Road Trip
Maine Beckons with Numerous Superb Golf Courses By JOHN TORSIELLO
T
he state of Maine contains some of the finest resort and daily fee golf courses in New England.. And, there is so much to do in the Pine Tree State: charming hotels and bed and breakfast establishments, great seafood, and a plethora of outdoor activities, from kayaking and fishing to hiking and sailing. Here is a sampling of the some of the best courses you can play in Maine, thanks to Golfing Magazine’s Course Play Stimulus Program. To take advantage of Golfing Magazine’s Free Golf offer, call 860-563-1633, or visit www.FreeGolf.net. Remember, you get four issues of our magazine in addition to Free Golf when you subscribe. New to our lineup this year is Lake Kezar Country Club (www.LakeKezarGolf.com) in Lovell, just a short drive to Mt. Washington Valley in New Hampshire. Lake Kezar is one of the oldest courses in Maine, built in 1923, when several summer camp owners recognized the need for a golf course to entertain summer visitors. The world renowned golf architect, Donald Ross, was chosen to design the course. His trademark design was “naturalness”, which
is evident at Lake Kezar, with the course flowing through pines, stone walls, brooks and flowers. The back nine was added in 1998. The course offers four sets of tees. The design invites you to bump and run it onto the green whenever you can to avoid trouble behind several of the greens. Established in 1895 by Arthur Fenn and redesigned by Donald Ross in 1912, the Links at Poland Spring (www.PolandSpringInns.com) claims to be the first golf course built at a resort in the United States. Poland Spring Resort recently added a new 330-yard driving range with natural grass, artificial tees, and a spectacular view of the rugged White Mountains. After a round at Poland Spring you can relax on the clubhouse porch overlooking the championship golf course at Mel’s Hilltop Restaurant, or grab a quick bite at the Pro Shop Café before you join your family for a swim in the large crystal clear swimming pool, all just a few yards from the 18th green. The Inn offers many options for dining, such as a home cooked breakfast and evening meals that are served daily, buffet style, in a comfortable dining room. Spring Meadow Golf Club (www.SpringMeadowGolf.com) at Cole Farms in Gray is a delightful routing, with management taking great pride in the conditioning of their layout. The course measures 6,656 yards from the tips and plays to a par of 71. The par-fives here are very sturdy, including the 600-yard
Fox Ridge Golf Club 22
Golfing Magazine • New England Edition
third that tests your ability early in the round. Speaking of early, you can’t have a much more demanding start to a loop than the first at Spring Meadow. The par-four plays 430 yards from the tips and there is a pond to the right that must be avoided on the tee shot. If you play safe to the left you will have a longer approach that again must contend with the water and a bunker. Fox Ridge Golf Club (www.foxridgegolfclub.com) in Auburn plays over 6,800 yards from the championship markers and has a par of 72. Again, the parfives are a strength, with two, the fourth and hole number 11, approaching 600 yards from the tips. It also has as good a par-three as you will encounter, the 202-yard fifth. The tee shot is from an elevated green to a putting surface that has water on three sides. Spring Meadow Golf Club, the Links at Poland Spring, and Fox Ridge Golf Club are part of the Maine Trifecta (www.MaineTrifecta.com )golf offering, were you can golf all three and stay at Poland Spring Resort for two different prices; $319, which includes lodging, three all-you-can-eat buffet meals, 18 holes at each course, golf carts and range balls at each course; and the $339 Deluxe Trifecta, which includes the above plus upgraded accommodations and four buffet meals. All rates are per person, double occupancy, plus seven percent Main sale tax.
Tumble Brook Country Club
