PICC serves County golfers

    PRESQUE ISLE – Fifty-one years ago the Presque Isle Country Club opened on the outskirts of the city giving golfers wide open views of the country side  and overlooking the Aroostook River alike over 18 holes.     Sixteen years ago Barry Madore’s Golf Shop began offering everything a golfer could want making the club a virtual one-stop shop.
    Presque Isle Country Club is a semi-private country club meaning that the members are the owners, but that visitors to the area and from the area are always welcomed.
    The club is the site of several major tournaments each summer including the annual Spudland Open Tournament, which is one of the major amateur golf tournaments in the state and has been bringing golfers to Presque Isle for over 35 years on the fourth weekend in July. Anyone who has ever visited or played at the Presque Isle Country Club knows it is a good place for a major tournament.
    Architect Ben Gray made the initial course design in 1957 which was added to in 1984 by Rick Hobbs and Geoffrey Cornish. There are three courses: red for ladies, white for men and blue for championships.
    The club offers power cart rentals, a driving range, a putting green and practice area and facilities include a pro-shop, restaurant and lounge.
    The country club is available for corporate golf outings, charity tournaments, wedding receptions, parties and class reunions.
    Golf course superintendent is Joe Peluso, who has been with the club for 30 years and brings with him a wealth of experiences as one of the most knowledgeable course superintendents in the state. Golf professional and club manager is Barry Madore, who has been with the PICC since 1993.
     The PICC is located at 35 Parkhurst Siding Road (Route 205) off Route 163/167 East in Presque Isle and is open May 1 through Oct. 31 weather permitting from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
    The golf shop is open May 1 through Oct. 31 and limited hours November through April.
    The PICC clubhouse can be reached at 769-7431. More information is also available at their Web site at www.picountryclub.com.
    The golf shop can be reached at 764-0430 or by e-mail at abmadore@ainop.com.