As one of Maine's most storied golf courses, the Sugarloaf Golf Club has high standards to live up to. Over the past two seasons, under the guidance of new Course Superintendant Bob Bruce, Sugarloaf has featured a renewed dedication to improving player friendliness, course aesthetics, and turf health. Sugarloaf and the Town of Carrabassett Valley have and will continue to work together closely to ensure that the golf course lives up to the high standards that golfers throughout the country have come to expect.

Recent Course Projects:

Redesign and rebuild of hole #6

• During the fall of 2009 and spring of 2010, Sugarloaf redesigned and rebuilt the sixth hole to enhance playability and correct drainage problems that were hurting the health of the turf. New drainage was installed throughout the fairway and approach area, playable area around the green and approach was increased, and several thousand square feet of new sod was installed.
  
  The result has been a transformation of number six from a notorious score-killer to a true signature hole that golfers of multiple ability levels can appreciate.

Tree Removal

• As a true wilderness golf course, Sugarloaf naturally is heavily wooded. While the trees provide the secluded setting that makes Sugarloaf unique, they also block sunlight from greens and fairways, creating challenges for course crews. Over the past several seasons Sugarloaf has enagaged in selective tree removal in key areas that will allow additional sunlight to hit key areas while still maintaining the remote, wilderness feel that is a hallmark of the Sugarloaf course.

Agressive Cultural Practices

• Under Course Superintendant Bob Bruce the Sugarloaf course crew have engaged in agressive cultural practices to promote the health and long-term sustainability of Sugarloaf's turf. These practices include increased verticutting, which removes thatch and promotes improved turf density and agressive overseeding of greens and fairways with heartier varieties of grass to improve resilience after the winter months.

Improved Course Aesthetics

• Sugarloaf is working this season to improve course aesthetics with a renewed emphasis on landscaping throughout the course, including around the clubhouse and practice facilities. Crews are also working to reclaim areas that have been lost or overgrown over the years, including the ditch and culvert area on number ten. The improved attention to detail throughout the course will provide an improved all-around experience for all golfers.

Upcoming Course Projects for 2011:

• Rebuild of hole #5
  In a similar spirit to the 2010 project on hole #6, for the 2011 season hole #5 will see a completely rebuilt drainage system throughout the hole, and increased playable area thanks to new turf on the righthand corner (an area notorious for swallowing drives). Players will enjoy enhanced playability and improved turf health.

Future Maintenance Initiatives:

• Sugarloaf, in collaboration with the Town of Carrabassett Valley and the Sugarloaf Greens Committee have established a future maintenance plan that will work to continue the dedication to increased playability, course aesthetics, and turf health that has been established over the past several seasons. This initiative will ensure that the Sugarloaf Golf Club maintains its sterling reputation as one of the country's premier public courses.