Gardner Municipal Golf Course has separated itself from other publicly-owned golf courses by thinking out of the box and meeting their own lofty goals. Many municipal courses would be content to stay afloat by simply maintaining status quo, and with Gardner, there would be no shame in doing so. Its features have withstood the test of time, the small, sloped and fast greens still stay true and the fairways are still meticulously groomed and maintained, as they have been for decades. The course’s heavily wooded back nine is still home to majestic stands of old hardwood and pine. The swath of land upon which the course sits, formerly home to a farm, has lost none of its fertility or charm since the course’s inception in 1936.
Suffice to say, Gardner, if it were like other municipal courses, could probably get away with resting on its laurels, sticking with the tried and true product that has weathered the tests of time. It hasn’t, and you will be all the more thankful for it. This Par-71 offers nothing but quality, a real hidden gem just south of the New Hampshire border.
Innovation and progress permeate every blade of grass and course management has big plans. This past winter, they cut down about 200 trees on the back nine to open it up to sunlight and the tranquil breeze the grounds often receive. The superintendent is planning to allow the naturally occurring grasses to grow to foster patches of tall fescue throughout the course. Management also has plans to lengthen a number of holes. There are other, longer term plans that call for major initiatives, including redesigning No. 9 to centrally feature a creek in the fairway.
There are also big plans off the course. Thanks to the satellite presence of the Gardner Ale House, which has anchored the city’s downtown for years, golfers will have the opportunity to unwind with delectable pub fare and some of the finest craft beers New England has to offer. The clubhouse restaurant—Ale House on the Green—has locked into a three-year contract with the city and serves quality fare with locally crafted and brewed beers like Facelift IPA and Chair City Pale Ale. The clubhouse can accommodate social and corporate functions. Currently, the facility seats 92, but there are plans to build a covered deck that would double the seating area.
The course’s front nine is relatively flat, while the back nine is hilly and typified by the many old hardwoods and pines that line the fairways. The Par-3s, in many respects, make the course, like No. 3, which runs 225 yards from the back tees. Eight of the first nine holes have water hazards, most of which are little ponds or creeks. Multiple holes offer views of Crystal Lake, Gardner’s water supply, which abuts the course. Perhaps the most notable view is on No. 11, where the lake buffers the left side of the hole. The aforementioned breeze whips around several holes, like No. 6, which plays longer than its advertised 160 yards. The wind tunnel on this hole sometimes prompts some experienced players to reach for their 4-iron.
When looking up at the green on the Par-5 11th, depth perception is often maligned as the hole looks like it’s on top of a cliff surrounded by bunkers. The viewpoint was only abetted by the recent elimination of four trees at the rear of the green. The Par-3 16th is what many consider to be the course’s signature hole. Aggregately, the hole’s elevation doesn’t change much from tee to green, but running 242 from the back tees, the ground slopes downward for a 100 yards from the tee box, before rising again to the green.
Nestled in northern Worcester County, Gardner, known throughout New England as the Chair City for its former furniture manufacturing prominence, is located about 90 minutes west of Boston and about 40 minutes north of Worcester.
The original nine holes, which consist of the current 1st, 9th, 10th, 11th, and 14th through 18th, were built in 1936. The additional nine were woven into the fabric of the course during the 1960s. The original architect is presently unknown, although some have speculated Scottish legend Donald Ross or his company may have been at the helm. A Ross design would certainly explain the small greens. The largest green is approximately 30 paces across.
Gardner Municipal boasts a large driving range and a three-tiered putting green for those looking to sharpen their game before or after a round. Lessons are available. The course features four tee boxes on each hole, making it playable for golfers of all skill levels. For more information, call 978-632-2713.