Finally.... A course I can call home...

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By Speedy

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  • 17 Replies
  1. Speedy

    Speedy
    East Coast, NH

    I've been living in NH all my life and never really been a member at a course, a course i can call home.  Over the last 5+ years I've been playing a lot at this one course, Portsmouth Country Club.  There are other clubs around but IMO, it's one of the nicest courses in NH that's not private.   A few TT members have played this course, Chris Hatem (the younger and better looking one) pretty much grew up on this course and worked there and Josh G. aka hotsauce played there for the first time last year and wrote a great post  on here about the course... (can't find the link).   

    Only way to become a member, is a member has to nominate you..  From there you go on the waiting list.. They only keep a 150 on that list..  You climb the ranks when members drop out..  It could take a year to 5+ years to finally get a membership but it's worth the wait...    I was offered twice but declined...  Timing wasn't right, didn't have the money and I was on my way to having my first child..  

    I decided 2 years ago i wanted to join.  Life is good and it was time.  My buddy, the member who offered it twice to me was going to give it to someone else next time around.  He already made the promise.   For him to get another chance could be years.  Pretty much every member gets an opportunity to do this once.  My "home course" would have to wait... 

    Last November I came across a member who didn't have anyone in mind.  Chatted with him for a while and the rest is history..  I handed in my waiting list application a few days ago and had the biggest smile on my face..   It might be a few years before I become an official member but now i'm one step closer to finally calling Portsmouth Country Club my home course. 

    I will never be able to thank that member enough..  Truly blessed to have met him.   

    Does anyone have a home course that they're in love with?  Or a "realistic" one they would like to join someday?

    And you better believe i'll be hosting a TT event here!

    A few pics:

    My pamphlet for getting on the waiting list.  List all the perks:

    The course (took pic from Chris Hatem, thanks)

    14th hole, Par 5

    Josh G. aka hotsauce ripping one down the middle.  11th hole, LONG par 4..

  2. Bomber3

    Bomber3
    Lake St Louis, MO

    Military

    Chris,

    Best of luck  and hopefully your wait is extremely short so you can enjoy the course this summer!!

    Barry

  3. ToddL

    ToddL
    Attleboro, MA

    Congrats!  I'm sure you will enjoy it - looks like a great course! 

    Josh - nice ICON's...

  4. Todd T

    Todd T
    San Diego, CA

    Military

    Congrats and play well.

  5. Tyler H

    Tyler H
    Appleton, WI

    Congratulation Chris. Looks like a fantastic course. A Team Titleist event there may be reason enough for me to visit New Hampshire. Good luck with the process and keep us in the loop.


    Tyler

  6. Cathy E

    Cathy E
    Two Harbors, MN

    Neat story!  I feel very blessed to have a municipal course in our community in Northern Minnesota...while we don't have a membership application process, I do feel like those of us who play there and buy season passes are family.  Our course has struggled financially for many years (as so many do!)  and last year there were several operational challenges.  And the discussion for the past few years at the City level was that maybe it would be better to just close it rather than keep losing money...so last fall I reached out to some smart and passionate golf friends and we formed a non-profit corporation and made a proposal to manage the golf course in the hopes we could improve the financial condition and keep the course open in our Community.  We are all volunteers and all revenues will go back into the course operations.  The past few months have been a roller coaster but with an opening date in the next few weeks, there's no turning back now!!  It is our mutual love for golf, and what it can bring to a community and those who come and visit our city, that brought us together and it's my deepest hope that we can keep our course open for years to come.  All Good Luck wishes appreciated!  Cathy

  7. SGB

    SGB
    Leesburg, FL

    Hi Cathy,

    WOW! What a huge heart and love of the game that you and your friends have! If ever in the area, I will be sure to stop in/play here!

    Best of luck!

    SGB

  8. Speedy

    Speedy
    East Coast, NH

    What a great story Cathy and I do wish you and your loyal friends all the best with the course..  From that picture you showed, it sure does look beautiful.   Please share some opening day pictures and keep us posted through-out the year..  Maybe host a TT event? :) 

    Good luck! 

