[Dan Herrmann]

I noticed that Sunday River in Maine was on the latest Top 100 you can play list.

I like Maine golf, but hadn't heard about Sunday River till my latest bathroom reading session.

So - what should a Pennsylvanian know about Sunday River?  Is it worth the drive?  Is it worth the $$$?  How does RTJ's design compare to a Rees design?

Thanks!

[Mike Leveille]

Dan:

I played Sunday River while on vacation in Maine a month ago.  I don't have time for a detailed review, and am not qualified to do so having only played the course once, but I will provide my thoughts for what they are worth.

First off, I really enjoyed the course, as did each of the other members of our group of eight.  The course is a mountain course, with a few steep uphill and downhill holes, but you never feel like you are playing one of those goofy drop-shots where you are hitting a 200 yard 8 iron straight down a ski slope.  That said, the course is not walkable, and I believe carts are mandatory.  There are many holes with long and hilly treks from one green to the next tee.

The course has a number of holes with natural sandy waste areas, with a little bit of a Pine Valley feel.  The best of the holes, in my opinion, are the following:

* 2nd, a 420 yard (?) downhill par four, that has a large waste bunker on the left that rewards a big hitter who can carry the bunker and cut the dogleg with a wedge to the green.

*  5th, a 450 yard (?) dogleg left par four, with a waste area on the left and a large Big Bertha like bunker in the middle of the fairway, about 255 off the tee.  Your choice is to hit a smooth driver or fairway wood short of the Big Bertha bunker, leaving a blind downhill shot of 200 yards or so to a narrow but long green that slopes away from you, or play an aggressive draw between the Big Bertha bunker and the waste area, which should crest the hill and leave a downhill mid-iron to a visible green.

*  6th, 185 yards, which plays slightly uphill and requires a carry over a nasty waste area that comes right up to the green.

All in all, I thought Sunday River was one of the better mountain courses I have played, and I am usually not a fan of mountain golf.  The club has a nice clubhouse with a small lodge feel, and everyone at the club was very welcoming.  We did not eat at the club,  but they do have a nice selection of local beers on tap.

As far as being worth a drive from PA, I'm not sure about that.  I would drive a couple of hours to play Sunday River every now and then, but that is about it for me.

We were able to play for $60, as guests of the folks who rented us our vacation home for the week.  Sunday River was an incredible bargain at that price.  I believe the rack rate green fees are $100 - $120.  That seems fair to me for the quality of the course.

Mike 

[Dan Herrmann]

Mike - thanks for the great info.

Where would you personally put Sunday River in  your list of Maine courses?  (For what it's worth, I've always enjoyed Belgrade Lakes - wonderful experience, great staff, and a lot of fun, if a bit rocky)

[Mike Leveille]

Dan:

My list of Maine golf courses includes only Sunday River and Kebo Valley.  As the two courses are so different, with Kebo Valley being a short old-time course and Sunday River being very much a big, modern course, I would not even dare to try to rank them in order of preference.  I did, however, enjoy both courses very much.

Mike

[Dan Herrmann]

Mike - my club's pro just got back from a Maine vacation (in-laws), and he played Kebo Valley.  He's a helluva good player and loved it.

[Cliff Hamm]

Dan....Just this morning was checking on going up to Sunday River.  They have a great deal Sunday - Thursday ---- $99 per person golf, accommodations and breakfast.  Only one round though.  If you want another it is $95.  Essentially the special give you a room and breakfast for $4.

[Dan_Callahan]

I played Sunday River last year and, apart from the great views, really didn't like it. Lots of downhill par 4s where the fairway is perpendicular to the tee. I found it almost impossible to judge distance and time after time thought I hit a great tee shot only to see my ball disappear about halfway up the distant trees. I imagine a few repeat plays would help, but I don't plan on going back any time soon. It was also impossible to walk, a huge detraction in my book. I had much, much higher hopes.

Of the top public courses in Maine that I have played, I would put it well behind Belgrade Lakes. I am playing Old Marsh tomorrow, the new Brian Silva course in Wells. I am hoping it plays as good as it looks . . . I've been catching glimpses of it for that past year as I blow past on 95.

[Cliff Hamm]

Dan...please post your impressions of Old Marsh

[Dan_Callahan]

Cliff,

Sure will. Hoping we don't get another one of those afternoon thunderstorms that have plagued this summer. But so far, the forecast is pretty good. Will be bringing a camera as well.

[Brad Tufts]

Dan,

Sunday River is definately on my list.  The fact that it is polarizing (at least among these 3 posters) makes me more interested to play it.  I've also been interested in the new Stowe Mtn. Club course and Jay Peak in VT.

Nearby to Kebo Valley, I would also recommend Northeast Harbor.  It is short at par 70, and about 5600 yards, but it is private most of the year (inside of 6/1 and 10/1 I think), and has some wonderful and quirky holes.  There are times during the round that you feel like you are walking through the woods miles from civilization.  The club has an interesting history that involves both Donald Ross and Herbert Strong.  The original 9 is Ross I believe, and the second 9 is Strong.  Strong designed the second 9 and the members went about gradually constructing it, before WW2 hit with three holes still yet to be built.  Victory gardens were planted on the "back 6" during the war.  When it was over, the 6 holes were put back into play, but the final 3 were never finished until they were cut from the woods and revived in the early 90s. 

My brother and I played it a few years back on a gorgeous 65-degree October day, and I was smitten.  I believe the $75 or so is an all-day rate too.

I am also very interested in Old Marsh photos/reviews, as the pics on the Harris Golf wesbite make it look like the next Silva triumph.

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