Rocky Knoll long enough for big hitters and still friendly to walkers

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ORRINGTON – When five partners went into the golf business back in 1998 and started working on their new course, they quickly found out something that led to both the course’s name and its defining characteristic.

Included on the farmland off Route 15 was a particular hillock that generations had used to dispose of the farmer’s bane: rocks.

“The old farmers named this knoll over here Rocky Knoll,” says Howard Grover, one of the partners. “So that’s where they dumped all their rocks.”

Head out to Rocky Knoll Country Club for a day of golf, and you’ll see plenty of those rocks … all put to good use.

Rocks frame and define the elevated tee boxes at each hole, and on one memorable hole – the par-3 fifth – they’ve been put back to use as a rock wall that serves as a backdrop to the most picturesque shot you’ll take on the nine-hole course.

Despite all the work, Rocky Knoll is still rocky. In a good way. “They come in useful,” Grover says of the stones that have been “recycled” during construction.

Grover is a partner in Rocky Knoll along with his brother, Dan Grover, Bob Phillips, Barbara Bag-ley, and Louis Daigle. The course sits on a 70-acre plot of former farmland and the partners have long-range plans to develop another parcel of adjacent land that they own into another nine holes.

Rocky Knoll Country Club, which opened in July of 2000, has begun to mature and is drawing a loyal group of golfers to its spacious layout. The course measures 3,054 yards for men, 2,653 for the ladies, and features a couple of features that are attractive to many players.

First, it’s walker-friendly. While some new courses demand that golfers become either riders … or mountain goats … to enjoy their round, Rocky Knoll is a walker’s paradise: Not flat and nondescript, but gently rolling and easy on the legs.

Second, it’s forgiving enough that even sometimes-errant free-swingers can usually both find and play their tee shots when the occasional disaster takes place.

“Distance is one thing [that this course possesses],” Grover says. “It’s a long course. People like to be able to take their drivers out. And it’s not hard walking. It is rocky in places, but it’s not hard walking.”

The showpiece of Rocky Knoll is the 160-yard fifth, with the stone wall lurking a mere 10 yards from the back right edge of the green. The tee box is nestled in the woods, and the cars and trucks of Route 15 are a mere afterthought – unnoticeable – hundreds of yards away.

“Five seems to be our favorite,” Grover says. “We think it’s a nice hole.”

The course challenges golfers to hit the long ball early, as two of the first three holes are par 5’s. The final two holes, in contrast, are more target-oriented, as players finish with short-ish par 4’s that reward accuracy.

The ninth is a case-in-point, as its 311-yard length belies the trouble that lurks on the green.

The green – a pesky two-tiered affair – can feature some tough pin placements.

And No. 8 is only 280 yards, but 230 of those come before a pond that stretches across the fairway.

Greens are typically quite small, which also tests players, as member Will Spencer points out.

Spencer says the speedy greens were one reason he became a member.

?The greens putt very good,? he says. ?They?re small, but I think that helps your game.?

Spencer points at future improvements that will also make Rocky Knoll special.

Plans are in the works to put in more sand traps, Grover says, and the partners have talked about beautifying No. 5 with a pond.

And long-range plans include nine more holes on the 91-acre parcel that the clubhouse sits on.

Grover expects construction on the new nine to begin next summer, with completion two years after that.

And if you think Rocky Knoll rewards the long driver now ? wait a couple years.

?[Phillips] wants to make [No. 10] 635 yards or something,? Grover says. ?A par 6.?

John Holyoke can be reached at 990-8214, 1-800-310-8600, or by e-mail at jholyoke@bangordailynews.net

Vital Statistics

ROCKY KNOLL COUNTRY CLUB

Holes: Nine

Yards: 3,054 (men), 2,653 (women)

Par: 36

Slope: 94; course rating: 65.9

Greens fees: 9 holes: $10 weekday, $13 weekend; 18 holes: $15 weekday, $16 weekend

Memberships: $370 single, $470 couple, $220 junior, $300 student, $325 senior, $625 family

Directions: Take Route 15 out of Brewer or Bucksport, Rocky Knoll is on Route 15 in Orrington, about a mile from the Brewer town line.

Footwear: No metal spikes

Phone: 989-0109