So, get your irons shined up, start working on your swing and call for a tee time at your favorite spot. All these clubs should be opening this month.
BIDDEFORD-SACO COUNTRY CLUB
101 Old Orchard Rd., Saco 282-5883
Holes: 18
Yardage: 6,192, par 71
Fees: Spring weekend $35; summer $50. Carts $15 pp.
Tee Talk: Bideford-Saco has had the honor of hosting the Maine Amateur several times and it will invite all the top players in the state to its links again this summer. This is a historic course with a challenging layout that has to be played to be appreciated.
BRUNSWICK GOLF CLUB
River Road, Brunswick 721-0808
Holes: 18
Yardage: 6,600, par 72
Fees: $40, peak season weekends $50. Carts $15 pp.
Tee Talk: Built in 1888, Brunswick has an unsual layout with two challenging par 5-par 3 holes set up back-to-back. The three featured water holes are 4, 5 and 9. The Pop Erswell Open is the oldest golf tourney in New England (first played in 1898), and it happens May 3-4. Call the pro shop to sign up for a round on either day.
DEEP BROOK GOLF CLUB
Rte. 5, Saco 282-3500
Holes: 9
Yardage: Blue tees 6,152, par 72
Fees: Weekend 9 holes $20, 18 holes $30
Carts $12-$16
Tee Talk: This young course calls itself “Maine’s most challenging 9-hole course” on its web page. As the name suggests, look for water on this attractive, new-ish layout across town from historic Biddeford-Saco.
DUNEGRASS COUNTRY CLUB
200 Wild Dunes Way, Old Orchard Beach 934-4513
Holes: 18
Yardage: Gold tees 6,684 yards, par 72
Fees: Spring weekends $55; summer $89, carts included
Tee Talk: This Dan Maples-designed course is built on 300 acres of coastal terrain — eight of the holes have water on them. The 7th hole is the longest at 556 yards, a long, narrow fairway that requires length and accuracy with ledge outcroppings on both sides. Dunegrass is the spot for weddings and it will host an annual Spring Bridal Show on April 26 from 11 am-3 pm with free admission.
FREEPORT COUNTRY CLUB
2 Old County Rd., Freeport 865-0711
Holes: 9
Yardage: par 72
Fees: $10. Carts $7 pp.
Tee Talk: Location is everything for this course which is just a couple miles from L.L. Bean, not to mention Gritty McDuff’s and Cold River Vodka. The long hole is the straight shooter 9th, which goes 531 yards. The 8th is a par 3 at 156 yards that goes over a wide stretch of water.
GORHAM COUNTRY CLUB
68 Mclellan Rd., Gorham 839-3490
Holes: 18
Yardage: Blue tees 6,555 yards, par 71
Fees: Weekend 9 holes $22, 18 holes $32
Carts $10-$15
Tee Talk: These 180 acres are part of the Maine State Game Preserve with a longest hole at 569 yards for No. 10. No. 9 is 502 yards long with a nearly 90˚ dogleg left. Take advantage of the short game practice area, putting green and the authorized Ping fitting service if you’re in the market for new clubs.
NONESUCH RIVER GOLF CLUB
304 Gorham Rd., Scarborough 883-0007
Holes: 18
Yardage: 6,200, par 70
Fees: Off-peak $36, peak $40. Carts $10-$15.
Tee Talk: Designed by Thomas Walker, Nonesuch’s mission is to provide an appropriate challenge for all skill levels. The 230 acres features a long hole of 539 yards (No. 3), which requires three shots to the green and places a premium on accuracy.
RIVER MEADOW GOLF CLUB
216 Lincoln St., Westbrook 854-1625
Holes: 9
Yardage: 2,941, par 70
Fees: 9 weekdays $20; 18 $28, weekends $22, $30. Carts $10 pp for 9; $16 pp for 18.
Tee Talk: This is a player-friendly course with very little elevation change and cart paths all the way around. Hole 5 is an interesting setup that requires the ringing of a bell to let those ahead know you’re hitting. It’s the only hole with significant elevation.
