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07/07/2008
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Staff photo by Joe Phelanfrom the Kennebec Journal
QUESTIONS REMAIN
No complaints from those who switched to Somerset County center
Vote on 1 may hurt some in election
Steeple at center of debate in Whitefield
VETERANS REQUIRE ASSISTANCE: Homelessness takes center stage
J.P. DEVINE: Overcome sadness with hope
BASKETBALL: NBA Hall of Famer Barry doles out advice at Thomas College
HIGH SCHOOL CROSS COUNTRY: Maranacook sophomore Mace dominates Class B field
All of today's:
News | Sports
from the Kennebec Journal
from the Morning Sentinel
A year later, families await answers on fatalities
Owner of topless coffee shop on the comeback trail
Officials report cheaper, better service after switch
Two people in critical condition
Young Marines stick to program
Issue of homeless veterans at center stage
GIRLS SOCCER STATE CHAMPIONSHIP: Winslow falls to York in Class B
Bard hits her marathon stride
All of today's:
News | Sports
from the Morning Sentinel
BELGRADE — Summer resident Don Woodruff was one of the first to ever play Belgrade Lakes Golf Club when it opened 10 years ago.
The Baltimore native was impressed and couldn’t wait to play the back nine when it opened three months later. This time he brought his brother.
“My brother belongs to one of the oldest courses in Baltimore,” Woodruff said. “He said ‘Wow, nothing can compare to this.’ ”
Woodruff is back in Belgrade for two weeks and plans to play the course at least 10 times. And his brother?
“(He’s) flying up here Saturday to play golf four days and go back.” Woodruff said.
Little has changed since the public course opened 10 years ago. The view from the elevated first tee and putting green of Long Lake to the left and Great Pond to the right remains one of the most picturesque vistas in Maine golf. On a clear day, the Longfellow Mountains come into view as well as a distant Mt. Washington.
The brainchild of philanthropist Harold Alfond, the course was built on 240 acres once owned by Realtor Ken Bartlett. Gail Rizzo and Pat Donahue are the developers who first identified the property for Alfond, a Belgrade resident who loved the game.
John Alfond is the majority owner today, while Ted Alfond took over Harold’s remaining stock after he died last year.
The right architect
A number of nationally known designers bid on the $10 million project to build the course, but it was little-known British architect Clive Clark who got the job.
Alfond and managing general partner Kyle Evans were impressed with Clark’s freehand drawings and attention to detail. Clark probably sealed his hiring when he told Alfond “it’s going to look like Maine.”
While many big-name designers show up for three or four days during the job, Clark spent more than 30 days on site.
“Clive was a little more hungry,” Evans said. “He listened a little more than the others did. He turned out to be the right guy for the job.”
Clark, who played on Ryder and Walker Cup teams, had designed more than 20 courses in Europe, but Belgrade was his first major project in the United States. He has since designed Hideway Club in La Quinta, Calif., and Lake Winnipessaukee in New Hampshire.
Clark incorporated the trees, shrubs and ponds that existed on the property and, most of all, the rocks and boulders, thousands of them left over from the last glacier.
Instead of removing them, he just moved them to the side of fairways. Rare is the golfer who at one time or another has not seen his ball ricochet off one of the giant rocks.
Clark also employed a European touch on many holes, lining some bunkers with railroad ties and others with sod. The fairways are fairly wide and forgiving, with bailout areas for a right-hander’s slice, and many of the tee shots are downhill.
Adding to the course’s playability are at least four sets of tees on every hole.
“I love it,” 13-time Maine Amateur champion Mark Plummer said. “It’s challenging and it’s such a beautiful place.”
Gaining local support
Townspeople weren’t sure what to expect when the course was first proposed. The last course was at the old Belgrade Hotel, which burned down in the 1950s. That course, known as The Belgrade, attracted national attention and once employed former U.S. Open champion Julius Boros as its pro.
“There was all kinds of speculation of what was going to occur,” former town manager Bob Early said. “As soon as it was being built, it transcended a lot of those worries that they were going to radically change the town.”
As big and expensive as the project was, the course is relatively unobtrusive. Although some of the holes are close to Route 27, which runs through town, trees obscure the view. Bartlett’s former house and garage serve as the clubhouse.
Alfond and company hired local contractors to do most of the work and immersed themselves in the community since they were already part of it.
“They even trained a lot of local people to help them put down the sod,” Early said.
There’s limited parking so the course doesn’t host any large tournaments.
Cost of greens fees has always been an issue at Belgrade. When he course opened in 1998, greens fees were $75, including cart. Prices were rolled back to $75 for two last week in honor of the 10th anniversary.
Otherwise, they’re $120 with a $40 fee for a cart.
But Belgrade has helped town residents by running benefits for local rec departments, the lakes association and the Waterville Boys and Girls Club.
The course also runs a twilight league in May and June for residents and charges just $10 for nine holes including a cart. This is in addition to an initiation fee.
“They’ve been good neighbors to the community,” Early said. “By and large most people in town are proud that the course is here.”
National recognition
There are no members at Belgrade and, just as important, there is no development surrounding the course. A hotel was proposed a few years ago, but that idea was scrapped after it was determined there wasn’t enough year-round business to sustain it.
“Ninety percent of all golf courses are real estate driven,” Evans said. “That makes us unique.”
Once the course was in operation, it was quickly tabbed as one of the top five new public courses in the country by Golf Digest. It’s been on the top 100 list ever since.
Thanks to these types of lists, its Web site and word of mouth, the course quickly gained a national reputation. Because of its low profile, guests can come in, play a round or two and go relatively unnoticed.
Miami Dolphins and Florida Panthers owner Wayne Huizenga has taken a helicopter in a couple of times for quick rounds, as well as former Augusta National chairman Hootie Johnson. Boxer Jerry Cooney, major leaguer Whitey Ford, golf architect Tom Fazio and Syracuse basketball coach Jim Boeheim are just a few of the celebrities who have tested the course.
In addition to spectacular views, the Par 71 course offers a variety of challenging holes, including five Par 3s and four Par 5s. Evans is fond of saying there are 18 signature holes, and he’s not far from wrong. The ninth hole and 18th come as close to signature holes as any. Both descend to a huge double green in front of the clubhouse deck.
“I’ve played Pinehurst,” Woodruff said. “And I’d rather play here than anywhere. It offers fantastic variety for 6,800 yards, every bit of it a challenge. I just love it.”
Gary Hawkins — 621-5638
ghawkins@centralmaine.com
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