The New England Public Golf Forum is a collaborative event from National Links Trust and Mass Golf which seeks to educate and connect public and municipal golf stakeholders from around New England. The event is co-hosted by National Links Trust, a non-profit organization headquartered in Washington, DC whose vision is to be known as the leading advocate and resource for municipal golf across the United States, and Mass Golf, Massachusetts’ state golf association committed to advancing the game of golf in the state by building an engaged and inclusive community around the sport. Features of the event include panel discussions and networking opportunities.
Location: South Shore Country Club (Hingham, MA)
Dates: October 29-30, 2024
Cost: $70 per person
Note: This schedule is tentative and subject to adjustments
Tuesday, October 29
7:30-8:30 a.m. – Registration, Breakfast, Coffee and Networking – Hingham Room
8:30 a.m. – Opening Remarks from Mass Golf Leadership – Hingham Room
8:45-10:00 a.m. – PANEL | STATE OF NEW ENGLAND PUBLIC GOLF – Hingham Room
Leaders from regional and national golf associations will discuss high-level topics and trends that will affect the future of public golf in New England
10:00-10:15 a.m. – Break
10:15-11:15 a.m. – PANEL | TECHNOLOGY & GOLF OPERATIONS – Hingham Room
How is technology changing the landscape of golf operations and how can you harness it to benefit your operation? Topics include innovations in turf equipment and equipment power sources, golfer engagement and event management software, connected on course experiences for golfers and integrated solutions for course managers.
11:15-11:30 a.m. – Break
11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. – BREAKOUT SESSION 1
Agronomy & Course Maintenance – Lincoln Room
Increased play and its impact on course maintenance and golfer expectations, labor challenges, observations from course visits this year, the importance of a collaborative relationship between the golf professional and superintendent.
The Business Case for Sustainability – Hingham Room
Discover how sustainability and course operations can work together to save money, conserve resources, and limit environmental impacts.
12:30-1:30 p.m. – Lunch – Lincoln Room
1:45-2:45 p.m. – BREAKOUT SESSION 2
Agronomy & Course Maintenance Demonstration/Tour
Tour of South Shore CC maintenance facility, followed by an on-course demonstration of Deacon, GS3 and related turf management technology.
Player Development – Hingham Room
Learn about best practices for creating engaging programs to attract and retain new golfers and make your facility accessible and inclusive to all golfers.
2:45-3:00 p.m. – Break
3:00-4:00 p.m. – BREAKOUT SESSION 3
Community Engagement – Lincoln Room
Learn ways to engage with community leaders to gather support for projects and explore non-golf events that exhibit the value your facility can provide for your local community.
Fundraising/Partnerships/Capital Improvements – Hingham Room
Learn about different mechanisms to raise funds for future projects at your facility, how partnerships can increase your ability to complete projects, and tactics for increasing the visibility of your facility.
4:00-4:15 p.m. – Break
4:15-5:15 p.m. – PANEL | GOLF COURSE ARCHITECTURE – Hingham Room
How can public golf courses utilize current trends in golf course architecture to update facilities and improve accessibility and customer satisfaction? Learn how to audit your facility and why developing a master plan can create synergy between golf course operations, management, and ownership.
5:15-5:30 p.m. – Closing Remarks from National Links Trust – Hingham Room
5:45-7:30 p.m. – Networking Happy Hour – Hingham Room
Wednesday, October 30
10:00 a.m. – Optional golf at South Shore Country Club
Mass Golf is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that is dedicated to advancing golf in Massachusetts by building an engaged and inclusive community around the sport.
With a community made up of over 130,000 golf enthusiasts and over 360 member clubs, Mass Golf is one of the largest state golf associations in the country. Members enjoy the benefits of handicapping, engaging golf content, course rating and scoring services along with the opportunity to compete in an array of events for golfers of all ages and abilities.
At the forefront of junior development, Mass Golf is proud to offer programming to youth in the state through First Tee Massachusetts and subsidized rounds of golf by way of Youth on Course.
