Superintendent reports moss treatment, hires and a 41% revenue uptick; staff outline season-pass changes and course rules

Town of Natick staff told the advisory committee that the golf course season opened normally and that a recently identified turf issue is silver-threaded moss, not a fungus, and will be treated by a three-application spray scheduled over six weeks.

Superintendent Eric Fontaine said the treatment is costly, must be applied three times two weeks apart, and does not guarantee complete elimination but should allow grass to reclaim turf. Fontaine also said contractors will return to hydroseed areas where contractors had previously dug to replace methane sensor housings.

On staffing and revenue, General Manager Kurt McDowell reported that a new golf professional, JJ Hickman, has been hired and that seasonal hires and equipment are in place after a slow snow-delayed start. He reported that revenue for March'April and year-to-date was up about 41% from last year.

On season passes, staff said 160 of 225 offered passes have been committed; staff are contacting a waitlist of roughly 230 people and are awaiting responses from about 20. Season passes are prioritized for returning customers, but the committee noted the current online registration (Community Pass) cannot enforce that priority and previously required refunds for new customers who took returning-client spots. Staff plan a stricter cut-off next year and allow one-year deferrals for customers injured during the season.

The committee reviewed updated course rules and etiquette including check-in requirements, a 2 hour 10 minute pace-of-play standard, cart operation rules, and routine etiquette such as divot and bunker repair. Mr. McDowell said he acts as a ranger to manage pace and that new carts help monitor player progress; committee members generally supported a relaxed pace for a municipal course, and a member suggested posting clocks at holes to indicate expected positions for groups.