The Castine Golf Course has integrated history and historic golf course architecture in the signature course designed by Willie Park, Jr. Willie Park, Jr. was regarded as the first great golf course architect, and in 1921 at the age of 58, he traveled to Castine to stake out a new course for the Castine Golf Club. On Monday, August 8th at 5PM, another great golf course architect, Bradley Klein, will speak at MMA’s Delano Auditorium about “Why Heritage Matters” in maintaining the history of these wonderfully historic golf courses. In 2015 Brad Klein received the highest honor for achievement from the American Society of Golf Course Architects. He has been a consultant on over 100 golf course development and reconstruction projects including three by Willie Park, Jr., the New Haven CC, Shuttle Meadow CC in Connecticut, and Meadowbrook CC in Detroit. Mr. Klein will be introduced by another historian of golf Rob Sidorsky, who himself has written many books and articles about golf courses throughout the world. Mr Sidorsky spoke to an overflow crowd in 2014 about the golfing life and legacy of Willie Park, Jr. This lecture will be a continuation of that event.
History of the Castine Golf Course
Brad Klein speaks at MMA on the History of the Castine Golf Course
Golf has been played in Castine at least since 1896 and probably earlier. The first tee was originally located on the ramparts of Fort George and the drive carried across the Backshore Road. It should be noted that when Willie Park, Jr. came to Castine, the land he saw was quite barren of trees and probably resembled the links of Scotland, his native home. The public is welcome to come hear Brad Klein and Rob Sidorsky, and there will be a reception and book signing to follow at the CGC clubhouse for the community. This lecture is jointly sponsored by the Castine Golf Club and the Castine Historical Society.
