Sterling Golf takes over at Little Harbor

Jun 20, 2022

The Sterling Golf Management Company officially took over the operation of the Little Harbor Golf Course on June 1.

Jay Miller, the company’s director of golf course operations, has managed courses for decades — including the Hidden Valley Golf Club in California, which was named the 2011 National Golf Course Owners Association Course of the Year. He met with the town’s Golf Course Advisory Committee on June 15. 

So far, Miller said, not much has changed at Little Harbor. He’s keeping all of the current staff and the season is well underway.

“I really like our staff,” Miller said. Miller’s company was hired by the town to manage the golf course, which the town purchased earlier this year following a Town Meeting vote. 

Looking ahead to next year, Miller said he’s hoping to up community involvement and bring new players to the course.

He said he hopes to start several beginners’ leagues and he plans to expand the youth program. He’s also looking into offering lessons, maybe in conjunction with the Golf Shots Driving Range on Sandwich Road.

At the other courses he operates, Miller has overseen very popular Youth On Course programs. The program only costs $15 to join, and once kids have learned a little about golf etiquette, they can play for $5 a round at specialized times. He’s also overseen PGA Junior League teams and clinics. 

Next year, he said, Little Harbor members will have reciprocal memberships at off-peak times at other Sterling Golf Course. 

Some slight changes to the experience at the course are planned: Miller wants to expand and improve parking, bring some more food to the club house and will bring back a beverage cart on a trial basis.

Also in the works: Community events. Miller told the committee that he hopes to open the course for a community event featuring food from local restaurants and games. 

Another Sterling Golf tradition Miller plans to bring to Wareham includes a weekend where town employees can play for free. He’s also considering an event featuring discounted rounds for Wareham residents.

Overall, Miller said, he’s working on advertising and raising the course’s profile online. 

He said the Wareham residents he’s met have been “nothing but friendly” and praised the town’s family atmosphere.

Editor’s note: An official later said that the company operates the golf course as its manager is, in fact, Town Administrator Derek Sullivan.