A melding of styles that are typically kept an ocean apart, The Links at Outlook is where Scottish-style links meets classic Yankee golf.
Favored by golfers because it plays like two separate courses, the first 11 holes are links style, making it unique to the region. Bent grass and rough as thick as the course’s New England charm typify these holes, while bunkers pock the landscape. There’s an occasional water hazard to contend and the challenges come early and often. Like on No. 1, where you’ll have to contend with water on your first shot and are best favoring the left side. Or take No. 8, a 224-yard Par-3 with a large expanse of water dominating the right half of the approach making bogeys quite common.
The first half of the course is open parkland with few, if any, trees. It’s not flat and wooded like many courses in the state. The final seven holes are more traditional New England tree-lined holes defined by significant changes in elevation, making sunset a magnificent sight.
The panorama from 18, the course’s signature hole, is particularly quintessential. It overlooks a rolling and tree-lined hill crowned by a large post-and-beam red barn. Built in 2007, the barn is the course’s banquet facility for parties as large as 250, making it the perfect place for a wedding or corporate function.
From the back tees, the Par-4 18th runs 354 yards, has a slight dogleg left and wide fairways, but bunkers hug the left side of the green. The previous hole, the Par-5 17th, however, is one that that keeps golfers coming back. Both the tee shot and second shot are blind and the hole has a 165-foot change in elevation. Players who hit their tee shots straight have chance at eagle, something that excites golfers of all skill levels.
Plans did not always call for this swath of land to become a golf course. When family patriarch Tim Flynn initially bought the property in the early 1980s, he intended to turn it into an industrial park. It luckily never came to fruition.
Once known as The Outlook Farm, the course was designed by Brian Silva, Golf World Magazine’s “Architect of the Year” in 1999. Spread out over 160 acres, the 18-hole, 6,100-yard course opened in 2000. And when it did, it was immediately the talk of Southern Maine.
With its central location—just 15 minutes from Portsmouth and 20 minutes from the Southern Maine beaches—and links-style layout, visitors are treated to a unique golfing experience right in their own backyard. And, all for a fair price to boot. rates, depending on the time of day and season range from $35 to $75.
The Par-71 Links at Outlook definitely deserve a spot on your golfing calendar for 2010. For more information visit outlookgolf.com.