Quincy-Natural Resources Commissioner Dave Murphy said that as the city is preparing to take over the operation of one of the city's three courses, the infrastructure of Furnace Brook golf course will be significantly improved. 

At the city council meeting on Monday, Murphy told councillors that one project is in the design stage and another is in preparation, and his department is considering new ways to promote the course to a wider audience.

The first business will be to replace the stadium club which has a history of nearly 100 years. Quincy took over the course on January 1.

"The current clubhouse is basically a converted house built in 1926. It does not meet many standards required for public buildings," he said. 

Murphy said that the project was "very early" in the conceptual design process, but he estimated that the cost of replacing the clubhouse would be between US$5 million and US$5.3 million. Before any construction starts, he must ask for money before returning to the council.

The existing maintenance building also needs work. Murphy described it as "basically a thin man." 

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"This is an old cinder block building with a leaky roof. They have converted some metal pieces into covering equipment," he said. "This is far from the best way to operate." 

Murphy said that the golf course has not undergone major capital improvements for some time, which makes sense, because the previous operators knew that the city would take over. 

"We will enter this field with our eyes wide open," Murphy said. 

District 4 City Councillor Brian Palmucci (Brian Palmucci) asked whether the golf course made enough money to sustain his own life — even profitable when it was privately operated. Murphy said it has, but the city is looking to expand its membership-driven operating model. 

"I do think this will be marketed as a public course, in addition to maintaining a membership business model and some night activities that generate considerable income," he said. "The city's goal is to market it as a public stadium and create more tee time."

Murphy said that even with upcoming capital expenditures, the course should be close to breakeven each year. He also stated that the city sees the course as "an opportunity to work with our entertainment department and really introduce more residents."

"Golf is a very unique sport," he said. "Some of their clinics there are doing very well. The Quincy High School golf team plays in Furnace Brook, but the truth is that the vast majority of people in our community will never have the opportunity to play golf. We hope to expand golf opportunities. Way to use this asset."

The city's relationship with the golf club began in 1971, when the mayor James McIntyre (James McIntyre) proposed to lease the golf course for 50 years. An article by Patriot Ledger in 1979 stated that the club was unable to pay the property tax in 1970-a $17,500 bill-and "thought that its financial prospects had no prospects for improvement."

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According to the lease, the club pays $1 to the city each year for a period of 50 years in lieu of taxes. At the end of that period (ie June 2021), the land will be owned by the city. As the lease is about to expire, Koch said he and his staff took time to meet with club management to discuss the best course of action. It is decided that the land will still be used as a golf course, but the city will take over its maintenance and management in early 2022. 

Since its name was changed to Stony Bray Golf Club in 1938, the course has been called Furnace Brook Golf Club. Stoney Brae was built in 1923.

In a council meeting, Palmucci stated that he was worried that the residents of the city would “get in trouble” to pay for professional golf players, major upgrades and other expenses that may not necessarily be within the city. On Monday, he voted against a $400,000 fee for the course, as did Anne Mahoney, the non-appointed member of Parliament.

After assuring lawmakers that they have the right to cut golf course operations from future city budgets, the appropriation was indeed passed. 

In other businesses, the City Council approved several gifts from individuals and non-profit organizations, including the recent reunion of former employees of Quincy Medical Center and a donation of $536 for the Veterans Services Department.

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Contact Mary Whitfill at mwhitfill@patriotledger.com.