Fore! Silver Spring Golf Course - An EP Treasure

You would never know that golf season is here in New England as much of the ground remained snow covered through mid-March. But for the 280 or so members of the Silver Spring golf course in East Providence, springtime can't come quick enough. "By now we're pretty much ready for the golfing season and our members are itchy to get out there," said Silver Spring board president David Moniz. Moniz discussed the upcoming golf season with the Reporter near the end of last month. "We plan on being ready for golf by mid-April. However our concern is that all the melting snow will cause a very soft and muddy condition for awhile," said Moniz. Toward the end of March the golf course showed patches of grass but much of the course was still under a blanket of several inches of snow. The record setting snowstorms of 2015 had covered the historic little golf course. Not all was lost as area kids flocked to Silver Spring with their sleds and snow tubes filling the hilly slopes with hundreds of kids enjoying several snow days home from school.

The current site where Silver Spring golf course exists has an interesting history. The land is bordered by Pawtucket Avenue at the top to the East and the East Bay Bike Path and the Providence River at the bottom of the site to the West. At one time this property was home to one of the city's majestic amusement parks. 'Vanity Fair is the most ambitious, grandiose amusement park north of Coney Island', shouted out ads for the new park opening in 1907. It had all the rides like it's southern neighbor, Crescent Park. There was a Chute the Chute, roller coaster and carousel. It boasted a hotel, boardwalk, dinner hall, Wild West Show, dance hall, circus, an Indian congress, and wild animal area. Perhaps one of the most spectacular events ever was the "Fighting the Flames exhibit." Fighting the Flames was a mock city that every afternoon would have flames shoot from gas jets and actors would call for help. There would be an exciting rescue by fire fighters who had the actors jump into nets, arms of fire fighters, or were carried away to safety. The developers over extended themselves though as it also set itself apart by charging admission, having a planned midway, and an overall design scheme. The midway was surrounded by white buildings with lights outlining each structure. Vanity Fair was doomed to fail. It went into receivership in its first year. It struggled on for two years until 1910 when it went bankrupt.

By 1915, Standard Oil Company bought the land and created an oil tank farm on the water's edge. Silver Spring Golf Course was established in 1919 as a company golf course for the Standard Oil Company. Later Standard Oil sold out to Mobil Oil and the course was used for Mobil Oil executives. On January 8th, 1963, Robert Salter leased the property from Mobil Oil and incorporated Silver Spring Golf Course. In 1980 a group of local men purchased the corporation with the goal of providing an affordable golf course for "seniors, juniors and the local public." Today Silver Spring has a vibrant membership and is also open to the public. It is owned by its members with shareholders and a Board of Directors. The course is on land leased from Mobil.

Silver Spring Golf Course, conveniently located at 3303 Pawtucket Ave. East Providence, RI is just past Bay View Academy and across from the Dunkin Donuts. It is a semi-private golf course that features 6 holes that can be played in 4 different formats. "You can play either 6, 9, 12 or 18 holes of quality golf," said Moniz. The six hole format can be played in approximately 1 hour. The 9 hole format in approximately 1 ½ hours. The 12 hole format in approximately 2 hours and the 18 hole format can be played in approximately 3 hours. "It is very creative, we are a 6 hole course with 18 distinct holes. All holes are played from different teeing areas, therefore giving you the 18 distinctive holes. The same greens, but there are many different tee-off spots," explained Moniz. There is no resemblance to the former Vanity Fair, except for on the 2nd hole which is a straight par 5, reachable in two shots if you can drive the ball far and straight. "A mound in the middle of the fairway at around 250 yards is covering what we think is the old Flume ride from Vanity Fair. It was probably easier to cover much of the old attraction rather than totally removing it," Moniz said with a shrug. Locals feel it adds an anecdotal character to the site.

Moniz said that the semi-private course is open to anyone. "We have about 230 full members who pay only $255 per year. A spouse can also join for an additional $45. Motorized golf carts cost $8. for a day," said Moniz. The course is run mostly by volunteer members. A budget of about $50,000 covers salaries for groundskeepers and grass cutters and there is an expense for water and gas for tractors. "We keep things very reasonable for our members," Moniz added. The course also allows walk-ons at any time. Non-member walk-ons can play 6 holes of golf for $10 or 9 holes for $12. The club has also accommodated the local high school golf team. There is usually an attendant on hand all the time but in the event no one is present, golfers are asked to leave money and information in an "honor" box located at the courses' small golf shack. On a peak golfing day, Moniz estimates about 30 golfers are at the course. "It's generally never too crowded, never a wait as the action moves along at a nice pace."

Moniz credited Silver Spring's top condition with the work of the Head grounds keeper, Dick Silva. "He does a tremendous job keeping this place beautiful. He is meticulous about the course," said Moniz. "Wayne Zoppo heads up the grounds committee and there are about 5 or 6 on the grounds crew. Dick Silva is great. He has narrowed some fairways making for a better focus and more accurate golfing," added Moniz.

Fifteen year member Vin Spremuli also sings the praises of Silver Spring. "The course is in the best shape it has ever been in. Dick Silva is the main reason," said Spremuli, a board vice-president. "Where can you play golf for $255 a year - with no wait. You can't go to a driving range that cheap," said Spremuli. Spremuli, a 1967 graduate of EPHS is a retired teacher from Ponagansett High School. He is also a veteran CYO, Little League and Interscholastic coach and enjoys meeting many friends and family at Silver Spring. "My Dad loved golf. When he was alive I would call him and say, Sal, let's go to Silver Spring. He'd be there in 5 minutes. He wasn't a great golfer but he loved it," reminisced Vin Spremuli. "I meet my brother there now and we have a great time, it's probably the best deal in town," he added.

Current Silver Spring Board President, David Moniz is anxious for another season. Moniz, semi-retired now, is a lifelong city resident and 1969 EPHS graduate. He would love for more golfers to learn about East Providence's only public-private golf course. "I joined here in 2008 and have loved every minute of it. We have club activities, cookouts an annual banquet and it's affordable to the average person. We've re-directed some tees, etc. and we offer some very challenging golf," Moniz smiled as he gazed out to the snow covered course.

Some may not realize that East Providence is home to three very famous, high quality golf courses. Metacomet, Wannamoisett and Agawam Hunt are home to some of the finest golfing in New England. Some of the aforementioned courses have clubhouses, restaurants, tennis courts and pools on their grounds and have been home to many a lavish wedding, private party or banquet. These country clubs are also historic in nature and add a sense of culture and regal air to Townie land. The big three may be larger, more prestigious and offer some very challenging links to golfers, but don't underestimate the quality and charm of Silver Spring Golf Course. "Silver Spring Golf Course offers the best deal in the country on full memberships for the avid golfer, as well as unbelievable rates for the public," say its members.

One other matter of interest. Locals say that the 4th hole at Silver Spring is a short par 3 but it is tougher than it looks. The slope of the green is deceptive and the wind off the Bay is often a big factor. Golfers are considered lucky if their tee shot is near-pin. A couple of years ago, David Moniz hit a hole-in-one on hole 4, a fact that the board president doesn't mind discussing often with members. "I'm off now to the driving range," Moniz smiled as the interview concluded.

For more information on Silver Spring Golf Course go to: http://www.silverspringgolfcourse-ri.com or call (401) 434-9697. 2015 Board of Directors are: David Moniz, President; Vincent Spremuli, Vice President; Chung Nguyen, Vice President; Immediate Past President, Bill Fontes; Treasurer, Fred Andersen; Secretary, Dick Silva and Assistant Treasurer, Ed Carney.