Labor Day has come and gone, which is the first signal that the Maine golf season is drawing to a conclusion.

“It’s been a great season,” said Nick Glicos, director of golf at Martindale. “Weather has been excellent for golf.”

Remember, no one was saying that in 2023, because Maine got all kinds of rain. It has been nice to return to a normal Maine summer.

Economically, it appears to have been a strong year for Pine Tree State golf, Martindale being an example.

“Overall, the state of golf is strong and we still have a waiting list for membership. Not sure how long that will remain, but we will continue to promote the club and see how it goes,” Glicos said.

Then, he added: “We are seeing interest from potential developers/buyers for golf courses and property overall. I think the lack of housing is also pushing this. We have 60 acres of developable land around the club, but are cautious with that and want to be sure any changes are going to benefit the club.”

Fairlawn is another course that has shown economic strength, as its membership has almost doubled to 250. The clubhouse renovation also is a sign of growth, and the condition of the course has improved noticeably.

In years past, there were no tee times at Fairlawn, but that has changed. With members and non-members being able to get tee times, the course has a lot of players from dawn to dusk.

Brian Bickford, executive director of Maine Golf, said: ” Maine golf has had a wonderful season.”

He attributes that to the very good weather, and he added: “Every course I see, says: ‘Play it up,’ meaning lots of golfers are on those courses.”

Bickford called this “The Year of the Junior Golfer,” because of the huge success of Jade Haylock (Turner Highlands) and Eli Spaulding (Brunswick), who each won their Maine Amateur championship and Junior championship. He also is happy about the attendance success of the junior program at Freeport, which was where the Maine Golf Center is located.

Summed up, golf in the Pine Tree State has rebounded well from the rainy 2023 season.

*****

Maine Golf’s upcoming schedule has women’s playdays Sept. 17 at Biddeford-Saco and Sugarloaf, while men’s playdays will be Sept. 20 and 21 at Turner Highlands.

Bill Kennedy, a retired New Jersey golf writer and editor now residing on Thompson Lake in Otisfield, is in his 12th season as Sun Journal golf columnist.