Bay State Golf Podcast

Sean Melia
  • 5.0 (21)
  • GOLF
  • UPDATED BIMONTHLY

A golf podcast covering the small stories that deserve some discussion.Subscribe on iTunes here: http://bit.ly/H7cGIf

  1. 3D AGO

    A Round Up of Golf Course news in Massachusetts

    A lot has happened this winter in Massachusetts golf — and we're breaking it all down in one place. From surprise sales to solar field conversions, here's everything you need to know before the 2026 season tees off. Courses discussed: - Whaling City Golf Course (New Bedford) – Charter Development is moving in, shrinking the course to 9 holes during construction, with an $8–10M rebuild planned — possibly into the 2030s - Easton Country Club – Saved from a Toll Brothers housing deal, Stonehill College has purchased the course and is launching a Division I men's golf team - Cape Cod Country Club (Falmouth) – Surprise news: the course will remain OPEN for the full 2026 season despite a pending solar energy deal with Pure Sky Energy - Stow Acres – North Course is now 9 holes; South Course rerouted; new heated outdoor driving range open all winter; celebrating 100 years as the first Black-owned country club in America - Maple Gate Country Club – Officially sold and closing to become a solar field - Shining Rock Golf Club – Acquired by Alliance Golf (Connecticut), who also owns Red Tail in MA - Leo J. Martin Golf Course (Weston) – Closed for ALL of 2026 for a $5M state-funded renovation, with architect Mark Mungeam leading the work - Cotuit Highground – Sold to Barnstable Land Trust; future as a golf course uncertain beyond 3–5 years - Lakeville Country Club – Early-stage proposal to convert to a 55+ community with 9 holes and a driving range - Chequessett Club (Wellfleet) – Closed for 2 years due to the Herring River Restoration Project; set to reopen in 2028 with improvements - Yale Golf Course (Connecticut) – Reopening late April 2026 after a major Gil Hanse renovation; public green fees from $150–$350 ___ Subscribe to the Bay State Golf newsletter (free every Friday) for weekly Massachusetts golf updates. Paid subscribers get bonus content + a digital book reviewing 168 MA golf courses. https://baystategolf.beehiiv.com/ Save Cape Cod Country Club shirts available at BayStateGolf.com — proceeds support the Save Historic Cape Cod Country Club group. https://www.baystategolf.com/shop GALWAY BAY: Galway Bay Homepage: https://galwaybayapparel.pxf.io/aOEWyW Chino: https://galwaybayapparel.pxf.io/194W6R Rockbarton: https://galwaybayapparel.pxf.io/Z6gy2q Tully: https://galwaybayapparel.pxf.io/o4ryAb --- Chapters: 0:00 – Intro 0:27 – Whaling City Golf Course 4:20 – Easton Country Club / Stonehill College 6:19 – Cape Cod Country Club 9:42 – Stow Acres 10:58 – Maple Gate Country Club 11:53 – Shining Rock Golf Club 13:04 – Leo J. Martin Golf Course 15:27 – Cotuit Highground 17:49 – Lakeville Country Club 19:05 – Chequessett Club 20:47 – Yale Golf Course LINKS: Watch on YouTube Subscribe to the Newsletter Baystate Golf on IG SeanMeliaGolf on Twitter BaystateGolf.com

    24 min

  2. JAN 16

    A Day Trip to Miacomet

    Is a winter day trip to Nantucket actually worth it for golf? In this podcast (which you can watch on YouTube), I break down the real, door-to-door cost of playing Miacomet Golf Course in the winter, where greens fees drop from $255 in the summer to $70 before April 30. I’ve played Miacomet twice during the winter months. I'll walk you through everything you need to know — parking, ferry timing, taxis, food, and why this course plays so well in the offseason. If you’re curious about winter golf in Massachusetts, affordable golf trips, or whether island golf can be done in a single day, this video will help you decide if this trip is worth it. LINKS: Watch on YouTube Subscribe to the Newsletter Baystate Golf on IG SeanMeliaGolf on Twitter BaystateGolf.com

    10 min

  3. JAN 6

    The Most Important Shots in Majors from 2000-2025

    What are the defining shots in major championship golf over the last 25 years?  Sean, Jed, and Paul draft the 15 most impactful shots from 2000–2025 — the ones that altered careers, flipped leaderboards, and created the “I remember where I was” moments in golf history. LINKS: Watch on YouTube Subscribe to the Newsletter Baystate Golf on IG SeanMeliaGolf on Twitter BaystateGolf.com

