Monoosnock Country Club offers outstanding golf experience

Longtime Leominster resident Mandy Roberge tees off at Monoosnock Country Club, a semi-private nine-hole golf course in her hometown. (DANIELLE RAY/SENTINEL & ENTERPRISE)

LEOMINSTER – Tucked away on a quiet street not far from the city center lies a sprawling green golf oasis called Monoosnock Country Club (MCC).

The semi-private nine-hole golf course was built in 1908 and features a driving range and practice facility, the Grille 19 restaurant, which serves lunch and dinner, and a function and event room.

Veteran golfer Bill Bateman runs the pro shop at 40 Monoosnock Avenue. The city native said he started playing golf 45 years ago because his friends played and he thought he would give it a try.

“I never stopped and I still have a lot of passion for the game,” he said.

Bateman has been at Monoosnock for five years and is a friendly face who greets golfers – both members and the public, who are welcome – during check-in before teeing off.

“I really enjoy meeting new people. Working at MCC has given me the opportunity to do that,” he said.

The course itself measures 3,051 yards (2,847 m) from the longest tees, with a slope rating of 119 and a United States Golf Association rating of 34.7. Bateman said they just finished their annual four-day children’s clinic with 70 participants and have two golf instructors on staff who give private or group lessons.

“The course is in great shape and we recently got 10 new golf carts and another 10 are coming soon,” he said.

Bateman boasted that they have “one of the best driving ranges in the area,” offering state-of-the-art driving mats, grass tees, yardage markers, a sand bunker and a putting green in the practice area.

“We have over 20,000 range balls that are less than a year old and two professionals if you want to take lessons,” Bateman said, adding that MCC “is a very challenging course in great condition with generous fairways and fast greens.”

The excellent condition of the course is thanks to Todd Zoppo and the greens crew. Zoppo leads the group responsible for the overall maintenance of the golf course and ensuring that the greens remain in top shape.

The Gardner resident began working at MCC in 2007 at the age of 18 as a cook, dishwasher and laborer and worked his way up to groundskeeper, a position he has held since 2014.

“What I enjoy most about my job is being out there every day with friends who all have the same goal – to continually improve the course, day after day, month after month,” he said.

When asked what the biggest challenge of his job is, Zoppo replied that maintaining “fast, consistent and challenging greens while dealing with volatile weather conditions, increased disease pressure and the ever-increasing cost of equipment, parts, chemicals and fertilizers” is at the top of the list – and yet they “always seem to find a way to give golfers what they want from our greens.”

“The golf course is only as good as its employees,” he said. “I’m very fortunate to have the best crew I’ve ever had from top to bottom. Each and every crew member has specific tasks they’re responsible for and they do them brilliantly.”

His outstanding crew, including himself, consists of three full-time and seven part-time workers, 90% of whom are club members.

“This is a huge benefit to our club as they all have the drive to do what’s best for the club as a whole,” Zoppo said of the crew’s investment. “As a crew, we pride ourselves on golfer satisfaction. We all enjoy being stopped on the course and customers having positive things to say about improvements. They remind us that we’re going in the right direction.”

Bar Manager and Event Coordinator Nicole Shell is the woman behind other aspects of the golf course. The lifelong Fitchburg resident began working at MCC over 20 years ago and oversees food and beverage service and staffing at the 19th Hole Restaurant and Event Hall, and is also responsible for leasing all event halls.

“Monoosnock offers country club-level service with a friendly neighborhood atmosphere,” she said of what makes it unique. “MCC offers annual memberships and is also open to the public, offering affordable golf, dining and facility rental options, all in a conveniently located, historic location.”

Shell said Grille 19 features a full bar, pub-style menu, lottery and a patio with outdoor seating overlooking the scenic golf course.

“Our charming banquet facility can accommodate up to 200 guests and features a large stone fireplace with a full bar and the option to use our in-house Zoppo catering service,” she said. “We are perfect for all special occasions such as weddings, birthday parties, anniversaries, reunions, parties, fundraisers and parties.”

Shell said she enjoys working at MCC not only because she works alongside “great people,” but also because of the overall positive and welcoming atmosphere that comes from everyone who works there.

“I am pleased to know that we have dedicated employees and loyal members who are committed to the long-term success of Monoosnock Country Club.”

For more information, call 988-537-1872 or monoosnockcountryclub.com and follow Monoosnock Country Club on Facebook and Instagram.