Spring is right around the corner, and North Shore Golf  is planning its next issue. What would YOU like to see in your magazine? What are we missing? What do we do well? What are our epic fails? Please let us know.

North Shore Golf editor Bill Brotherton

North Shore golfers have certainly been blessed with lovely weather this fall. It’s brilliantly sunny and 72 degrees as I’m writing this in late October. But, as we all know, it’s just a matter of time before Old Man Winter and his buddy Jack Frost shock us back to reality.

Who knows, there might even be snow on the ground by the time this Winter edition of North Shore Golf magazine rolls off the presses in early November. That’s the perfect time to plan a great escape from the bitter cold. We offer a couple of tantalizing toasty options in this issue. North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands region is often overshadowed by its neighbor, Myrtle Beach, about 75 miles to the south. But the Brunswick Islands area offers 30 championship courses, great fishing, exceptional dining and more. Bob Albright magically transports you there. Mitch Marcus takes us to Kiawah Island in South Carolina, where he played three championship courses of varying difficulty, including the Ocean Course, which hosted The War by the Shore Ryder Cup in 1991.

By Bob Albright

If you are looking for a relaxing getaway this offseason that features great golf along with tranquil, unspoiled beaches and some of the freshest seafood around, then you would be well served to head for North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands. Spread out among a collection of barrier islands, 30 scenic, unique, and challenging championship courses await golfers of all abilities with the only common thread being the laid back and welcoming atmosphere that oozes from this slice of golfing heaven. North Shore Golf made the trip last spring and we offer up this somewhat ambitious, but very satisfying four-day itinerary

Stage your personal War by the Shore at Kiawah resort

By Mitch Marcus

After spending several days at Kiawah Island Golf Resort and playing three of its five courses, I can rightfully say it is a golfer’s paradise. It is remarkably beautiful and happy place; even the occasional double bogey won’t sour your mood.

REPORTS OF GOLF’S DEATH ARE GREATLY EXAGGERATED

By Bob Green

With the North Shore’s 2017 golf season winding down, it’s time to examine the state of our game.
In recent years, we’ve been bombarded with news that “golf is in trouble,” “the game isn’t growing,” and doomsday predictions that “golf is losing popularity” and “participation is dwindling.”

Ron Forse of Forse Design Inc., the golf course architect who helped Salem Country Club with its long-term improvement plan in advance of the 2017 U.S. Senior Open, on Oct. 17 toured the ongoing renovation project that he is supervising at Tedesco Country Club in Marblehead. Nearly every bunker on the course
is being remade according to the original design

By BILL BROTHERTON
North Shore golf legend Paul Barkhouse, one of the many outstanding junior players who came out of Lynn’s Happy Valley (now Larry Gannon Municipal) under the tutelage of the aforementioned Mr. Gannon, will be honored, along with wife Nancy, at a testimonial roast, hosted by Woburn Country Club on Friday, Nov. 17, starting at 6 p.m.

By Anne Marie Tobin

It’s been a glorious fall on the North Shore as area clubs wrapped up their 2017 seasons with annual club championship tournaments. In the fall issue, we highlighted many champions’ stories. We follow up with more results and wish to thank all of the clubs that graciously shared their_st_or_ies_, r_es_ults and photos.

Karen Moulton’s company spreading putting greens across the North Shore and beyond

By Bob Albright

Looking for the roots of some of the most imaginative synthetic putting greens in New England?

Well, you need look no farther than Hamilton. It’s there, in a renovated old Volvo repair shop on Route 1A, where you will find Karen Moulton and her company, TM Turfscapes.