For more than 50 years, the Smedley family’s Loch Nairn Golf Course in New Garden Township served the southern Chester County community in a variety of ways -- as an 18-hole golf course, as a neighborhood eatery for both formal and casual occasions, and as a backdrop for weddings, holidays, date nights and charity events.

Like many area residents, Kati McGovern had visited the 105-acre site many times over the years with her large family, and with each visit, its stunning beauty combined with the legacy of its history strengthened her connection with it. When she first heard that the restaurant complex was going up for auction late last year, she texted her cousin – a real estate agent – about the potential status of its future. 

 “My husband and I went to every open house that was listed for the property,” McGovern said. “I fell in love with the historic buildings and the stories that the Smedley family told me about Loch Nairn. My ideas and their potential were endless, and that’s when we decided this could be a great new adventure for our family.”

Now, several months later, after several interior and exterior upgrades that were followed by an official ribbon cutting on May 9 and a grand opening this past Sunday, McGovern’s aspiration to launch Loch Nairn into a new chapter has been realized. Under her direction, the brand new, 14-acre venture known as Loch Nairn Farm has converted The Greathouse, The Farmhouse, the Round Room and The Tavern -- as well as its picturesque walkways and patios – into a magnificent destination for special occasions of all kinds. 

While the facilities of Loch Nairn Farm will be tailored to the needs of each event, The Greathouse will be used as the main event center for cocktail hours and wedding receptions. Adjacent to the Greathouse, the Tavern will serve as the bar area for wedding receptions and will also be open twice a month on pre-determined dates for the general public to enjoy small bites inside or on the patio, as well as live entertainment.

The former Pro Shop will be used as a pre-wedding site for the groom and his party to prepare for the wedding, while the main house will be used as a bridal suite and as a post-wedding accommodation for the bride and groom. The Round Room will be the site of smaller events, and while future plans for the Farmhouse are still being determined, McGovern said that the facility will likely receive upgrades and may continue to be used as a restaurant. There will also be parking available to accommodate up to 150 vehicles. 

In anticipation of the summer and fall wedding season, the Loch Nairn Farm received inquiries and bookings prior to its opening, and the phone continues to ring off the hook. 

“We have already had a successful luncheon event on May 1, and we have also booked 15 events, including four weddings,” McGovern said. 

The acquisition of the restaurant complex compliments New Garden Township’s 2021 purchase of the property’s golf course as part of a long-term project known as the Smedley Preserve -- a passive recreation park now underway that includes, forest, trails, pathways, restores stream and acres of meadows. At a cost of $4.25 million, the Preserve’s master plan will enhance the ecological function of water quality, biodiversity, and resilience at the park, as well as provide upgrades to the infrastructure, furniture and amenities, materials for planting, and meadow seeding. 

McGovern said that a key component of holding an event at Loch Nairn Farm will be the opportunity for couples, families, businesses and organizations to add another chapter to the continuing legacy of the tradition that the Smedley family first began more than five decades ago. 

“The Smedley’s raised their family here,” McGovern said. “They told me the stories of being eight years old and running around this property. We have become very close with them, and they are extremely happy and proud that I am going to have our children grow up here just like they did. I think the impact of this new chapter of Loch Nairn will give the community a place that has already been a part of their home for so many years.

“There have already been so many great memories made here. We’re about to create thousands more.”

Loch Nairn Farm is located at 514 McCue Road, Avondale, Pa. To learn more and for information about booking events, visit www.lochnairnfarm.com.

To contact Staff Writer Richard L. Gaw, email [email protected].