Ferncroft CC Reopens after Renovations

Ferncroft Country Club near Boston recently celebrated its grand “reopening” with a ceremony, press conference and luncheon. The 27-hole private course was formerly affiliated with the nearby Sheraton Hotel prior to its acquisition by Affinity Management in February.

Located eight miles from Boston at the rotary of Route 1 and 95, Ferncroft features a regulation-length and nine-hole executive courses. The 18-hole layout is the first collaboration between architects Rees Jones and his father, Robert Trent Jones. It has hosted numerous events, including being home to the LPGA Tour’s Boston Five Classic for the past 10 years.

Before the facility reopened, various renovations were made. They included upgrades to the course’s drainage and the club's pool. Also involved was an extensive redesign of the "19th Hole" facility, which includes a restaurant, function space, and pro shop.

"This is a big transformation in 70 days. We started the morning after they closed, and Affinity was a pleasure to deal with," said CBC Construction owner and Ferncroft member Ed Harrison, who oversaw the work. "They were cost-conscious but didn't cut any corners. The kitchen hadn't been operable for years so there were plenty of surprises – and none of them were good surprises."

"The 19th Hole makeover was critical," said Damon DeVito, of the club’s operator, Affinity Management. "The more we heard about members not being able to have a beer and a sandwich after golf for 10 years, we realized this first phase needed to show potential members what we're all about. That's when we brought in Bill."

”Bill” is Bill Atwood of Atwood Architects, who has worked on projects at Hershey Country Club in Pennsylvania and West Bay in Naples, Fla. He also consulted on the renovation to Augusta National's bar. "These guys could have done a 'scrape and paint,’ but we wanted to light people's underwear on fire," said the colorful Atwood. "Now members can enjoy the incredible view from the deck."

Boston interior designer Holly Puff was brought in for the finishing touches and added, "Affinity cares a lot about doing things properly, but they're also fun to work with. The Members are fortunate."

Director of golf Toby Ahern has experienced 14 years and four ownership groups at Ferncroft. "Affinity has done more for the club in three months than anyone else did in three decades. They listen to the members, they bring a ton of expertise, and they are independent of the hotel. That inspires confidence, and that is why we attracted 120 members in the first six days and now have over 250. This just might be the best club launch in the U.S. in years. The new Ferncroft is taking off much faster than I would have predicted."

For the first time in a decade that staff includes a chef and Food & Beverage director. Stefane Baloy brings kitchen experience from Harvard, Le Meridien and The Charles Hotel. Paul Krisko came from six years at the Cheesecake Factory. Affinity Managing Director and former Wentworth (UK) Club Manager David Swales says the food is "already rivals any club on the North Shore."

Ferncroft Country Club offers Full, Annual, Junior and Executive golf memberships as well as Social memberships for pool, tennis and dining. For more details, email membership@ferncroftcc.com. For more information about Affinity Management, visit www.affinitymanagement.com.