Category Archive: Course Conditions

1. Phase 1 Golf Course Update

   Phase 1 Golf Course Restrictions…Updated 5/8
   May 8, 2020
   

   The State of Maine revised the May 1st restrictions as follow (in italics):
   

   The clubhouse is closed with exception of bathrooms. This is effective May 8, 2020.
   

   Members can play at the club where they are members; otherwise, people can only play golf in the county they live in. This is effective May 8, 2020.
   

   Golf courses in counties where restaurants are open for dine-in customers should refer to the restaurant checklist for guidance on food service (all counties except York, Cumberland, Androscoggin and Penobscot). This is effective May 18, 2020 (in 12 counties).
   

   Enforce one golfer per cart policy unless immediate family.
   

   This is effective May 8, 2020.

2. Hidden Meadows Open For Play On May 1st

   Okay everyone, we’ve got this sorted out the best we can. There are a lot of guidelines that the State of Maine has issued. Most of it pertains to the golf course operators providing a safe environment for people to play golf. There is a link at the bottom of this post that outlines everything. For our customers, we’re going to keep it as simple as possible.
   
   1. Call the clubhouse and make a tee time. Tee times can be made up to seven days in advance. 207-827-4779.
   
   2. Once you have made your tee time, go to our on-line store and pay for your golf. If you need a power cart or pull/push cart, you can purchase those on-line as well. Here’s the link:
   
   https://www.yourparshop.com/collections/green-fees-and-cart-fees?fbclid=IwAR2rmqLtd0lFMau5Hn6x2XnwjtnMbcSMybSEWqCpevZnB7F8pkH5lq8VcfY
   
   3. Please remain in your car until 10 minutes before your tee time.
   
   4. If you are renting a golf cart, it will be ready for you with your name on it. It will be sanitized and clean. Single riders only unless you live under the same roof. Carts may not be taken to the parking lot before or after your round.
   
   5. There will be a ‘starter’ managing the 1st/10th tees. The starter will give you the okay to start/continue your round.
   
   6. Be respectful of the players in your group, and of the other players on the golf course. Maintain social distancing at all times.
   
   7. Flagsticks must remain in the hole and must not be touched.
   
   8. There are no garbage cans on the course, so please pack out your trash. Please remember the golf cart is not a garbage can.
   
   9. Please pick up your own tees after you use them. Do not pick up tees that are not yours.
   
   10. Please return your cart to the designated area when you are done with your round.
   
   11. Please do not congregate in the parking lot when you are done playing.
   
   Remember, the clubhouse, practice range and practice putting green will not be open. The portable restroom between #4 and #7 has been removed. There will be no restroom facilities available. As horrible as this may sound, we have lots of trees, brush and bushes around the perimeter of the course. Keep a roll of toilet paper in your golf bag and just imagine you are on a camping trip. We are truly sorry for this inconvenience.
   
   As questions and situations come up, we will use our best common sense, and we will work within the spirit of the guidelines provided by the State of Maine. And again, this is a small price to pay for having the ability to get the golf course open. Our goal is for everyone to enjoy playing golf and to stay as safe as possible.
   
   Official guidelines from the State of Maine: https://www.maine.gov/decd/sites/maine.gov.decd/files/inline-files/COVID%20Checklist%20for%20ME%20Phase%201%20Golf%20Courses_0.pdf?fbclid=IwAR0JW9fAd79CQgYRzNKcEiTYwJhFZbSG55hRO6AK0DJ506NOXMhLrNa3qqg

3. Carts are okay on the course!

   We are letting carts out on the course today!

   
   It’s amazing what a little bit of sun and a stiff breeze can do to dry things up. We’ve got some wet spots, but overall it’s not too bad.

   
   $10 green fees. Regular cart rates apply.

   

4. Improving Course Conditions, Cart Usage Update

   Gorgeous morning for golf today. We’ve finally been able to get the big mowers on the course, and things are shaping up well. We’ve got some ice damage on a few of the greens, but overall the greens are rolling out nicely.

