Gregg Young gets naming rights to new Westwood Clubhouse patio and pavilion

Gregg Young Auto Center, a Newton car dealership, was given naming rights to the proposed patio and pavilion at the new clubhouse at Westwood Golf Course.

The Newton City Council on June 19 approved a resolution giving naming rights to Gregg Young Auto in exchange for a larger donation. The car dealership paid $65,000 for the naming rights fee, collected in three payments. The facility will now be called the Gregg Young Auto Pavilion and Patio when it is constructed.

According to city documents, the pavilion is the new open-air shelter to be constructed as part of the Westwood Clubhouse Improvements Project, and it is to be located immediately west of the new clubhouse. Gregg Young Auto and the city will work together on the design and specifications of the pavilion.

The patio includes the outdoor seating and gathering space, which is going to be located immediately south of the new clubhouse overlooking Holes 1 and 9, along with a large area of the rest of the course. Again, Gregg Young Auto and the city will work together on the design and specifications of the patio.

Other rights were included in the agreement with the City of Newton and Gregg Young Auto. The car dealership has the right to promote its sponsorship of the venue at their cost. The city will include the venue name on all publications, advertisements, promotions, etc. when relating to the venue or its events.

Also included in the agreement is a provision that allows Gregg Young Auto to schedule two events each calendar year at the pavilion and patio at no cost or rate. The scheduled requests must be submitted to the city prior to Dec. 15 for any events occurring the next calendar year.

However, the free use of the venue excludes the golf course and the clubhouse, both of which will be subject to normal fees if needed.

The city agrees to maintain the sign for the Gregg Young Auto Pavilion and Patio, but it will be up to the business to pay for the costs to replace the sign. Gregg Young Auto also reserves the right to change the name in the future, provided the city approves it and gives written consent. The business would cover the costs.

When the naming rights were first considered for approval in May, city council members largely rejected it, saying they wanted additional information. Council member Evelyn George wanted to see the level of contribution the business gave, along with a full donation plan that explained clear donor tiers.

Council members were thankful of Gregg Young’s donation, but they wanted to make sure the opportunity was open to others. The resolution failed in a 2-4 vote at the May 1 council meeting, but it allowed staff to revisit the matter later with Gregg Young and propose an updated agreement.

City documents say only one business has approached the city for naming rights.

At the June 19 meeting, council passed the new resolution unanimously.

Gregg Young Auto Center is sponsoring this year’s Newton Cares Classic alongside High Noon Sun Sips. The charity golf tournament takes place July 20 and features celebrity guests golfing at Westwood, like former NFL wide receiver and Hawkeye Tim Dwight, who is making his fourth appearance.