The crowd at Salem Country Club looks on as Glenna Collett Vare tees off during the 1932 Women’s Amateur Championship.
By ANNE MARIE TOBIN
If history has anything to do with it, this year’s U.S. Senior Open at Salem Country Club is going be a real doozy.
At the 2001 Senior Open, eight players were within two shots of the lead on the back nine. Five of them – Jack Nicklaus, Isao Aoki, Jim Colbert, Larry Nelson and eventual champion Bruce Fleisher – were even par and held shares of the lead.
Nicole LaPerriere of Newburyport stripes a drive during her round. | Photo: Owen O’Rourke
By BOB ALBRIGHT
ralbright33@comcast.net
On Labor Day weekend in 1916, a scenic golf course was unveiled off the old Newburyport Turnpike in Newbury promising unparalleled views of the
winding Parker River Estuary and nine challenging golf holes. Flash-forward a century, and that description of Ould Newbury Golf Club still rings true today, but that doesn’t mean things have stood still off the golf course. To help celebrate its centennial last year, the club completed an ambitious clubhouse renovation project that gutted the bar area and was paid for solely by donations from its members.
Proprietor John Moore behind the new, custom-made bamboo bar. | Photo: Mark Lorenz
By BETH BRESNAHAN
When we visited Nahant Golf Club at Kelley Greens soon after the first of the year the clubhouse was covered in sawdust and the walls were being stripped down to the studs. Play It As It Lies Golf Management Inc., the course’s new management team led by partners Anthony De Dominicis and John Moore, shared they were transforming the former clubhouse into a facility that offered patrons a fine dining experience, a nice bar and lounge.
Sagamore plans a Masters-ful change on 9th hole
If the newly-designed ninth hole at Lynnfield’s Sagamore Spring Golf Course looks familiar, don’t be surprised if Dave Loggins’ iconic theme music, “The Masters” (yes, that music), pops into your head as you approach the green. That’s because, well, the hole has been cleverly renovated to replicate the treacherous par-3 12th hole at Augusta National Golf Club.
Salem Country Club Golf Course Superintendent Kip Tyler and “his assistant” Molly inspect the 18th green.
By BILL BROTHERTON
Kip Tyler, Salem Country Club’s golf course superintendent/miracle worker for the past 35 years, looks out at the 18th fairway and smiles. The grass is, for the most part, green and lush. After a drought-plagued summer of 2016, the classic Donald Ross-designed links came through winter just fine.
Eighty-four players will battle for two qualifying spots Wednesday, May 24 at the 18-hole sectional for the U.S. Senior Open at Kernwood Country Club in Salem. The two successful players will advance to the 38th U.S. Senior Open slated for June 29-July 2 at Salem Country Club in Peabody.
Bill Leone about to use the putting green at Gannon.
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- Skip Mageary, Leo Eamma, and Walter Donovan finishing a day of golf at Gannon.
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- Dennis McFall, Joe Martin, Jeff Clare and Ron Grasso approach the green.
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- Patty Roberts adjusts the covers on her clubs during her first round of the season.
Tuesday’s sunny skies and warm (80 degrees) temperatures brought out a large group of golfers at Gannon Golf Club in Lynn. Here are a few shots of those having fun, courtesy of photographer Owen O’Rourke.
