CARRABASSETT VALLEY – The accolades for Sugarloaf Golf Club have been rolling since Day 1, and they really have never stopped.

Of course, the folks there haven’t given anyone a reason to stop with the praise, either.

The improvements to one of Golf Magazine’s Top 100 Courses continue to make it tough for the elite golfer, and bearable at worst for the average hack.

The course’s beauty is enough to take the wind out of you early on, if the altitude hasn’t done so already. Scenic views of the Bigelow Mountain Range abound, from the first tee going forward.

Problem is, the first couple of holes might be the easiest golfers see all day.

“One is a good starting hole,” resident PGA professional Scott Hoisington said. “Two’s a three-shot par-5, three is a fairly easy par-3 and four is what I feel is a fairly easy par-5.”

The fun starts on No. 5, a tough-as-nails par-4. The prevailing wind here is usually in your face, and even with a good drive, a 4-iron or more may be required on the next shot.

No. 6, while in the opposite direction, shoot straight uphill after the drive, and doglegs severely to the right.

Golfers who make it through that stretch alive can cruise to the end of the front nine, and then the breathtaking beauty of the 10th tee takes over (see above photo).

No. 11 is the club’s signature hole, and while the length of this par-3 (190 from the blue tees) may fool you, the drop is 128 feet from tee to green.

No. 12 is a unique par-5 with two sets of tees on either side of the Carrabassett River which play very differently.

The next big test comes at No. 16, heading back toward the ski mountain. A double bender dogleg right and then left, it’s the start of a true finishing test. The 17th is a long, dogleg left par-4, well bunkered at the green, and the 18th, also uphill, begs for all the energy golfers have left for a big drive.

Don’t expect to shoot the best round of your life at this course, but be ready for an experience you’ll not quite soon forget.