options go, I have some friends from NH who came down to spend a night in Boston. They wanted to play one round on Friday afternoon and another on Saturday morning. Looking at the lack of options, we ended up at Atkinson (in NH) on Friday and Waverly Oaks (in Plymouth) on Saturday. There is no decent public option within 30 minutes of Boston.

On a side note, Atkinson just opened a 9-hole par 3 course. It looks great. No hole is over 160 yards, so you can go around with wedge through 8-iron. Greens fees are $15 on weekdays, $17 on weekends. I definitely plan on taking my kids there. Looks like fun with a few holes in the 90-120 yard range. They also have a great range that includes a 60-yard short hole. At the far end of the range, they've opened a golf academy that has hitting bays and lots of video capture areas. It is becoming quite a cool place. I'm hoping they package a range membership and par 3 membership. At the right price, I would jump on that in a second.

[D_Malley]

"Heard through the grapevine the other day that the "Friends of George Wright" group has solicited plans from Brian Silva and Gil Hanse for a restoration/renovation of the Ross muni in Hyde Park just south of Boston."

does this mean that both silva and hanse are going to submit plans seperately?
if so will the "F of GW" then choose which company to use?

[Brad Tufts]

My source said that they have plans in hand from both.

Not sure exactly who will choose which to go with.

[Joel_Stewart]

My source said that they have plans in hand from both.

Not sure exactly who will choose which to go with.

That will be one tough decision, Hanse or Silva.

I looked at the web site and there is no mention of who is managing the golf course.

[David Kelly]

The person I talked to that had seen the plans also said that the ultimate goal is to perhaps host an LPGA or SR. tour event someday...it would not have quite enough length to be possible for the big boys even with some additional tees.

See there is where they run into trouble.  As a city owned golf course the first and to my eyes only goal should be to provide a great, affordable recreational facility for 1) its residents (primarily) and 2. other golfers who want to use the course (secondarily). That's it.

[Ray Richard]

Another birdie told me that a  big, regional bank had Gil Hanse lined up for a restoration rebuild of George Wright. They would manage the course and  bring in a big golf event in exchange for construction costs.


It'll never happen. The City of Boston nixed it.They had a bad experience with an outside management company. They like the current team led by Len Curtin, Scott DuPuis, etc. Also, the bank finances went south during the mini-depression.


Silva has a master plan all ready to go for Ponkapoag, a few miles away. The state is broke, so it's on the back, back burner.

[Tim Gerrish]

GW has a new irrigation system installed just a few years ago.  Difficult project given the nature of the site.  Len Curtain may forever be working out the kinks.

Whomever they chose for a restoration needs to keep in mind daily use.  The majority of people I've watched play the course will get annihilated if it is made any harder. 

[Brad Tufts]

Thanks for the less rumor-filled info Ray...

I would assume the "bad experience" is with Johnson, but the only other frame of reference was Beverly Golf & Tennis, which booted them after they put the club through 5-10 very bad years.  BGT has now turned around just like GW under a local team focused on just that one golf course. 

I don't mean to tell tales out of school, but two courses in bad shape seem like iffy management to me.  Johnson still manages several courses I believe, and they appear to be doing ok.

Honestly, as we would all like to see both courses restored/renovated, GW seems to be doing alright, whereas Ponky is an absolute mess.  I would think that Ponky needs it more, if the MDC can ever get their act together once the $ climate improves.

Like everyone else, they both need the financial backing.