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”
The 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.
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.
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.
Join Us at Our Junior Golf Open Houses!—Junior Golf Maine will hold two open houses to promote junior golf opportunities in Maine. The first open house will be held 2-5 p.m. Saturday, June 3, at Val Halla Golf Course, 60 Val Halla Road; and the second 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, June 10, at Waterville Country Club, 39 Country Club Road, Oakland.
Territory Manager, CCE Golf Cars —Country Club Enterprises, the region’s largest golf car distributor, is seeking an aggressive, confident, and competitive professional with a solid background in outside business development. You must be comfortable working independently and building strong business relationships. The job will entail golf and utility vehicle sales in the state of Maine and part of New Hampshire.
Roberto De Vicenzo deserves more than to be remembered for Masters scorecard blunder —This man’s story is why golf is a great game, greater than all the rest! As for the rule, it must harken back to the days when two Scotsmen would come off the 18th, arguing about who won, and one of them throwing the final bit of gamesmanship at his opponent, “But, Ol’ Tam, ye signed th’ card, th’ scair is yoors.”
Sustaining the Soil —“You have to understand that the biological piece of the equation is a major player here.”
Little shop of horrors —A combination of flammable and hazardous materials, electrical outlets, poor lighting, noise, abundant equipment and high employee traffic can make the maintenance shop a danger zone for any employee.
Water… in Moderation —The basic cultural practice of irrigation is generally considered to be a no-brainer in golf course management. When an inadequate or excessive amount is provided, turf roots fail to grow and function normally.
Why Humic Acids are Becoming a Multipurpose Tool —Back in 2013, Superintendent magazine dug into the scientific side of humic acids, explaining their complex formulations and how companies are promoting their use. This time, we asked superintendents who are using them for a real-world report on how humics are working for them.
When the Creek Rises —The story of last year’s tragic flooding of southern West Virginia and The Greenbrier and its inspirational recovery told by those who endured it.
The Memorial Winners and History —The Memorial Tournament Presented by Nationwide is a restricted field event, with only the first 75 players on the previous year’s money list guaranteed invites. Nicklaus apparently has a hand in selecting the remaining players.
Two veterans watch President Bush tee off during the Warrior Open in Irving, Texas, 2011. [PHOTO: ASSOCIATED PRESS]
Golf tournament keeps alumni coming back —A group of Scarborough High School alumni will convene at Willowdale Golf Club in Scarborough next month for much more than a round of golf. Over the past three years, the event has raised $65,000.
Heroes on the Golf Course —Nick credits his family and golf for his recovery. While he brags that he “played great” this year, the highlight was having his daughter meet the former president, who he says “inspires me every day to get better in life.”
Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail celebrates 25 years —We launched this site with the goal of seeing Maine become a golfer’s destination vacation. “The Trail hosts more than 1,100 events each year. Almost 12 million rounds of golf have been played on the courses. More than half a million golfers play on the trail each year. It hosts visitors from all 50 states and an average of 20 foreign countries.”
What to wear on the golf course —Please just stop wearing blue jeans on the course unless you’re replacing the irrigation system, okay?
The Real Cost of Hosting a USGA Event —Hosting a USGA National Championship can bring a club notoriety and prestige—along with a major financial headache
Summer is a Rumor at this Point [image courtesy of oldgolfimages.com]A Few Upcoming Golf Events in Maine — Next weekend’s Mid Coast Amateur Championship at Bath Golf Club is sold out, but Bob Marley tickets for Saturday, June 3rd are still available; 20th annual Fort Fairfield Athletic Boosters Club Memorial Day Golf Scramble will be held Saturday, May 27, at Aroostook Valley Country Club; 24th annual David R. Harding Memorial Golf Tournament with a noon shotgun start on June 6, at Kebo Valley Golf Club in Bar Harbor; 15th annual Golf Fore a Cause tournament will be held Monday, June 12, at Waterville Country Club; 28th annual Bethel Area Chamber Golf Classic, June 19, Bethel Inn Resort; Brewer Parks & Recreation Department, in cooperation with Pine Hill Golf Club, is offering golf lessons for women, 5:30 p.m. Thursdays, beginning June 8; Aroostook “House of Comfort” will host its fifth annual charity Golf Classic on Saturday, June 17, at Presque Isle Country Club; Pine Tree Hospice shotgun starts at 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday, June 10, Foxcroft Golf Club.
Gavin Dugas enjoys strong debut season for Husson —The Maine Central Institute graduate and Husson sophomore placed 16th in a field of 215 golfers at the NCAA Division III Championship last week in Howey-In-The-Hills, Florida. Dugas plays for his father, Mike Dugas, the pro at JW Parks Golf Course in Pittsfield and Husson’s golf coach.
Arizona State wins 8th NCAA women’s golf title —It came down to Strom, who was all square in her match. Strom rolled in a 7-foot par putt on the 18th to extend the match, and she won in 19 holes, with Madeline Chou of Stanford three-putted from 40 feet away on the fringe.
RELATED:Lighten up: Too tough is bad for NCAA women’s optics —“But we’re not at the LPGA level. We’re not the U.S. Open. We’re at a college golf event, and we have to create a situation where it tests the world-class players but we also don’t lose the general population of women’s college golf.”
RELATED:Players defend Trump at Senior PGA—With your Senior Tour Card comes wisdom and maturity. “I believe in almost every policy he believes in,” Funk said. “That he’s, I mean, less regulation, smaller government, protect our border, bigger military, less taxes. I don’t have a problem with anything.”
Off for a Round of Golf? Didn’t Think So —The number of U.S. golfers has fallen about 30 percent since 2002, call it Peak Tiger Effect, but has stabilized recently.
If a snake offers you a golf ball, would you take it?
The Golf of Maine 