Sugarloaf Golf Club — Local services in Carrabassett Valley

Sadly, my most recent experience at this great course will be my last. I make it a point to play here each year, this was the course my father took our family (a golfing family) to as our FIRST "Top-Notch" course when I was a teenager. I have talked it up ever since wherever I play or to whomever I'm with. Over the last few experiences though, it has been disappointing for one simple reason.. treatment of guests.

Over the last 3 times of playing, there has been a palpable lack of appreciation if you are not a member. Each time being frequently reminded of the expected course play time and the time our group is currently on pace for (reminded while playing). When there was ANY difference between the two, we were asked to just hit the ball on the green, pick it up and count 2 strokes. Apparently this is standard at this course. Not how I remember as a kid.

I thought this time would be better, and it was...until the 12th hole. Our group had the course to ourselves, mostly due to a mixed forecast, only a few members went our before us and nobody at all after us. A GOLFERS DREAM on a course as fantastic as this. We we informed of this and told: "its just you guys, have fun, stay dry." Our foursome was having a blast, no-rain, front 9 was great, ate lunch at the course restaurant, played 10, 11.. then a rain cell moved in for 30 mins on 12. It cleared. We were then met by the Golf Director.. He wanted to know what we have been doing all this time, whats taking so long, and that we would ruin the course after the rain. We were asked to leave.

At the pro shop we asked what could be done for us since we were not allowed to finish. The response we got did not sit well: "You guys got to play 12 holes, you got a deal at $54 when its usually $109 (or so), you have been out there a long time." When asked why we were asked to leave, the response: " the course is unplayable, there is some standing water on 13 and 15. You are just going to ruin the course." --- I could understand his attitude toward us IF WE DECIDED to quit after 12 holes, blame course conditions, and try to weasel out a voucher.. The fact is that we were having a blast playing and were perfectly happy finishing the round. What was looking to be the kind of golf day you dream about and tell all you golf friends about, turned out to be as expected- frustrating and disappointing. After a pointed discussion with the Golf Director, one member of our group was given a handwritten ticket good for 6 holes if they can fit us in sometime when we come back. It was more of a backhanded gesture. I was cautiously optimistic about coming here again after my last few experiences... I should have just gone to work instead. It's acts like this that are ruining the sport.

In Conclusion: It pains me to say this, because I love the detail of this course so much, but I CANNOT recommend it to serious golfer if you are not a member. The experiences I mentioned here are not unique to just me, but many I golf with across the state have confirmed the same kind of treatment at this course. I honestly can't believe there are not more reviews similar to this one- Everyone in the golf community knows the stigma that goes along with a tee time at this course. The Director can keep my $54: The $thousands$ that could be coming here are going to other courses now. The golf community in Maine is a tight community.

Save yourself the frustration, Enjoy the day you took off from work, Play a...

BUYER BEWARE! Course amazing, food good, management / ownership well... not so much. Drove 2 1/2 hours each way to play a round of golf, not 2/3 of a round. After a half hour rain delay, the Director of Golf came out and asked us to leave. He was concerned we would damage the course. As I talk with fellow golfers about this, their immediate reply is “Did they give you a voucher?” Nope, 1 out of 4 got a slip of paper saying he could play 6 if he came back and paid for 18 more. Oh, and it’s only good “If we can fit you in after your round”. That’s poor golf etiquette by any standard. Ownership has weighed in on the situation. See Nate Yeader’s review and their response. But the reply doesn’t hold water. Once the rain stopped there was no more coming. As we sat in our carts in the woods during the downpour we were checking the radar, just one passing cell. If they were truly concerned about safety they would have held us at the club house after 9, when we stopped to buy lunch. They should be checking the radar. However, the comments by the director centered around how long we were out, and that we paid less than the maximum rate for 18, so we should be grateful for what we got. No concern to make it right for their guests, which they could still do at any time. Bottom line, if you long for the thrill of a casino, combined with a possible partial round of golf, then by all means roll the dice, this may just be the perfect golf destination.

REPLY TO ANONYMOUS OWNER Facts:

1. I was not given a voucher, neither were 2 other players in our foursome. 1 voucher was given to 1 player and it makes no mention of “good for 4 players”. How would I book a 6 hole tee time, or get credit, if the one player with a slip of paper is not with me that day?

2. It wasn’t a “break in the storm”. There was no more thunder and lightning after the director asked us to leave. In fact, no more rain period. We were looking at the radar in our carts as we waited the rain out, simply one passing storm cell. Would you expect anyone who reads this review to believe that if there was a full slate of golfers for the rest of the day, scheduled to pay at full rate, you would ask them all to leave, and close for the day due to a half hour storm cell with clear skies following? I admit to a modicum of skepticism to that idea. The directors only stated concern was, we would “Destroy the course!” Really?!?!?!?! No expressions of concern for our safety. If it was life or death, why did he allow us to finish hole 12?

3. You express your gratitude to each in our group for taking the time to share our experience. Simply platitudes. You have the power to turn this into a positive experience. Why not demonstrate your gratitude by taking action? Is this how you would want to be treated if you went to a premium facility? You can still do the right thing, and take care of your...

Exceptional design and in very good condition. This was the nicest course in new england i played this summer. The vistas are beautiful, carved out of the forest with great mountain views, rivers, rocks, bridges and a few holes with crazy elevation which produce some amazing hang times off the tee. This will be a memorable round. the fairways are excellent condition and look to be bent grass as are the greens. the rough is mostly blue grass with some fescue. the rough is thick and the woods beyond is dense and dark. the greens are in great shape not super fast but most are very undulating. the carts are basic without digital electronics so bring your range finder WITH slope! you will need it every hole. the clubhouse is small but the food was quite good and the people were super nice. i see they have plans to put in a par 3 course as well.

all in all it was a perfect day. I personally like the greens a bit tighter and faster but with the undulating design i could see issues with some players. it’s not overly long but it will test you. I loved the river’s meandering thru the course with the natural rocks and the overall beauty of the course . The sound of the rushing water adds to the ambiance.

i’ll be...