What does it take to save a golf course and keep it true to itself?
In this episode of The Bag Drop: Untold Stories in Golf, host Matt Considine and cohost Dr. Kevin Moore (a.k.a. “The Professor”) sit down with Josh Beer, president and chairman of Hooper Golf Course, to explore how one beloved nine-hole course in Walpole, New Hampshire was nearly lost, then preserved through community passion, stewardship, and a clear sense of purpose.
Josh shares Hooper’s remarkable story, from its roots as a town course on donated land to the years of uncertainty that nearly saw it disappear. The conversation moves through the role of volunteers, conservation easements, thoughtful restoration, and why the best courses know exactly what they are and who they serve.
The conversation dives into:
⛳ How Hooper was saved after years of financial pressure, uncertainty, and a grassroots “Save Hooper” movement
🌲 Why stewardship, conservation, and restraint have shaped Hooper’s future both on and off the course
🏌️ What makes nine-hole golf so soulful, memorable, and perfectly suited to community
🏡 How Hooper balances public access, local identity, history, and hospitality in a modern golf world
🍻 Why a trip to Hooper is about more than nine holes, from the Watkins Inn & Tavern to the broader golf around Walpole, Vermont, and western New England
Connect with our guests
⛳ Hooper Golf Course — https://www.hoopergolfcourse.com/ — 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hoopergolfcourse/ | 👍 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HooperGolfCourse
📚 Josh Beer — 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jlbeer8/ | 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshua-beer-618b8779/
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🎙️ Matt Considine — 🐦 X/Twitter: https://x.com/consequential85 | 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/consequence18/ | 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-considine-103bb21/
📚 Dr. Kevin Moore ("The Professor") — 🐦 X/Twitter: https://x.com/kevcmoore | 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kevcmoore | 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-moore-177b30b3/
What is The Bag Drop?
The Bag Drop features weekly stories from the culture, community, and characters shaping golf today. Produced by NewClub Golf Society, each episode blends authenticity and expert insights for passionate golfers at all levels. Special guests from clubs, courses, and every corner of the changing landscape join us for thoughtful, in-depth discussions on all things golf.
What is NewClub?
Founded in 2017, NewClub is the premier private golf society in the United States. It blends the community and access of a private club with the variety and affordability of public golf. Members enjoy thousands of reserved tee times, competitions and events at exceptional partner courses across our local chapters, as well as signature trips and exclusive perks. NewClub is revolutionizing golf membership, making the game more meaningful for those who love it.
