Sheepscot Links

Virtually a brand new (1999) track in Whitefield, set alongside the picturesque Sheepscot River, this recently expanded 9 (2001) holer may be the best golfing value in south central Maine.

The current greens fees are $10 per 9 holes and $12 for 18. Among the most inexpensive rates anywhere, the quality of golf is exceptional for a course built literally in the owner's backyard, by his own design and labor.

The holes:

1st: a straight away, wide open shortish par four, where a wood or long iron off the tee leaves a 9 or a wedge to a large two-tiered green guarded by bunkers on both sides. Nice stress free start.

2nd: 160 yard par 3 straight away to a large but trickily sloping green, guarded by a large bunker on the safer level side. Beautiful view of the Sheepscot River from here.

3rd: Links style par 4, requiring a tee shot carried over the Maine equivalent of 150 to nearly 300 yards of fescue grass and gorse covered ravines, depending upon how bold a line you choose. Second shot is played to a small dramatic two-tiered green, guarded by a bunker on the left. A back pin on the small top tier can give you fits!

4th: Relatively short, but narrow and forest lined, and up hill all the way. A good drive here will leave a mid to short iron aproach to a fairly generous, but invisible green, probably from a side hill lie.

5th: first of the new holes, this lovely 400 yd. jewel is visually sumptuous from a dramatically elevated tee, with towering woodlands tight along the entire left side. A good drive leaves a short iron to an expansive, sloping green.

6th: a shortish par four sporting a pond at about 200 yds which is invisible from the tee. A safe midiron off the tee leaves a delicate 9 iron or a wedge to a diabolically difficult, rolling, sloping putting surface.

7th: uphill, 550 yard par 5, demands a long, accurate tee shot to leave any chance to reach in two. Most players will lay up to leave a wedge to a small, elevated green.

8th: short par 3 from another dramatically elevated tee to a generous green below. Good chance for birdie and nice country views.

9th: dogleg par 4 with another forced carry over links style lands to a generous landing area. Big hitters can go for the green at about 300 yards cutting straight across the corner, but woods, water, and deep rough will eat up anything but a perfect drive.

Getting there:

From Augusta, take Rt. 9 South to Randolph. Proceed south another couple miles and take Rt. 194 East about 9 miles to Whitefield. Look for a church in the middle of the village and turn left immediately after it onto Townhouse Road. Sheepscot Links lies not a 1/2 a mile down the road.

Enjoy!

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