Published in the September 6, 2017 edition

By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI

LYNNFIELD — Golfers who have played Sagamore Spring Golf Club before this summer saw a change this year as there in a new ninth hole that opened on Memorial Day weekend.

Previously, the ninth hole, which golfers hit over water, measured 224 yards from the black tees, 198 from the white, 171 from the silver and 72 from the gold tees.

“Our biggest need was a practice green and we knew we had some space,” explained second-year assistant pro Tim Doucette, who is from Middleton. “We broke ground on it last July and opened it with a Hole In One Challenge on Memorial Day weekend.”

The new green is located to the right of the old one about 60-yards away as the old green is now the practice putting green.

It measures 166 yards from the black tee, 151 from the white, 134 from the silver and 66 from the gold. The tee boxes are still in the same place.

“It is just as difficult even though it is closer,” said Doucette. “You now have a longer carry over the water and a bigger bunker to the right side.”

Just like the old green, the new green is also elevated and it plays longer that it looks. You do have a bailout area to the left side but that leaves you with a tough uphill pitch shot from the rough. If you miss to the right side that trap looms large.

“We haven’t had any holes in one yet,” pointed out Doucette, as the hole has now been open for three months.

The maintenance staff is still working on the area as they are creating a road for carts to use behind to green.

Last year was a tough one for course maintenance due to the drought conditions in the area. This spring, with the frequent rains throughout the spring and summer, the course is in much better shape.

“It has bounced back nicely,” said Doucette. “The greens are very healthy.”

With the new hole, Sagamore now measures 5,914 yards from the black tees and 5,458 from the whites. From the sliver tees, it is 4,675 yards while the gold tees are now 3,652 yards.

The course opened way back in 1929.

Sagamore, which will host the Lynnfield High golf team again this fall, is still a par-70 layout as par is 35 on both the front and back nines.

It also has a driving range right behind the first tee to accompany its new practice green.

For more information on the Sagamore Spring Golf Course, the website is sagamoregolf.com and the phone number is 781-334-3151.