STERLING — Big things are happening at Meadowbrook Orchards, which recently underwent a renovation as well as a new addition: Disc Golf 978.
Fifth-generation farmer David Chandler runs the family business along with his mother, Kathy Chandler. He said that while the success of the 18-hole disc golf course they installed in the fall of 2021 has been “unexpected,” there is no denying it has become a big draw.
“We came out strong,” David said, noting that it was a former employee who convinced them to add the Meadowbrook Orchards Disc Golf (facebook.com/MBODiscGolf) course. “There’s money in it, there’s value. We’re just trying to provide the best experience we can.”
The course length is just over 7,000 feet and spans 55 acres of the 100-acre orchards that straddle both sides of Chace Hill Road. Disc Golf 978 owners Scott and Melissa Radford recently moved their pro shop from Fitchburg to Meadowbrook, a win-win collaboration for both businesses.
“What an honor, to be ranked 63rd in the world after just a couple years,” Meadowbrook posted on social media at the end of February. “With Disc Golf 978 relocating to this course, it can only make it stronger. Thank you to everyone who has pitched in along the way.”
Meadowbrook closed for a couple of weeks in February to renovate and make room for Disc Golf 978 (facebook.com/discgolf978). Since reopening Feb. 28, customers have been enjoying the new look, which includes refinished floors, a modified dining area, a new menu, and the disc golf pro shop.
A partition separates the restaurant and pro shop, and on a recent weekday afternoon many people were there enjoying food and milling around the space. Meadowbrook still offers a plethora of prepared meals, soups, pies, and more in the freezer, as well as specialty items such as jams and jellies, maple syrup and honey, and trinkets and gifts.
A full breakfast menu available on weekdays and weekends features egg dishes, baked goods and pancakes, and the new lunch menu offers a variety of sandwiches, homemade soups, and kids meals. Additions to the lunch menu include hand-cut fries and more sandwiches.
Fresh produce grown on the farm is used in their offerings, and their famous cider doughnuts remain popular. Fresh coffee is always brewing, and they have daily specials. The well-attended Thursday night barbecues that run June through October often include local musicians.
David said the disc golf course has been a perfect addition to the “welcoming vibe” they provide to customers and now players. He has been known to shovel off tee pads in the winter, as the players will go out in all kinds of weather.
Longtime Meadowbrook staff member Maureen Cranson remarked that they had 120-plus players on the course on a rainy Saturday in February.
“I think they were former postal workers,” she quipped of the diehards who went out.
Social media has helped spread the word about the disc golf course — they had 11,000 people score their rounds just last year.
“The community is (relatively) small, but it’s a good community,” David said of the disc golfers, adding that they have had players from 48 states and eight countries, including folk from Singapore and a couple from Australia visiting their son, who lives locally.
“We already had a customer base, but now we are adding new customers,” he said.
The Radfords, who worked with David and local disc golf pro and course designer Bob Kulchuk to give their input on the course design, are thrilled to have a new home base at Meadowbrook. Their pro shop is well-stocked, including discs of all sizes and colors, bags, carts, clothing, accessories, and starter kits.
“A little over three years ago when we first approached Dave Chandler about a temp course, we fell in love with the property,” Melissa Radford said. “Since then, Dave, Scott and I have grown to become good friends, and we have a mutual respect for each other and our businesses. Moving our store to Meadowbrook Orchards just seemed to make sense, not only for us but for the course.”
“There have been some growing pains, and I think there are whenever you move a store, but we are loving it here. The Chandlers and staff have been great and very welcoming of the change. The view is amazing, always delicious food to eat, lots of laughs and hugs. It’s like going to work with your family.”
The course itself features a balanced mix of water, woods, and wide-open holes. David started playing disc golf after they built the course, and said one of his favorite things about it is “getting out and enjoying nature.”
“I’m always looking for things to fix, but I enjoy it,” he said with a chuckle. “Looking out at the beautiful scenery and the trees, and then you make your way through the woods and come up on the hill by hole 14, it’s almost a 180-degree view. That’s when people are like, ‘Wow’.”
Meadowbrook Orchards is open 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday with extended hours on Thursdays for the barbecues that start at 6 p.m. For more information, call 978-365-7627, visit meadowbrookorchards.com, and follow Meadowbrook Orchards on Facebook (facebook.com/MeadowbrookOrchards) and Instagram (instagram.com/meadowbrookorchards).
