On a cold and drizzy late April afternoon, Mother Nature was keeping the golfers away. However, make no mistake, the staff at Gorham Country Club was in full swing as it prepared for another season serving the community. Matt Murphy is the new club pro. Cindy Ahlquist, who has been with the club since 2008, may be found serving golfers a hot dog or in a clubhouse office working at administrative tasks. Superintendent Sean Abbott joined the staff the same year as Ahlquist.
In the midst of our conversation, Harold Hawkes pulled up in a cart clearly outfitted for work, not a leisurely round of play. Hawkes and his wife, Kathy, have been the major shareholders since 2008, the former farmland familiar turf for Harold even prior to the club’s opening in 1961. All of which adds up to—and if this meeting is any indication—lives up to, the club’s website invitation and slogan, “Come see why players of all skill levels are calling us, ‘Maine’s Friendliest Course.’ ”
Words and action seem to reiterate the themes of serving the community and encouraging people of all levels to participate in the programs offered during the season. The welcome also extends to the off-season for folks to freely enjoy winter recreation on the snow-covered course with cross-country skis, sleds, snowshoes. USM hosted the 2016 Great Northeast Athletic Conference Championships at GCC, and college cross-country harriers have covered the course for invitationals. Ahlquist offered, “We want people of all ages and skill levels to come here, feel at home, and feel like they’re being taken care of.”
Popular annual events include the Gorham Junior Open, the Golf Scramble & Barbecue “Fore,” a partnership between the Gorham Business Exchange and the Gorham Athletic Boosters to support the Booster scholarship program, and Moody’s Guns and Hoses, a Gorham police and fire department fundraiser for The Jimmy Fund.
The programs include:
The Junior League whose mission is to promote junior golf in a fun and competitive atmosphere. For ages 12-17, the nine-hole rounds meet five weeks in June and July. GCC suggests, “This league is ideal for preparing your skills for the upcoming golf season.”
The Men’s League is open to both members and the public, and invites all skill levels. This program has been fully booked the last three years, with about 100 golfer cap. It meets Mondays, May 8th to August 21st.
The Wednesday Men’s Match Play League “is for players who enjoy match play competition and playing a friendly 9 Holes with friends,” and will run May 10 through August 23.
The Women’s Twilight League is growing in popularity as it encourages women to enjoy “no pressure weekly competition” as well as its socializing opportunity.
The Junior Camps, which are in part- nership with the Gorham Recreation Department, are for many families, the gateway to golf for kids. The program is split into two levels, ages 7-10 and 11-15 and is held during the summer.
With members in their nineties regularly on the course, and popular programs for children and youth, the evidence supports Kathy Hawkes’ comment that “GCC is a great place for people of all ages. You can play golf your entire life. And we really appreciate the people who come here.”
For further information, visit their website or call 207-839-3490. For information or to register for the Junior Camps, refer to the Gorham Recreation Department website.