By Bert Poole, Contributing Writer
Photo submitted
Northborough – As one of only a handful of public daily fee 36-hole golf facilities in New England, Juniper Hill Golf Course has two beautiful and challenging 18-hole courses along with excellent facilities.
For over 85 years, the Darling family has been associated with Juniper Hill. The course first originated when Homer C. Darling purchased the 300-year-old Brigham Farm in 1929 with the plan to provide quality daily public-fee golf in central Massachusetts. Two years later, the first 9 holes of the Riverside Course were opened. The second 9 holes opened in 1954, 18 years later than planned, due to the Great Depression and World War II.
After taking over from his father, Homer D. Darling had a dream of building his own course. His dream became reality when the 18-hole Lakeside Course opened for play on the 60th anniversary of the 1931 opening of Juniper Hill.
Both courses are challenging and well-kept tracts. The Riverside Course takes advantage of its New England setting with elevation changes and the Assabet River running through or adjacent to several holes. The Lakeside Course is a Carolina-style course with mounding, narrower fairways and wetlands coming into play on four of the holes.
The courses are not only a haven for golfers, but home to a variety of wildlife. It’s not unusual to see deer, a family of foxes or an occasional eagle (the feathered kind) during a round.
Dudley W. Darling, third generation family member, is Juniper Hill’s general manager.
“We try to give back to the community by hosting a variety of events that allow our golfers to contribute to different causes,” he said.
Thousands of dollars are raised every year for worthy local causes by the many tournaments that are held at Juniper Hill. In 2017, Juniper Hill golfers and staff also donated over $4,000 to the following organizations: Folds of Honor Foundation (Patriot Golf Day); Worcester County Food Bank; Veterans, Inc.; Northborough Food Pantry; and Boston Fisher House.
Darling is also proud of the support that Juniper Hill provides to veterans.
“We offer discounts to veterans for golf and carts on Armed Forces Day, and the weekends of Memorial Day, Independence Day, Patriot Golf Day and Veterans Day,” he noted.
Juniper Hill’s clubhouse includes a full-service Pro Shop, a 70-seat Juniper Grille and a 100-seat outdoor deck for pre- and post-round drinks and food. The 300-seat pavilion that is adjacent to the practice green is used for after-golf dinner events and social functions. The clubhouse also has multi-use rooms for events and locker rooms for golfers.
The Golf Teaching Center, located adjacent to the Riverside Course, provides private and group lessons, clinics and adult and junior golf camps.
“We are always looking to grow the game. We welcome players of all abilities to come and enjoy our two courses,” Darling said.
Juniper Hill Golf Course is located at 202 Brigham St. in Northborough. For more information, visit www.juniperhillgc.com or call 508-393-2444.
