Thursday, April 19, 2007
Golf courses are cleaning up just like everyone else.
In more years than not, Maine golfers would be playing by now. But not this year. The adverse weather has pushed back nearly every course opening.
Some courses are in better shape than others. The Ledges in York opened last week but closed down because of Monday's storm. Matt Blasik, the head pro, said they hoped to open today if the weather permitted.
The Links at Outlook in South Berwick hopes to open Friday.
"It's been a rough spring but we came out of this better than expected. We didn't have any trees down," said John Flynn, the director of golf.
Sunny and warmer weather are what golf courses need. Some Portland-area courses have more flooding and wind damage than their York County counterparts. It could take a while before they open.
"We're looking at least for another week to open," said Ron Bibeau, the Riverside head pro.
Riverside always has to deal with the rising Presumpscot River.
"It was almost all the way up to the 18th green," said Bibeau of the green that sits on a hill. "It was really bad Wednesday. It's done quite a bit. We're hoping to open April 25."
Dan Hourihan, the Nonesuch River owner, said the course had a lot of flooding.
"The water peaked on Monday and is coming down. We didn't have much wind damage. Everything looks pretty good," he said. "April has been tough."
Nonesuch is usually one of the first courses to open and the last to close. If the weather improves and things dry out, Hourihan said the course could open Friday or Saturday.
"We hope to open the front nine," he said.
It will be at least a week and a half before Sable Oaks in South Portland opens. With its elevation, the course received heavy wind damage. Its low-lying holes were flooded by the adjacent Jackson Brook.
"We have trees down all over the place," said Roger Densmore, the general manager and head pro. "It's going to be some time before the trees are cleared and the course drys up to make it playable.
"We have a lot of water and there are trees across tees, greens and cart paths. The best- case scenario is that we could open by April 27."
Spring Meadows in Gray had hoped to open a week ago.
"We're very wet. It's hard to say when we'll open. Maybe by the 27th," said the owner, Dave Pollard.
The Maine State Golf Association will begin its weekly amateur tournaments April 27-28 at Fox Ridge in Auburn, which hopes to open this weekend.
The MSGA also has a tournament scheduled April 28 at Bar Harbor.
Those tournaments should take place provided no further stormy weather arrives.
In most cases, courses enjoyed their earliest openings last year. This spring they're paying the price.
"We're just hoping we're getting the bad weather out of the way and won't have to deal with it again," said Flynn.
"We're hoping for a good May and June."
And then it's summer, followed by fall, when courses have their best conditions.
Staff Writer Tom Chard can be reached at 791-6419 or at:
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