From the Pro - Winter 2024
No shortage of water this season at the The Nip, with precipitation on 46 of the 61 days in June and July for a total of over 21 inches of rain. With that comes a chance of many diseases that must be prevented with certain fungicides, damage to the course by equipment and golf carts, plus keeping up with the grass growing at a much faster pace. But of course, our SUPERSTAR Maintenance team led by Steve and Scott Rowell, kept the course in incredible shape by staying on top of everything. Job well done…once again!!
In addition, I was very fortunate to have a strong Golf Team that picked up the department when I was on Injured Reserve through the end of May. They ALL put the Club first and showed a sense of pride, from Outside Service to the Pro Shop staff, everyone worked together to have Nippo firing on all cylinders. It’s no secret that golf was popular again this season, especially when we had nearly 50 days of rain during our peak months and ONLY did about 65 less total rounds than 2022. That’s crazy, so thanks again to my team for stepping up!!
Last, a big thank you to the Members and Guests of Nippo for your continued support. Participation was up in all Member Events and the extremely popular Golf Pro & Superintendent Appreciation Day was particularly special while we celebrated Steve’s 35th season. It was a record-breaking day for how long he had a smile on his face…at work. Please let me know if there’s anything we can do to improve your experience at The Nip!! — Chris Mowers, PGA
From the Pro - Winter 2023
It was another great season at the The Nip, and I’d like to thank our golf team for putting the effort into making it happen!! There were a lot of new faces in the Pro Shop and it takes a lot of time and training (plus patience and breathing exercises) to manage the day to day procedures. We couldn’t have done without their attention to detail and sense of pride in making Nippo Lake a special place. Also, the course was in excellent condition, even during the hot stretch with limited rain and low ponds. Taking a calculated and proactive approach in managing chemical applications, water usage, keeping equipment sharp and operational, is not an easy task - especially when over 33,000 people are in your way while maintaining the course. The Rowell father-son team, plus their dedicated assistants, are the superstars behind the scene and they deserve a big thanks each and every day the golf course is open.
Once again, the tournament participation was strong and a pleasure to execute. Friday Night Scrambles sponsored by local Breweries averaged over 100 players, filling up the entire 18 holes. Thank you to Stoneface Brewing, Northwood Brewing, and 603 Brewing. Our always memorable Club Championship brought in crowds to watch the epic matches unfold. Notable outcomes include Ladies Champ Ann Smith regaining the title, Junior Champs Lucy Gosselin, Wyatt Churchill, and Evan Trepanier winning Back to Back titles in their Flights, plus the Rowell Family Triple Crown. Steve Rowell Jr won his second Men’s Championship, along with his son Pacey winning the Junior Boys Eagle Flight and his Uncle Tom Rowell winning the Men’s VP Flight. Congrats to all that participated and looking forward to another awesome tournament season.
Last but not certainly least, a big thank you to the Members and Guests of Nippo for your continued support. It was another fantastic, yet cold, Golf Pro & Superintendent Appreciation Day that showed us once again, how much you care. Please let me know if there’s anything we can do to improve your experience at The Nip!! -Chris Mowers, PGA
From the Pro - Winter 2019
Well 10 years sure goes by fast!! Doesn’t seem like I’ve been at The Nip for that many consecutive years, but when I look at my 5 year old son and 7 year old daughter, I can certainly believe it. Time does go by fast and take it from me, please enjoy every day to the fullest. Don’t be afraid to take that vacation, visit with your friends and family, or make that tee time even though the forecast isn’t “perfect”.
As I look back at 2018, it was another great one. Although it seemed like we closed extremely early, it was closer to a “normal” year in terms of days open. We always shoot for Tax Day (April 15) through Thanksgiving (3rd Thursday of November) and we opened April 7th and closed November 16th. The fall golf conditions weren’t the best, making it a cold and unpleasant round compared to past New England autumns.
