From the Editor

Bob Albright

Listen to the analysts from CNBC to the Wall Street Journal and you might come to the conclusion that your 8-iron would be better used as a tomato stake in your garden this summer than on the local fairways.

“Dire economic times. No time – or money – for leisure activities. Better carve out your own space for your “slightly used clubs” on E-Bay,” they say.

Well, that’s one spin on it.

Here on the North Shore, and I suspect across much of the country, we’re looking at a different forecast. Tiger is back, the charity tournament listings continue to pile up on my desk, and we keep adding to the course directory at the back of this magazine. We’ve even added the long awaited North Shore Golf Blog to our website. Why? Because golf seems to be as recession-proof as any business can be in this climate.

“I think it’s going to be a great summer, especially for public courses,” offers Burton Page whose management company runs Cedar Glen in Saugus and who just added Carriage Pines Golf at Rowley Country Club to his fold.

“I remember back in the mid 70’s when we were in a similar financial slow down and we had a period like this and that’s when golf really took off.”

Page’s new acquisition in Rowley, along with Lynnfield’s King Rail Reserve (formerly The Colonial) both represent one of the few pleasant by-products from the sagging real estate market. Simply put, had the housing boom continued, both courses would be sporting townhouses right now. Instead, golfers will have the opportunity to play two of the most demanding local nine-hole layouts this summer and perhaps for several more. King Rail, which is made up of Colonial’s old front nine, is in a year-to-year holding pattern, while Page has a two-year lease at Rowley.

While at first glance the outlook may be hazier at private clubs many of which are looking at an exodus of members, there’s plenty of upside here as well. If there was ever a buyer’s market for golfers looking to make the jump to a private club, now’s the time. Check back with that club you talked to three years ago, the one with the three-year waiting list and the hefty initiation fee. Chances are you will have quite a different conversation with the membership representative.

So, as we make our first swings of 2009 this April, look at the bucket of balls at your feet as half full and not the other way around. At least that’s the spin I’m going to give my wife. Hopefully it’s enough to keep my Saturday mornings free, and, more importantly, my 8-iron out of the garden.

I look forward to seeing you out on the fairways,

Bob Albright
editor

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