Usually when you think about municipal golf courses, certain unflattering images come to mind: ratty fairways, rock strewn bunkers, weed-choked greens and disinterested employees to name just a few. At Beaver Meadow Golf Course in New Hampshire’s capital city of Concord, however, those images are nowhere to be found. The 18-hole municipal course is an anomaly in the “muni” category, with its top-notch conditions and highly professional management. Because of this, it should come as no surprise that it is proudly patronized by Concord’s citizens and visitors alike. In fact, the course is so popular, it hosts more than 30,000 rounds per year.
Beaver Meadow features bentgrass fairways and Pennlinks and Penncross bentgrass putting greens, a full grass tee driving range, a practice green and a full-service restaurant.
The city-owned-and-operated Beaver Meadow is New Hampshire’s oldest golf course, with the first nine holes dating all the way back to 1896. The original nine were laid out by Scotsman Willie Campbell, who also designed, among others, a little golf course down in Brookline, Mass. known as The Country Club. Originally developed by a belt manufacturer as a recreation facility for its employees, the course then passed to an electric utility company, which eventually donated it to the city.
In 1968 the city brought in the dean of New England golf course architects, Geoffrey Cornish, to add another nine holes and Beaver Meadow has been the same 6,400-yard Par-72 layout ever since.
Beaver Meadow is operated as an enterprise business, meaning the golf course is self-funded from its golf operation and not subsidized by tax payers. It is overseen by General Manager Bernard Chase and the pro shop is manned by Ed Deshaies, a Class A PGA professional who has held the position for 28 years. In these cash-strapped times, it is unusual for a municipal golf course to have a Class A pro.
The success of the operation has allowed ongoing improvements, maintenance upgrades and capital projects to move forward. In a nod to the efficient operation of the golf course, all of this is done while keeping prices very affordable for both the season permit holders and the daily fee players. The price for 18 holes is a modest $40, seven days a week, and the twilight rate runs $25 for all-you-can-play after 3 p.m. Carts are just $10.
Not only is Beaver Meadow an excellent public golf course, it is in fact a tournament-worthy facility as well. It has hosted the New Hampshire State Amateur and has been used as a qualifying site for other state competitions many times. But the big claim to fame is the hosting of a women’s professional event; the Duramed FUTURES Tour’s Tournament, The International at Concord. The Duramed FUTURES Tour is the developmental tour of the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) and 2010 will be the sixth consecutive year that the event has been held at Beaver Meadow. The 54-hole stroke play event will be held July 23-25.
The Duramed FUTURES Tour features tomorrow’s stars of women’s professional golf. According to the Tour, more than 500 Futures Tour grads have earned their LPGA playing privileges amassing 353 LPGA Tour victories and 37 major championships. Lorena Ochoa, the current world’s #1 female golfer is a FUTURES tour alumna.
Beaver Meadow and the City of Concord are very proud to host the FUTURES Tour and turn out in force as volunteers to support the event. Normally, golfers don’t like to give up their golf course for a tournament and upset their playing routine, but Beaver Meadow’s regulars are happy to do it and show off the number-one ranked municipal course in New Hampshire according to Golf Digest.
In addition to this yearly event, Beaver Meadow features a few other amenities that keep local citizens and those traveling from outside the region coming back on a regular basis, and not just for the golf. One of the main draws is the course’s banquet facility. Perfect for weddings, corporate events or birthday parties, the facility can hold up to 100 people. Catering is handled by an onsite team and there are several menu items to choose from. The course also boasts a fully stocked bar for guests over the age of 21.
Finally, for those younger players, the course is home to a renowned junior golf program and summer camp. Open to children of all skill levels, the course provides access to teaching professionals who offer high-quality instruction for a very reasonable cost.
For more information on Beaver Meadow Golf Course, its banquet facility or summer camp, call 603-228-8954 or send an email to bmgc@concordnh.gov