February 25, 2019 by Carol Britton Meyer
It’s only February, but already South Shore Country Club Executive Director Kevin Whalen and his dedicated staff are preparing for the next golf season, which starts April 1.
“We’re doing a lot of spring cleaning to get the course shipshape for Spring, including improvements to the fifth hole and the driving range area,” he said. “Some trees have been removed to make the course more usable and to allow it to get more sunlight.”
In the meantime, SSCC is teeming with activity — school vacation fun for all ages; winter golf, weather permitting; golf simulators, where off-season golf lessons are also offered; bowling, including leagues; and lunch and dinner in the cozy Greenside Grille, which offers a creative menu year-round.
“The course is open during the winter months as long as the weather cooperates and there’s no snow on the ground,” Whalen said. “New Year’s Day was wonderful, with temperatures in the 50s.”
On a recent half-day of school, a group of about 15 young teens showed up to use the simulators, enjoying a delicious lunch served by the Greenside Grille. “It was nice seeing these well-behaved kids have such a good time,” Whalen said.
A gentleman showed up to golf Feb. 15, when the temperatures again rose to the 50s, but the course was closed due to off-and-on heavy rain. Still, Whalen appreciated his enthusiasm.
There was a surge of activity during the recent government worker furlough, including use of the golf simulators and bowling.
Now in his sixth month with SSCC, Whalen is enthusiastc about the future of the Club, which will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2022 with special events and activities leading up to this momentous occasion.
About 33,000 rounds of golf were played last year, including some 30 to 35 annual golf outings hosted by the Club. “It’s a very busy course. We had a great year,” Whalen said. “We’re one of the premier golf courses in the state. The people of Hingham should be very proud of it, and we appreciate their support. It’s in great shape thanks to our maintenance crew.”
There are also plans to raise more revenue, in part by creating new golf leagues. The Club is accepting new members for the upcoming golf season, with the continuing goal of making golfing at SSCC as pleasurable an experience as possible.
The pool is being prepped, too, and Hingham Rec will run the operation again this summer after a successful 2018 season. There are plans for a new pool, with partial funding for the design stage and construction documents through Community Preservation Act funding, plus matching fundraising by the Friends of the South Shore Country Club. The Anchor will be sharing more information on the pool plans and fundraising efforts soon.
There will also be sports camps, and SSCC will again host the popular South Shore SNAP (Special Needs Athletic Partnership) summer camp. Golf programs for all ages will be offered as in past years, with lessons taught by golf pros Mike Libby and Chris Riley. After an active day at the Club, the outdoor patio is the perfect place to relax with a cool drink or to enjoy a meal.
“There’s nothing better on a nice summer day than seeing junior golfers (under age 18) out on the course,” Whalen said. “They’re our future adult golfers!”
Whalen noted that the course was once farmland. Many years ago the late John Riley, a former planning board member and selectman, led the successful effort for the town to acquire the Club in order to prevent a residential development from being built on the course. That protection continues today under town ownership.
“The original course was built in the early 1920s, with only three holes,” Whalen said. “Whenever we plan improvements we go back to the original plans to emulate as much as possible what the designer had in mind back then. It’s a timeless course. Because of the elevation of the greens it’s not about being a big hitter but a great player.”
For golf course membership or other information or to book a time to use a golf simulator (the room is open from 7:30 or 8 a.m. to as late as 10 p.m.), call (781) 749-1747 or visit southshorecc.com.