Thompson Park clubhouse opens May 1

Apr. 28—WATERTOWN — When he was about 12 years old, David J. Marconi went golfing at the former Watertown Golf Club with his grandfather and then they usually headed over to the clubhouse for a sandwich and a soda.

All these years later, he's returning to the golf course where he fell in love with the sport. He and his wife, Nicole, are running the clubhouse at Thompson Park Golf Club.

It's bringing back those memories of spending time with his grandfather, Nazareno, who passed away in 2014 at the age of 81.

"I grew up playing there, playing with him," Marconi said. "It was the first year I was a member."

At one point, he played, practiced and did something golf related every day, becoming a scratch golfer. He's currently a two handicapper.

A longtime member of the course, Marconi joined the Thompson Park Golf Course last season — the first year the city took over the entire 18-hole course from developer Michael E. Lundy.

And now he's embarking on a new chapter of his life at the historic golf course, opening up DJ's at the Park this Wednesday.

His family has a direct connection with the clubhouse — his great uncle Angelo ran it for about a half dozen years during the 1980s.

"There's a bloodline," he said. "We have a history to it."

He also got interested in the food industry from his grandfather and great uncle. They owned Judy's Wishing Well restaurant and bar on Route 3 in the town of Watertown.

For some time now, Marconi, who has been a manager and server at several area restaurants, set a goal of opening his own place.

"We're really excited," said Nicole, also a golfer.

DJ's at the Park will be open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily with a staff of 16 employees.

Just a week before the clubhouse opens, he and Nicole are working on the final touches to be ready for the big day.

The clubhouse has gone through some major cosmetic changes inside.

With help from a friend who's an interior decorator, she's still working on "getting the feel" for the place, Nicole said.

Lunches include appetizers, subs and sandwiches, burgers and hotdogs. The dinner menu will offer entrées such as spaghetti and homemade meatballs, cheese broccoli Alfredo, chicken parm, Buffalo mac n' cheese and sirloin and rib eye steaks. Deserts from Chrissy Beans Bakery will be featured.

In what is believed to be a first for the historic golf course and clubhouse, DJ's will serve a complete breakfast menu of eggs, omelets, pancakes and french toast.

They hope to not only draw golfers into the clubhouse but folks visiting Thompson Park and from the surrounding neighborhoods on the city's south side.

In January, Marconi's proposal was the only one the city received when bids opened. He's paying the city $6 to lease the clubhouse this season.

Spokes, the former Public Square bar, did not return for a second year as the operator of the clubhouse.

But council members believe he'll be successful. He's a golfer who knows what golfers want after a day on the links, they said.