Boothbay and the surrounding area are bursting with golf courses.
Here is a list of seven courses within an hour of Five Gables Inns. If you play your cards right (or hit the ball right) you can explore multiple courses during your Maine getaway. You will have the chance to enjoy the scenery, discover historic golf courses, and play the game you love. If you really want to try your luck, there are nearby tournaments throughout the year. There is even a chance the show off your skills in a mini-golf tournament.
The Boothbay Harbor Country Club allows non-member guests from May until October. The meticulously maintained course has 18 holes in a stunning setting. Improve your game using the TekGPS unit in each cart. Four comfort stations along the course boast climate-controlled restrooms and refrigerators filled with water. Have a quick bite or a beer on the patio as you recount stories of your game.
The Bath Golf Club is only 30 minutes away in Bath, ME. This course has some unique history. The clubhouse was originally built in the 1850s. It has been fully renovated and now features a pro shop, event space, and a wraparound porch with panoramic views. The course itself was originally designed by Wayne Stiles in 1932. Mr. Stiles was one of the founding members of the American Society of Golf Course Architects. He was not formally trained in landscape architecture yet he is considered one of the best golf course architects of his time.
Wawenock Golf Club in Walpole, ME is a 9-hole, links-style golf course. For those who wish to play 18 holes, there are alternate tee spots making for an atypical game with a sense of déjà vu that may or may not help your skill level. This course was also designed by Wayne Stiles along with John Van Kleek. In fact, Wawenock Golf Club is considered part of the Wayne Stiles Trail of courses. Most golfers prefer to play with their own personal clubs, however, if you happen to find yourself craving a round of golf without your clubs, Wawenock has clubs for rent.
Sheepscot Links Golf Club in Whitefield, ME has a golf course and driving range. Want to work on your game with a professional? Leon Oliver is a PGA Professional with four course records at Sheepscot Links. He was also named the 2017 “Maine PGA Player of the Year.” He offers one-on-one 45-minute sessions at the course all based on your specific needs. He has been teaching for 35 years and can help everyone from novice to expert golfers.
Mere Creek Golf Course in Brunswick, ME is a nine-hole course on the former site of the Brunswick Naval Air Station. The course was built in 1958 and was available for use by military personnel, veterans, and their guests. In 1991, the course opened up to the general public. The course is known for being very playable. Mere Creek Golf Course features a club house, pro shop, driving range, and putting green.
Highland Green Golf Club in Topsham, ME, lovingly called “Nature’s Nine,” was designed by award-winning golf writer Jim Dodson. The course features a wetland, a pond, an exposed ledge, and many tricky holes including the last which is simply named “Trouble.” The nine-hole links-style course is located in a 55+ active adult property but it is open to the public. After a round of golf, settle in on a stool at O’Hara’s On the Green. The neighborhood restaurant has great pub fare.
Brunswick Golf Club in Brunswick, ME has a longstanding history in the state. The course was founded in 1898 as Bowdoin Golf Club. It was one of the founding clubs of the Maine State Golf Association in 1917. Wayne Stiles and John Van Kleek had their hands in this course when they redesigned the original nine in 1921. The 18-hole championship course is known for its challenging 6th hole and picturesque 9th hole. Go any day at 12:00 (except Sunday) to join a Gangbusters challenge. Members and the public join up on four-person teams for best-ball or points fun. Watch their Facebook page for information about the annual Pop Erswell Tournament that his held each year in April.
Want to really test your golf skills? Enter one of these Maine golf tournaments:
The LifeFlight Emergency Care Open Golf Tournament will be held on June 17, 2024. The tournament benefits Maine’s clinical education programs. It is a great way to make sure flight crews and emergency medical providers in Maine get the training and support that they need. This year, the tournament will be held at Natanis Golf Course in Vasselboro. The course is about an hour from Boothbay so once you are back at the inn you will not have to worry about running into that guy that you beat on the last hole.
The Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital (BBCH) Open Golf Tournament is held each fall (the 2023 event was on Thursday, September 14). The 2023 tournament was held simultaneously at three golf courses: Boothbay Harbor Country Club, Prouts Neck Country Club, and The Woodlands Club. Participants in this tournament get to have fun all while knowing that the proceeds benefit BBCH at the Maine Medical Center. The tournament has sold out in past years so keep your eyes open for the 2024 dates.
We even have tournaments for mini golf players. You read that right. The American Mini Golf Alliance is hosting the 31st Lee Stoddard Dolphin Open on September 7-8. 2024 at Dolphin Mini Golf in Boothbay. Details for this year’s event are still being worked out, however, last year the contestants played 10 rounds over the two-day period. A portion of the proceeds benefit the Lee Stoddard Scholarship. The scholarship goes to local students attending a trade school. Dolphin Mini Golf is an 18-hole mini golf course with a nautical theme. We will not tell anyone if you arrive early to get in a few practice rounds before the tournament.
