5/23/25

Mayor Sarno tours Springfield’s Municipal Golf Course Clubhouse Renovations 

Mayor Domenic J. Sarno joined with City of Springfield Parks, Buildings, & Recreation Management (PBRM) Director Thomas Ashe, Department of Capital Asset Construction (DCAC) Director Peter Garvey, Veteran's Memorial Golf Course Manager Rick Lombardi, Franconia Golf Course Manager Steve Carle, and Veterans Golf Course Senior Greens Superintendent Anthony Kowal on Friday morning at Veteran's Memorial Golf Course, located on South Branch Parkway, to tour the completed Golf Course Clubhouse renovations. 

Both of clubhouses at the city’s two public municipal 18-hole golf courses, Veterans and Franconia, have undergone major, multi-million-dollar renovations. On Friday, Mayor Sarno and city officials toured the renovations at the Veteran's Memorial Golf Course Clubhouse and display the renovation work that was done over at Franconia’s Clubhouse as well. 

Park Commissioner Clinton Harris, Director of Open Space Pete Krupczak, Park Coordinator Tom Dougal, Senior Project Manager My-Ron Hatchett, and Project Managers Jessica Lugo and Seamus Warwick also joined to unveil the completed work. 

The renovations at our Veteran's Memorial Golf Course include replacement of the roof, new windows, new kitchen equipment, new finishes, new plumbing, mechanical and electrical systems. The restrooms have also been renovated for accessibility. 

The renovations at our Franconia Golf Course include replacement of the HVAC system, a new electrical service, new kitchen equipment, new finishes in the dining room, kitchen and a new curtain wall. 

Mayor Sarno states, “We continue to receive rave reviews about our two public golf courses, Franconia and Veterans – now the inside of both the Veterans and Franconia Clubhouse’s, which had not seen any major updates since they were built in the 1960s, will match the quality of the courses that my administration recently invested $1 million toward enhancing the quality of play for golfers of all ages and levels. Our public golf courses have been nationally recognized and are quickly becoming a hidden jewel in the region, while also offering some of the most affordable rates in the area.  Thank you to PBRM Director Tom Ashe and team for their continued efforts in maintaining these beautiful and affordable courses.  I’d also like to thank our Capital Asset Construction team under Pete Garvey for getting this project done. Just like our courses, the Clubhouse looks beautiful.”

Mayor Sarno added, “I’d like to give a shout out to Marcus Smith, a former student of mine at my old South End Community Center, who did all the audio-visual work for the Clubhouses – very proud to see him succeeding. Another shout out to the Springfield DPW Traffic team who was out there on South Branch getting work done on our new automated crosswalk pedestrian safety initiative. And thank you to our braved and dedicated SPD for keeping us all safe. Good health and God Bless.”

PBRM Director Tom Ashe states, “On behalf of the Department of Parks, Buildings, and Recreation Management, we are deeply appreciative of Mayor Sarno’s continued, and multifaced investments in our open spaces and recreational opportunities, including our two renowned public golf courses. With 70,000 rounds played at Springfield’s municipal courses each season, our courses and clubhouses are worthy of these capital investments into the open spaces and facilities. When our Veterans Memorial Golf Course hosted the USGA Junior Amateur championship-qualifier for the first time a few years ago, it was first tournament site in the country to sellout. We are proud to be known among visitors and locals for the quality of our public golf courses. I commend our Greens Crews led by Anthony Kowal, who do a phenomenal job in maintaining them, and all our staff who continue to make our public courses right on par with some of the private, less affordable options out there, while maintaining accessibility and a friendly and welcoming atmosphere for golfers of all levels.” 

Director of Capital Asset Construction Peter Garvey states, “I was thrilled to be part of this team and work to complete these major and transformative renovations at our two public golf courses, each with its own rich history. We are looking forward to seeing everyone enjoy the new Clubhouse facilities.”

About Springfield’s Municipal Golf Courses 

The 18-hole Veteran’s Memorial Golf Course in Springfield, Massachusetts features 6,350 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 72. The course rating is 69.3 and it has a slope rating of 121 on Bent grass.  Designed by Geoffrey S. Cornish, ASGCA, the Veteran’s Memorial Golf Course opened in 1964.

The 18-hole Franconia Golf Course in Springfield, MA is a public golf course that opened in 1929. Designed by John Van Kleek, Wayne Stiles and Geoffrey Cornish, Franconia Golf Course measures 6,213 yards from the longest tees and has a slope rating of 118 and a 69.7 USGA rating. The course features 3 sets of tees for different skill levels.

Golf Course website: https://vets-franconia-golf.com/