NORTHBOROUGH – It’s summertime, which means it’s time to break out your golf clubs.
Juniper Hill Golf Course, once the site of a dairy farm, has been operating for over 90 years and features 36 picturesque holes in the heart of Northborough. The 18-hole Riverside Course follows the Assabet River as it winds through the property. It’s your traditional New England-style course, with tree-lined fairways and lush countryside acres. The 18-hole Lakeside Course, constructed in 1991, is a more difficult Carolina-style course with narrower fairways and challenging topography. All told, both courses provide over 12,000 yards of space to play.
With 36 holes and more than enough space, the course is able to accommodate players of all abilities. The golf course has an on-site golf teaching center, designed to help spread the game to younger players. And while beginner golfers are perfecting their swing, more-experienced players can attempt to tackle the course’s more difficult holes. There’s something for everyone at Juniper Hill.
“I think people come back because we make an effort to try to provide a good golf course to golfers. We try to provide a fun environment. We’re not selling golf. We’re selling experiences. One of the key things I try to say to as many people as possible is, ‘Have a good time. Have fun.’ I think that’s part of the deal – making sure that people are having an enjoyable experience,” said Dudley Darling, the third-generation manager of the property.
“We’re trying to grow the game. It’s not just a sport. It’s about lifelong experiences,” he told the Community Advocate while traversing the course. “But we also have some challenging spots. We have one hole – a par-three over wetlands, with wetlands on either side – and when we opened up the golf course, someone from the PGA [Professional Golfers Association] came to the course and said, ‘This has got to be the hardest par-three in New England.’”
Golf is, of course, central to everything at Juniper Hill, but there’s much more to discover on the property. Juniper Hill makes the perfect destination for any number of events, including weddings, ceremonies, and other get-togethers. The course’s clubhouse can hold up to 300 guests and overlooks the gorgeous, lucious landscape. The friendly staff at Juniper Hill are happy to help coordinate any event. The course’s atmosphere is quiet and serene, with red-tail hawks and blue herons often visiting the wildlife sanctuary.
Aside from planned events, it’s always worthwhile to stop by the Juniper Grille, which offers a wide range of tasty dishes that can be eaten outside looking over the 13,000-square-foot practice green. Looking to bolster your game? Stop by the golf pro shop to purchase equipment, including Titleist, Ping, Callaway, TaylorMade and FootJoy. Club repair services are also available.
Whether you’re coming to play, shop, or eat, Darling is just excited you’re there.
“The best thing about the job is the people. I enjoy seeing people who are out here having a good time, enjoying themselves,” he said.
Juniper Hill aims to positively impact the community outside of golf. In late May, the course will hold a charity golf tournament to benefit children of military families. Every November, Juniper Hill holds “Turkey Day,” which raises food for the Northborough Food Pantry for Thanksgiving.
“I try to give back… I think it’s probably people’s duty to try to give back to people in need,” Darling said.
Juniper Hill Golf Course is located at 202 Brigham St. in Northborough. For more, visit https://www.juniperhillgc.com/ or call (508) 393-2444.
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