The Golf of Maine

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Category: 19th Hole

Speed Up Your Own Pace of Play Without Hurrying

March 21, 2019
The Eager Golfer Grows Impatient

Each year, as Spring makes its way into New England in much the same manner a maiden climbs a greased Maypole, the eager golfer grows impatient. “When will this snow melt? Golf is hard enough without looking for the errant drive of a white ball in white snow!”

Then, it arrives, in slower-than-slow-motion. The river ice breaks, the birds return, the snow gets real dirty and ugly before finally disappearing for good, and the golf courses begin opening, from South to North, in the same pattern that the lakes ice-out and the croci bloom.

Just as slowly as this annual drama unfolds, the group in front of you seems to stand at address over their drives for the entire Spring. They search interminably for their shanks and slices in the recently revealed forest floor, contemplate their four-foot putts for 40 seconds too long, and hunt endlessly for the plugged drives that, by some Easter miracle, found the fairway. Continue reading “Speed Up Your Own Pace of Play Without Hurrying”

New ownership group making improvements to Penobscot Valley Country Club

April 28, 2018

penobscot valley ccThe new owners of the Penobscot Valley Country Club in Orono continue to make improvements to the course as the 2018 golf season gets underway. The course has been open for two weeks and the full 18 holes are in play with riding carts available.

Kevin McCarthy is the new majority owner after purchasing it from Harris Golf Inc. His management company, Resurrection Golf, is operating PVCC and handling the upgrades.

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A Visit with Maine’s Own Fluff Cowen

April 19, 2018
Fluff sporting his Jerry Garcia t-shirt…

“Making a living was not even part of the equation. My first bag was $20 a day and 3 percent. Cesar Sanudo was the first guy that actually paid me $100 when we missed the cut. That was huge. A bunch of us would share a room, low round of the day would get the bed, and the rest of us would make do. If you had a good week, you partied hard; if you didn’t, you got by. It wasn’t like we were out there saving money. But I didn’t have anything but me.”

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On This Day In Golf History…

April 7, 2018
Gene Sarazen, left, and Bobby Jones, right, stand at the dedication site for a bridge on the 15th hole of the Augusta National golf course, for Sarezen, on April 6, 1955.

Here’s a web site we follow, and today, it seems fitting to share their post…

The Masters, A Tradition Unlike Any Other:  1935 Gene Sarazen’s “Shot Heard ‘Round the World”

The Masters Tournament has become arguably the most prestigious tournament in the world.  Each year it produces memories and moments that leave spectators and golf fans alike in awe.  Gene Sarazen made his contribution in just the second edition of the event in 1935.  In an amazing turn of events, just when he thought he was down and out…Sarazen holed a 235-yard (215 m) 4-wood on the par-5 fifteenth hole that went in! This magical moment helped put The Masters on the map.

The Ball that Sarazen scored the rare double eagle with.

Henry Picard opened up the 1935 Masters with a 67 & 68 for 9 under par and a four stroke lead over the field.  Once Picard got to the weekend his game abandoned him shooting a 76 in the third round and a 75 to finish fourth.  With Picard out of the way it opened the door for Craig Wood, the runner up from the inaugural Masters Tournament won by Horton Smith.

The leaderboard before the final round was tight with many big names able to make a run:

1 Craig Wood  United States 69-72-68=209 −7
2 Olin Dutra  United States 70-70-70=210 −6
3 Henry Picard  United States 67-68-76=211 −5
4 Gene Sarazen  United States 68-71-73=212 −4
T5 Denny Shute  United States 73-71-70=214 −2
Walter Hagen  United States 73-69-72=214

The Shot Heard ‘Round the World

The shot was a 235-yard 4-wood on the par-5 , 15th hole that went in, giving him a very rare double eagle two on the hole, only one of four to ever achieve such a feat on any hole at the Masters. He trailed the leader by three shots at the time, and made them up all at once. It led to his later winning the tournament in a 36-hole playoff over Craig Wood the next day. Sarazen won the Monday playoff by five strokes, even-par 144 to 149 (+5), and parred the 15th hole in both rounds.

