Robert McNeil, ASGCA, has started developing a long range comprehensive master restoration/renovation plan at the Milton Hoosic Club in Canton, Mass.
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The Milton Hoosic Club was established in 1891 making it one of the oldest clubs in the country. It’s design pedigree traces back to Willie Park Jr. According to a club history, Willie Park Jr, was engaged by the board of (at the time) Hoosic-Whisick in 1916 to redesign what was a very informal layout developed in 1897. The club was elected into the USGA in 1897 and to the Massachusetts Golf Association in 1903 making it one of the original 48 clubs and a charter member.
It is also documented in the club’s history that Park’s design included cutting through the pine forest to develop what are now holes 6, 7 and 8. Holes 2, 3 and 4 were also redesigned and lengthened as directed by Park. The redesign work took several years with a halt in construction during World War I. The new holes and the layout as it is today were reopened in 1921.
It is evident that Park Jr. left an imprint at Milton Hoosic. His crossing hazards can be found on the fifth and seventh holes as well as a lost crossing bunker on the ninth seen as recent as on a 1969 photo. The routing of the golf course also takes on a very natural flow with seemingly little earthmoving with green locations positioned to take advantage of the given topography.
The master plan will identify the value of the many historic elements either still part of the course or that have been lost. The work includes bunker renovation and restoration, establishing a comprehensive tee program to give the course maximum flexibility, a tree management program and recontouring and expansion of greens and fairways to bring back the original strategic lines on the course.