The Great North Woods Region is blessed with more quality courses (3 Donald Ross Championship layouts alone) affording challenging and often breathtaking rounds from May to October.
Ross courses include the venerable Mt. Washington Hotel (603) 278-1000 Championship course (6,638 yards – 70.6/118) in Bretton Woods, bolstered by a nine-hole, Mt. Pleasant layout (3,215 – 68.6/124) set on the 1895, original layout by Alex Findaly. Both are serviced by a new golf Clubhouse and restaurant located near the 18th and 9th holes respectively.
The Balsams Resort at Dixville (603) 255-4961 (in the northern reaches of the region) routinely scores as one of the nation's top resort courses. This Ross layout features long and hilly holes with the classic humpback greens for which he is justly famous. Known as the Panorama Course, ( 6,804 yds. – 73.9/136) this track provides views of several states and into Canada from the clubhouse. An executive course- the Coashaukee Course – 1,917 yds. – 28.6/78 is also featured for those wishing to hone their short game. It is located within walking distance of the hotel while the Panorama Course is located on the property, west of the hotel along a wooded lane.
The third Grand Hotel in the region, the recently remodeled and rejuvenated Mt. View Grand and Spa (603)837-0710 continues with its original sporty 9-holer (5,803 yds. – 66.0/112) that provides plenty of challenge. It is slated for expansion in 2005 to a Championship 18 hole layout.
Another Ross gem is just south of the Great North Woods border in Bethlehem at the Maplewood Country Club (603) 869-3355 on Route 302 (just east of the Route 3 and 302 crossroads in Twin Mountain). This reasonably flat, 18-holer plays to 6,001 yds. From the blues with a 67.9/117 rating.
Also available is the scenic, century old Waumbek Country Club (603) 586-7777, (69.9/107) offering spectacular views of the Presidential and Franconia Ranges and flanked to the north by the Weeks/Waumbek range of mountains.
In Gorham can be found the Androscoggin Valley Country Club, (603) 466-9468 an 18-holer close by the banks of the Androscoggin River. One third of the holes at the club are new this year using some greens from the past. The changes incorporate numerous stream crossings and add length to the course in a compact setting. From the tips it plays to a 67.9/118 rating and slope.
Colebrook Country Club (603) 237-5566 is an in-town nine-holer that plays 2,891 yards.
All the courses accept daily play and accept tee times. Some offer stay and play packages with nearby lodging facilities. Make sure to ask. All yardages and ratings/slope are measured from the tips.
