metrowest country club recommendations

[CentralMassGolfer]

What about Worcester CC? Is charter oak any comparison?

[CdmDude]

Similar inquiry as Central Mass Golfer: moved to Southboro. 40 yo, wife, 2 little kids. Need club to have pool, family atmosphere, good/well run golf course w/ good practice areas. 10-handicap... Framingham, Hopkinton, Haven seem to make the most sense - Worcester too far; no pool at Marlboro; no pool at IGC (plus uncertain future); Wedgewood not a family vibe; have not heard good things about Charter Oak (higher cost, subpar course); don't want to go farther east than Framingham... I believe course ranking would be 1. FCC, 2. Haven, 3. HCC... HCC definitely is pushing all the family stuff. Haven is lowest cost. All have about same dues, but no upfront at Haven - but you give up some amenities there too... If FCC course was coupled w/ HCC family environment, that would be ideal... Done my research, but this seems like good forum to get "inside" info too... Appreciate any insight. Thanks.  

[dwboston]

9 hours ago, CdmDude said:

Similar inquiry as Central Mass Golfer: moved to Southboro. 40 yo, wife, 2 little kids. Need club to have pool, family atmosphere, good/well run golf course w/ good practice areas. 10-handicap... Framingham, Hopkinton, Haven seem to make the most sense - Worcester too far; no pool at Marlboro; no pool at IGC (plus uncertain future); Wedgewood not a family vibe; have not heard good things about Charter Oak (higher cost, subpar course); don't want to go farther east than Framingham... I believe course ranking would be 1. FCC, 2. Haven, 3. HCC... HCC definitely is pushing all the family stuff. Haven is lowest cost. All have about same dues, but no upfront at Haven - but you give up some amenities there too... If FCC course was coupled w/ HCC family environment, that would be ideal... Done my research, but this seems like good forum to get "inside" info too... Appreciate any insight. Thanks.  

 

Did the same analysis 9 years ago and chose the Haven (back then it was called Mt. Pleasant).  For us, It's the best combo of golf and family atmosphere with the pool and family events (in normal, non-COVID times).  Really good, challenging golf course, recently upgraded facilities, and the restaurant/food are really good as well.  My wife and son love it, which makes it easy for me to get out and play golf.     

[dwboston]

It's funny to go back and read the posts about the International, knowing now how it went bankrupt and closed and left the members high and dry.  Even funnier to read BrianL's all-knowing posts given what happened.  That $25 million offer to buy never materialized I guess.  😄

[medicoreMAgolfer]

On 4/3/2021 at 11:02 AM, dwboston said:

It's funny to go back and read the posts about the International, knowing now how it went bankrupt and closed and left the members high and dry.  Even funnier to read BrianL's all-knowing posts given what happened.  That $25 million offer to buy never materialized I guess.  😄

You caused me to re-read this entire thread from the beginning.  A couple of things to note reading through all of the comments

 

 - Franklin CC did complete their new range and it might be the nicest one I’ve visited  in the Boston area other than Old Sandwich.  The thing is HUGE.  Kind of surprising that land went unused for as long as it did by Franklin.  BTW, that course remains sneaky hard (at least for me)

 

- Brian Lynch (who was mentioned as the “best GM in the Boston area”) is apparently the new GM at Wellesley.  Their last guy retired.  Reports are very positiive

 

- I did follow the International sale process.  Funny, I think it ultimately “sold” for ~$10mm, far below the $25mm, but much more than the $2.5mm someone else suggested.  I think the family didn’t see a dime, but the mom got out of some guarantees on the debt

 

- Lastly, the news about Coore Crenshaw re-doing the International (at least one course) is exciting.  That could turn it into a hot place much sooner than people expected.  From what I understand, it’s much more expensive to join this year than it was in 2019!

[Cut68]

On 4/3/2021 at 12:48 AM, CdmDude said:

Similar inquiry as Central Mass Golfer: moved to Southboro. 40 yo, wife, 2 little kids. Need club to have pool, family atmosphere, good/well run golf course w/ good practice areas. 10-handicap... Framingham, Hopkinton, Haven seem to make the most sense - Worcester too far; no pool at Marlboro; no pool at IGC (plus uncertain future); Wedgewood not a family vibe; have not heard good things about Charter Oak (higher cost, subpar course); don't want to go farther east than Framingham... I believe course ranking would be 1. FCC, 2. Haven, 3. HCC... HCC definitely is pushing all the family stuff. Haven is lowest cost. All have about same dues, but no upfront at Haven - but you give up some amenities there too... If FCC course was coupled w/ HCC family environment, that would be ideal... Done my research, but this seems like good forum to get "inside" info too... Appreciate any insight. Thanks.  

This is wild to me. I went through this 3 years ago….. Framingham is more expensive then Charter Oak, and I found Charter to be a much better course than Framingham or Marlboro. Harder, but better. I will say, huge family vibe at Charter, so if that’s not your thing it’s probably not for you

[CentralMassGolfer]

I’ve rejoined the international, and it is now the best golf experience in metro west.  I started this thread originally and it’s taken all 8 years to finally, with confidence, say I have finally landed at my spot.  
 

After a handful of test years at many of the clubs mentioned here, there’s no comparison to the overall golf and hospitality experience at the international under escalante.  

[yttam]

digging up this old thread to see if there are any members of The Haven. Thank you!

[Metrowestgolfe]

Marlborough is a wildly underrated course and club for those who are not interested in a pool or tennis. If you want a very nice course with a solid restaurant and bar it is a great option

[ShortStick]

I’d second that opinion on Marlboro. The back nine is a very nice old school Stiles and Van Kleek layout, front side is a Cornish. Even better was the membership - lots of good neighborly folks.