Bar Harbor, Maine – If you have a burning desire to tee it up at a classic links course, one that opened for play in the 19 th century, you don’t have to travel across the Atlantic to Ireland or Scotland.
You can find golfing nirvana on the beautiful coast of Maine at Kebo Valley Golf Club.
Kebo Valley Golf Club is located in Bar Harbor Maine, and borders Acadia National Park. The club was formed in 1888, making it the 8th oldest golf club in America. Kebo Valley started as a six-hole course, which also had a horse racing track, baseball field and tennis courts.
Today, Kebo Valley is a true links course playing 6,100 yards from the tips. But, it is still a challenging course. The greens slope dramatically from back to front so be sure to leave your approach shots below the hole. The wide open fairways are bordered by chocolate drop mounds and the rough is usually deep.
You’ll find the par-3 holes short but demanding. The 4 th hole is only 143 yards, but the green is guarded by six cavernous bunkers. The 16th hole is a mere 258 yards, but the two tiered green is surrounded by five greenside bunkers making it hard to score par.
My favorite hole is the 349 yard par 4 -17th. Hit a solid 3 metal to the fairway and you are left with a short iron to an elevated green. Two enormous traps front the green that has caused a great deal of frustration for golfers for nearly a century. In 1911, President Taft, a rather rotund fellow, scored a 27 on the hole. I guess when you are president nobody has the courage to suggest that you pick up and walk to the next tee “while we’re young.”
Over the years some of the golfing greats like Walter Hagen have played Kebo Valley. In fact, in 1927 Hagen shot a 67, a course record that stood for over 50 years.
Kebo Valley Golf Club partners with several Bar Harbor B & Bs which offer reduced rates to their guests who wish to play golf.
We found Kebo Valley in great shape; it was a top notch experience, fun, and challenging. The staff is professional, helpful and friendly… You can’t go wrong when you book a tee time at Kebo Valley.
For more information on Kebo Valley Golf Club visit: KeboValleyClub.com
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