RIVERSIDE MUNICIPAL GOLF COURSE
1158 Riverside St., Portland 797-3524
Holes: 18
Yardage North 6,406 par 72; South 2,900 par 35
Fees: North Course weekend 9 holes resident $23, 18 holes $35
North Course weekend 9 holes non-resident $24, 18 holes $36
South Course weekend 9 holes resident $21, 18 holes $28
South Course weekend 18 holes non-resident $23, 18 holes $30
Carts $8-$16
Tee Talk: Billed as one of Southern Maine’s most challenging layouts, the North Course hosts both the Maine Open and the Greater Portland Open. The South Course is great training ground for newcomers and juniors on a very walkable course. Riverside was ranked as a “Best Value” course in a “New England Journal of Golf” reader’s poll in 2003.
SABLE OAKS GOLF CLUB
505 Country Club Rd., South Portland 775-6257
Holes: 18
Yardage: 6,395, par 70
Fees: Spring weekend $30/9, $40/18; summer $35/$45. Carts $10-$15.
Tee Talk: This course is popular with vacationers due to its close proximity to the Portland Jetport. It’s been called “one of the most imaginative golf courses in the state,” by “Travel Golf” magazine. It feels like a private club but it’s open to the public.
SOUTH PORTLAND MUNI
155 Wescott Rd., South Portland 775-0005
Holes: 9
Yardage: 2,071, par 33
Fees: $12-$13, carts included when available
Tee Talk: This course is one of the best deals you’ll find anywhere. It’s a course that’s very playable for newcomers to the game and affordable for juniors who want to get in an afternoon round. There’s a clubhouse with restrooms, a snack bar and club and hand cart rentals.
SUNSET RIDGE
853 Cumberland St., Westbrook 854-9463
Holes: 18
Yardage: 6,352, par 70
Fees: Weekends $30. Carts $14 for 18 holes.
Tee Talk: Owners Ron and Jacqueline Edgecomb added to their course with a back nine and an energy efficient clubhouse and this summer will offer a free “Golf for Kids-Kids for Golf” program. Check out the clubhouse, which is made of insulated concrete form, features radiant heat floors and is highly fire-resistant. There’s also a par-3 course on site.
TODDY BROOK GOLF CLUB
Sligo Road, North Yarmouth 829-5100
Holes: 18
Yardage: Black tees 6,214 yards, par 71
Fees: Weekend 9 holes $25, 18 holes $39
Carts $10-$16
Tee Talk: Hole No. 18 is worth the trip to North Yarmouth all by itself. It’s an island green heading into the clubhouse where people eating and drinking can sit on the deck and watch your aproach. The longest hole is the 566-yard 17th and the 14th is a breathtaking downhill with a –-yard elevation drop from tee to green. Views are spectacular all over this woodsy course.
TWIN FALLS GOLF CLUB
364 Spring St., Westbrook 854-5397
Holes: 9
Yardage: 2,440, par 33
Fees: Call for info
Tee Talk: This is one of the hilliest courses you’ll find and it provides a great workout for walkers despite being a short course. There’s some water and plenty of woods and it plays quickly enough that a round after work is very doable.
VAL HALLA GOLF CLUB
1 Val Halla Rd., Cumberland Center 829-2225
Holes: 18
Yardage: Blue tees 6,568 yards, par 72
Fees: Weekend resident 9 holes $22, 18 holes $30; non-resident 9 holes $$26, 18 holes $34
Carts $9-$17
Tee Talk: This town-owned course was picked a “Best Value” by the “New England Golf Guide” and features a longest hole of 597 yards with its par 5 No. 3. The fairway hooks right but has a generous green to work with. Check out the “Nine & Wine” clinics for occasional female players (June 4-July 2 & July 9-Aug. 6). Each session ends with feedback and discussion over a glass of wine.
WILLOWDALE GOLF CLUB
52 Willowdale Rd., Scarborough 883-9351
Holes: 18
Yardage: 5,980, par 70
Fees: $20 for 9 holes; $32 for 18. Carts $8-$13.
Tee Talk: This course has been around since 1940 and is a real beauty with rivers bordering both the front and back nine. The layout is very straight, but 18 takes a wicked dogleg left at 90˚ heading back to the clubhouse.