NORTHAMPTON — Gil Verrillo, 76, has owned and operated Pine Grove Golf Course since 1969, a task he has been aided in by his longtime partner, Shirley Slahetka, 78. But 2019 is set to be the final year of operation for the course, as the city is considering purchasing more than 100 acres of the property for conservation land.
In late May, the city signed an option to buy the land from Verrillo, which obligates Verrillo to hold his price but doesn’t require the city to purchase the land. Northampton and Verrillo agreed to a price of $650,000, and the option gives the city until April 21 to close.
Mayor David Narkewicz said an order has been filed with the City Council to give the city authority to borrow money for the purchase of the land. However, the mayor said the city has no intention of ever borrowing any money and will instead use the authorization to seek $650,000 in grants from the city’s Community Preservation Act fund and the state’s Local Acquisitions for Natural Diversity (LAND) grant program.
The mayor said that having the borrowing authorization shows that the city is simply committed to purchasing the land for the purpose of applying for the grants.
“We don’t intend to actually borrow,” Narkewicz said.
If the city were to follow through with the purchase, the mayor said grant money, along with possible donations, would pay for the land, and money from the city’s general fund would not be used.
“This is not developable land,” said Narkewicz, who was adamant that the city will not be keeping the property as a golf course.
As for the rest of the property, Verrillo plans to develop four building lots for housing.
Northampton Director of Planning and Sustainability Wayne Feiden said the city buys 100 to 150 acres of land for open space a year.
On a recent sunny afternoon, Verrillo and Slahetka sat in the bar area of the Pine Grove clubhouse and shared memories of their decades-long history at the golf course.
Verrillo, who grew up in Glastonbury, Connecticut, began renting the nine-hole course in 1967 alongside his friend and business partner, Doug Jesanis, after graduating from the University of Vermont. Then Verrillo got drafted and was ordered to Vietnam.
After his discharge from the service in 1969, Verrillo, along with Jesanis, bought the course and went about converting it into an 18-hole course, unveiling it in its current form in 1972.
“We figured, well, golf would really be big,” Verrillo said.
Verrillo designed the 18-hole expansion himself and put in 11 new holes, replacing two of the course’s existing holes.
Jesanis left the partnership in the late 1970s. Then, in the early 1980s, Verrillo met Slahetka, who was visiting from Florida. A mutual friend took her to the golf course where they played nine holes, and then another nine. When they were at the bar at Pine Grove, Slahetka asked for some food, and Verrillo threw her a bag of Wachusett potato chips. Despite this inauspicious start, the two ended up getting together.
“And I’ve been here ever since,” Slahetka said.
The pair have no children and recently got engaged, although Slahetka said they’re in no rush to get married.
“I don’t want a big fanfare,” said Slahetka, who said that she already had a big Polish wedding with her late first husband.
Verrillo said he doesn’t see an interest in golf in the generations coming along and that people no longer have the time to dedicate to golf.
“I think it’s a dead sport,” he said, although he did say he considers it to be a good one.
Verrillo said he’s “tired” and wants to get out of the business.
“It’s time,” he said.
“I’m going to miss the people,” Slahetka said, referring to the course’s patrons. “But it’s time.”
Slahetka said the course is still open and will probably close for good in November.
Verrillo said he’s not sure if the city is going to maintain any part of the course, adding that it would be a nicer addition if it was kept mowed.
“That’s up to them,” he said.
Feiden told the Gazette Friday in an email that the city would not continue to mow the property, but that it will be working with Mass Audubon on a restoration plan.
He also said that, although a number of options are being explored, a community forum has yet to be held, and no work has begun on a management plan.
Verrillo said many patrons are upset about the closing of the course, although he added, “I have a right to a life, too.”
Both Verrillo and Slahetka said that, post-Pine Grove, they’d like to do more golfing.
Bera Dunau can be reached at bdunau@gazettenet.com.