Golfing Grows in Green Plymouth County

Plymouth County golf courses are hoping to go for the green this year. An improving economy and increased interest in the sport could mean more business for the region's growing golf industry.

"Golf is coming back," said Holly Taylor, Golf Professional at Olde Scotland Links in Bridgewater,

One of the things favoring local golf courses this season may be the recent snowy winter. All that snow actually helped by insulating fairways and greens from the bitter cold.

"We came through the winter in great shape," said Sue Carlson, Manager of Marion Golf Course. "The greens are beautiful. The snow cover prevented damage to the turf."

William B. Stearns III of Southers Marsh Golf Club sees considerable promise for 2005. The Ocean Spray grower built the picturesque course amidst his family's bogs as a hedge against a weakening cranberry industry.

"This is our fourth full season and I think we've turned the corner," Will said. "Word-of-mouth really helped us get established. We had a. great season last year and we see it picking up again this year. We're also doing a lot of weddings and parties, which helps a lot."

Over the past several years, Plymouth County has grown substantially as a golf destination. Affordable land spurred development of courses of all shapes and sizes across the 27community region south of Boston.

To maximize interest, courses are doing various things to make golfers welcome. Southers Marsh just purchased a new fleet of motorized carts while Marion, a 9-hole course, is offering a few carts for the first time.

"We decided to add a limited number of carts for golfers who can't get around that easily," Carlson said.

Olde Scotland, which is patterned after the treeless, rolling courses in Great Britain, is attempting to attract new clientele by focusing on women. It has implemented several programs specifically targeting female golfers.

In June, we plan to offer clinics for women as part of the Women's Golf Week through the American Golf Foundation," Taylor said. "We're also offering a Take Your Daughter to the Golf Course program to get girls more involved in the sport. Golf is a great game that women can play all their lives."

For more information, visit www.plymouthgolf.com.