As we arrived we had no idea what we were going to experience. I was expecting the standard short resort course when I saw the yardage of 6548 from the tips, with maybe a hole or two with a nice view. What we got was a whole lot more. A challenging, but fun course with breathtaking views that I compare with Pebble Beach. Now granted they won’t be playing any US Opens at the Samoset, but right from the start you knew this was not going to be a chip and putt course as you might have assumed from just an initial gander at the scorecard.

The first hole is a tight, 388 yard par 4 with trouble everywhere. Hole 2 was a pretty benign but sneaky tough par 4. Then you get to hole 3 and not only does the challenge continue but that is where the views from incredible vistas begin. As we played the balance of the front nine it was easy to get distracted as you looked out at the Atlantic full of sailboats, clipper ships and lobster boats harvesting their traps. I’ll blame all these distractions on my 3 over par 37 (par is 34). Hank faired a little better dealing with the incredible beauty as he carded a one under 33.

After we stopped at the clubhouse for a Bar Harbor Blueberry Ale and a dog we headed out to number 10. With 2 negotiated shots in my pocket I struck a crisp 3 hybrid 210 yards right down the middle on this very good short par. Laid up perfect in front of the crystal clear pond guarding the green, I nearly jarred my 9 iron and left myself a great birdie chance at 6 feet. I felt like the tide was turning as Hank almost dunked a wedge in the pond as was left with a delicate pitch from a closely mowed tongue to the right of the green. Wrong, Hank chipped in, I missed and the lopsided match continued as before. 11 was a good short par 3, 130 yards with a severe false front and a front right “sucker pin”. Yep, you guessed it, crisply struck wedge, spun off the front, bogey. 12 was a tight, tight 535 yard par 5 through the woods. Easy driving hole but a very demanding second shot. Hole 13 was all the par 3 you wanted at 230 yards over water.

As we headed to the 14th I figured the back nine would be more of the same, good, challenging holes through the Maine hardwoods. To our delight as we crested the hill after our drives on the this 545 yard par 5, we were headed straight back to the glistening Atlantic. This time I would not be distracted by the beauty, finally a birdie and then two more coming in for a 74. Holes 17 and 18 were a little awkward in design but certainly did not diminish our experience. And yes, even with my 3 birdies and 2 negotiated shots on the back nine, I still lost the match to Hank’s 68 which meant drinks at The Harpoon and a lobster dinner at the Dip Net Restaurant in Port Clyde was on me!

If you are planning a trip to Maine make sure to experience The Samoset! You’ll enjoy Pebble Beach like views and a fun, challenging course! www.samosetresort.com/golf

Tiger Bruce

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