AUBURN – The last remaining fully private golf club north of the greater Portland area has opened its doors, effective Monday.

Martindale Country Club, which has been a private, members-only golf club since it opened in 1921, will begin offering tee times to the general public on a restricted basis, during times the club considers “off-peak.”

“Our membership isn’t full, and due to the fact that we’re down a little bit, that prompted this move,” Martindale head professional Nick Glicos said. “In order for the needs of the club to be met, we needed another stream of revenue.”

According to a letter distributed to members at the club, the newly elected board of directors targeted a budget around a membership of 271 people. Last year, the club had 303 members. This year, despite efforts at recruiting and retention, the club stands at 250.

“This is something that’s happening not just in Maine, but all over the country,” Martindale member Dale Brown of Turner, said. “We need to cut where we can and increase revenues where we can, and I think going semi-private is a way to do that.”

Brown, a top golfer in Maine’s senior amateur division year in and year out, was a member at Waterville Country Club before joining Martindale. Years before Brown got to Waterville, that club also opened its doors to the public after being private-only.

“To be honest, you never even really noticed much at Waterville,” Brown said. “We had maybe two or three foursomes a week there, and that was good for maybe $20,000 more in revenue each year.”

At Martindale, the times during which the general public will be able to play are going to be restricted.

“Nonmembers will only be able to make tee times three days in advance, where members can set a time seven days out,” Glicos said. “The times that are available are off-peak, which means not being able to get Saturday mornings, not during league times, and not during some of our busier times, like a Friday morning.

“Overwhelmingly, I think the members want to do what’s necessary to meet our finances,” Glicos continued. “Obviously it’s not perfect, but it’s a financial decision, and most members are OK with it, as long as their times are protected.”

Brown concurred.

“It shouldn’t really (affect us),” Brown said. “At Waterville, it was seamless, and I would expect it to be that way here, too.”

And for the general public, it may be a limited-time offer.

“As of now, this isn’t permanent,” Glicos said. “We’re going to look at it and see what happens this year, and what happens in the off-season.”

According to the club, nonmembers will pay $39 for a round of 18 holes from Monday through Thursday, and $44 for 18 holes on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

“Golf has to be viewed as a value now,” Glicos said. “It has to kept to a reasonable level, and I think we’ve done that.”