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Cinderella story: golf course at Colonial reopening soon

by Robert Curtin

LYNNFIELD — Those who despaired of never being able to play the Colonial golf course as it is presently constituted again will get another chance — at least at the first nine holes.

The proposed name for the course — the King Rail Reserve — is a tribute to one of the three endangered species of bird that is preventing much of the golf course area from being developed.

“It’s in recognition of the important role it plays in the town of Lynnfield,” said Town Administrator William Gustus.

National Development has agreed to lease the golf course to the town for $10 this season, which will allow for the course to be opened as a nine-hole venue — possibly as early as this Friday, according to Gustus.

National Development will allow the town to use the existing pro shop as a base of operations.

The Board of Selectmen ratified the deal with National Development managing partner Theodore “Ted” Tye on Monday.

Tye said that the credit for pursuing this course goes to Gustus, who, Tye said, “continues to amaze me with his ability to come up with creative ideas — crazy ideas, actually — and make them happen very quickly.”

Gustus said that with the excavation of the site likely delayed until October he had reopened talks with National Development on the use of the golf course this year.

Gustus noted that the town had already hired former Colonial superintendent Mike Johnson to maintain the course, and the course is in very good shape. He will be working with Donald Lyons, the town’s director of golf operations, on opening the course.

“Short of cutting in the holes, it’s ready, and it’s looking sharp,” Gustus said.

He also predicted that due to irrigation in place at the course, “Come July and August, it will be green when other nine-hole courses are burned out.”

Gustus is confident that revenues from the golf operation this year will well outpace the incremental added costs of operation — by about a ratio of two to one.

The equivalent of three- full-time positions will have to be added to operate the pro shop, and one additional maintenance person will be added.

Gustus said insurance and utility costs have been included in estimates.

Based on what he called a conservative estimate of 50 rounds per day, Gustus is estimating revenue at $150,000 to $175,000; the existing Reedy Meadow course generates $600,000 in annual revenue.

Gustus said while the course is in operation, work will begin to implement work required by the Natural Heritage review and the Conservation Commission to create buffers for wildlife.

“I think this will give us a good transition from a private resort course to a public course,” Gustus said. The course is expected to be closed in 2009 and reopened in 2010.

“It seems like a good idea and a win-win all around,” said Selectman Robert MacKendrick.

Selectman Allen Merritt said, “From a cost standpoint, we just have to cover $75,000 to $80,000 and we’re out of the woods.”