POLAND SPRING — Golf has been played at Poland Spring since the late 19th century. Touted as the oldest resort golf course in the United States, the Links at Poland Spring opened in 1896 and was one of the first 80 courses built in the United States. This year it will celebrate the centennial of its Donald Ross redesign and enlargement to an 18-hole course.

The expanded course, which was opened on July 12, 1915, was Donald Ross’s first work in Maine and one of the first 30 courses he worked on throughout his career. A few years later, adjustments were made to the course by fellow World Golf Hall of Fame member and early amateur champion, Walter Travis.

According to Jason C. Libby, author of the course’s history book, “A Course Built by Legends,” published in 2014, the course has a number of fascinating stories linked to the historic golf course. Many of the game’s early stars played Poland Spring. For example, Bobby Jones and Walter Hagen, two of the greats, each held the course record there at one time.

In 2013, the course, with much of the rest of the Poland Spring property, was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

The course opened May 1 for the 2015 season. Also available for use is the Fenn Park, which has miniature golf and disc golf courses, and a 330-yard driving range with artificial and grass tees. Lessons are also available.