Business Profiles
Cape Neddick Country Club: a vision in green
By Larry Favinger
Cape Neddick Country Club Manager John Abbott pauses on the clubhouse porch, while golfers enjoy a day on the greens in the background.
Photo by Larry Favinger
CAPE NEDDICK - There was nothing but water as far as you could see, said John Abbott, manager of the Cape Neddick Country Club, looking out over the panorama in front of him between the clubhouse and Shore Road.
That described the scene during and immediately after the Mother's Day weekend storm that devastated many properties in York.
The green color of the fairways and greens that now meets the eye from the porch of the clubhouse is a testimony to the hard work of the club's staff, under direction of Superintendent Bob Doran, to put the course into top condition shortly thereafter.
"We had a lot of water," Abbott said, that made much of the course look like a huge lake. "It was a very tough spring, but we came out of it with flying colors. We not only survived, we thrived."
Abbott said Doran is "the reason why we are one of the most popular clubs in southern Maine. He was a great find for us. We are second to none as far as golf course conditions are concerned."
The 18-hole course, only a stone's throw from the ocean, is owned by a group of investors and is not affiliated with The Cliff House resort on the other side of Shore Road.
"They are a group of unselfish owners who continually give," Abbott said. "All the money we make they reinvest in the golf course."
The Cape Neddick Country Club began more than 100 years ago with three holes on the family estate of John Pickering. As World War I was beginning, the course went to nine holes.
In 1919, renowned golf course architect Donald Ross designed 18 holes for what was then the Cliff Country Club. The name probably started the rumor that the club and the resort were connected. The layout was completed in 1925.
All went nicely until 1942 when, due to the effects of the Great Depression and the start of World War II, it was decided to abandon what was then the back nine so the limited resources could be put into the other nine holes.
In 1990, with Cliff Realty Corporation in charge, the club was renamed the Cape Neddick County Club.
In the mid 1990s it was decided to reopen the back nine. Due to many problems -including environmental objections, another renowned golf course architect, Brian Silva, was hired and designed a new nine holes in the spirit of Ross's original layout.
That course, a Par 70, 6,066-yarder from the championship tees, is what is in place today, with a few changes. For example, two years ago the course had one sand trap and today it has 19.
There have been other improvements as well.
In the past three years, Abbott said, "We've spent an awful lot of money around here."
Not only were the traps installed but the parking lot was paved, a cart storage area was added and there was a redesign of the restaurant.
The course is 5,698 yards from the white tees and 5,326 yards from the blues. From the women's tees the course stretches to 4,904 yards. The various tee markers give golfers of all levels a course to enjoy.
Cape Neddick is a semi-private club that welcomes green fees with the exception of Saturday, Sunday and holiday mornings, when tee times are reserved for members.
"We have a great restaurant," Abbott said, which is open to the public and offers specials every night. "The best kept secret over there is breakfast."
The restaurant is under the direction of Patty McNeice and Chef Chris Wilson.
The club's driving range and putting green are also open to the public.
There are over 400 members in the club and, Abbott said, adding, "They are very pleased with what they have."
The club is noted for being "very friendly," said Mary Hodgkins, the office manager, and has an "at-home atmosphere. John is a big part of that."
Abbott has been a member at Cape Neddick for 10 years and took over the management position shortly after retiring in 2002 from a company bearing his name. He is originally from Bedford, Mass., and lived right on the Bedfordshire Golf Course.
"It's a labor of love," he said of his job. "I love what I do here. I'm very fortunate."
There's a Cape Neddick Country Club membership drive going on this summer and some special benefits have been added. Any member who secures a new member gets a $500 pro shop credit and, in addition to the benefits of being a member, receives five free golf lesson from PGA Pro David Perron and his staff.
The club is open from approximately April 15 through Nov. 15 and hosts more than 26,000 rounds a year.
For more information or to book tee times, call 363-2011 or go online at www.capeneddickgolf.com.
