By BETH BRESNAHAN
A colleague 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.
By BILL BROTHERTON
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.”
By BOB GREEN
By ANNE MARIE TOBIN
The 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 inner-city youth. He believed that the game of golf could teach children some of life’s most important values.
“The players, they love to come to this area. A lot of them bring their families for the week.” ~ Andrea Bruno
By BILL BROTHERTON
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.
PRIVATE 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
Slope 124; Rating 69.3
Bear Hill Golf Club
2 North St., Stoneham, MA 02180
bearhillgolfclub.com
781-245-4295
Golf Professional Jeff Wirba
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
Slope 136; Rating 72.5
Ferncroft Country Club
10 Village Road, Middleton, MA 01949
ferncroftcc.com
978-739-4032
Golf Professional Philip Leiss
27 holes; Slope 135; Rating 72.9
Haverhill Country Club
58 Brickett Lane, Haverhill, MA 01831
haverhillcc.com
978-373-1146
Golf Professional Jason Dufresne
Slope 129; Rating 70.6
Indian Ridge Country Club
Lovejoy Road, Andover, MA 01810
indianridgecountryclub.us
978-475-9484
Golf Professional Mike Miller
Slope 133; Rating 72.1
Ipswich Country Club
148 Country Club Way, Ipswich, MA 01938
ipswichclub.com
978-356-3999
Golf Professional Daniel R. Dwyer
Slope 139; Rating 73.9
Kernwood Country Club
1 Kernwood St., Salem, MA 01970
kernwoodcc.org
978-745-1210
Golf Professional Frank Dully
Slope 130; Rating 71.7
Long Meadow Golf Club
165 Havilah St., Lowell, MA 01852
longmeadowgolfclub.com
978-441-1542
Golf Professional Gene Manley
9 holes; Slope 127; Rating 69.3
Meadow Brook Golf Club
292 Grove St., Reading, MA 01867
meadowbrookgolfclub.org
781-942-1334
Golf Professional Steve Sheridan
9 holes; Slope 137; Rating 73.8
Mount Pleasant Golf Club
141 Staples St., Lowell, MA 01851
mpgc.com
978-452-8228
Golf Professional Joel Jenkins
9 holes; Slope 126; Rating 70.1
Myopia Hunt Club
435 Bay Road, South Hamilton, MA 01982
myopiahuntclub.org
978-468-4433
Golf Professional Mike Bemis
Slope 135; Rating 73.2
Nabnasset Lake Country Club
47 Oak Hill Rd., Westford, MA 01886
nabnassetlakecc.com
978-692-4606
Golf Professional Dan Gillis
9 holes; Slope 119; Rating 67.0
North Andover Country Club
500 Great Pond Rd., North Andover, MA 01845
northandovercc.com
978-687-7414
Golf Professional Peter Farley
9 holes; Slope 119; Rating 65.4
Renaissance Golf Club
377 Kenoza St., Haverhill, MA 01830
renaissancema.com
978-241-6700
Golf Professional Stuart P. Cady
Slope 142; Rating 75.0
Salem Country Club
133 Forest St., Peabody, MA 01960
salemcountryclub.org
978-538-5400
Golf Professional Kevin Wood
Slope 134; Rating 73.5
Tedesco Country Club
154 Tedesco St., Marblehead, MA 01945
tedescocc.org
781-631-2800
Golf Professional Robert Green
Slope 129; Rating 72.1
Thomson Country Club
2 Mid Iron Drive, North Reading, MA 01864
thomsoncc.com
978-664-2016
Golf Professional Christopher Young
Slope 132; Rating 72.8
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
Slope 138; Rating 75.1
Vesper Country Club
185 Pawtucket Blvd., Tyngsborough, MA 01879
vespercc.com
978-458-8731
Golf Professional Stephen Doyle
Slope 137; Rating 73.6
Winchester Country Club
468 Mystic St., Winchester, MA 01890
winchestercc.org
781-729-1181
Golf Professional Jim Salinetti
Slope 137; Rating 73.5
Winthrop Golf Club
453 Main St., Winthrop, MA 02152
winthropgolf.com
617-846-9775
Golf Professional Jim Bruce
9 holes; Slope 116; Rating 68.5
PUBLIC CLUBS
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; Slope 126; 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
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 holeshttp://candlewoodgolf.net
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
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
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
Cart rental: $18 for 9 holes
Yards 6,050; Slope 107; Rating 66.7
