That’s what Select Board member Phil Crawford said about the new $1 million clubhouse at King Rail Reserve golf course that was officially unveiled to the public during a brief ceremony on June 14.
The approximately 32-by-40 foot space includes a pro shop, indoor rest rooms and a large open space to accommodate golfers looking to relax after a round and maybe have a beverage or two. The premises also includes a stone patio overlooking the 9th hole as well as a fenced-in cart pen to house the course’s 25 golf carts.
Town administrator Rob Dolan said the clubhouse “was a long time in the making” and golfers have been praising the golf course’s condition and improvements.
“The course is really getting a great name,” he said. “This clubhouse will make it one of the premier public courses in the region. The quality and nature that is part of this course and the amenities up the hill at MarketStreet make it a great place, not only for the people of Lynnfield but for the region. … We’re fortunate to be able to keep rates low for the kids and seniors.”
King Rail sits on the site of the former Colonial Golf Course, a 103-acre property that was purchased by National Development in 2006 to build the MarketStreet Lynnfield outdoor shopping center.
The developer donated the portion of the course it did not use to the town. The town reconfigured the layout, reconstructed three holes, and added a new par-3 ninth hole to create the existing course.
When the course opened in 2016, a trailer was installed to serve as a temporary clubhouse. In 2021, a larger trailer with indoor bathrooms was installed. Previously, the facility only had portable toilets.
Dolan said the cost of the clubhouse was covered entirely from golf receipts. “Not a single taxpayer dime that should go to police, fire and schools was used in this project,” Dolan said.
Dolan said outdoor patio furniture was on the way and a liquor license would soon be in place.
Select Board Chair Dick Dalton invited everyone to enjoy the new building, golfers and non-golfers alike. “I encourage everyone to come and have a cool one on the patio,” he said.
Dolan thanked the town’s golf director, Donnie Lyons, for his oversight of the construction process.
Lyons expressed his gratitude to the many town officials who have been supportive and helped get the project “to the finish line.” He also thanked the staff and customers.
During the grand-opening ceremony a steady stream of golfers, many in organized leagues, could be seen starting or finishing their rounds. Dalton said league play is the “foundation” of the business.
“They’re loyal customers who come every week and that means a lot. That’s how we end up with the golf course making the money, which we reinvest in golf. Without the leagues, we would be in trouble,” Dolan said. “If we didn’t have that base of loyal support we wouldn’t be able to do this project and some of the other capital projects we want to do on the other side of town.”
Crawford said the project took approximately 11 years to complete. He thanked National Development for its donation from the proceeds it received from the sale of land for the L.I.F.E. housing at MarketStreet.
“They took that money and donated it right back to the town, so we fix up the course and build this clubhouse,” Crawford said. “I think that we finally got the clubhouse we’ve wanted and I know we are all going to enjoy this for a very long time.”
Dalton said the clubhouse “is something to be very proud of. I had Phil make the comments because he’s been on this project from the very beginning. He’s been able to manage it and bring it to fruition.” He also praised John Scenna and John Tomasz for their management of the project.