In Good Company

Thanks to stunning vistas of the ocean and pristine conditions, Samoset Golf Club and Resort has drawn comparisons to the renowned Pebble Beach

By Peter Blais

For nitpickers, there are always the seagulls. The gray-and-white scavengers at Samoset Golf Club and Resort like to hang out around the 10th tee and snatch unprotected sandwiches purchased at the turn while golfers prepare to tee off the back side.

Samoset Golf Resort

But other than that, even the most critical naysayers among us will have a tough time coming up with any pet peeves about a day at what is commonly referred to as the “Pebble Beach of the East.” In fact, , Golf Digest recently selected Samoset No. 5 in Maine and in 2005 it ranked the course No. 7 among its list of “The Top 10 Most Aesthetic Courses in America.”

Located in the seaside community of Rockport along the rockbound coast of Penobscot Bay on Maine’s Midcoast, Samoset does indeed resemble the famed Monterrey Peninsula layout, at least from a visual standpoint. Like Pebble Beach, Samoset is all about panoramic ocean vistas, rocky shorelines, seals, sea birds, boats, frigid blue waters, excellent course conditions (thanks to superintendent Gregg Grenert and his crew) and a first-class resort with all the amenities.

Where the two part company, however, is the price. While 18 holes at Pebble Beach will put a $400-plus dent in a golfer’s wallet, that same amount will pay for golf, room and meals at Samoset and still send players home with enough change in their pockets for the turnpike toll keepers.

Samoset is a relatively short 6,600-yard, par-70 layout from the tips, with four sets of tees that can reduce the yardage to a very comfortable 5,100 yards. But it certainly doesn’t come up short on beauty, variety or challenge, particularly if the wind is blowing, which is usually the case on a course where seven holes play along the Atlantic while even more afford views of Penobscot Bay.

Those enamored with seaside golf will love Samoset’s front side. The ocean dances in full view of every hole on the outgoing nine. The premier stretch is holes 3 through 5, a pair of par-3s sandwiched around Samoset’s signature par-5, 4th hole.

Blustery winds coming from the left can play Wiffle ball with a championship-tee drive to the 227-yard 3rd hole, traveling uphill over an ocean inlet, granite cliffs and front-guarding bunkers en route to a double-tiered green.

The breakwater reaches out into Rockport Harbor along the three-shot, 503-yard 4th hole that tempts the long hitter to drive over the water before approaching a putting surface guarded by bunkers front, back and to the right. Several years ago, Ogunquit-based architect Bradley Booth - who also designed two other Maine courses, The Ledges in York and Spring Meadows in Gray - oversaw enhancements to the green surrounds, bunkers, putting surface and a stone seawall bordering the green.

The tee on the 185-yard 5th (renovated from a par-4 several years ago) sits atop the same seawall and lines players uphill toward a shallow green protected in front by two pot bunkers that can come into play on the second shot for those trying to leave their tee ball short.

The back side - remember to beware of the seagulls on No. 10 - heads inland, where several holes have undergone renovations in recent years.

“Number 14 is my favorite,” says Head Professional Gary Soule. “From the tee it looks like a typical golf hole. But when you get down to hit your second shot and look toward the green with the ocean behind, it has that ‘Oh My God’ effect.”

The 18th was recently redesigned into a long, 478-yard par-4 from the back tees for the men and a testy par-5, 402-yarder from the forward tees. Trees, bunkers, water and out-of-bounds wreak havoc on the golfer’s psyche leading up to a two-tiered green.

“The 18th is the toughest hole on the course, no question,” Soule says. “From the whites it is still 446 yards. The drive is pretty wide open, unless you duck hook one into the creek. The second shot gets very interesting. You either lay up or go for the green, in which case you need to be ready to take your medicine.”

The 105-year-old club also boasts a full pro shop, practice center, restaurant, lounge and resort amenities.

Despite heavy early-spring snowfall, the course would be its normal pristine self this season.

“We always get the wind along the coast, which helps us dry out,” says Grenert, who is in his 27th year at the course. “I started in 1981. It seems like yesterday. I can’t wait to get to work when I get up in the morning. I look forward to the next challenge. Since I have been here, we have rebuilt the course almost three times over. There are always new technologies and grass species coming on the market. That keeps things exciting.”

Samoset recently signed on as the Northern New England home of ESPN Golf Schools, with curriculum developed by famed instructor Hank Haney. Three-day resort schools and one-day touring schools for adults and juniors of all skill levels are available, as are private lessons and corporate events.

The ESPN Golf School, particularly the Three Club Tour, proved very popular last season, according to Soule.

“That always sold out. It costs $495, and you get to keep the three Nike clubs [driver, wedge, putter],” he explains. “You get more in merchandise than you pay for the golf school. It includes the lessons, clubs and lunch.”

The Samoset Resort features indoor and outdoor pools, saunas, whirlpools, four tennis courts, basketball, massage, aerobic classes, yoga and Pilates along with a state-of-the-art health club. As for dining, the top choice is Marcel’s, a four-diamond award-winning restaurant. The Samoset Resort concierge can arrange for tennis, basketball or beach volleyball tournaments, massages, facials, sailing, local sightseeing, and shopping. Spouse programs include wine-tasting, culinary classes, trips to L.L. Bean and Acadia National Park.

During the winter season and into the spring, the resort invested $3 million in a guestroom makeover that is scheduled to be completed by July 1. The guestrooms now offer an updated classic residential feel, with down bedding and multiple pillows, fabric window treatments, new carpeting, nautical artwork by contemporary seacoast artist Chris Ward, marble-topped mahogany accent furniture and LCD flat-screen televisions. The baths feature granite vanities, framed bathroom mirrors, upscale bath fixtures and lighting including lighted makeup mirrors, oversized Kohler showerheads and contemporary curved shower rods that afford more space. Guest amenities include individual robes and complimentary WiFi.

Once your done with golf, some local Rockport/Rockland/Camden-area attractions of note include: the Farnsworth Museum with its Andrew Wyeth collection, Maine Lighthouse Museum, Owls Head Transportation Museum, Camden State Park, Mount Battie, schooner, boat and lobster cruises. Among the top local restaurants are: Primo for fine dining, Cafe Miranda for wide-ranging American fare, and the Black Bull and Quarterdeck for brew pubs.

A word of warning, however: Seagulls have been known to venture off the Samoset property as well.