GolfNewsRI

After 20 years in the Lincoln Country Club pro shop and 36 years as a Golf Professional, Bruce MacDonald is retiring. 

MacDonald has been at Lincoln since 2003, but started his career in Massachusetts.  

“I got in when I was 31 years old at Walpole CC in 1987 and worked at six clubs. It has been awesome, but I’m gonna be 67, so it’s time,” MacDonald told GolfNewsRI.

MacDonald says he might stay around to help new Lincoln pro Nick Maresca (more coming on that), and or work part time as a teacher down at Point Judith. 

However, full time work is not longer in the cards. 

“I’ll help the club (Lincoln) out in anyway I can. They through a phenomenal bash for me, gave me a honorary membership,” said MacDonald. 

MacDonald’s Career 

MacDonald worked at Walpole Country Club from 1987-1990 before switching states to work in Rhode Island in 1991. 

MacDonald started his Rhode Island run at Agawam Hunt from 1991-1994. 

In the middle of that, he was elected to Membership in the PGA of America in 1993 after completing the PGA Apprentice Program. 

Following his time at Agawam, MacDonald went to Valley for one year (1995) and then to Quidnessett Country Club. 

MacDonald was at Quid from 1996 to 2001 before moving over to Alpine Country Club 2002. 

There, he helped Ed Kirby get adjusted to club professional life. 

Kirby was just coming off his run on the PGA Tour. 

MacDonald stayed at Alpine for one season before taking the Lincoln Job where he would stay. 

While at Lincoln, MacDonald was named RI Golf Professional of the Year in 2012 by the New England PGA. 

Most recently, he was awarded RI PGA Merchandiser of the Year in 2022. 

Leaving Lincoln in Good Shape 

MacDonald steps away from Lincoln CC with the club at the top of its game. 

In 2019, Lincoln did 11,900 rounds, 2020 the club grew to 17,100 rounds, 17,200 in 2021 and this past summer Lincoln did 17,900 rounds. 

That includes 70 rounds of golf on December 30. 

“Lately, people are staying in place more at their clubs, golf professionals are working as hard as they have ever worked. Lincoln CC is in as good a spot as it has ever been, I’m glad I was a part of it over the last three years,” said MacDonald. 

MacDonald says the club is totally booked, with a waiting list to get in.