By Mike Finney

DOVER — The quaint Maple Dale Golf and Country Club has quite a history of hosting memorable events in the capital city, whether it be a golf tournament, a wedding, meeting or a milestone anniversary.

Now, after being under the ownership of Larry and Betty McAllister over the past decade, it appears as if it will soon be changing hands to U & I Country Club, LLC, which also owns Wild Quail Golf and Country Club in Wyoming.

Ms. McAllister, who serves as president of Maple Dale, announced her intentions to sell the more-than-50-year-old venue in a recent letter to its members.

She cited the death of her husband Larry in August 2022 as one of the deciding factors in selling Maple Dale.

“Over 10 years ago, Larry and I purchased Maple Dale Country Club,” Ms. McAllister wrote. “Our desire was to maintain the legacy of Maple Dale and grow and improve the club for its membership. Over the years, it has been difficult making this work from a financial standpoint, but we have been committed.

“With Larry’s passing, I have come to the conclusion that it is time for someone else to take the reins to keep the club moving ahead.”

Maple Dale was established in 1925 as a three-hole course and expanded to nine holes in the mid-30s, according to its website.

After relocating in 1969, it was enlarged to a full 18 holes and now offers a mature course set amidst a wooded terrain, dotted with various ponds.

Maple Dale, a United States Golf Association championship rated 18-hole course, offers challenging play, having only one recorded score below par in a 36-hole tournament. Its layout is a test of golfers’ course-management skills.

Ms. McAllister noted the memorable times she has had at Maple Dale, but said it is time to move the course forward.

“With that in mind, I have reached an agreement to sell the club to U & I Country Club, LLC,” she wrote to Maple Dale’s members. “Many of you may know this group as the current owners of Wild Quail. We expect the sale to close around the middle of March.

“Usman Sandhu, managing partner of U & I, has indicated that he will continue the Maple Dale club and course operations as they have been for the foreseeable future.

“And certainly, I expect that he will implement some positive changes that will do nothing but enhance the club and your memberships. We expect this transition to be fairly seamless for both membership and staff.”

Mr. Sandhu was unavailable for comment Thursday.

The sale will include much more than an 18-hole golf course.

Maple Dale’s clubhouse facility is more than 16,000-square-feet, capable of accommodating several functions of various sizes simultaneously. It includes banquet rooms and two separate bars, as well as large locker rooms and an outdoor deck.

There is also a pool where annual memberships are offered, and the facility’s newest feature was added in the fall of 2018 — a Wedding and Entertainment Garden.

Ms. McAllister thanked Maple Dale’s members for their loyalty and support throughout the years.

“Thank you all for your past support as members and friends and for your continuing support of Maple Dale Country Club during this transition and beyond,” she wrote.