Town Will Not Seek Seasonal Alcohol Permit for Golf Course This Year

After an initial proposal for a seasonal alcohol license at the Braintree Municipal Golf Course drew strong opposition from Jefferson Street neighbors, Mayor Joseph Sullivan said the town will not pursue the option in the near future.

"I am very sensitive to the neighborhood concerns," Sullivan said.

By continuing to seek one-day alcohol licenses for special events – no more than six or so per season, Sullivan suggested – over the next year or two the course may be able to "build some credibility with the neighborhood" and circle back to the proposal.

During an annual report to the Recreation Advisory Commission last week, Superintendent Daryn Brown discussed seeking the license, a relatively new permit issued by the state Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission through local boards that allows 245 days per calendar year of all-alcohol service at 18-hole municipal golf courses.

Alcohol has never been a permanent part of Braintree's golf course, though there has been debate among residents and course members for years over whether it should be allowed.

Residents argue that serving alcohol creates a safety issue, especially with children playing in the neighborhood and people walking in areas without sidewalks.

Brown said in an interview that he admits there "is no wiggle room" between the course and residents when it comes to alcohol. But he also suggested that some of the problems they identified may actually be lessened by regulating alcohol use under a license.

Every Monday morning the course's 25 trash barrels are filled with empty beer cans, Brown said. Golfers smuggle in hard liquor also, as it is easier to hide than beer.

Providing the option for beer or wine at the clubhouse – the license allows any type of alcohol, but that could be restricted by local officials – could disincentivize heavier drinking, Brown said.

"Why would I want to smuggle warm beers in the bottom of my golf bag if I could buy a cold beer here?" he said.

There is also a financial upside to the license: making Braintree, one of a handful municipal courses in the state that does not allow alcohol, more attractive for some tournaments and golfers.

Though Brown downplays the importance of allowing alcohol when it comes to tournaments versus everyday use of the course, he said there has been a significant loss in potential revenue because of the lack of alcohol.

Many local charities and other groups have moved their events away from Braintree, Brown said, but the men and women's membership clubs have also requested the change.

"They’d like to have beer and wine up here," he said.

Prior to this season, the golf course went out to bid on its concession contract, and also included an option for alcohol. There was only one bidder this year, an owner-operator out of Abington who has served the course for 10 years. Brown said it is difficult to attract bids because of the lack of a license.

Exercising the alcohol option in the concession contract could have meant $100,000 in extra revenue over three years to fund much-needed capital projects, Brown said. The course is not raising fees this year.

Still, even without the additional revenue, Sullivan said the course – an enterprise fund that sustains itself through fees, pro shop sales and other revenue – is seeing investment this year.

The course recently entered into a lease for new golf carts, bought a refurbished food and drink cart and trail groomer, and installed a new sales system. It has also already begun turning the parking lot exit into a left-turn only, directing vehicles toward the quickest route back to Washington Street.