Conference 7.286::golf

    Well, it's me again Shawn.....funny that you should mention it,
    I was just there this weekend. WONDERFUL!!!!  No carts allowed in
    fairways, no 90 degree crossing, a lot of walking, but definitely
    worth it. Bring your wallet. Greens are like lightning. USGA sloped
    this course at "167" the pro told us. They are re-sloping all of
    Maine right now, so it'll be interesting to see what they come up
    with now. The greens are "12" on the meter.  So fill in the rest.
    We loved it totally.....food, entertainment, lodging, everything
    was GREAT!  Once again, bring your wallet!  All in all, I shot a
    96, 97, 98....not bad for a slope that high!
    
    They were also having their Club Championship this past weekend,
    so the pin placement was needless to say unbelievable.              
    
    
    
    Maureen Barber
                                                          

    We usually play Samoset a couple of times each season. Was there
    last year the second week of October and lucked out to a beautiful
    day.
    
    They are redesigning three new holes that will replace 16, 17 &
    18, three of the poorer holes.
    
    It's much more of a challenge from the Blue tees. Especially the
    two long par 3's.
    
    Also, Goose River in Camden is a nice layout, 9 holes with different
    tees, no sand traps but very small greens. Green fees were like
    $10.00 mid week.
    
    Rockland Golf Club also decent layout, priced between Samoset and
    Goose River.

    Anyone interested in a Time Share Unit here can get a good deal
    for the 4th of July week.  Interested parties can contact me for
    further information.

     Re: 741.1 - I respectfully question the green speed index and slope
    numbers. U.S. Open speeds next year (per the greenskeeper whom I
    talked to at Medinah #3) will be 11. also if the slope is 167, it'll
    be 16 points higher than Pine Valley, and 11 higher than PGA West.
    If there is a resort course in Maine with a 167 slope, every golfer
    in Japan will be headin' East and paying $150 to play it.
    
    --Jack (I heard Samoset was good, but if it was THAT GOOD, I'd have
    played it or been enroute...). 

    Re: 741.4 - I am only telling you what the pro told us at Samoset,
    this past weekend, I respectfully question your ability to read.
    As for the rest of my reply, for the most part, the male golfers
    held handicaps of 7 through whatever....however, the low handicaps
    were the people who thought the course was tough, greens were like
    lightning, but also excellant to play, and very challenging. I have
    no idea what kind of a handicap you have, nor do I care, all I was
    doing was passing some information along that was just obtained
    three days ago....maybe you should go up and talk to the pro yourself.
    
    
    M. Barber
    
    

    I ended up playing Goose River, seeing that my pocket could not afford
    Samoset at the time.  Goose River was very well laid out.  The greens
    were very fast that day.
    
    Shawn

     Re: 741.5 My only handicap is being impatient with people who take
    instant offense to any questions raised pursuant to their statements.
    Samoset is probably a nice course, challenging and with fast greens,
    and if so, may be worth a trip. However, my response didn't question
    your integrity, merely the information itself.
     If I really gave a s%#t, I'd call up the USGA in Far Hills, N.J.
    and ask them the slope, course rating and stimpmeter reading, but
    I don't.
     You got some innaccurate technical info (along with some valid
    personal observations), both of which you were nice enough to share
    with us. Thanks for both - but I'll disregard the former.
    
    --Jack

    Samoset is the nicest course I've ever played on (but then I haven't
    been to Hawaii, California, and a lot of other places). Thirteen
    holes have great ocean views, and only the last three holes are
    "ordinary" (18 is really a disappointment); as mentioned in an earlier
    response, these three holes will be replaced in the near future.
    
    I didn't play from the back tees, but even so it didn't seem to
    be an especially tough course (except for the greens, which are
    lightning fast); but most courses seem pretty tough to me! (Did
    anyone mention that it's in Rockland, not Camden?) For $30 I'd much
    rather play Samoset than Stow!
    
    Incidentally (and not to sound like a shill for the place), their
    restaurant (Marcel's) is also excellent.
    

    Played yesterday with the Lung Card and even in the light rain we had
    for 3-4 holes, the greens were like ice.  Fees are $35, $22 for a
    mandatory cart prior to 1pm.  The slope is 120 (Seems low) and rating
    of 68.7 Par 70, 6008/6362 yrds white/blue.  Played Rockland before that
    and the course has some winter kill but in overall very good shape. 
    Just aerated and sanded the greens so give Rockland a week or so if
    you're venturing up he-a (here)  Samoset is great spring/summer/fall.
    Will be playing the Sable Oaks this weekend should mother nature
    cooperate, and the Loaf next weekend.  (two weeks of tuff golf aye)

    Regards, Kevin