Century-old Oak Knoll Golf Course, 6 miles west of Salem, has closed after being purchased by Wandering In Time Holdings LLC.

The future of the 58-acre property, zoned for public amusement and recreation, is unclear. Officials with Wandering In Time Holdings did not respond to inquiries about the site.

In addition to an 18-hole golf course, the property at 6335 Highway 22 features a driving range and a 5,000-square-foot building with a restaurant, bar and commercial kitchen. The $6.2 million acquisition also included 71 adjacent acres zoned for exclusive farm use.

Wandering In Time Holdings has a mailing address in Burley, Washington listed in Polk County property records, and a Portland mailing address listed in articles of incorporation filed with the Oregon Secretary of State’s office.

The company’s Theresa Nietupski is one of the founders of Wandering In Time Productions, which stages immersive historical fantasy events in the Pacific Northwest, including the annual Oregon Renaissance Faire in Canby.

The entrance to Oak Knoll was partially blocked April 15 — exactly two weeks after the sale was finalized — with a steel barricade and a “CLOSED” sign.

Another sign confirmed the demise of the property as generations have known it: “This property has been sold. Oak Knoll will no longer be a golf course. This property is private property. Please vacate! No trespassing!”

The closure leaves two remaining destinations for golfers in Polk County: Cross Creek Golf Course and Dallas Golf Club.

Oak Knoll opened in 1926 on the north side of Oregon Route 22. The first nine holes were laid out on agricultural land with a granary. E.A. Jones developed the course with fairways running north to south, so golfers would never have to play directly in the sun.

The driving range was added in 1989, and the second nine holes, with water features, were completed the following year, according to Statesman Journal archives.

The course had a reputation for being an affordable place to play golf and a good one for beginners. It is flat with wide fairways and small greens.

Over the years, Oak Knoll has had multiple owners, including Karla Hicks since 2018. She and her husband, Scott, purchased it from a bank holding company. Val Barnes had previously been involved in ownership for more than three decades.

“We bought it as an investment property,” Karla Hicks said.

As they launch new business ventures and plan to spend time in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, where they previously lived, they are thankful for the connections made at Oak Knoll, beyond golf.

Oak Knoll has been a cross-country venue for high school and college meets, for example, and the new property owners told Karla Hicks they plan to continue those relationships.

Hicks said the golf course relied on volunteers, including retirees who ran the pro shop. The only paid staff were bartenders.

“It was such a great group because they loved being out here,” she said of the volunteers. “It made them feel youthful, and they became family.”

Hicks said she refunded dues to 47 members after the sale was finalized.

“It was tough telling them,” she said. “Many of them have been with us since Day 1.”

The Oak Knoll property was intermittently on the market for nearly two years. It was advertised as a golfer’s paradise and a unique investment opportunity.

A YouTube video posted a year ago by Keller Williams Realty showcased the course’s beauty with dramatic aerial footage, including fairways lined with 60-foot-tall sequoia trees.

A LoopNet listing can still be found in an online search, promoting the versatility of the property: “Whether you’re considering an RV park, amusement park, stadium, fairground, music venue, or winery/brewery, this site offers a versatile foundation for a range of projects. The property comes with valuable senior water rights and features a currently operational Golf Course business, or you have the option to start fresh. This unique property is ready for its next visionary project.”

Hicks said three parties showed simultaneous interest at one point during the process. An undisclosed Realtor managed the sale, not Keller Williams.

“I love this property; it has a part of my heart,” Hicks said. “I’m happy with who’s getting the property.”

Wandering In Time Productions has over 30 years of experience staging Renaissance fairs, music festivals, corporate events, and more, according to its website. It is best known locally for presenting the Oregon Renaissance Faire, which is set in a fictional Scottish village and features jousting, artisan vendors, comedy, and music.

“Our mission is to bring history, fantasy, and community together through immersive events that captivate the senses and ignite the spirit of adventure,” the website states.

Since 2016, the Oregon Renaissance Faire has taken place at the Clackamas County Fair and Event Center in Canby, starting with one weekend in the summer and eventually expanding to every weekend in June.

The 2025 event sold out six of eight days and drew more than 70,000 attendees over the four weekends, according to a report in the Herald Pioneer, Canby’s weekly newspaper.

The opening weekend of the 2026 Oregon Renaissance Faire is scheduled for June 6-7 at the Clackamas County fairgrounds.

Editor’s note: This article first appeared in The Statesman Journal and then was distributed on the USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect.

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