Golfing in The County
2017-09-14

Golfing in The County

Guest Blogger: Rene Cloukey has been sports director at WAGM-TV in Presque Isle, ME for more than 30 years and when he is not out reporting on athletics in Aroostook County, he can often be found trying to avoid bogeys on area golf courses.

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Golfers in Aroostook County have several beautiful courses to enjoy throughout the summer and fall, usually opening up in May and remaining open well into October.

Aroostook Valley Country Club in Fort Fairfield, Mars Hill Country Club, the Presque Isle Country Club, and Va Jo Wa in Island Falls, are the best-known courses in the area. All four are 18-hole courses that can challenge golfers of all abilities.

There are several hidden jewels in the Crown of Maine. 9-hole courses that folks in other parts of Maine and New England may not have played…

Houlton Community Golf Club is one of the oldest courses in The County. The scenic lakeside course was designed in the early 1900’s. They have done a nice job in making both nines different with tee boxes set up so the back nine looks completely different. Number five is the most difficult hole on the course for me. You need to hit the ball straight and have a mid-iron to the green.

Caribou County Club has several challenging holes. They have done a great job in making the two nines challenging. Hole 6 and 15 are my favorite holes on the course. 6 is a shorter par four, but your drive can end up in a ditch while 15 is much longer and leaves you a long shot into the green that can be viewed from the clubhouse deck.

Limestone Country Club is one of the longest nine-hole courses in the State. You are met with a 400-yard par four to start and then when you make the turn you are greeted with a 440-yard par four. Also, number six plays 220 yards from an elevated tee box to a green surrounded by bunkers.

Portage Hills Country Club has, what I feel, is one of the most challenging starting holes in the County. At one time, this was a par five hole, but it is now a 430 par 4 with a narrow fairway and an elevated green that is very tough to hold. 1 and 10 are my favorite holes on the course. The course is a real challenge with several small elevated greens that challenge shot making.

Long Lake Country Club in St David near Madawaska is a fun course to play. There are a few par 4 holes that you could drive and have an eagle putt, but it is risk versus reward. They have recently done some work and extended a couple of holes making them very challenging. I love number 8 and number 17. The holes are a dog leg right with trees down the right side, where the hole can easily be driven with a good shot or you must have a short wedge into a sloped green.

All in all, The County offers such a great variety of golf experiences. Fall is soon upon us so make your plans to visit us soon!