“Launching Tomorrow’s Game” Capital Campaign
Maine Golf is embarking on a $3M capital campaign to build a new not-for-profit golf learning center in Freeport that aims to break down the barriers to golf for Maine youth and families.
By creating access and serving as the hub for junior golf programming across the state, the new learning center will generate myriad opportunities for kids of all backgrounds to learn and play the game while benefiting from its many life lessons.
The Campaign
CAMPAIGN UPDATES
“Launch Tomorrow’s Game” Fundraising Goal Exceeded by Generous Donations!
Updated November 5, 2025: Maine Golf is thrilled to announce that we have surpassed our “Launching Tomorrow’s Game” $3 million capital campaign goal by raising $3.1 million toward the construction of the new Alexa Re Rancourt Golf Learning Center! This was achieved through gifts of all amounts from generous individuals, families, foundations, and businesses across the entire state of Maine. A BIG THANK YOU to all our donors!
We have completed phase one of the two phase renovation at our facility in Freeport. Specifically, we have built Marr-Anderson Family Foundation Driving Range with Toptracer technology. We will now move our attention to building the Alexa Re Rancourt Golf Learning Center, a new clubhouse with an education room.
The organization continues to welcome donations of any amount from golfers and community members wishing to enrich the lives of young people and help grow the next generation of golfers here in the Pine Tree State.
Gifts of all levels to the Maine Golf Center will ensure that thousands of young Mainers can learn and enjoy this great game for generations to come. To support the campaign, please make your tax-deductible contributions to:
Maine Golf
c/o Launching Tomorrow’s Game
2 Old County Road Ext.
Freeport, ME 04032
Or you can contribute online by scrolling down further on this page.
New Facility Breaks Ground at Maine Golf Center Freeport
Updated July 24, 2025: The Capital Campaign saw a huge milestone in its continued push toward becoming a reality, as the Maine Golf Center of Freeport broke ground on a new, $3 million state-of-the-art golf learning center and home for youth programming to make the game more accessible to Maine youth and families of all ages, backgrounds and abilities.
The Alexa Re Rancourt Golf Learning Center will feature a junior-friendly golf clubhouse featuring a full-service pro shop snack bar, indoor classroom and meeting space, and high-tech indoor simulators for year-round play. Beautiful, well-maintained grounds will feature a state-of-the-art Top Tracer driving range and a nine-hole short golf course providing a fun challenge for all.
The center will be named in memory of Alexa Re Rancourt, a talented golfer known for her natural swing, her gracious nature and sportsmanship, inspiring other young women in the junior tournaments where she won multiple titles. Rancourt earned a full scholarship to Furman University, where she graduated with honors. She won the Maine Women’s Amateur Championship in 2008 and 2009 and the Southern Maine Women’s Championship in 2008. She also qualified for the U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship in 2009 and 2011. Rancourt decided to take her amateur status back after 3.5 years of professional golf, finding the competitive life and constant travel challenging. She had previously attended Q-School three times but struggled to qualify for the LPGA, though she did play in one LPGA qualifier event.
Rancourt struggled with mental health issues, including bipolar disorder and depression, throughout her golf career. She left the game of golf in 2017 and moved to Hawaii for a time, eventually living in a bus in the Pacific Northwest with her partner, Cody, and their two children, Sparrow and Joey. Rancourt tragically died in January 2024 due to a fentanyl overdose. Rancourt’s family, including father Michael Rancourt, mother Meg Gilmartin, sister Indigo Soncourt and her wife Faith, and daughters, have made a major financial commitment to the learning center to honor Alexa Re’s love of and achievements in the sport of golf while raising awareness about mental health and addiction in hopes of helping others.
Discover More:
Read the entire press release on the naming of the Alexa Re Rancourt Learning Center.
Watch Rob Caldwell’s story on Maine’s news program “207”
Our Vision
“LAUNCHING TOMORROW’S GAME”
We believe that people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities should be able to enjoy and benefit from the great game of golf. That’s why we are building a new Golf Learning Center, based in the vibrant community of Freeport, that aims to provide statewide golf access, education, and instruction, with a focus on growing junior golf and enriching the lives of Maine youth and families.