   We’ve had carts out since Monday afternoon. The weather forecast is for nearly an inch of rain tonight and tomorrow morning. If the forecast is correct, we will not be letting carts out on Thursday and possibly Friday. We will post an update tomorrow morning.

5. Monday Night Scramble and Senior League Postponed

   Blame Mother Nature

   The weather has not been kind at all this spring, and course conditions are less than ideal. We’ve decided to postpone both the Monday Night Scramble, and the Senior League for at least one week. We’ll be keeping carts off the course for an additional 3-4 days, but if this week’s weather holds out for us, we might be able to get them out this weekend.

   So, while you may see the carts staged in front of the clubhouse, they’re not quite ready to go. But they will be soon. We’ll get there, eventually.

6. Golf Course Update – Wednesday, May 15th

   We sure dodged a bullet yesterday. Instead of the 1.16 inches of rain that was predicted, we only got 1/10th of an inch.

   
   The course is still wet, but it looks like beginning tomorrow we’re going to see some sun and 60*+ weather. Our conditions are improving a little bit every day now as we slowly work our way out of the horrible spring we’ve had.

   
   It’s too wet to get the big mowers on the course, but we do have a Craftsman that helps in a pinch. Hidden Meadows Green Superintendent Chad Armell is out mowing fairways with it today. It’s slow going, but given the circumstances, at least we’re able to get some grass cut.

   
   We’ll get there everyone!

7. Dirigo Pines Tournament This Saturday at Hidden Meadows

   According to the local weather service, beginning tomorrow the weather is finally supposed to be looking a little bit more ‘summer-like.’ 

   With that in mind, how about a little tournament golf? Dirigo Pines is hosting a tournament at Hidden Meadows called “The Heart of The Pines” this coming Saturday, May 18th. The cost is $240 per team ($60 per player) and includes green fees, cart, lunch and prizes. Additionally, every player will receive a coupon for a free round of golf that they can use later in the season.

   To enter, contact Laurie Cates at 207-866-3400 or Hidden Meadows Golf Course at 207-827-4779. All proceeds will go to the American Heart Association.

   

8. Demo Day Postponed

   The demo day that was scheduled for this afternoon has been postponed due to Mother Nature being a bit grumpy.

   
   We have re-scheduled for Tuesday, June 4th and Tuesday, June 11th, from noon to 5 p.m. both days.

9. Course Opening Thursday, May 9th

   We will be opening the golf course tomorrow at 10 a.m. We will have all of the regular greens open. It’s not going to be pretty, and we’d strongly suggest wearing waterproof shoes, as well as having a good supply of golf balls. Unfortunately we will not be able to let carts out on the course.
   

   We will be charging regular rates, which are the same as last year: $15 for 9-holes, $21 for 18-holes. However, with every paid green fee you will receive a pass for a free round of golf that you can use later in the season. It’s our way of saying ‘Thank You’ for bearing with us as we slog through the worst spring we’ve had since we’ve owned the golf course.
   

   We apologize in advance for the golf course conditions. Mother Nature hasn’t given us much of a break so far this season. As the weather improves and we are able to get our equipment on the course, Hidden Meadows will return to the high standards you have come to expect from us over the past several years.
   

   Again, thank you for bearing with us.

   Rob & Joe

10. Mother Nature Has Other Plans – Driving Range Opens March 15th

    “So, you’re opening the driving range March 1st, right?” Well, that was the plan, mother nature had some different plans for us. The recent snow storm, and subsequent drifting, and very cold weather we’ve had this week (and are forecasted through the end of next week) has meant that we haven’t been able to get any of our preparations done to open on Friday. We’ve decided to postpone the opening of the driving range to Friday, March 15th. We do apologize about the delay in opening, but I’m sure halfway through a small bucket next week you’d understand. We’ll see you then!