Hitting the Links golf column: Peabody Day remains a big draw at Salem Country Club

If you didn't know any better, you might think Salem Country Club's annual Peabody Day was simply an opportunity for Tanner City residents to test their golf skills on one of the top-rated courses in the country.

While golfing on one of Donald Ross' masterpieces is part of the attraction, it's only a small piece of the whole package.

The 14th annual Peabody Golf Day, being held this Monday, is a member-run outing that has been an annual event since 1995. Greens fees, a golf cart and lunch are included for a discounted $75, and proceeds from the day go to a scholarship fund.

Salem Country Club gives away three annual scholarships for $4,000 to graduating high school seniors: two to Peabody High School students and another to a Peabody resident that attends Bishop Fenwick. There is also a fourth scholarship for $2,500 given in the name of former chairman Joe O'Boyle to a student who shows leadership, sportsmanship, and participates in extra-curricular activities.

Current chairman George Anderson has been involved since the beginning and became chairman of the event five years ago.

"Oh yeah, it's more than golf," Anderson said. "We've given away $125,000, and we have $250,000 in the fund. We have no plans to stop, either. We started with $2,500 scholarships and we're now up to $4,000."

This year's event has another full field signed up — as usual. One hundred and twenty six golfers will get off in a shotgun start beginning at 8 a.m., and another 126 will tee it up at 1:30 p.m. Lunch will be served in between each session and there will be a small awards presentation, both for the morning golfers and for the scholarship recipients.

"People are in there setting up at 8 or 9 in the morning — and they're there for the day," Anderson said. "The cart barn is like any other day; they come in and out. The golf pros will be there to announce the rules and what we want the golfers to do, and we have volunteers as rangers to help people find their way around the golf course and make sure they respect it."

Salem Country Club used to hold this outing in August, but changed the format a few years ago to the Monday before Memorial Day. The change has allowed the club to open a more desirable August Monday for another outing, while establishing a set date every year for Peabody Day.

There are a lot of repeat golfers every year, but for the most part the change in date changes the golfers each season.

"There is a group (of golfers) that are pretty standard. But when we moved it to May, it eliminated all the teachers because it's a day they'll be in the classroom. It's not quite as attractive and in May it's a little more risky weather-wise," Anderson said.

"The opening of The Meadow (at Peabody) also has some impact on the people. Guys are spending their money there (early in the season) and they might have played Salem before, so they don't feel the need to every year."

There's no question that Peabody Day will continue to be a hit in the future. It's even provided inspiration for other clubs in other towns and cities on the North Shore.

"Tedesco has a day and Myopia has been pretty consistent, too. Essex County Club and Kernwood are all doing days now because it's a way to give back to the community," Anderson said. "It's not only scholarships, but also because you're allowing people to play one of the top 100 golf courses in the country. It's a classic Donald Ross course and it makes us better citizens (as a club)."

You can file this tidbit away with all the other predictable local golf notes, but it remains interesting just the same.

Kernwood Country Club pro Frank Dully recently placed second in the U.S. Open Local Qualifying by firing a 72 (38-34) at TPC Boston in Norton. Dully moves on to the U.S. Open Sectionals, which will be held during the week of June 2 at sites all over the nation.

Peabody's John Theo of Far Corner and North Reading's Chuck Frithsen, the Director of Golf for Golf Country in Middleton (you know, Richardson's), will each be teeing it up today in the New England Senior Tour. Fritshen's threesome tees off at 9:57 a.m. at Holden Hills Country Club, while Theo's group will be right behind at 10:06.

Tedesco Country Club President Tom Burke and club golf pro Bob Green took fourth in the 2008 Pro-President Tournament, which was held at Turner Hill earlier this week. Burke and Green posted a 78 in this selected drive, alternate shot format.

Bob Talbot and George Goich, the team that had the most course knowledge, took seventh with a 79.

The tournament serves many purposes, one being that it allows the Massachusetts Golf Association staff a chance to get to know the MGA member clubs. It's also just plain fun giving the presidents an opportunity to get out on the course to show the club pros just what they're made of. In the process, the event promotes some friendly competition among clubs.

Hitting the Links, a column on North Shore golf, runs each Thursday during the spring and summer in The Salem News. Contact staff writer Matt Jenkins at 978-338-2648 or by e-mail at mjenkins@salemnews.com with any results, notes or upcoming tournament information.

Photos

Salem Country Club grounds crew member John Rogers puts stakes in the ground in preparation for the 14th annual Peabody Golf Day, which is Monday. Staff photo