Freeport, Maine (October 21, 2024) – Maine Golf is pleased to announce the launch of a $2.5 million capital campaign to build a new not-for-profit golf learning center in Freeport that aims to “launch tomorrow’s game” by breaking down the traditional barriers to golf for youth and families across the state.
“Maine Golf is not sitting back and hoping golf continues to grow itself,” says Brian Bickford, Executive Director of Maine Golf. “While the game appears strong, some of the underpinnings are weaker than they should be, specifically, affordable access, instruction, and programming at all levels, particularly for Maine’s youth and families. And we need more girls playing golf in Maine!”
With the new Golf Learning Center, located at the former Freeport Country Club (now called Maine Golf Center Freeport), Maine Golf plans to create a “golf playground” that is fun and welcoming for all ages, backgrounds, and abilities—with an emphasis on juniors. “Our vision is to get as many young people playing golf as possible,” Bickford says. “Not only is golf a great outdoor activity for kids, it teaches them invaluable life lessons while promoting mental and physical well-being, self-confidence, and strength of character.”
Plans for the facility include an inviting, family-friendly clubhouse featuring a full-service pro shop, snack bar, indoor classroom, and high-tech indoor golf simulators for year-round play and instruction. The facility will also feature a new state-of-the art Toptracer driving range with 20 hitting bays, a revamping of the current 9-hole golf course, and a new par 3 “short course,” providing a fun challenge for all. Construction is slated to begin in the spring of 2025.

Maine Golf has seen tremendous growth in junior golf recently throughout the state with Youth on Course, a program that gives young golfers access to local courses for $5 or less. Since 2021, the organization has signed up more than 3,000 junior golfers to the program. “We believe the growth in Maine high school golf identified in a recent Portland Press Herald article is a direct result of Youth on Course,” says Bickford. “New Hampshire and Vermont are not experiencing nearly the same growth in high school golf as we are in Maine, but they do not have a strong Youth on Course program like we do.”
Conversely, Maine has experienced ten golf course closures in recent years (five in Cumberland County and five throughout the rest of the state). All closures were for the development of house lots or commercial properties. Combined with a surge in adult golf since Covid, this has significantly reduced the amount of available tee times for junior and beginner golfers, creating a “perfect storm” in Maine with more demand and less supply. It’s also noteworthy that 70% of Maine courses do not have a PGA golf professional. One of the primary roles of the PGA professional is to grow the game, particularly among junior players.
To further its mission to “launch tomorrow’s game,” Maine Golf also recently revitalized the First Tee program in Maine after an eight-year void. “Arguably the most recognized junior golf and youth development program in the world, the First Tee is pleased to be returning to Maine,” says Karlton Creech, Senior Director of Chapter Relationships for the First Tee in Ponde Vedra, FL. The First Tee, along with other established golf access and education programs such as Youth on Course, PGA Junior League, and LPGA*USGA Girls Golf, will be headquartered at the Freeport facility with plans to expand access to kids statewide.

To date, Maine Golf has raised $1.3 million of its $2.5 million goal, primarily from private donations. The organization is now welcoming 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 Learning 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 clicking the button below.
Click on the button below to view the Capital Campaign information page.
About Maine Golf
Maine Golf is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to strengthen today’s game, launch tomorrow’s, and lead the collective effort to grow the game of golf in Maine. Founded in 1917 as the Maine State Golf Association, Maine Golf is comprised of 120 member clubs and 21,000 golfers from across all 16 Maine counties.
Maine Golf is an Allied Golf Association of the USGA. The association provides handicapping services, conducts statewide championships for golfers of all abilities, fosters junior golf, oversees a longstanding scholarship fund, and promotes the game for the golfers of Maine.
The Maine Golf Scholarship Fund, once known as the Maine Caddie Scholarship, is the primary charity of the association. A portion of all revenues generated by Maine Golf is set aside for the fund, which has assisted more than 500 Maine students with the cost of higher education since its inception in 1950. To date, the Scholarship Fund has given more than $2.1 million to deserving Maine students with an interest in golf.