It was another great competitive season at The Nip. Highlights include Elaine Pierce winning her 4th Ladies Club Championship, Russ Parker winning back to back Senior Club Championships, and Aidan Whalen winning a back to back Junior Club Championship. Congrats to all the other winners and thank you for your participation and/or spectating!!
Last, a big thank you to Steve Rowell and his staff for their efforts in keeping the course in the best possible condition. 2018 had its challenges with the heat, which takes a large toll on the greens and must be treated well before any disease sets in. It truly takes a mastermind to be proactive and apply the correct chemicals onto the greens to keep them healthy throughout the crazy New England climate. It’s an underrated job that when anyone notices an issue, then it’s most likely too late. As always, a big thank you to the Members and Guests for all your support and we appreciate YOU!!! Think Spring and see at The Nip… -Chris Mowers, PGA
From the Pro - March 2017
Whewwww!! That’s all I have to say about the last 2 years, which felt like one extremely long season. We started in the middle of April, 2015 and ended in December, 2016 with only a 10 week offseason in January and February. In addition, we experienced a severe draught which took its toll on the fairways, although they were reseeded last fall and should be close to fully recovered this summer. Thanks to Steve and his crew for keeping the greens and tees in the best possible shape throughout the challenging conditions.
It was another great year in tournament play, including Kevin Bedell’s breakout year. It started with his Nippo Lake Cup victory over Mike Chick Sr., then he became the 2016 Men’s Club Champion, and ended as the Nippo Lake Fourball Champion with teammate Nate Reed. Kevin also had a hole in one during the season, why not? Other highlights include Elaine Kuketz-Pierce winning back to back Ladies’ Club Championships (3 in the past 5 years) and Irene Schultz accomplishing the Ladies’ Senior Club Championship three-peat (also 3 in the past 5 years).
Last summer was the first year that Nippo Lake participated in the PGA Junior League. It was a coed team of Juniors ages 7-13 that competed with other NH clubs in 2-person matches, while wearing team jerseys with numbers. Nippo Lake came in 2nd place and we sent two All Stars to the Post Season. Congratulations Aidan Whalen and Samuel Dupuis for representing our league in the Sub-Regional Championship match at Hanover CC. In addition to the PGA Junior League, there will many options available for junior instruction this summer, including the Littlest Golf Junior Camp for ages 4-6, so check out the website for details or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
Finally, I want to thank the members and guests for their loyalty to Nippo Lake. Last year’s weather caused uncharacteristically poor playing conditions and you all accepted them very gracefully. Although it was nice to have the ball roll a great distance, it wasn’t ideal to hit the next shot off the hardpan (that’s the golf term for dirt). In addition, thank you ALL for coming out to support the entire Golf Team during the Golf Pro & Superintendent Appreciation Day. We had a record 108 players!! Think Spring and see you at The Nip…
Chris Mowers, PGA
From the Pro - June 5, 2016
Hello Everyone. The weather was unfortunate today and we are very disappointed that we had to cancel our Annual Take A Child to the Course event. But rest assured that there are plenty of opportunities for your Juniors to participate in during the next couple months. Here are the highlights for Juniors this summer at Nippo Lake:
-Sunday, June 19th: Celebrate Father’s Day at Nippo and kids 17 and under golf FREE with dad (cart not included). BBQ, gift bags and specialty holes for Juniors
-ENTIRE MONTH OF JULY: Family Golf Month kids 17 and under golf FREE ALL MONTH LONG with a Member or Paid Adult (cart not included)
-Wednesday Junior League: Begins July 6th at 1pm and runs 6 consecutive Wednesdays. Get all the information & forms here NEW THIS YEAR: There will be a 30 minute clinic beginning at 12:30 for anyone interested (discounted price and more info to come).
-Sunday, July 31st & Saturday, August 6th: Junior Club Championship and is open to any Junior Member and/or Nippo Junior League participant
-SUNDAY FUNDAY: Every Sunday after 3pm you’ll find super twilight special rates, music on the golf course and a $6.00 limited menu in the restaurant.
Please email me with any questions and hope to see you and the family soon at The Nip!!
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