Fire Destroys Province Lake Golf Clubhouse

March 8, 2018
Flames consume century-old clubhouse at Province Lake Golf Club

Maine lost a true golf treasure overnight, as fire swept through the clubhouse, pro shop and restaurant of Province Lake Golf Club early Thursday morning. Built in Parsonfield, Maine in 1918, the blaze destroyed the buildings as the owners and staff at PLG prepared for a year of Centennial celebrations at the club, and as a deadly nor’easter dumped more than a foot of snow across the region.

The cause of the fire has yet to be determined, although initial scanner reports suggested the flames began in the restaurant. The Poor People’s Pub in Sanbornville, NH has made an offer of free meals for all PLG staff during the month of March.

Province Lake Golf Club has posted the following message on their website: “This post is emotional. We are emotional. We are raw, broken hearted and hurt. Standing in the snow watching a fire rip away what we have worked so hard for and cherish took pieces of us with it. … If you’re a bride and groom, we will give you a wonderful wedding day, if your hosting a tournament it will go on. We lost a piece of history but not PLG itself.”

The Golf of Maine News for February 8, 2018

February 8, 2018
Aerial view of beautiful new clubhouse at BBHCC, recently recognized by Golf Inc Magazine as one of the best designed, new clubhouses in the world

President George Herbert Walker Bush to receive ASGCA Donald Ross Award — This award, given annually since 1976, is presented to a person who has made a significant contribution to the game of golf and the profession of golf course architecture. It will be presented to Bush in April as part of the 2018 ASGCA Annual Meeting in Houston.

Sale of Ocean Gate Resort signals confidence in Boothbay economy — Our hunch is that Paul Coulombe’s huge investment in the Boothbay Harbor Country Club provided the confidence required for Thad Paul to make the purchase.

Sunday River golf course appeals tax case to state — Newry Holdings purchased the Sunday River Country Club golf course last year, although original owner Harris Golf has contested the sale.

Golf Lessons — Seacoast United Maine is proud to now offer golf lessons throughout the year inside the Topsham Indoor Arena.

Injury forces Husson’s Mazurek to hang up baseball cleats, dust off his golf clubs — Unlike many, Mazurek had options, and quickly turned a negative into a positive, trading in his cleats and dusting off his golf bag in an attempt to resurrect his college athletic career.

Assistant Superintendent, Augusta Country Club — An 18 hole private facility with 2 Har-Tru tennis courts and a beach facility located in Manchester, Maine. This is a possible year round position for the right candidate. There is a seasonal apartment/housing available if needed from April-November. Apply at link.

Head Golf Coach (Fall Season) Southern Maine Community College — SMCC Athletics is looking for a head golf coach.  This is a part time stipend position. Apply at link.

Youth camp proposed for Livermore golf course — Sadly, we’ve removed the 9-hole Maple Lane Golf Course from our Course Directory.

The Golf Industry Show — The biggest trade show for those who make the course playable is this week. Get regular updates via posts from the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America Facebook page by clicking link.

Profile Ken Raynor, Former Cape Arundel Golf Pro  — Ken recently co-authored a book titled, “I Call Him ‘Mr. President’ – Stories of Golf, Fishing, and Life with My Friend George H.W. Bush.”  He teamed up with morning radio show host Michael Patrick Shiels and published the book in 2017. He said he felt like writing the book was second nature to him because of the nearly 40 years the families have known each other.

Players to mic-up during Perth’s World Super 6 — A better headline might be, Golf Attempts to Get Louder than Crickets.

The eight absolute worst things about playing golf solo — From date-crashing to having no witnesses, golf provides many reasons to avoid heading to the course by one’s self.

Man sues after claiming angry neighbor whacked him with a golf club — The perils of inner city golf…

The 10 best golf scenes in non-golf films — As we’re all still hibernating for a few more weeks, at least, we offer this diversion…

Meanwhile, we pretend the golf ball is Punxsutawney Phil’s head…

The Bunker

February 7, 2018

Like so many tee shots, our news, information, entertainment and opinions will land in The Bunker, with updates each Thursday—Sunday mornings throughout the year. Send your tips, opinions, photos, videos or golf brags to thegolfofmaine@gmail.com.