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
Tee times: 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
Yards 6,525; Slope 129; Rating 72.4
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
Yards 2,997; Slope 108; Rating 67.4
Far Corner Golf Course
5 Barker Road, Boxford, MA
978-352-8300
farcornergolf.com
27 holes
Club pro: John O’Connor
Tee times: 5 days in advance
Fee for 9/18 holes: $23/$41; weekday, $27/$47 week-end
Cart rental: $18 per person
6711 yards; Slope: 130; Rating: 72.9
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
Cart rental: $18 per person for 18 holes
Yards 6,110; Slope 123; Rating 70.2
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
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 18 holes
Yards 5,773; Slope 120; Rating 67.4
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
lynnfieldgolf.com
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 advance
Fee for 9/18 holes: $18/$28 weekday,$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
Yards 6,708; Slope 135; Rating 73.7
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
Yards 5,630; Slope 115; Rating 65.4
Murphy’s Garrison Par 3
654 Hilldale Ave., Haverhill, MA
978-374-9380
garrisongolf.com
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
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 per person for 18 holes
Yards 2,883; Slope 117; Rating 64.8
Olde Salem Greens
75 Wilson St., Salem, MA
978-744-2149
oldesalemgreens.com
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
Cart 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
www.lynnfieldgolf.com
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
Yards 5,120; Slope 102; Rating 63.8
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
Yards 6,076; Slope 125; Rating 69.8
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
Yards 5,936; Slope 131; Rating 69.1
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
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
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 advance
Fee for 9/18 holes: $23/$39 weekday,$26/$42 weekend
Cart rental: $11 per person 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; Slope 124; Rating 69.8
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: $17 weekday, $19 weekend
Cart rental: $14 for 9 holes
Yards 2,397; Slope 104; Rating 65.2
Unicorn Golf Course
460 Williams St., Stoneham, MA
781-438-9732
unicorngc.com
9 holes
Club Pro: Jeff Barnes
Tee times: no
Nonresident fee for 9 holes: $22 weekday/ $24 weekend
Cart rental: $9 per person
Yards 6,446; Slope 127; Rating 71.6
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,$25/$44 weekend
Cart rental: $16 per person 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 advance
Fee for 9/18 holes: $24/$42 weekday,$29/$50 weekend
Cart rental: $9 per person for 9 holes
Yards 6,442; Slope 135; Rating 71.2
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
Cart rental: $16 for 9 holes
Yards 5,973; Slope 121; Rating 68.9
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
worldwidegolfshops.com/Store-702.aspx
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
Courtesy photo
Bill Paxton, right, directs Shia LaBeouf in “The Greatest Game Ever Played,” the film that chronicled Francis Ouimet’s unexpected 1913 U.S. Open victory at The Country Club. Paxton died on Feb. 25 at age 61.
By ANNE MARIE TOBIN
Bill Paxton’s death last week brought back a few memories. Most people remember him as Helen Hunt’s co-star in the movie “Twister” or as Brock Lovett, the treasure hunter searching for the Heart of the Ocean diamond in “Titanic.”
Rob Oppenheim had quite the successful week at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am tourney.
By Gary Larrabee
He knew he was going to make the biggest paycheck of his professional career, but that was not uppermost in his mind as Salem-born Rob Oppenheim faced his third shot on the 72nd and final hole of the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am Sunday afternoon.
