Scituate Tees Up Fee Increase for Golfers

Scituate's Select Board approved the first comprehensive fee increase for Widow's Walk Golf Course since 2017, citing rising operational costs and the need to align rates with comparable facilities in the region.

Golf Director Ian Kelley presented the new rate structure, which will increase resident weekend rounds from $69 to $82, still significantly below nearby competitors like South Shore Country Club at $97 and Pembroke's course at $89.

"People don't believe that [our rates] are that cheap," Kelley told the board. "Granite Links is $165, Pinehills is $80, and most courses around us are over $89 standard."

The rate adjustments also include changes to membership categories. A new collegiate membership category will be introduced at $750, bridging the gap between junior and adult rates. The senior membership will increase by $200, while full memberships will see a $400 increase.

Kelley emphasized the course's improvements justify the increases. "We've waited until we had the right superintendent and consistent, improved course conditions," he said. The changes are expected to generate approximately $300,000 in additional annual revenue.

The board supported the measured approach to the increases. "This is defensible, it's understandable, and it's not such a big leap that people will go, 'Whoa, what's going on?'" noted Select Board member Karen Canfield.

Junior golf memberships will remain unchanged to maintain accessibility for young players, reflecting the course's commitment to growing the game.

The new rates will take effect for the 2025 season, with the course required to review fees annually under the town's updated financial policies.