Cranberry Valley Golf Course is recovering from a punishing winter that saw 80 trees fall during the "Blizzard of '26" and forced a major delay of a critical irrigation upgrade. Golf Director Roman Greer informed the Harwich Golf Committee that the town spent approximately $50,000 on emergency tree removal services to clear the course for its spring opening. Greer noted that the storm damage was so severe that you couldn't even get in the driveway and required a week of work from outside contractors alongside the town’s maintenance crew and DPW. The driving range net was also shredded during the storm, leaving the chipping green temporarily closed for safety.

The harsh winter weather also stalled progress on the course's long-awaited irrigation project. Greer explained that freezing temperatures and snow prevented the vendor, National Lawn Sprinklers, from making significant headway during the off-season. In response, the town agreed to postpone the work to avoid impacting players. Due to the winter weather, very little progress was made on the irrigation upgrade, Greer said. We met with the vendor and agreed to postpone the project until after Columbus Day so as not to disrupt the golfing season. While the course pipes remain in good condition, Greer warned that the aging heads and wires may require more frequent repairs until the project resumes in October.

The committee welcomed new member Tim Shelby, whose appointment helps the board reach a quorum following two recent resignations. Shelby, a resident of six years and a regular in the Thursday night league, remarked, I've played golf all over the place... Hopefully, I can add some value to this. Chair Paul White noted that while Shelby’s arrival is a boost, the committee is still searching for two more residents to fill the remaining vacancies. We are looking for two good people who would like to serve, White said, encouraging interested residents to apply through the town.

The meeting featured a visit from new Town Administrator James McGrail, who emphasized his personal connection to the sport as a former municipal golf director. His arrival coincides with a broader effort to professionalize town leadership and manage a tight FY27 budget. You guys are lucky; you have an awesome team in place for Cranberry Valley, McGrail told the committee. One of the things that came into my thought process for applying for the job was Cranberry and the operation Roman runs over there. The facility’s FY27 budget has been finalized and will move to Town Meeting for voter approval on May 5.

Director Greer also provided a seasonal update, noting that while the course and restaurant are now fully open, season pass sales are slightly behind last year's pace at 754 compared to 787. Member Jay suggested the course explore a handicap discount for cart fees to assist players who cannot walk the course. Greer and White noted that while rates are set for the current season, the board could investigate the idea for the future, provided it avoids legal complications regarding medical privacy. The rates are set for this year, so we can't do anything now, but we could have a discussion for the future, White noted.

Committee member Karen, who also serves as the president of the women's golf league, joined the discussion on course maintenance, supporting Greer’s plan to educate golfers on turf care. I'll send out a newsletter on how to repair ball marks and divots and why it's important, Greer promised, following reports of poor turf conditions in certain areas. The committee also noted upcoming capital improvements, including bunker renovations planned for FY29 and a replacement of the maintenance building in FY30.