Birdie

Hole #17, Penobscot_Valley Country Club

The story of Penobscot Valley Country Club is a tale of redemption. Golf legend Donald Ross designed the historic layout in 1924. In the years that followed, “Penobby” eventually established itself as one of the five premiere private Clubs in the state, largely retaining its Ross design and character. But over the course of 80+ years, gradual deterioration of key design elements is nearly inevitable at any facility. Greens shrank. Bunkers were removed or became eroded. Trees grew in thick, impinging on the fairways and blocking vistas of the nearby Penobscot River.

Enter Harris Golf. The company, which runs a six courses in Maine including Penobscot Valley, purchased the club in November 2007. Soon thereafter, the company, began a major restoration project aimed at striking a balance between playability and history. All told, the new management restored or repaired 111 bunkers, replacing the sand with blazing white silica. A new turf management plan was implemented and new mowing patterns were instituted. The 3rd hole, in its own right, was completely retooled to take advantage of adjacent property that was not owned by the Club in Ross’s day.

With all these changes implemented, the course now presents a revived, satisfying journey through Ross’s excellent layout.  The Par-3s are extremely difficult but all very different and the Par-5s provide ample opportunities for birdies. The greens are fair, but fast.

Donald Ross-designed courses typically include two short Par-4s, one on the front, one on the back, and Penobscot Valley is no exception. No. 8, a 366-yard dogleg left plays this role on the front nine. Strategies hinge on the ability of the individual player. You can lay up in front of the redesigned bunkers, or fly the bunkers and challenge them on the left.

As much as the front nine is exciting, most players relish the finishing stretch. No. 16 is a well-bunkered 200-yard Par-3 that stretches out over a valley. Par the hole and consider it a success. The 17th presents a classic risk/reward situation. Some choose to try to cut the corner on the Par-4 by going over the water and taking on the bunkers, while others take the safer route and just lay back. No. 18, an uphill 436-yard Par-4 that doglegs left, is the ultimate homeward hole: picturesque and fair, providing golfers with a great opportunity at birdie.

The Par-72 6,536-yard Penobscot Valley Golf Course is located in Orono, just two hours north of Portland. For more information, visit penobscotvalleycc.com.