Paul Coulombe’s goal for the Boothbay Harbor Country Club is to make it the state’s top golf course. Coulombe, 62, is a Lewiston native who made a fortune running the family business: White Rock Distilleries. He sold the business in 2012. Coulombe is now retired, but he remains busy. His daily ritual for the past 2.5 years is remaking the local country club.

Coulombe moved to the Boothbay region in 2008. As a child, he grew found of the Boothbay region as it was his family’s main vacation destination. Coulombe now lives in Southport where he leases Oliver’s at Cozy Island, a lunch and dinner cafe.

An avid golfer for the past two decades, Coulombe purchased the Boothbay Country Club in 2013 for $1.4 million. The bank had foreclosed on the property. Coulombe was the only bidder at the auction.

The first major change he made was the name.

The previous owner retained legal rights to the name: Boothbay Country Club. One-third of the golf course is located across the town line, so Coulombe renamed his new property: Boothbay Harbor Country Club.

A lot has changed to the one-time nine hole course established in 1921. During the past three years, the country club has gone through its first major expansion since 2000. Fifteen year ago, the course expanded to 18 holes.

The latest expansion dwarfs the previous one. Coulombe has invested an estimated $30 million to refurbish and expand the country club’s offerings.

He began redesigning the course shortly after purchasing it. There is a new green on No. 11. The tee box on No. 9 has been rebuilt. Coulombe also installed a new water recycling system capable of pumping 750,000 gallons per day. The system recirculates water into various creeks around the course.

“There are natural creeks on No. 1, 2 and 8, but they only flowed when it rained,” Coulombe said. “So now the water is always babbling. It is a great sound effect for golfers. It is also aesthetically pleasing visually.”

The creeks are located at holes No. 1, 2, 8, and 12. A creek will be added to the 17th hole later this year.

The golf course renovations are nearly done. Coulombe expects completion in August. But the golf course renovations are just the start of his plans. The new club house construction began in October 2014. The new structure is more than 10 times larger than the current one, according to Coulombe.

The new two-story clubhouse is an estimated 32,000 square feet. It includes a dining area the same area of the current one, but with a “gigantic” kitchen, according to Coulombe. There are men’s and women’s locker rooms, a first floor space to charge electrical golf carts equipped with Global Positioning Systems, and office space for Coulombe and his executive staff.

The new dining area and bar is located on the second floor. It stands about 100 feet above the grounds offering a glorious view of the course. Several trees were removed to see play on holes No. 2, 3, and 4 from the overhead view.

The picturesque view isn’t contained to the new clubhouse. The 11th hole was elevated and trees were removed for a better view of the surrounding landscape.

“On a clear day, you have a nice view of the ocean. You can also see a far as the White Mountains,” he said.

The refurbished country club will also include a new entrance. A rock wall is being constructed on Route 27 to make the course more inviting. According to Coulombe, the current entrance fails to attract tourists to the course. Coulombe expects the new entrance’s construction to finish this year.

The new club house will have the look of an old-New England style mansion. The entrance will have mahogany floors, antique golf course paintings hanging on the walls, a six-foot chandelier, and a long shingled-styled roof.

Coulombe has been involved in planning every detail of the club house construction.

“I’ve sat in every chair. I’ve picked out the wall colorings. I’ve even decided on the density of ice cubes, including how long it takes for one to dissolve,” he said.

Next year, Coulombe plans on adding four tennis courts, two swimming pools, spa, health club, and villa-style condominiums on the property.

The improvements are designed to attract both golfers and others he referred to as “social members.” The Boothbay Harbor Country Club has 280 members this season. Membership has seen a steady increase since Coulombe took over. In 2013, membership was 180. Last year, it increased to 220. The membership ratio between locals and summer residents is about 50:50, according to the country club’s head golf professional Chad Penman.

The country club offers a reduced membership fee for Maine residents. A single-year membership fee for locals is $1,650. A non-resident pays $3,900. A family membership for locals is $2,950 and $4,500 for non-residents.

The additional amenities are for those who wanted to join the country club, but didn’t golf.

“A lot of people asked why they couldn’t join,” Coulombe said. “They play tennis, swim and want to enjoy the dining hall. So it made sense to increase the offerings and  include a social membership.”

But the main attraction remains the golf course. Coulombe has played courses around the state and the U.S. His goal is to host Maine State Golf Association events. He also wants the Boothbay course to emulate his favorite: Augusta National Golf Club.

“That’s the goal,” he said. “I played there three weeks before the (Masters) tournament. A course like that is why were are making all these improvements.”

Coulombe’s goal is not only to make the course more picturesque, but one which tests a golfers’ ability to hit a variety of shots. Improving the fairways has been one of his top priorities. He installed a new irrigation system, purchased new mowing equipment, uses the best fertilizers and dress coats the fairways.

Penman describes dress coating as an expensive process used to firm up the fairway. According to Penman, the top dressing has made a significant difference in the course’s condition.

“Nobody wants to hit their ball and see it stop. They want it to roll,” Penman said. “The top dressing allows for better drainage. This creates a firmer fairway and allows the ball to roll. As far as sheer playing conditions this is probably the best course in the state.”

At age 62, Coulombe doesn’t believe he will see a monetary return on his investment. He does foresee his investment enhancing the local economy.

“It really doesn’t benefit me directly in any way. It’s not a financial investment per se, but rather one of self satisfaction,” Coulombe said. “I want to come and see everybody enjoying themselves. The country club will become a destination for golfers, which is good for the local inns and restaurants.”

Coulombe has purchased properties bordering the golf course. He believes these properties would be an excellent location for shops and restaurants. His immediate plans include creating more parking around the Boothbay Commons. Otherwise, he’s not sure what he’ll do with the recent acquisitions.

“That’s an excellent question. We haven’t made any final decisions,” Coulombe said. “We’d have to see what would work there. And that would take input from the community and selectmen.”

Coulombe said the bordering properties provide him with more options. Among those are constructing a secondary entrance for those who living in the country club’s condominiums.