    1h 26m

  4. 11/28/2025

    The 5 Best Public Donald Ross Courses in Massachusetts (Ranked)

    Ranking the five best public Donald Ross golf courses in Massachusetts in honor of his birthday this week. . This list is built on three things: - Have I played it? - Shot value - Walkability - The phone-call test — if a friend called the night before a round, which course would I pick? . Massachusetts has 14 publicly accessible Donald Ross designs, and I think we’re unbelievably lucky to have so many great ones you can just go play. These are my five favorites right now — plus one honorable mention that just misses. Do you agree with my top five? Drop your 1–5 ranking in the comments. . Timestamps: 00:00 — Intro and some context to the ranking 03:23 — Course 5 06:54 — Course 4 09:54 — Course 3 14:45 —  Course 2 19:15 — Course 1 23:31 — Final thoughts & call to action Follow Bay State Golf 📸 Instagram — @baystate_golf 📬 Free Friday newsletter + bonus paid content — baystategolf.beehiv.com 🎥 More videos on golf in Massachusetts, course reviews, and competitive golf Thanks for watching — now let’s hear your top five in the comments. See you out there. ⛳️ LINKS: Watch on YouTube Subscribe to the Newsletter Baystate Golf on IG SeanMeliaGolf on Twitter BaystateGolf.com

    26 min

  5. 11/26/2025

    Will Leo J. Martin Finally Be Saved? My 3 Wishes for the Renovation

    One of the most neglected golf courses in Massachusetts might finally get the renovation it deserves. In this video, I break down my three big hopes for the future of Leo J. Martin Golf Course—a place with deep community value, passionate players, and a ton of potential. From long-term planning to course conditioning to creative thinking about how public golf can thrive, this renovation could be a turning point for affordable golf access in Greater Boston. 📍 Virtual Meeting Wednesday, December 3 — 6:00 PM https://zoom.us/meeting/register/F5OT98HoS0C-LOKANGB9_Q#/registration 📰 More updates + coverage BayStateGolf.beehiiv.com IG: @BayState_Golf ⛳ Timestamps 00:00 — Why Leo J. Martin Needs Help 00:41 — How did we get here? 01:49 — Wish #1: A Long-Term Plan, Not a Quick Fix 05:50 — Wish #2: Think Outside the Box (Management + Operations) 07:53 — Wish #3: Grass before Cart Paths (Priorities for Playability) 10:46 — Irrigation, Tee Boxes & Real Playable Conditions 13:11 — Community Opportunity & Growing the Game 14:10 — Call to Action & Meeting info LINKS: Watch on YouTube Subscribe to the Newsletter Baystate Golf on IG SeanMeliaGolf on Twitter BaystateGolf.com

    16 min

  6. 11/14/2025

    The Fight to Save Cape Cod CC

    For almost a century, Cape Cod Country Club has been one of the jewels of public golf in Massachusetts — a Devereux Emmet and Alfred Tull design that’s hosted Mass Opens, legendary exhibitions, and generations of local golfers. But now, this beloved course in Falmouth, Massachusetts, faces a new reality: a plan to convert its 18 holes into massive solar arrays led by PureSky Energy. In this video, we explore the club’s storied past, the Friel family’s management, and the community’s reaction as the town prepares for a crucial November 17th vote that could determine the future of the property. From Arnold Palmer’s 1962 exhibition to today’s open house debates, this story captures the tension between golf’s heritage and renewable energy’s future on Cape Cod. 🎥 Timestamps 00:00 – History of Cape Cod Country Club 03:45 – Friel Golf Management and financial struggles 05:00 – The solar project and PureSky Energy 07:00 – Voices from the community 10:00 – What’s next for golf on Cape Cod If you care about preserving local golf history, share this story and join the conversation. 👉 Subscribe for more Massachusetts golf stories, architecture deep dives, and Bay State Golf course reviews. IG: https://www.instagram.com/baystate_golf/ Newsletter: https://baystategolf.beehiiv.com/ LINKS: Watch on YouTube Subscribe to the Newsletter Baystate Golf on IG SeanMeliaGolf on Twitter BaystateGolf.com

