Municipal Golf Course

A municipal golf course is any course owned by a government authority. Typically under the authority of a municipality hence the term "Municipal Golf Course" but also includes county and state ownership.

Boston

Municipal Courses in Boston


Boston was the second city to open a Municipal Golf Course when they opened a Nine Hole Course in Franklin Park in 1896.  In 1900 Franklin Park would send approximately three hundred and fifty golfers off a day.  In November of 1900 Georgina Campbell replaced her husband Willie as the Superintendent of Franklin Park.  Georgina became the first female golf professional in the United States.  Over crowding was a problem at the Franklin Park golf course where complaints of beginners, duffers, and lack of golf etiquette forced the commission to open a six hole course for novice golfers.  During the early 1900's patronage at Franklin Park was on the rise with a peak attendance of 47,469 golfers in 1902.  That number declined in 1907 to 15,632 blamed on the overcrowded conditions sending golfers to private clubs.  The following year attendance began increasing again and by 1913 had reached 23,000 golfers.