Concord, New Hampshire is known for both its outdoor recreation and history. After watching a community in New Hampshire lose its municipal golf course, officials are now fighting to increase resources for the Granite State’s oldest and most historic golf course, Beaver Meadow.
Willie Campbell was a Scottish golfer who had eight times placed in the Top 10 of the Open Championship. He did the work for only $50.
The club used to be private. However, members formed their own club across the Merrimack river. Willie Cornish was the prolific designer who designed 240 layouts across the U.S. Canada and Europe. The second nine of the course was designed by Willie Cornish in 1968. Cornish is best known for his work on the Pines Course of The International Golf Club in Bolton Massachusetts, Center Valley (Pennsylvania Club) and the New Course Ashburn Golf Club Halifax Nova Scotia.
Cornish wrote many books on course design, but “The Architects of Golf”, a reference book that was regarded by many as a landmark work, is one of the most notable. Cornish lectured on golf course design all over the world.
The course is a mainstay on the New England golf scene. It hosted an LPGA Futures/Symetra tournament from 2005 to 2013, as well as the 2017 New Hampshire Golf Association Stroke Play Championship.
Erle Pierce, a council member, told the Concord Monitor that a “vocal majority” is opposing the construction of a new clubhouse at the historic site.
The move is praised by those who believe it will keep the course in business in the future. Concord officials have been proactive in maintaining the course that has made a modest profit over the past few years. However, the case study of a city an hour north may be a cautionary story.
Kim and Mark Koprowski bought the 18-hole Bethlehem course in 2020 when the town was under financial pressure. Last summer, the couple announced that Bethlehem’s 18-hole course would be permanently closed and real estate investment offers could be considered.
When the sale was made, there were only three municipally-owned courses in the State. There are now two.
There’s currently no talk about selling the Concord golf course, but the new council that will be elected in January could bring this topic up.
More on the Concord Monitor story
Keith Nyhan, Ward 7 councilor, said that anyone who criticizes the construction of the Golf House is naive about the numbers involved and the importance of the building to the community. He made this statement before the city election on November 7. The golf course, and the clubhouse that is part of it, is an asset of the city. Any asset you do not invest in and maintain will depreciate. This reduces the value.
The city has been asked to postpone the vote because six new council members will be taking office in the next month. A delay in the vote could jeopardize the bond, as at least five of the new council members have expressed reservations.
Only three council members oppose spending because they believe it is not the right moment for the city.
The vote on the taxpayer-funded bond has been scheduled for Monday. However, a few residents may change this schedule if they object.
In public correspondence sent to councilors before Monday’s vote, 19 letters asked for the vote to be delayed or rejected on a new Clubhouse. Four letters were in support. A Hooksett resident wrote a letter of support.
A petition online asking for the delay of voting received over 500 signatures.
Pierce asked: “If you want to argue that Beaver Meadow is only for a few people, how about our libraries, swimming pools, hiking trails, Keach Park and skating rink?” I would assume that very few people use these facilities as well. Would you support the City in defunding these City recreational properties as well?
