Donnybrook Golf Course Closes to Improve Sale Potential

Staff ReportsiBerkshires
03:16PM / Wednesday, December 06, 2023Print Story | Email Story

The 161-acre property is listed at $2.9 million.

LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — Donnybrook Country Club will cease operations as the Kelly family seeks to sell the property.

In a post on the club's website on Saturday, Matt Kelly said it was a tough decision to end what his father, Jim, had created but necessary in finding a purchaser for the 161 acres of land.

"The ultimate thing would be for someone to purchase Donnybrook, and keep the golf course running," he wrote. "We have had several parties interested in the property, but none of them wanted to keep the golf running. It has become clear to me, that in order to sell the property, Donnybrook Country Club must cease golf operations."

The property is listed on Realtor.com for $2.9 million, and has two houses, including the 1780 marble farmhouse and addition, four historic barns including a six-bay carriage barn and offices, and two ponds.

James JW Kelly had operated Brodie Mountain Ski Resort in New Ashford for nearly three decades before selling to Jiminy Peak in 1999. More a golfer than a skier, in his retirement, he began planning a nine-hole course on the family's Donnybrook Farm. It would take five or six years before the country club opened to the public in 2008.

"It was his dream to create a top-class golf center, where golfers could share his love of golf in his own beautiful setting," wrote Matt Kelly. "Through the years, Donnybrook had come to be the top-rated customer-reviewed course in Berkshire County. JW's dream was a great success."

But Kelly died in September last year at age 87 and Matt Kelly says he's not golfer and that Donnybrook is not his dream. Now ready for retirement himself, he's been looking to sell for some time.

"I have seen many great times, many happy gatherings, events, and tournaments. I have worked my father's dream for many years," he wrote. "It is time for me to move on to my own life. Thanks to all of you who made Donnybrook such a great place. I hope that in the future, just like our former Brodie Mountain Ski Resort, people will look back at Donnybrook with a smile."

Tags: golf course,

iBerkshires.com Text Ads

rk MILES Blding Materials

Are You Ready to Update Your Home? Start With rk MILES. 4 Locations (800)670-7433

www.rkmiles.com

RIBCO Supply

Check out our great lineup of Boss Plows, and spreaders. 2 Locations Clarksburg & Pittsfield!

ribcosupply.com

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Dalton Board Signs Off on Land Sale Over Residents' Objections

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
05:50AM / Tuesday, December 23, 2025

Residents demanded the right to speak but the agenda did not include public comment. Amy Musante holds a sign saying the town now as '$20,000 less for a police station.'

DALTON, Mass. — The Select Board signed the sale on the last of what had been known as the Bardin property Monday even as a handful of residents demanded the right to speak against the action.

The quitclaim deed transfers the nine acres to Thomas and Esther Balardini, who purchased the two other parcels in Dalton. They were the third-highest bidders at $31,500. Despite this, the board awarded them the land in an effort to keep the property intact.

"It's going to be an ongoing battle but one I think that has to be fought [because of] the disregard for the taxpayers," said Dicken Crane, the high bidder at $51,510.

"If it was personal I would let it go, but this affects everyone and backing down is not in my nature."

Crane had appealed to the board to accept his bid during two previous meetings. He and others opposed to accepting the lower bid say it cost the town $20,000. After the meeting, Crane said he will be filing a lawsuit and has a citizen's petition for the next town meeting with over 100 signatures.

Three members of the board — Chair Robert Bishop Jr., John Boyle, and Marc Strout — attended the 10-minute meeting. Members Anthony Pagliarulo and Daniel Esko previously expressed their disapproval of the sale to the Balardinis.

Pagliarulo voted against the sale but did sign the purchase-and-sale agreement earlier this month. His reasoning was the explanation by the town attorney during an executive session that, unlike procurement, where the board is required to accept the lowest bid for services, it does have some discretion when it comes to accepting bids in this instance.

View Full Story