Owl’s Nest Vineyard Course is an 18-hole championship golf course that was formerly known as White Mountain Country Club. It sits along the scenic Pemigewassett River and was originally designed in the 1970s by noted architect Geoffery Cornish (and Bill Robinson), offering a traditional layout with wide fairways, strategic bunkering, and bent grass surfaces that appeal to a broad range of golfers. The course plays to a par of 71 over approximately 6,400–6,500 yards from the longest tees, with a slope and rating that make it both engaging and enjoyable for casual players and more experienced golfers alike.
In recent years, the course has undergone a major renovation project under new ownership by the Owl’s Nest Resort group. This redesign — led by Robert McNeil of The Northeast Golf Company — includes new tee boxes, bunker work, expanded tees, re-routing a couple of holes, improved irrigation, and refreshed cart paths, all aimed at elevating the Vineyard Course as a premier golf destination in New Hampshire.
Beyond golf, the property also stands out for its unique vineyard component: more than 6,400 grape vines of multiple varietals were planted on about seven acres of the course grounds. This makes it among the largest vineyards in New Hampshire, with plans to produce white, red, and sparkling wines and eventually open a tasting room and restaurant for guests.
The course’s location near I-93 makes it accessible (about two hours from Boston), and there are stay-and-play condos nearby, as well as dining and social amenities associated with the Owl’s Nest Resort. This combination of golf, scenery, and future vineyard/wine experiences gives the Vineyard Course a distinctive character among New England golf destinations
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| TEE | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | OUT | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | IN | TOT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| YDS | 340 | 340 | 392 | 189 | 565 | 377 | 185 | 520 | 374 | 3282 | 177 | 163 | 376 | 395 | 362 | 324 | 370 | 441 | 387 | 2995 | 6277 |
| PAR | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 36 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 34 | 70 |
| HCP | 15 | 7 | 9 | 11 | 1 | 17 | 13 | 5 | 3 | 14 | 18 | 6 | 10 | 12 | 16 | 8 | 2 | 4 |
Originally opened in 1976 as White Mountain Country Club, the 18-hole layout was penned by celebrated New England architect Geoffrey Cornish with Bill Robinson. Designed to follow the Pemigewassett River, the course quickly earned a reputation for walkable routing, generous fairways and classic Cornish shot values.
During the 1970s and into the following years, the course welcomed small private aircraft, allowing pilots to quite literally fly in, park near the clubhouse, and step directly onto the fairways. This unique amenity reflected the era’s adventurous spirit and positioned the club as a true destination experience long before “experiential golf” became a buzzword.
In July 2022 Owl’s Nest Resort completed its purchase of the property, beginning a plan to integrate the course into the Owl’s Nest family and rebrand it as the Owl’s Nest Vineyard Course. The acquisition set the stage for big changes — thinking beyond golf to create a multi-day resort + golf + vineyard destination.
Owl’s Nest brought in Robert McNeil and The Northeast Golf Company to lead a comprehensive renovation and redesign. Projects announced and underway included new tees and re-routing of select holes, extensive tree management, major bunker work (dozens of new bunkers), upgraded irrigation and cart paths, clubhouse and pro-shop overhauls, and new function/restaurant space adjacent to the course. The effort was framed as a multi-million-dollar overhaul to elevate the property as part of a two-course Owl’s Nest golf destination.
In a defining twist, the property planted a working vineyard in 2023 — over 6,400 grape vines across roughly ten acres of meadow on the course — positioning the facility as one of the region’s largest vineyard-golf hybrids and opening the door to tasting rooms, wine events and a stronger F&B program tied to the course experience. At the same time the on-site stay-and-play condos were renovated to support multi-day golf + wine visits.
Work continued into 2025 with the clubhouse/pro shop refresh, new dining concepts (including Pemi Burger Bar adjacency), membership offerings, renovated rental condoes and the public relaunch as the Owl’s Nest Vineyard Course. Described roughly as a $7M program of course + clubhouse improvements tied to the resort’s broader plan to become a premier New England golf and leisure destination.
To elevate the Stay & Play golf experience at the Vineyard Course, four brand-new townhomes have been developed right adjacent to the first tee, providing modern, comfortable lodging within walking distance of world-class golf. These newly updated townhouse-style units are designed specifically with the Stay & Play guest in mind — perfect for golfers, groups, and families who want seamless access to the course and all Ashland has to offer.
Ashland, NH is a quintessential New England town perfectly positioned for both recreation and relaxation. Just off Interstate 93 in the heart of central New Hampshire, Ashland offers easy access from Boston and throughout New England while showcasing the region’s natural beauty with scenic views of rivers, forests, and mountains. As part of the vibrant Lakes & White Mountains region, Ashland blends small-town charm, outdoor adventure, and emerging destination-style amenities that make it ideal for golf vacations, group getaways, and weekend escapes.
At the heart of this experience is the Owl’s Nest Vineyard Course, an 18-hole championship golf course reimagined and renovated to deliver an exceptional golf layout that complements the surrounding New England landscape.
Bailey Nangle is the Head Golf Professional at Owl’s Nest Vineyard Course, bringing more than a decade of dedication, competitive experience, and leadership to the property. A standout student-athlete, Bailey competed in varsity golf at Plymouth Regional High School during the 2015 and 2016 seasons, qualifying for the NHIAA Championships in 2016.
He went on to play five years of varsity men’s golf at Husson University from 2016–2020, where he was a key contributor to four North Atlantic Conference Championship teams (2016, 2017, 2018, and 2020). In 2020, Bailey qualified to compete at the NCAA Division III National Championship, held at Oglebay Resort in Wheeling, West Virginia—an achievement that reflects his high level of competitive play and commitment to the game.
Bailey has been part of the WMCC Company since 2015 and has grown alongside the organization, earning the role of Head Golf Professional in 2020. With over 10 years at the property, he exemplifies Owl’s Nest’s commitment to developing talent from within and fostering strong leadership on and off the course.
As an instructor, Bailey offers golf lessons tailored to players of all skill levels, with a focus on pre-shot routine, course management, short game development, and the fundamentals of the golf swing. His approach blends competitive insight with practical instruction, helping golfers build confidence, consistency, and a deeper understanding of the game.
