City, GMC Agree to 5-Year Contract to Manage Mount Hood

Melrose Mayor Rob Dolan recently announced that the City of Melrose and Golf Management Corporation (GMC) have agreed to a five-year contract for the management of Mount Hood, according to a press statement.

The contract was approved Tuesday night by the Melrose Board of Aldermen. 

"GMC has been an excellent partner at Mount Hood for the past ten years, and I am pleased that we will continue our relationship with them," Dolan said in the statement. "This new contract will allow us to continue the progress that has been made during the past decade."

GMC has held the Mount Hood contract for the past 10 years, according to the statement.

The contract includes a few new elements: The Park Commission and GMC will be looking at the feasibility of creating a driving range or practice area, reads the statement. Furthermore, thanks to recent improvements to the kitchen, GMC will be running more non-golf events for all residents, including a Comedy Night, Country Night, wine tasting and youth winter indoor and outdoor events in conjunction with Melrose Recreation, according to the statement. They will continue to enlarge the trail system in the park’s open space, adds the statement.

"The Park Commission unanimously selected GMC as the management company for the Mount Hood facility and is looking forward to working with them over the term of the contract," Park Commission chairman Michael Interbartolo said in the statement. "We expect that our combined efforts over the next five years will be successful financially and will result in continued improvements to our golf course and public park for all those who use our facilities according to the policies of the Park Commission."

"We're very happy to have once again been chosen as the management company for Mount Hood memorial Park and Golf Course." said Tom and Phil Friel, the principals of Mass Golf Management, in the statement "We've been very happy with the good relationships we've developed, working with the Mayor, the Park Commission, and the Park Department to improve Mount Hood in all aspects over the last ten years. Our entire team is looking forward to continuing this effort for the future benefit of Mount Hood and all of its visitors."