New owners look to build on Thomas Memorial Golf & Country Club’s strengths

Jay Dillon, Ron Sicard and manager Sam Roussel behind the bar with members Dennis Chaffee and Tim Mahoney in the renovated clubhouse at Thomas Memorial Golf & Country Club in Turners Falls.

Jay Dillon, Ron Sicard and manager Sam Roussel behind the bar with members Dennis Chaffee and Tim Mahoney in the renovated clubhouse at Thomas Memorial Golf & Country Club in Turners Falls. STAFF PHOTO/PAUL FRANZ

The renovated clubhouse at Thomas Memorial Golf & Country Club in Turners Falls.

The renovated clubhouse at Thomas Memorial Golf & Country Club in Turners Falls. STAFF PHOTO/PAUL FRANZ

The renovated enclosed porch at Thomas Memorial Golf & Country Club in Turners Falls.

The renovated enclosed porch at Thomas Memorial Golf & Country Club in Turners Falls. STAFF PHOTO/PAUL FRANZ

Thomas Memorial Golf & Country Club in Turners Falls.

Thomas Memorial Golf & Country Club in Turners Falls. STAFF PHOTO/PAUL FRANZ

Teeing off on the first hole at Thomas Memorial Golf & Country Club in Turners Falls.

Teeing off on the first hole at Thomas Memorial Golf & Country Club in Turners Falls. STAFF PHOTO/PAUL FRANZ

The function hall, left, and clubhouse, right, at Thomas Memorial Golf & Country Club in Turners Falls.

The function hall, left, and clubhouse, right, at Thomas Memorial Golf & Country Club in Turners Falls. STAFF PHOTO/PAUL FRANZ

A look down the first fairway at Thomas Memorial Golf & Country Club in Turners Falls.

A look down the first fairway at Thomas Memorial Golf & Country Club in Turners Falls. STAFF PHOTO/PAUL FRANZ

By GRACE LEE

For the Recorder

Published: 04-18-2024 11:00 AM

Modified: 04-18-2024 11:32 AM


TURNERS FALLS — Members of the Snow family have added another golf course to their portfolio and have already begun work on cosmetic improvements.

Kyle and Kelly Snow, along with Kyle’s parents Edward Snow Jr. and Kerrilynn Snow, bought the Thomas Memorial Golf & Country Club property at 29 Country Club Lane on April 3. The Snow family also owns the Northfield Golf Club at 31 Holton St. in Northfield, as well as Snow & Sons Landscaping in Greenfield.

“When we learned that the course was possibly up for sale, we thoroughly investigated the opportunity and engaged in discussions with both the Thomas family and the course’s board of directors,” Kyle Snow, who also owns Sugarloaf Gardens in Sunderland, said in a statement. “It was evident that this acquisition was a perfect fit. We are committed to carrying on the name and preserving the course’s great features and valued history while simultaneously introducing new changes that will enhance the overall golfing experience.”

The Snows plan to curate a “synergy” between the two golf courses by having both properties use the same computer and POS (point of sale) systems, and making some of the more expensive equipment available at both courses. Staff will also be trained under the same standards at each golf course to allow for more fluidity.

“We look forward to building upon the existing strengths of the club and further establishing it as a great overall experience for its members and visitors,” Kyle Snow said in a statement.

Since the sale was finalized earlier this month, the Snows have made immediate cosmetic improvements, like painting and landscaping, to the 55-acre property and buildings. The acquisition also includes two private residences, an event space, clubhouse and maintenance building.

They have filled in two unused pools on the property to extend the green acreage, and plan to improve irrigation systems moving forward.

“There’s a lot of drainage issues that we want to try to improve, which we need to work with the town [on],” Kyle Snow told the Greenfield Recorder.

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There are also some ponds on the property that Snow said they’d like to bring “back to what they were.”

“They’re really nice-looking and a nice feature,” he said.

Snow said they have developed a three-to-five-year plan to open up the event space, after some updating. Cosmetic renovations have been done at the clubhouse, and will be made to other buildings on the property in the next few years while still paying homage to the legacy of the course.

“As we begin to operate the golf course it will allow us to get more familiar with the course, the members and the community,” Snow told the Greenfield Recorder. “This will allow us to make better decisions moving forward on what projects to prioritize.”

According to Snow, season membership for 2024 will stay consistent with the 2023 rate of $755. Greens fees are $17 for nine holes and $25 for 18 holes. Cart rentals are $12 for nine holes and $18 for 18 holes.

More information about Thomas Memorial Golf & Country Club is available at thomasmem.com. A new website is planned in the near future.