Progress At Ponky?

Jay Turner in the Canton Citizen reports that there is some hope for a possible renovation and improvement of Ponkapoag Golf Course, though I'm not sure about the "currently in need of an estimated $35 million in repairs" thinking.

Officially signed into law on July 13 as part of the state’s $28.1 billion budget package, the “Ponkapoag Golf Course Long-Term Leasing Authority” will allow the Department of Conservation and Recreation to enter into a lease agreement with either the town of Canton  —  if it wants it  —  or a private company for a period of 25 years.

Similar to the legislation that saw the Metropolis Skating Rink first leased out to the town in 1980, this latest move is being billed by lawmakers, including Senator Brian Joyce, as an effort to cut down on spending while also reviving what was once a regional treasure, designed by the legendary golf course architect Donald Ross in 1936.

 

Comments

[Smolmania]

State Senator Joyce should clearly and unequivocally have nothing whatsoever to do with golf, golf course, or anything related thereto. His statement:
"Joyce, however, sees real possibilities with the lease plan, including the chance that Ponkapoag could someday play host to a Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) major event, such as the United States Open," is so bizarre as to be beyond all belief. Ponkapoag, and courses like it (the one in Austin that they're currently fighting about) play an important role in the game, but hosting a national open -- particularly one run by the PGA -- is not one part of that role.

[Pete the Luddite]

I was engaged as a consultant to address water supply issues at Ponkapoag years ago. There were obvious problems with drainage on the back 9 on the second course for time immemorial. The course is a very fun layout when I last played it in ~2000, but poorly maintained. As a municipal course it was treated as the ugly stepchild IMHO with regard to funding. The superintendent was doing the best he could with the resources available.

The area with drainage is constructed in low-lying land adjacent to ponds and wetlands with, if I recall correctly, some diverse and protected species of critters. The fairways were actually built up from the lower topo in some areas by felling trees and using them as fill material. Over time, that led to uneven fairways as the trees rotted away underground.

Permitting issues in MA were also a problem. One solution that seemed obvious was to drain the low-lying area and use the water as the irrigation supply for the upper topographic region of the courses. That went nowhere, unfortunately.

While working there years ago, I had heard all of the rumors that it could be a candidate US Open course if it got a total facelift. If one considers that the course itself could be brought up to par (no pun intended) for a US Open caliber course, the rest of the equation strongly supports a US Open Site. It is ideally located between major markets and airports (BOS and Providence), plenty of hotels, parking areas, transportation is a snap with easy access to major highways...

Sadly, though, the course needs a LOT of money to bring it to a top notch condition. $35MM, though? can't say for sure. If they do ultimately replace their entire irrigation system (they weren't watering fairways back then, if I recall), re-do the tees and greens (don't ruin the Ross greens!), and the typical US Open type Rees-toration, I can see it being pretty costly and that figure doesn't seem totally out there.

Of course, you used to be able to BUILD AND DESIGN great courses for much less than $35MM, but those are the days of yore now....

[sodface]

Pete, the course on the banner of this website's home page was built for a seventh of that price. But your point still holds plenty of water...

[Pete the Luddite]

sodface-

I'm glad my point wasn't lost. I absolutely agree that GC construction prices have gone through the roof. Personally, I rarely see the return on investment (ROI) in terms of the quality of the course that one gets with a heftier price tag. Don't know what they'd actually get for $35M, but that seems very high. There's also no way that's going to happen, I would think.

You're also spot-on with the comment regarding Geoff's design. I have seen it before on this site, and I think it's a great idea. Geoff should sponsor the Shackelford Open at Rustic Canyon. It would be great to see his course in person and play what looks to be a layout and construction design that should produce an epiphany for many of today's waterfall-lovin', gimmick-grabbin', brand-focused architects. How about it, Geoff? :)

[Jim Beckner]

Yeah, how about it Geoff? Shackelford Open at Rustic Canyon? Great idea Pete

[Steven T.]

35M must include a new clubhouse.

[Chilltown]

Ponky was where I learned to play the game, and No 1 is a great layout. I really hope they can get this deal through to renovate it. Even if they don't get a big tournament there, it deserves the renovation.