For Immediate Release
CONNECTICUT SECTION PGA
April 30, 2026
Contact: Tim Paragone
tparagone@pgahq.com
www.ctpga.com
Franconia Golf Course Named 2026 Walter Lowell Public Golf Course Distinguished Service Award Recipient
GLASTONBURY, Conn. (April 30, 2026) – Franconia Golf Course, located in Springfield, Mass., has been selected by the Connecticut Section PGA to receive the 2026 Walter Lowell Public Golf Course Distinguished Service Award. The award is presented annually by the Section to a public golf course for their dedication, promotion, advancement, and accessibility to the game of golf.
Franconia Golf Course will be recognized at the annual Walter Lowell PGA Tournament on Tuesday, May 26, 2026.
Founded in 1929, the legendary 18-hole championship course was designed by John Van Kleek, Wayne Stiles, and Geoffrey Cornish. As the facility nears its centennial, it is currently experiencing a historic renaissance. Under the leadership of PGA Professional and Director of Golf Operations Steven Carle, Franconia set an all-time record for both revenue and participation in 2025, welcoming more golfers than in any other year of its 96-year existence.
“I know that the Walter Lowell Public Golf Course Distinguished Service Award is the highest honor for a public course in our Section,” said Carle, who has been a PGA Professional in the Connecticut Section since 1990. “Franconia is a very special place. Winning this award is one of the proudest and greatest days I have ever had as a Professional.”
This surge in popularity is attributed to a combination of significant facility investments and a commitment to accessibility. In 2025, the facility underwent extensive upgrades, including a renovated clubhouse, redone bunkers, and the acquisition of modern fairway and green mowers. Despite these premium conditions, the facility maintains some of the most economical rates in the region.
Community & Accessibility Highlights:
- Military & Adaptive Golf: Franconia is a leader in accessibility, featuring a specialized single-rider cart designed for golfers with disabilities that allows access to tees and greens without harming the turf.
- Youth & Inner-City Outreach: Carle was recently honored by Springfield Mayor Dominic Sarno for establishing an inner-city program that introduces underprivileged youth to the game.
- Women’s Programming: The course hosts a highly successful Tuesday night ladies’ clinic and a dedicated women’s league, focusing on fundamental development in an affordable setting.
- Public Traditions: The facility remains the home course for the local high school team and continues to host decades-old public traditions like the Henry Bontempo Four-Ball and the John Raimondi Open.
“I know that Franconia has everything in its right place,” Carle added. “From our clinics for inner-city youth to our leagues for local businesses, police, and first responders, we are committed to doing all we can to promote the game.”
Since 2001, the Walter Lowell Public Golf Course Distinguished Service Award has honored public facilities that set the standard for serving their communities and providing playing opportunities for all.
About the Connecticut Section PGA
The Connecticut Section, PGA of America, is a non-profit organization chartered in 1933 to promote golf and enhance the livelihood of its members. The Section comprises more than 350 PGA Professionals at over 180 facilities throughout Connecticut and Western Massachusetts.
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