Jay Lucas
Sunshine Report
This week we are delighted to highlight a Newport, N.H., area resident, Don Hague and a fellow group of golf enthusiasts who decided to take action, and as a result have made a terrifically positive impact on the Newport community! And, in so doing, contributed to the exciting revitalization of Newport and the efforts of the Sunshine Initiative!
Back in the summer of 2022, the golf industry across the United States was in its third year of banner results as people seeking relief from the isolation imposed by COVID’s social restrictions flocked to golf courses for a safe social activity. Yet things were unsettled at the Newport Golf Club. After three years of absentee ownership by a Kentucky bank, members were disgruntled as the course was not being properly maintained and equipment not replaced as it aged and went unrepaired. Clearly, the course was ripe for a real estate development flip which would bring to an end a 100 year tradition of community golf in the tightly knit community of Newport NH.
Meanwhile, that summer, Newport area resident, Don Hague and the fellow members of his regular foursome would gather each Saturday at 7am to enjoy a round of golf as the greens and fairways were misted with early morning dew. ‘What if we could talk the bank into selling at a reasonable price’ became a common theme. The bank was approached and yet remained unmoved in their unrealistic demands. But over the course of the summer the group made it clear to the bank that they were serious, sufficiently funded, and ready to act. By summer’s end the bank rethought its position, decided to accept the local group’s offer and the deal is closed in November with a group of investors that had grown from the original four to a greatly expanded group of thirteen. The Sugar River Golf Club Investor group took action and funded the purchase as well as providing additional capital to bring the course up to par after years of neglect.
Reaction from the community could not have been more enthusiastic. Don became the face of the new team at the golf course, and in the first five months, before golfing operations had hardly commenced, membership enrollment more than doubled. Play from the public was up over 30 percent year over year, and the community got deeply involved in activities at the Club more than ever. The Clubhouse was renovated, the opening of the Hole-In-One Diner for breakfast and lunch was a shot in the arm to a community that lost its beloved breakfast restaurant, The Country Kitchen, more than three years earlier. The Bag Mutha Chukers moved to the Sunrise Pavilion at the club to host Corn Hole matches each Wednesday night, and the Club sold out its inaugural Spring Gala much to the delight of the attendees.
Don’s always looking for ways to promote the Club so back in May they sponsored the Newport Area Chamber of Commerce’s ‘Business after Hours’ event. Chamber members were encouraged to bring a co-worker and mingle with other area professionals. And this past June, Don was one of the keynote speakers at the Sunshine Week Newport event that was held at The Old Courthouse. He told the story of how they acquired the Golf Club and also shared about some of the exciting tournaments and events they will be hosting over the summer and fall. He noted that while many of golfers on the course are from the local area, there are quite a few who come from all across the state and even from neighboring states.
A lot of action remains to be taken. Running a golf course is always a challenge and this years’ floods have presented unique challenges to the Club’s Superintendent and green’s crew as the Sugar River has overflowed its banks three times so far this year. But the club has managed to stay open more than 99 percent of the time, improve golf conditions, upgrade the fleet of golf carts, bring on a Golf Pro, add instruction and clinics, add solar panels to the Sunrise Pavilion, and undertake a myriad other projects to make “The Gem of the Sugar River Valley” a fun place to be. You’ll find all the information you need at https://newportgolfclub-nh.com/
Huge thanks and congratulations to Don, and the entire team of investors and enthusiasts who have helped preserve the Newport Golf Course and provide the enjoyment and comradery of the golfing experience for our wonderful community.
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