About the Designer

Biography by Bradley S. Klein

Transplanted Scotsman Donald Ross transformed the American sports landscape in the first half of this century. At his death in 1948, he left behind a legacy of 413 courses, including such gems as Pinehurst No. 2 in North Carolina, Seminole in Florida, and the site of the 1996 U.S. Open, Oakland Hills outside Detroit. Over 100 U.S. national championships have been played on his designs. Small wonder his name still resonates among the game’s aficionados.

Ross was born in 1872 in the north Scottish coastal town of Dornoch. There on crumpled dunes land, he grew up playing one of the world’s purest links, Royal Dornoch. As a young man he took up “the keeping of the green.” After a year of apprenticeship at St. Andrews under the tutelage of 4-time British Open champion “Old” Tom Morris, he returned to his native Dornoch. In those days, there was no rigid division of labor for golf professionals, so Ross became adept not only at maintaining the grounds but also as a player and club maker.

He was of common stock, making an adequate if unspectacular living. But all that changed when an American professor on golf pilgrimage to the sport’s holy land invited him to come to the New World to help spread the game’s gospel. Ross arrived in 1899 to build and run the Oakley Golf Club in the Boston area. The next year, he landed an assignment with the Tufts family on a property in North Carolina’s sand hills called Pinehurst.

During his summers, Ross started designing and building courses throughout New England. Eventually, his practice spread into the Midwest and down the Southeast coast. In association with design assistants J.B. McGovern and Walter Hatch, Ross maintained a summer office in Little Compton, Rhode Island and satellite offices in North Amherst, Massachusetts, and Wynnewood, Pennsylvania.

Bradley S. Klein is the author of the award winning biography: “Discovering Donald Ross” published by Sleeping Bear Press.
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Golf Course Guidelines
General Golf Rules

• The golf course may not be used for any recreational purpose except golf.
• Children under the age of six (6) will not be allowed on the golf course or in a golf cart. All children between the age of six (6) and twelve (12) must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Children between twelve (12) and eighteen (18) may play golf unaccompanied.
• Pull carts are permitted.

Inclement Weather

• If lightning is in the area, all golf play shall cease and players should seek appropriate shelter immediately. Players are solely responsible and liable for any accidents that may occur as a result of their not having left the course during poor weather conditions.

Slow Play

• Foursomes control the speed of play. Twosomes and threesomes should not expect to play through foursomes and should not exert any pressure on the groups ahead. Foursomes shall have the right of way.
• Fivesomes are not permitted on the golf course without prior approval of Golf Shop personnel.
• All groups should complete an eighteen-hole round in four hours and twenty minutes

Golf Tee Times

• The staff will assign the starting time depending on availability.
• Starting times may be reserved during Golf Shop hours as may be posted from time to time and also on the club website www.WinchendonGC.com
• Players late for their starting time lose their right to the starting time and shall begin play only at the discretion of the starter.

Cancellations

• Please notify the Golf Shop of any cancellations within 24 hours or to allow another group to take advantage of the open time.
• Players who fail to cancel their starting time 24 hours prior to their scheduled starting time may be charged a no-show fee established by the Club

Practice Range

• At times, to be posted in the Golf Shop, the practice range will be closed for general maintenance.
• Range balls are for use on the practice range only and may not be removed from the practice range and/or used on the golf course.
• Children less than twelve (12) years of age must always be accompanied by one of their parents or by a member or adult.
• Balls must be hit from designated areas only.
• Proper golf attire is required on the practice range and golf course.

Golf Cart Rules

• Members and designees using a golf cart will be held fully responsible for any and all damages, including personal injury and property damage, that are caused by the operation of the golf cart by the member, designee, immediate family members and their guests, and the members and designees shall reimburse the Winchendon Golf Course inc.
• Golf carts may only be used on the golf course when the golf course is open for play. Golf carts are not to be driven to residences or used off the golf course or in parking lot at any time.
• The use of golf carts is reserved for adults over the age of 16. Anyone driving a golf cart must have a driving license and agree to accept sole liability as driver of the golf cart they have hired.
• Obey all cart directional signs

Golf Course Etiquette

• • Persons using the golf facilities should do their part to make a round of golf at Winchendon Golf Club a pleasant experience for everyone. Players are asked to comply with the rules of Etiquette.
  • Repair your ball marks on the greens. If you see ball marks that are in need of repair, please repair them also. Remind your playing partners to observe this courtesy.
  • Rake bunkers after use and place the rake inside the bunker.

• Use the sand bottles to fill any divots created during your round.

Food & Beverage on the Course

• Member’s guest or other person should NOT bring food or beverage products onto the golf course.
• Beverage coolers are not permitted on the golf course unless supplied by the Club.

Alcoholic Beverages

• The club applies the statutory regulations in force concerning the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages. Only alcohol sold at the Winchendon golf course can be consumed at the Winchendon Golf Course. Alcohol cannot be brought onto or removed from the Winchendon Golf Course remises.

SUSPENSION AND TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP

• Membership and/or use privileges may be suspended or terminated by Winchendon Golf Course Inc.
  • Submits false information on the Application for Membership Privileges, which if had been truthfully disclosed, would have rendered the applicant ineligible for membership or use privileges;
  • Exhibits unsatisfactory behavior, language, appearance or acts in any other manner determined to not be in the best interest of Winchendon Golf Club its members, other customers or guests.
  • Fails to pay the membership fee or dues, fees, charges or any other amount owed to the Club in a proper and timely manner;
  • Fails to abide by the rules and regulations set by the Winchendon Golf Course Inc.
  • Treats the personnel or employees of the Club in an unreasonable or abusive manner.