Limited number of 2012 golf permits available for Boston's two municipal courses

(George Rizer / Globe file / 2009)

The George Wright Golf Course in Hyde Park is one of Boston's two municipal golf courses.

By Matt Rocheleau, Town Correspondent

With no snow cover in sight and consistently above-par temperatures so far this season, some Bostonians may be having more mid-winter daydreams of teeing off than usual.

And, this week, city officials announced the availability of a limited number of 2012 season permits for Boston’s two municipal golf courses -- the William J. Devine Golf Course at Franklin Park, which is open year-round, weather-permitting, and the George Wright Golf Course in Hyde Park.

“As a season permit holder, golfers are entitled to advance tee time preference, free greens fees, and access to two of the region’s finest golf courses,” the city’s parks and recreation department said in this week’s announcement.

Up to 250 permits are issued at each course on a first-come, first-serve basis, the city said. Resident, non-resident, senior, and junior permits are available.

The nation’s second-oldest public golf course behind Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx borough of New York City, the William J. Devine Golf Course at Franklin Park established in 1896 measures 5,961 yards from the blue tees, officials said. Part of the historic Emerald Necklace and in a park area surrounded by Roxbury, Jamaica Plain, Dorchester, Mattapan and Roslindale, the course is open year-round, weather permitting.

Golf Digest named the William J. Devine Golf Course as one of their “Best Places to Play” three years in a row from 2007 to 2009, the city's release said.

Founded in 1938, the 18-hole, par-70 Donald Ross-designed George Wright Golf Course is a “hidden gem” in Boston’s Hyde Park neighborhood, the city said. The course measures 6,440 yards from the back tees and is open seven days a week through November.

The George Wright Golf Course was recognized last year as the “Best Public Golf Course” by Boston Magazine in its 38th annual “Best of Boston” awards issue, according to the city's announcement. The magazine noted that the George Wright offers “a fun, fair test with lots of elevation changes, and there might not be finer back-to-back holes in the state than the 9th and 10th.”

And, the city said that last fall, Golfweek included the George Wright in its list of the “10 Best Courses You Can Play In Massachusetts.”

Both courses are owned and operated by the city through the Fund for Parks and Recreation and feature full pro shops, concessions, cart rentals, and lessons for all ages.

To download a season permit application, see permit pricing and other information, visit www.cityofbostongolf.com.

The golf courses can be followed on Twitter @FranklinParkGC and @GeorgeWrightGC.

E-mail Matt Rocheleau at mjrochele@gmail.com.
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