Center Harbor, NH: A landmark 18-hole golf course located on Waukewan Road in Center Harbor, NH has recently been sold according to the buyer’s real estate broker, Tom Drouin at Roche Realty Group, Inc. in Meredith, NH.
Waukewan Golf Club, featuring a 5,828 yard par 72 course, is located on 271 acres in the very heart of the Lakes Region surrounded by several majestic mountain ranges and bordering a picturesque wildlife sanctuary. The property includes a main house with office space, living accommodations, and an attached Pro Shop, restaurant and snack bar with seating for 120. In addition, there is an elegant Post & Beam function barn with a huge fieldstone fireplace, large dance floor, seating capacity and bar for 200 people and a huge maintenance barn housing equipment and supplies. The course rating is 67.4, has a slope of 117, and features a 20 tee driving range, practice putting green and practice sand trap.
The Hale family is passing the Waukewan Golf Club to the family of Tim and Jill Noe, of Alton NH. Many generations of the Noe family have enjoyed vacationing and establishing their primary residence in the Lakes Region for over 60 years. Tim and Jill are excited with the prospect of owning and operating the Waukewan Golf Club for many years to come. In speaking with Mr. Noe about his past experiences at the Golf Club, he stated, “having played the course occasionally since my youth, my fondest golf memories I have are those of enjoying an early Saturday morning round at Waukewan with my grandfather, dad, uncles and close neighbors as a young kid. At a young age, golfing at a course like Waukewan was impressive. I am reminded of those memories every time I stand on that first tee looking out to the Sandwich Mountain Range. Those bonds and good times just stay with you for life.” Tim and Jill have three children, Sarah, Daniel and Samantha, and two grandchildren, Allie and Noah. Jill’s dad was the past president of the Whitinsville Golf Club, a private 9-hole course in Whitinsville, MA, once rated as one of the top five 9-hole courses in the US.
When asked about any changes that may come about with the new ownership, Mr. Noe replied “we are looking to maintain the current managers and staffing as last year, so members and guests will see familiar faces as the new season commences along with a few new ones. As soon as we can get the sun working the snow on the fairways and greens, we will be performing an assessment of the course conditions, and developing a set of priorities with general manager, Craig Hale. The result will be short and long term goals for course maintenance, improvements, and growth” Mr. Noe further states that “in addition to the golf course improvements, we hope to expand use of the post and beam function barn, create a more extensive menu offering, and create more opportunity for winter recreation at the facility.” Tim and Jill commented that, “our family is honored to continue the family tradition that Waukewan Golf Club carries. We know this golf course has been enjoyed by thousands of Lakes Region residents and tourists for many years and our intentions are to build upon those experiences and hopefully continue the legacy the Hale’s have created during their ownership of the golf course. We are excited to add to the history of this property”.
Speaking to the history of the property, Tom Drouin, the buyer’s agent from Roche Realty Group, in Meredith, indicated that before this property was purchased by the Hale’s in 1948, it had been owned by the Dane family and operated as a gentleman’s farm raising Clydesdales and Belgian horses. Dr. Melvyn Hale took possession of the farm in 1948 and changed the look of the farm buildings by changing their painted color from white to red, and naming the property “Almagra Farm”. Almagra, translated from one of the local Indian languages, means “red”. After some renovations to the houses, Dr. Hale moved his veterinary practice and family from Wolfeboro, NH to Almagra Farm. Almagra was a true working farm; the Hale’s grew their own vegetables, hayed the fields and raised various types of animals including pigeons, chickens, hogs, horses, sheep and cattle. The farm also included a dog kennel with one long term boarder of 5 years. Around 1955, Dr. Hale purchased a bulldozer and tractor and began to rough out a nine-hole golf course. He spent three years clearing wooded land, moving rocks, shaping trees, fairways and greens. In 1958 nine golf holes opened to the public. In 1963 Dr. Hale closed his veterinary practice and turned his full attention to the course. “Waukewan” was chosen as the name because Dr. Hale felt people were familiar with that name due to the nearby lake. In the late 60’s, Dexter and Allan, Dr. Hale’s sons, joined their father and together completed the next nine holes. This finished the transformation of Almagra Farms to Waukewan Golf Club.
According to Tom Drouin “Roche Realty Group has been a leader in the sale of commercial and development properties throughout the Lakes Region.” You can review a copy of their “Significant Sales Report on the front page of www.s21794.p694.sites.pressdns.com”.