    15 min

  7. 10/31/2025

    10 MA Courses to Play Before Winter (or before They’re Gone)

    As fall fades and winter looms, there’s still time for a few unforgettable rounds across Massachusetts golf courses. In this video, I share 10 must-play spots before the season ends — from Cape Cod Country Club and Taconic to Franklin Park and Miacomet. Some are closing, some may turn private, and others just shine in crisp fall weather. Whether you’re chasing late-season tee times or exploring new public golf courses in Massachusetts, these picks will help you finish the year strong. Grab a coffee, bundle up, and let’s hit the road. Buy a Save Cape Cod CC t-shirt: https://www.baystategolf.com/product-page/save-cape-cod-country-club 00:00 – Intro: 10 courses to play before the end of the season 00:25 – Why now: late-season golf, closures, and splurges 00:42 – Quick plug: subscribe, follow, and newsletter info 01:18 – Video plan and inspiration for it  5 deep dives + 5 quick picks 01:45 – Cape Cod Country Club (Falmouth) – Possibly closing, becoming solar field 03:13 – Cape Club of Falmouth – likely going private soon 03:57 – Leo J. Martin & Ponkapoag – play low-stakes November golf 06:39 – Cohasse Country Club (Southbridge) – private to public success story 08:28 – North Hill (Duxbury) – open year-round, tough second hole 11:00 – Taconic (Williamstown) – late-season splurge 11:35 – Miacomet (Nantucket) – open all year, great off-season trip 12:40 – Franklin Park (Boston) – winter-friendly, fewer leaves than George Wright 13:54 – Whaling City (New Bedford) – drier in fall, development rumors 15:31 – Groton Country Club – wild nine-hole “funhouse” course 17:44 – Bonus: Marion Golf Club – charming southern addition 18:13 – Recap: full list of courses mentioned 19:11 – Wrap-up: call to action & outro ⛳ Subscribe for weekly Massachusetts golf videos: course guides, travel tips, and updates on Bay State golf culture. 📰 Newsletter: BayStateGolf.beehiiv.com 📸 Instagram: @BayState_Golf LINKS: Watch on YouTube Subscribe to the Newsletter Baystate Golf on IG SeanMeliaGolf on Twitter BaystateGolf.com

    19 min

  8. 10/16/2025

    September Recap: From Pebble Beach to Truro

    September Golf Recap: 9 courses, 6 new checks, and one West Coast detour. I sprinted through Cape Cod with a four-day run and squeezed in Whitinsville plus a Walker Cup–adjacent round at Poppy Hills. Quick hits on conditions, vibe, difficulty, and a honest nitpick or two so you can plan your own fall golf. Chapters 00:00 – Intro: 9 courses, 6 new checks, what to expect 01:46 – Format tweak (why the Cape courses are quick hits) 02:48 – Poppy Hills (Pebble Beach): NCGA price model, 5 par-3s, short-grass heaven 07:31 – Whitinsville (Donald Ross): big-feel nine, great greens, “golf club” vibes 10:47 – Cape trip setup (4 days, base in Yarmouth at The Uncommoner) 12:08 – Farm Neck (Martha’s Vineyard): restoration complete, views + strong inland holes 12:53 – Paul Harney (side quest): par-60, beginner-friendly, fast lap 14:20 – Eastward Ho!: wild land, wind, fast expanded greens, is it a "play every day course?" 16:11 – Highland Links: true New England links feel, secret tees, views. 19:06 – Chequessett: excellent 2–5 stretch, flooding fixes planned, charming/rustic 21:27 – Dennis Pines: Classic Cape Cod golftidy under trees, odd stretch of holes (10–12), tougher back nine 23:12 – Bayberry Links: open look, hidden penalties, limited vistas 26:29 – Wrap-up: shoulder-season notes + where to play next Say hi / follow along: IG: @baystate_golf Newsletter: Bay State Golf (free Friday recap + paid extras) https://baystategolf.beehiiv.com/ Question of the week What’s your favorite Cape Cod fall route—and which of these should I deep-dive next? LINKS: Watch on YouTube Subscribe to the Newsletter Baystate Golf on IG SeanMeliaGolf on Twitter BaystateGolf.com

    29 min
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About

A golf podcast covering the small stories that deserve some discussion.Subscribe on iTunes here: http://bit.ly/H7cGIf

Information

  • Creator
    Sean Melia
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    221
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Bay State Golf Podcast
  • Show Website
    Bay State Golf Podcast

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