Westminster Country Club is an 18-hole regulation-length golf course that appeals to local golfers in north-central Massachusetts. This has been a family-run semi-private golf course since 1957.
The property is made up of nine parcels totaling 134 acres. Current improvements include a 16,700-square-foot clubhouse with restaurant and banquet faculty, a 3,300-square-foot pro shop, a 3,150-square-foot maintenance building, and a 1,350-square-foot cart barn. The subject property has several vertical improvements which facilitate the country club and golf course. These include a 16,700 gross square clubhouse, a 3,330 gross-square-foot pro shop with garage, a 3,150 gross-square-foot maintenance building, and a 1,350 gross -square-foot cart barn. These square footages were obtained from the town assessor’s website. The clubhouse is a one and two-story wood frame structure built in 1940. The roof is a flat and hip/gable configuration with asphalt shingles.
The first floor of the clubhouse includes a banquet hall that seats up to 225 people; a separate restaurant area that seats 108 people; a full-service kitchen with a walk-in freezer and cooler; restrooms; an enclosed patio and offices. The second level includes an additional bar area currently designated for golf members and men’s and women’s locker rooms. There is a small patio area on the second level. The pro shop is located next to the clubhouse. This is a wood frame structure built in 2003 and divided into two spaces. According to public records, 1,794 square feet is built out as the pro shop and 1,536 square feet is an unfinished garage/storage space.
The maintenance building is a 3,150-square-foot steel frame metal warehouse built in 1996. The space is divided into two sections and primarily stores the maintenance equipment for the course. Above-ground fuel tanks are located at the side of the building. Located adjacent to the maintenance building is the golf cart storage building which has 1,350 square feet built in 1982. HVAC units are located on the roof of the clubhouse.
Of the 134 acres, a 110-acre area of the Westminster Country Club is classified as 61B private recreation limited protected land. This designation of private parcels restricts the use of land in exchange for a significant reduction in taxes. Under this designation, the land cannot be converted to residential, industrial, or commercial use. Land may be taken out of this classification by notifying the Town and paying back taxes plus a withdrawal penalty tax. In addition, if Chapter 61 lands change use or are put up for sale, the town has the right of first refusal. This provides an opportunity for towns to purchase valuable open space or recreation land, thereby preserving the community.