Montcalm Golf Club Plans Residential Development
ENFIELD — Montcalm Golf Club intends to sell the development rights for over 100 acres of its land in Enfield, aiming to establish a private housing community.
The proposal involves developing 110 acres adjacent to the golf course’s driveway, according to owner Kristen Brenner in recent emails. “I envision a charming village of 100 cabin-style homes,” Brenner stated, inviting developers to collaborate on a vision for a neighborhood that the community can take pride in.
Montcalm Golf Club, an 18-hole semi-public facility located off Smith Pond Road, is operated by Enfield Land Co. The club holds four parcels encompassing around 378 acres near Smith Pond Road and Interstate 89. Brenner and her late husband, Chuck Currier, acquired the property in 2019.
Brenner clarified that the sale pertains solely to residential development rights and excludes the golf club and its operations. She emphasized that the anticipated residential area would be shielded from view from “the clubhouse, driveway, or golf course” through formal covenants.
While there is no fixed sale price, Brenner expressed the desire for a developer to partner with them to finalize a vision based on construction costs. The decision to sell arises partly from financial considerations, as club spokesperson Kimberly Lohman Clapp noted that membership fees do not sufficiently cover operational expenses. The club currently boasts over 150 members.
In recent years, the Brenner-Currier duo heavily invested in enhancing the club, adding a driving range, a new putting green, and other amenities. With no debt on the property, Brenner is looking to increase Montcalm’s value and aims to make it fully private. “If we had 150 more members, we could go private today,” she remarked.
The proposed housing development would contribute to the upkeep of the golf club, creating a model similar to other clubs where property owners are also members. Feedback on the development plans from members has been largely positive, though some express concerns about the club’s future identity.
