The Bristol Golf Park is almost done with its metamorphosis.

Once derided as being "of a worseness so extreme that you occasionally wonder if it’s not ironic," (‘When a Bad Golf Course Edges Into Goodness’, New York Times, May 22, 2011), the course became an important water quality project, and now, one that soon serve as a recreational and public educational facility.

It occupies a high point about where Tupelo Street runs between Hope Street and Metacom Avenue, serving as the source of the Silver Creek watershed. To the north, water runs downhill to Oyster Point, ending up in the Warren River. To the south, it runs through much of Bristol until it reaches the harbor. The health of the property has a direct impact on the health of Bristol Harbor — and it has been a concern of the Town for many years. Principal Planner Ed Tanner and Community Development Director Diane Williamson have spent years developing and executing a plan that would maintain that land, purchased by the Town in the 1980s as open space, as a recreational facility, while appropriately stewarding the critical watershed.

With the help of professionals including the Wright-Pierce engineering firm, Landscape Architect Tim Gerrish, and Wenley Ferguson, Director of Restoration with Save the Bay, they figured out how to reach their environmental goals and incorporate them into a golf course. Because of the project’s primary purpose as a wetland restoration project, federal and state grant money has flowed in, covering the lion’s share of the costs.

With plantings in place and grass seeded, the final piece of the puzzle — the management team — signed on last week. The Northeast Golf Company will jointly manage the property with local company, Vigilant Brewing.

“They have the knowledge and expertise of golf course management and we will provide the social aspect, run tournaments, and be a local presence, with everyday eyes on the course,” said Kevin Amaral of Vigilant.

Robert McNeil of the Northeast Golf Company brings over 30 years of experience to golf course management. “Growing the game has always been my focus,” he said. “We’re pretty excited to make this Bristol Golf Park a special community recreational amenity. It’s going to be fun for Bristol.”

“They appreciate the town’s goals of water quality and recreation,” said Town Administrator Steven Contente of the management team. “The management plan will continue to align with the grant priorities, and it will benefit businesses in the area.”

The deal includes a three-year contract with an option to renew. In exchange for a nominal $500 payment to the town, the team will maintain and operate the course.

“We are really excited to breathe life back into that course and change the culture in that part of town,” said Amaral. “We’ve got big plans.”