    Cheers

  9. Cath D.

    Cath D.
    Carlsbad, CA

    Cathy E said:

    Neat story!  I feel very blessed to have a municipal course in our community in Northern Minnesota...while we don't have a membership application process, I do feel like those of us who play there and buy season passes are family.  Our course has struggled financially for many years (as so many do!)  and last year there were several operational challenges.  And the discussion for the past few years at the City level was that maybe it would be better to just close it rather than keep losing money...so last fall I reached out to some smart and passionate golf friends and we formed a non-profit corporation and made a proposal to manage the golf course in the hopes we could improve the financial condition and keep the course open in our Community.  We are all volunteers and all revenues will go back into the course operations.  The past few months have been a roller coaster but with an opening date in the next few weeks, there's no turning back now!!  It is our mutual love for golf, and what it can bring to a community and those who come and visit our city, that brought us together and it's my deepest hope that we can keep our course open for years to come.  All Good Luck wishes appreciated!  Cathy


     
    Wow - that is a lot of hard work and sweat equity going into that course - BEST OF LUCK!!  with the Masters around the corner and some better weather, hopefully things improve and everything works out for you!!
  10. Hotsauce

    Hotsauce
    Georgetown MA

    I just love PCC.  I've been fortunate enough to play some really famous courses and PCC is right up there with all of them.  It's definitely in my top 5 for layout and scenery.  When you get in, be sure to keep me in mind for those member guests!  I'll wear my Icons for Todd.

  11. andy r

    andy r
    Cheshire, CT

    That is awesome Chris. It looks like a great course. They would be lucky to have you as a member, hopefully it will be a short wait.

  12. steve b

    steve b
    lafontaine, IN

    Christopher H, WOW!!! What a nice looking club. You are one lucky man. Thanks for the pics.                                                                                                                                          steve b

  13. Allen L

    Allen L
    Clarington, OH

    Chris, hope the wait time is short.  That's a beautiful course and I'll bet you will really enjoy being a member.  Most clubs are crying for new members and you found one that has a waiting list, it must be something special.  Yeah, a TT event at your club will have me on a road trip back to New England.

    I have been a member at several clubs and I'm currently looking at two in Ohio for this summer.  Neither are close to my home, one I have played the other I haven't.  I'll be leaving Alabama at the end of April after playing in Mobile for three months and will choose one of the two as my Ohio summer home course.

    Hope you enjoy the club once they let you through the door.

  14. Blake B

    Blake B
    Harbor Springs, MI

    That would be a great place to call home, course looks like a beaut!

  15. Chris Hatem

    Chris Hatem
    Boston

    Awesome Chris! Proud of ya! Younger and better looking? Haha nooooo. PCC is a very special course, to me and to many in the seacoast area. I learned pretty much all I know about golf etiquette and golf course maintenance at PCC. If its the first time you've played it, I'd suggest bringing a camera to the 12th green (the signature hole).
  16. NCBob

    NCBob
    Hampstead, NC

    Good for you Chris.  I remember playing Portsmouth CC in the early 70's.  If I remember it was a qualifying site for the NH Am.  I was stationed in Portsmouth at the old Disciplinary Command.  Also a UNH grad.

  17. SGB

    SGB
    Leesburg, FL

    Hi Chris,

    We have been fortunate to have played at your course several times and it is truly scenic and challenging, especially when the winds are whipping around! I actually played the same day that the Air Snow was at Pease Air Force Base and to see vintage planes flying overhead while trying to concentrate sinking that putt, was a tough thing to accomplish! 

    Enjoy, take in that beautiful scenery and enjoy a cold Shipyard (or two)! 

  18. george t

    george t
    Old Lyme, CT

    That's great news Chris!  I haven't haunted the NH seashores for over 30 years (where did that time go?), but I have fond memories of the area.  Beautiful looking course and when you have a chance to host a TT outing, you know I'll be there!

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