Maine Golf:Unfulfilled Potential?

[Craig Rokke]

When is the last time a really good golf course was built in Maine? Perhaps Robert Trent Jones II's Sugarloaf, which was built some 16 years ago? I must confess that while I have not played in Maine before, it seems that golf in Maine has not lived up to its promising start.

Though its rocky coastline is far from perfect linksland, it has a certain undeniable charm. In the late 1800's and early 1900's, Northerners from the  cities of Phila., Boston and New York made Maine a prominent summer destination.  They also built a number of good golf courses on the hills and plains surrounding Maine's well-known harbors. Ross was especially prolific, and other courses were built by the likes of Park, Leeds and Travis.

You'd think that with it's scenic coastline, and scores of Northeastern vacationers, Maine would have come a lot further with its golf than it has over the last 80 years.

[Jim_Kennedy]

Craig,
Maine has 132 courses. There are 18 states with fewer. The population is 1,275,000 and this translates to about 40 people per sq. mi. and 4 golfers per sq. mi..
Maine's tourist season for golf is very short, at least for prime golfing weather, and the economics of this fact probably play a large part in the minimal development. I have a friend who owns some property at Sugarloaf. He is mainly a skier but when he does play the occasional round he says the course is never crowded.  

[A_Clay_Man]

I met a gentleman yesterday who lived in Maine for 32 years. He came to the four coners to fish the San Juan river after waiting fifteen years to do so. He now spends much of his time playing Pinon Hills because even in Maine there was nothing this good. Plus the winters are just too brutal, ayuh?

[Ran Morrissett]

Craig,

I agree. While Maine has a short playing season, it's no shorter than the one at Sand Hills. A private club along the coast somewhere could work though, as you note, the rocky soil would make the construction costs X times higher than Sand Hills.

I doubt a public access course would generate enough turnover/revenue in the short season to make it a viable on-going business.

Cheers,

[Dan Kelly]

Taking a week's vacation in Maine -- end of June, first of July.

Recommendations, anyone?