The Legacy

"As the venue for eighteen state and regional championships, as well as numerous state, regional, and national qualifying tournaments, Kernwood need never take a back seat to any of the other five-star courses located in Greater Boston and New England." Gary Larrabee, Local Historian and Kernwood Country Club Centennial Publication Author

The first major state event at Kernwood took place in 1922, when the 18 hole course was at a young age of just four years old. The Massachusetts Golf Association hosted their 14th State Amateur Championship, which was won by none other than the first American household name in the game of golf, Francis Ouimet. This victory marked Ouimet’s fifth Amateur in nine years, and landed Kernwood on the map as a premiere championship course.

Kernwood was quick to appear on the Women’s Golf radar when the Women’s Golf Association of Boston (WGAB later became the Women’s Golf Association of Massachusetts) brought their title event to Kernwood in 1926. The energy surrounding the new course was electric, and the membership was eager to share their new home with the local golf community. This spirit is still alive today as the course continues to thrive.

The MGA came back to Kernwood for their Amateur Championship in 1932, and most recently in 2014, the year of the Club’s Centennial. Other recent events have included the 2007 Massachusetts Open, and several NEPGA events.

The current course record of 64 is held by three individuals. Frank Dully, the current Head Golf Professional, and Geoff Sisk shot the record score during the 2007 Massachusetts Open. The third person holding the Club record is Dana Quigley, who beat the previous record of 66 at a PGA National Club Pro qualifier in 1994.

A traditional Ross layout, Kernwood’s course is a challenging test for golfers of all levels.