The golf season is officially underway and the picture in the entryway has been changed from a mountain ski scene to a mountain golf scene. Monday when the temperatures went into the 80s, every golf course open was filled with players. Actually, one of the first to open was a surprise. Maple Lane opened March 27, a time when we were thinking more of courses along the coast. Owner Kevin Cullen explained that because the course is all sand beneath the turf, it “drains like crazy”.

Cullen said the new second hole is complete and he hopes to have it open by Memorial Day. As soon as that happens work will begin on a pond to occupy the old fairway, creating a water hazard along the new fairway. It will also allow an irrigation project to move forward, with Nos. 1, 7 and 8 and possibly 9 completed by August.

Up at Norway CC, Dave Mazzeo says the club came through the winter in good shape and their irrigation project is underway, with expected completion by July. Look for a lot of special events this summer as Norway celebrates its 75th anniversary.

Turner Highlands was scheduled to open this past week for members under new owners George and Donna Chiasson and Dave and Diane Ainnotti. Chiasson said they started with renovations to the restaurant, but plans are in place for more upgrades over the next two seasons. A dozen new benches are in and the granite tee markers are being restored. Plans also include new sand traps, better drainage on 17, more irrigation on 3 and changes to keep shots to the right from disappearing over the edge on 6. A pro shop expansion will have virtual golf, while cross country skiing and a skating pond with lights are part of a plan to make the restaurant year round. Mike Lacombe will be teaching at the Highlands this year.

Apple Valley opened Monday and new owner Gard Craw was happy with the turnout. The Lewiston/Auburn native returned to Maine on retiring after many years in the golf business and acquired the course in December. He also bought 93 acres across the road next to the parking lot and said he plans to add another nine on that land. He is also planning improvements to the current nine, rebuilding tees, lengthening the first hole, and other upgrades. Already a grill has been added for more variety in that area.

Bob Darling said the Fox Ridge opening last weekend was outstanding. He reported a solid increase in membership and has added three more member events and five outside events. Darling’s playing schedule includes the usual big Maine tournaments – the Maine Open, The Bangor Open and the Greater Portland Open – but his biggest focus will be on the second week in June. That’s when the Club Pro Championship will take place in Ohio and through a qualifier he earned a spot as first alternate. That makes him an almost certain entrant in a tournament where the top 15 get into the PGA Championship.

At Martindale B.J. Wade had just returned from a four-day club fitting clinic at Ping headquarters in Arizona. Wade is junior liaison for Maine PGA, replacing Kevin Roberts who left his post at the Woodlands to take a professional position at Winnepesaukee CC in New Hampshire. One important program developed in recent years is the certification of juniors who play in MSGA tournaments. Wade said a clinic will be held at Martindale and he plans junior leagues at the club for members this year along with other junior programs.

Ron Bibeau, formerly at Martindale and Turner Highlands is now a teaching professional at Riverside in Portland.

Bill Swain called from Sugarloaf to let us know the course had come through the winter in good shape and will open May 7. Last year was May 9, but the usual date is a week later.

By next weekend almost every course in this area should be open and the rest within another week.

As readers of these words know, I have done some traveling this spring and there are a few notes of interest. Part has been air travel and I have flown out of Portland, Portsmouth and Boston to reach my destinations. Obviously, getting to the airport is easiest in Portland where I can simply be dropped off. Golfers can now pick up a flight to Myrtle Beach out of Portsmouth. The Pan Am flight hops over to Manchester, picks up more passengers and is in Myrtle Beach in three hours. Portsmouth also has free parking. My 7:15 a.m. flight had me in South Carolina at 10:20, plenty of time to check into my hotel and make a 12:30 p.m. tee time.

But, for now, I’m looking forward to driving to nearby courses to play. See you out there.

Dave Irons is a freelance writer who lives in Maine.

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