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Northborough – For those who love playing golf, as long as there is not snow on the ground, every day is a good day to be out on the links. And for many who golf at Northborough’s beautiful Juniper Hills Golf Course, playing for a good cause only adds to the fun. So on the Friday before Thanksgiving this year, it was not a surprise when approximately 270 golfers braved the very chilly temperatures to participate in Juniper Hill’s 21st annual Turkey Day.
For each of these annual events, golfers are invited to donate a turkey in exchange for the chance to play a round that day. In turn, the turkeys are then donated to local charities. This year, according to General Manager Dudley Darling, 226 turkeys were donated to the Worcester County Food Bank (WCFB) and Veterans, Inc. and 76 turkeys were donated to the Northborough Food Pantry.
Additionally, $765 was collected for the WCFB from donations and the Hit the Green Contests. The Northborough Food Pantry received a donation of $621 from the Breakfast Buffet and the Afternoon Snack Buffet.
“When the day started it was in the high 30s, and eventually got up to the lows 50s but it was very windy all day long, making it feel colder,” Darling said. “But just about everyone stayed for the whole day.”
“We have many golfers who played this event multiple times including one foursome who has played every year,” he added.
Playing for an important cause is nothing new for Juniper Hill’s’ golfers. The club regularly hosts tournaments raising thousands of dollars that benefit organizations such Patriot Golf Day (Folds of Honor Foundation); Worcester County Food Bank; Veterans, Inc.; Northborough Food Pantry; American Red Cross Hurricane Relief; and the Boston Fisher House, among others.
On Sat., Dec. 7 and Sunday, Dec. 8 the course will open its doors to its restaurant, Juniper Grille, for families with young kids to enjoy Breakfast with Santa. There will be three seatings each day – 8 a.m., 10 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. Tickets are adults $14.95; children 4-12 $8.50 and children under age 4, free. For reservations call 508-393-2444.
Juniper Hill Golf Course is located at 202 Brigham St. Visit juniperhillgc.com for more information.
