CARRABASSETT VALLEY – Thanks to favorable spring weather, a historically mild winter, and intensive pre-season maintenance, course conditions at the Sugarloaf Golf Club have once again surpassed expectations, as the resort begins its 31st season.
Following its 30th season which boasted the best turf conditions since the course opened in 1985, Sugarloaf is anticipating a strong summer season in 2016.
Sugarloaf hosted a “soft opening” over the past week, during which time members were allowed to play and get a sneak peak at the course. The consensus throughout the week was that the turf is in some of the best early season shape in recent memory.
“We had a tough winter, with not a lot of snow, and more than a fair amount of rain,” said Sugarloaf Pro Shop Manager John Debiase, who has worked at the course since it opened. “Luckily the course was clear of snow and ice by early April, allowing us to get a jump start on pre-season maintenance. You typically don’t see greens and fairways looking this good until sometime in July.”
With well-below average snowfall totals this winter, and favorable spring weather, course crews were able to begin pre-season maintenance much earlier than usual. The course has benefitted from aggressive cultural practices so far this spring. The course crew has aerated, topdressed, and verticut the entire course, in order to remove thatch and reduce compaction, as well as improve drainage and playability.
In addition to routine maintenance, the course crew has also worked to improve drainage in key problem areas on the course, repaved a large section of the cart path near holes 10 and 11, as well as remove and re-sod a portion of the number 14 green that suffered from frost damage.
The resort also recently announced the hiring of Zach Zondlo as the new Head Golf Professional. Holding a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Professional Golf Management from Coastal Carolina University, in Myrtle Beach Florida, Zondlo has been an Assistant Professional with the Heather at Boyne Highlands—another top rated course in the Boyne family. He has most recently held the position of Assistant Professional at Fiddler’s Creek Golf Club in Naples, FL.
Zondlo will oversee all instruction at the Sugarloaf Golf School, including private lessons, group clinics, and the Nike Junior Golf Camps.
The Sugarloaf Golf Club will play host to several high-level tournaments once again this summer, including the 2016 American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) Coca-Cola Junior Championship, August 22-25. The tournament will feature more than 100 of the top junior golfers from around the world.
The Championship will run for four days, during which time the course will be closed to the public. A qualifying round will be held on Monday, August 22, with the first, second, and final rounds taking place on August 24, 26, and 27, respectively. The tournament field will be cut to a minimum of 50 percent of the field following the second round. Complete details are available at www.ajga.org.
For more information on the Sugarloaf Golf Club, or to book a tee time for opening weekend, please visit www.sugarloaf.com or call 1-800-THE-LOAF
