2 minute read
Sterling Golf Management
Newton Commonwealth Golf Course, Newton MA
Continues Its Steady Growth
Kevin 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 all these years, a direct correlation of providing fantastic course conditions, memorable golfing experiences, detail to service, great golf course food and beverage, and pricing that is perfect.
Osgood continued, “The industry is getting tougher and the number of golfers in America is declining. Sterling Golf Management is always staying on the forefront of course conditions, clinics and lessons, pricing, marketing, growing the game, food and beverage, and insuring the customer a fantastic golf experience.” Additionally, the company offers the SGM Membership Program--unmatched in the Boston area, offering a golfer the opportunity to buy one membership and play at seven different 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 ago when it all started.
18-Hole Courses
• Newton Commonwealth, a popular Donald Ross 1927 redesign, minutes from Boston.
• Norwood Country Club & Practice Center on the “auto mile” in Norwood.
• Crystal Lake Golf Club in Haverhill.
• Rockland Golf Club, the second longest 18-hole Par-3 course in America.
9-Hole Jewels
• Unicorn Golf Club & Stoneham Oaks Golf Club in Stoneham.
• Chelmsford Country Club
• Maynard Golf Club.
• A nine-hole fully lighted short course in Norfolk, Ma. called-Fore Kicks. Crystal Lake Golf Club