The Challenge
There are many barriers to golf, particularly for juniors and families. These include:
- High cost of equipment, instruction, and tee times
- Lack of access to courses, instruction, and programming
- Golf’s reputation as an “elitist” sport that is unwelcoming to beginners
Our Solution
To break down these barriers, the new Golf Learning Center will be geared specifically toward juniors and will offer:
- Low- to no-cost equipment programs and junior tee times for just $5 through Youth on Course
- An inviting, family-friendly clubhouse featuring a full-service pro shop, snack bar, classroom, and high-tech indoor golf simulators for year-round play and instruction
- State-of-the-art Toptracer driving range with 20 hitting bays
- A revamped 9-hole golf course and a new par 3 “short course” providing a fun challenge for all
- Quality programs such as the First Tee, PGA Jr. League, and LPGA*USGA Girls Golf to get as many kids playing golf as possible, both at Freeport and across the state
Why Maine Golf?
Maine Golf has led the growth of golf in the Pine Tree State for more than 100 years as a non-profit association of over 120 clubs and 74,000+ amateur golfers. Our sole mission is to “strengthen today’s game, launch tomorrow’s, and lead the collective effort to grow golf in Maine.”
Why Now?
Golf has grown immensely in recent years, marked by a 98% increase in adult rounds played since 2019. As a result, junior golf rounds have decreased by 50% due to the increased demand for full-priced adult tee times.
The future of golf in Maine depends on growing the game at all levels, but most importantly at the junior golf level.
Cost and Timing
The total project cost for the purchase of the land and all improvements is approximately $3 million. Construction is slated to begin in summer 2025.
How Can You Help?
Make a gift! We are fundraising for the entire $3 million cost of the project, so gifts of any amount will make a big difference in supporting our vision for this game-changing facility.
Ways to Make a Gift
- Make a gift online (one-time or recurring)
- Make a gift of stock
- Maine Golf accepts gifts made through Donor Advised Funds. If you are interesting in making a gift please use the name “Maine Golf House Inc.” in Freeport, Maine. When a client uses their Donor Advised Fund (DAF) they select from a list of pre-approved public charities. Many DAFs are setup through popular custodians such as Fidelity or Charles Schwab. Our TIN is 26-2355154.
- Make a qualified charitable distribution from your IRA. If you haven’t satisfied your required minimum distribution from your IRA, did you know you can gift part or all of it by doing a qualified charitable distribution? It’s a great way to support our cause and reduce the tax liability you’d incur. Our name is officially “Maine Golf House” which can confuse people when looking for us and our TIN is 26-2355154.
- Mail us a check to the following address: Maine Golf, 2 Old County Road Ext., Freeport, ME 04032
Contact Maine Golf
Please don’t hesitate to reach out to Brian Bickford with any questions you may have about making a donation to this great cause. Send an email to brian@mainegolf.org or call directly at 207-272-2249.
We are a 501c3 organization under the name Maine Golf House, Inc. (TIN 26-2355154).
Naming Opportunities
The following naming opportunities are available at the Alexa Re Rancourt Learning Center to recognize our lead supporters. For more information, contact executive director Brian Bickford at brian@mainegolf.org.
| Learning Center Naming Opportunity | Gift Amount | Status |
|---|---|---|
| The Golf Learning Center | Committed | |
| Clubhouse | Please inquire | Available |
| Driving Range | Committed | |
| Par 3 “Short Course” | Pending | |
| Pro Shop | Please inquire | Available |
| Classroom | Pending | |
| Short Game Area | Pending | |
| Patio Area | Please inquire | Available |
| Holes #1 – #9 | Please inquire | Available |
Donor Wall Giving Levels
We will recognize the generosity of our donors at the following levels on a permanent donor wall at the Alexa Re Rancourt Learning Center:
| Donor Levels | Amount |
|---|---|
| Leaders | $500,000+ |
| Legends | $250,000+ |
| Champions | $100,000+ |
| Sponsors | $50,000+ |
| Patrons | $25,000+ |
| Supporters | $10,000+ |
| Friends | $1,000+ |
You Can Make A Difference
To help us build the next generation of golfers and community leaders here in Maine, we are seeking the support of the entire Maine Golf community — from avid and casual golfers, to parents and family members of junior golfers, to local Maine businesses and charitable organizations. Every dollar counts!
Your tax-deductible contribution will ensure that thousands of young Mainers can learn and enjoy this great game for generations to come. Join us in “Launching Tomorrow’s Game” today!
