Open to the public

It's interesting when you think of the beginnings of the game of golf versus where we are today. In particular, the move toward public facilities has signaled a definite shift in the dynamics of golf that allow so many more people to enjoy this great game.

Reading a biography of the late, great, Dick Haskell inspired this post. Mr. Haskell was the executive director of the MGA for 29 years, and during his tenure, the number of MGA Member Golfers increased by more than 400%! In his obituary, former Boston Globe golf writer Paul Harber said:

"...most important, he helped the MGA make the uneasy transition from an organization dominated by exclusive clubs...to an organization whose majority of members play public golf."

Public Courses abound!
Top Row L-R: South Shore CC, George Wright GC, Pinehills GC
Middle Row L-R: Glen Ellen CC, New England CC, Brookmeadow CC
Bottom Row L-R: Stow Acres CC, Granite Links GC, Bass River GC

As we stand now, more than two-thirds of our 360 Member Clubs are open for public access for all or part of the year. And nearly half of our 84,000 Member Golfers are enrolled at public facilities.

Now, this is not to say that we don't have some absolutely stunning private facilities in this state. In fact, we have some of the country's best and most historic clubs - The Country Club, Essex County Club, Worcester CC, Longmeadow CC, Brae Burn, Winchester...just to name a few. We really are spoiled with all these amazing clubs.

But, private course membership just isn't realistic for a lot of people. Outside of purely financial concerns, I've heard from a handful of people that they just don't have enough time to make private club membership worthwhile. People are busy! Between work and carting the kids back and forth, it's hard to get a lot of rounds in during our short and hectic season.

At the National Golf Expo a few weeks ago, the most popular answer to "Where do you play?" was "Everywhere!" I think a lot of people like having the opportunity to play all over the place and see a different course every weekend. And I am happy that as the seventh-largest state golf association in the country, we have a wealth of public-access facilities for our members to enjoy. Now that the weather is (hopefully) starting to turn, grab your clubs and get out there!

Click here for a listing of MGA Member Clubs.