PROFILE
Sterling Golf Management
K
Continues Its Steady Growth
evin Osgood, Founder & President of Sterling Golf Management based in Newton, Ma., came into the business as a golf course superintendent in 1980. Originally from New Hampshire, he has worked all his life on golf courses in New England. “I started a Golf Course Management Company 27 years ago because I always loved my profession, the game, the golf business, understood what the golfer wants, could assist properties with improvements and knew how to run a business, therefore I stepped forward.” Osgood’s first course was Newton Commonwealth Golf Course, where he was already serving as the Head Superintendent. “Massachusetts Chapter 31B bid laws were changing that would require municipal properties to be put out a contract to public bid, including golf courses. My first step was to incorporate a business that denoted quality, so in 1993 Sterling Golf Management, Inc. was established and that allowed me to be one of the bidders and SGM received the management contract.” At the time, Newton Commonwealth (opened in 1897) needed more operational efficiency and an improvement in the overall management of the course. Osgood saw an opportunity to improve customer service, cleanliness, food service and a higher quality, better stocked pro shop operation. Today, twenty-six years later, Sterling Golf Management owns two courses and operates 10 public golf courses total, the majority in the surrounding Boston area. The plethora of courses includes five (18-hole) courses and five (9-hole) courses. Osgood is very proud of the
fact that Sterling has never lost a contract in 18-Hole Courses all these years, a direct correlation of provid- • Newton Commonwealth, a popular Donald ing fantastic course conditions, memorable Ross 1927 redesign, minutes from Boston. golfing experiences, detail to service, great • Norwood Country Club & Practice Center golf course food and beverage, and pricing on the “auto mile” in Norwood. that is perfect. • April of 2018 purchased and improved and Osgood continued, “The industry is now operates Crystal Lake Golf Club in getting tougher and the number of golfHaverhill. ers in America is declining. Sterling Golf • Rockland Golf Club, the second longest Management is always staying on the fore18-hole Par-3 course in America. front of course conditions, clinics and lessons, pricing, marketing, growing the game, food 9-Hole Jewels and beverage, and insuring the customer • Unicorn Golf Club & Stoneham Oaks Golf a fantastic golf experience.” Additionally, Club in Stoneham. the company offers the SGM Membership • Chelmsford Country Club Program--unmatched in the Boston area, • Maynard Golf Club. offering a golfer the opportunity to buy • A nine-hole fully lighted short course in one membership and play at seven different Norfolk, Ma. called-Fore Kicks. courses. Sterling Golf employs around 300 seasonal staff during the summer and employs around 40 people year-round. The 2018 addition is Jay Miller, past golf course owner in California and recipient of the National Golf Course of the Year Award. Miller serves as Director of Golf Course Operations. The new SGM mission is to grow by one course a year and this direction seems to be aligned perfectly with the industry. Golf Course owners and cities especially recognize the company’s abilities, constantly contacting Osgood and Sterling Golf Management to bid on course contracts--just like 26 years Crystal Lake Golf Club ago when it all started. www.SterlingGolf.com
Newton Commonwealth Golf Course 28
Golfing Magazine • New England Edition
